Josh Samanski's breakout season in Bakersfield might earn him more than just an NHL opportunity.
The 23-year-old Oilers prospect is projected to represent Germany at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina setting up a potential reunion with Leon Draisaitl on hockey's biggest international stage and a preview for what Edmonton could add to their lineup.
Samanski is expected to don the German jersey this February and it comes with a pretty good upside for the Oilers. If he competes before receiving his NHL call-up, Edmonton's management gets an invaluable audition in watching their prospect battle elite international competition while potentially sharing ice time with their own superstar.
For a player many project as a bottom-six contributor, there is no better proving ground than the Olympics. The international stage will test every aspect of Samanski's game including his decision-making under pressure and his ability to match up against the world's best. And these are exactly the questions Edmonton needs answered before committing roster spots down the stretch.
Now the question is whether Samanski's NHL shot comes before or after his Olympic showcase. Either timeline works in the Oilers' favor, but an Olympic performance could provide the final validation that he is indeed ready to contribute immediately rather than spending additional seasoning time in the AHL.
Samanski currently leads Condors in scoring
Samanski's selection wouldn't also be a surprise based on his AHL performance. Through 29 games with the Condors, he has compiled 23 points while leading the team in even-strength production. His .82 points-per-game pace, plus-4 rating and five goals easily tell the story of a player ready for the next level.
Even Oilers analyst Allan Mitchell has championed Samanski's underlying numbers, particularly his superior goal share metrics that reveal a more complete player than raw totals suggest. In Germany's search for depth scoring behind Draisaitl, Samanski's two-way reliability makes him an attractive option.
Germany will need secondary scoring to compete in Milan-Cortina and Samanski fits their needs perfectly. His size at 6'3" provides the physical element European teams traditionally value, while his North American development has sharpened the compete level required for best-on-best competition. For Team Germany, he represents the ideal blend of international pedigree and modern hockey development.
Consistent improvement in Bakersfield
The center has done everything right in his development season. Anchoring Bakersfield's top line while serving as a penalty-kill specialist, he has shown the versatility that translates to NHL success.
His work has directly improved the Condors' special teams demonstrating impact beyond offense and is exactly what bottom-six forwards must provide at the highest level.
Perhaps most encouraging is his adaptation to North American hockey. After bringing his power-forward game from the German DEL, Samanski has grown increasingly comfortable on smaller ice surfaces.
Condors head coach Colin Chaulk has previously mentioned that he noticed visible improvement in both physicality and puck confidence on a game-by-game basis with each performance building on the last. Again, that consistent growth trajectory suggests a player whose ceiling hasn't been reached.
Oilers' affordable depth option could address special teams needs
Samanski's penalty-kill contributions deserve special mention as Edmonton's own special teams struggles have been well-documented this season. Adding a player who can provide responsible defensive zone play while chipping in offensively addresses multiple organizational needs.
The Olympic opportunity aligns perfectly with Edmonton's potential needs. Signed to a team-friendly two-year entry-level deal at $975,000 AAV last April, Samanski represents zero-risk depth that could pay dividends down the stretch.
His physical profile with defensive responsibility and power-forward mentality addresses exactly what the Oilers need in organizational depth. As Edmonton evaluates roster reinforcements heading into the playoff push, Samanski's Olympic performance could either confirm his readiness or provide valuable development experience. Either outcome benefits the organization's long-term planning.
The timing couldn't be better for both player and team. Edmonton needs to know what they have in Samanski before making any deadline decisions and the Olympics provide that answer on an accelerated timeline. If he excels in Milan-Cortina, he could be in an Oilers uniform shortly after adding depth for a potential playoff run.
Josh Samanski's Olympic performance could accelerate NHL call-up timeline
Whether Samanski receives his NHL opportunity before representing Germany or uses the Olympics as his springboard remains to be seen. Either way, the 23-year-old has positioned himself as Edmonton's next call-up candidate with international competition potentially serving as the final stamp of approval.
For Oilers fans, February's Olympics might offer a glimpse of their team's future in watching a prospect skate alongside Draisaitl before eventually joining him in Edmonton's lineup. The Oilers have invested in Samanski's development and that investment appears ready to pay returns.
And Edmonton gets a live audition for a prospect who could help them when it matters most. In a few months, Josh Samanski could go from relative unknown to key contributor and it all starts in weeks in Milan-Cortina.