Following the Edmonton Oilers eighth ranked prospect, Asher Barnett is another left-handed NCAA defenceman at seventh; Paul Fischer.
Fischer was originally drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round, 138th overall at the 2023 NHL Draft. However, just one year after he was drafted, the Blues dealt him to the Oilers along with a 2028 third round draft pick in exchange for future considerations.
The deal took place, seemingly as further compensation to the Oilers (along with a 2025 third and second round picks) for the team refusing to match the offersheets for both Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg and allowing the Blues to acquire them.
Since being acquired by the Oilers, he has went from a relatively unknown commodity to one of the Oilers most intriguing prospects as he enters his third season as a member of the organization and what should be his fourth and final NCAA season.
Future outlook
Fischer is 21 years old and entering his senior year with the University of Notre Dame. Although he has never been a player who has been high up on the radar as an NHL prospect, playing at the 2023 U-18s for Team USA and playing just two games at the 2025 World Juniors, he brings a very interesting element to the ice.
He is similar to previously mentioned and fellow Oilers prospect, Barnett. They are both relatively mobile defencemen who are much more known for their defensive acumen despite not being the prototypical shutdown players. Fischer comes in at a stout 6'0, 203lbs and has a high level of intelligence, allowing him to snuff out rush attempts against and play well in-zone. He also has the ability to move pucks up ice as well and has been able to add an offensive element to his game overtime.
He has shown year-over-year improvement in his point production, going from 16 points in 34 games in his freshman year to 21points in 36 games in his sophomore season up to 23 points in 33 games last season. If he follows the same trend, he should see another jump this season, which if he can find a way to translate this part of his game could make him an incredibly valuable player going forward.
NHL potential
Fischer is a player who boasts the defensive maturity and with his growing offensive game, he could carve out a role on a second pair but safely projects as a potential bottom pair option. His game also signals the likelihood that he can play a man-down, which would give him some value as a penalty killer, something that would surely endear him to a pro coach.
Although it is hard to project how his offence will translate, especially given the changing landscape in the NCAA, his consistent improvement is a great sign nonetheless. If he can keep it up, he will continue to rise up the Oilers prospect ranks and the depth chart.
Depending how things progress, it is not out of the realm of possibility that Fischer could play NHL games towards the end of this year and into the postseason. However, it is most likely that he finishes his college season and then goes down to the American Hockey League to play with the Bakersfield Condors to end the season. Honestly, it is most likely he spends next season there as well with a legitimate shot at an NHL job most likely coming for the 2027-28 NHL season.
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