The Edmonton Oilers enter the 2026 NHL Draft with no specific positional need to upgrade their prospect pool.
General manager Stan Bowman has plenty of options and will have tons of time on his hands as he does not make a selection until the 52nd overall pick. If he keeps the pick, one player he should look into is North Bay Battalion centre, Ryder Cali.
Ryder Cali scouting report
Playing his pre-draft year in the junior A ranks for the OJHL, Cali was a player who flew under the radar for the most part heading into the 2026 NHL Draft cycle. Now, he ranks 46th according to the eliteprospects.com consolidated ranking list. He missed time this season with a seperated shoulder but when he was healthy he played a game that is very alluring to NHL clubs. In 47 games with the North Bay Battalion, he scored 16 goals and 20 assists for 36 points.
At the foundation of Cali's game he is a smart player who has great reads, capable of putting himself in good positions over and over again. He is a big centreman at 6'2, 218lbs and uses it well in a variety of ways. He is not afraid to battle with opposing players to win pucks back but also throws hits from time-to-time. He is a real meat and potatoes type of player who has a mature two-way game.
Although he may not be the most high end offensive player, Cali is an effective player who can make plays that positively pushes play. He can make smooth passes and can even park himself in front of the opposing net, ready to bank pucks in and score on second chance opportunities.
NHL projection
Cali may lack the offensive prowess to be a number one centre in the NHL but he has plenty of positive traits and useful tools. He has an incredibly projectable game and given how he plays, he seems likely to be an efficient third line centre at the NHL level with the ability to move up into a second line role if he can take a step offensively.
Next season, he is committed to the NCAA program, the Providence College Friars where he will get the chance to develop against physically mature players. This is a great step for his development as he should play in a more professional environment where he will get to train and faceoff against
This is of course incredibly useful for a team like the Oilers who need useful and cheap depth and would be able to slot him in below their two stars in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. If the Oilers select Cali, they will likely let him develop in college, taking his time before he is ready and he should be able to take over a top-nine role.
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