The Edmonton Oilers do not have many picks for the 2026 NHL Draft and given the state of their prospect pool, they would be best served keeping what picks they have to add to their pool.
They can use the players selected to either supplement their core of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, and others. However, they can also be players who can form the next wave of talent should their quest for the Stanley Cup ultimately fail.
Regardless of the outcome at 52nd overall, the Oilers should have plenty of intriguing talent at their disposal. The player we are highlighting here is Everett Silvertips' right-handed defenceman Brek Liske.
Brek Liske scouting report
The 18 year old Liske is currently ranked 57th according to Eliteprospects.com consolidated rankings list. At 6'2 190lbs, Liske boasts the size that every general manager covets, while playing the premium right defence position. His scoring does not jump out on the page scoring a modest seven goals and 17 assists for 24 points in 52 games this past season, a solid jump from his 11 points in 66 games the year prior.
Despite his lack of production, Liske displays plenty of positive traits as a puck moving defenceman and has a ton of breakout potential, having played behind other more established players such as Landon DuPont, who was their primary piece on the backend. He is strong on puck retirevals, keeping his head up for pre-scans and has soft hands that allow him to carry the puck himself and work around opposing defenser or hit a teammate with a well-timed pass.
On the defensive side, Lisk has all of the tools at his disposal to be a strong two-way blueliner. His size helps but he is able to battle opposing players and take away space using his stick and body and his high end mobility to keep up.
Overall, Liske is a highly intelligent and mobile defenceman who plays a very well refined two-way style with the ability to break the puck out with possession. Also, being responsible and projectable as a defenceman who is adept at both ends and can kill opposing offence.
NHL projection
Although Liske has a lot of positive and projectable traits, there is some unknown elements. Although he took reps on the top pair alongside DuPont and looked very strong in that role, he has been mostly sheltered and has not fully proven himself to be able to be a true anchor in a top role at the major junior level. Despite the potential to be something great, until he proves himself capable, it is just that, potential.
However, his game does give him a lot of interesting possibilities with a relatively safe floor given his intelligence and defensive game. His mobile puck moving game also gives him a fairly high ceiling. Right now, I would safely project him as a No. 4- No. 6 defenceman at the next level with the possibility of growing into a top-four guy.
If the Oilers choose Liske, it will be a good swing on a player who has projectable qualities and some high upside. Since the recent news of DuPont committing to the University of Michigan for next year, it should give Liske the clear path to slot in as their top guy next year.
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