Quinn Hutson’s Big AHL Season Means Decisions For the Edmonton Oilers

There is some rather underrated youth that sits in waiting in the Edmonton Oilers’ farm system. For a team that has been contending the past five or six seasons, they still have young assets that are making their name known, which isn’t the case with every top team. Among those players is Quinn Hutson, who not only had an outstanding season in the minors but also could play a big role in the team’s future.

Hutson’s season with the American Hockey League (AHL) Bakersfield Condors was nothing short of outstanding. In 67 games, he posted 30 goals and 63 points. He also added three goals in three playoff games. He was a point-per-game in the short playoff run and nearly the same pace in the regular season. He plays a tough game and has an absolute laser beam of a shot. These things, as well as other qualities, mean the Oilers have to make a decision soon on Hutson, who will be ready for the NHL very soon.

Hutson Could Be an Oiler in 2026-27

Hutson has some abbreviated experience in the big leagues, with some solid results. He has a goal in six games over parts of two seasons. He is not afraid to shoot the puck and definitely doesn’t shy away from corner play. The one knock on him in the NHL so far is puck security, with seven turnovers in his six games. It’s not ideal, but it’s also something that can be worked on, and he’s still a young player who is prone to a turnover or two.

FIRST NHL GOAL FOR QUINN HUTSON ‼️ pic.twitter.com/VOc90RzSRf

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 19, 2025

With the Oilers’ free agent class still a big question mark, it leaves the door wide open at the moment for Hutson to be an option on the opening night roster come the fall. Training camp will be a huge opportunity for him to steal a spot and be a starter right out of the gate. His high-level AHL play and flashes shown in the NHL will go a long way for coaches and management as well.

Movable Asset?

With Hutson playing so well and being on the cusp of the NHL, it unfortunately makes him valuable in more than one way. It’s very unlikely the Oilers would include him in any kind of trade given he could make the team and be a great player, but it’s never out of the question. Moving a young player for NHL-ready talent is something Edmonton has done many times, and they always need to be considering it, given their position in the contending window.

Hutson would be extremely valuable in a trade if the Oilers used him as a centrepiece for a big name. As mentioned, it’s a tight window, and management knows they are in win-now mode. I believe everything is on the table for them, depending on what they can get.

What Should the Oilers Do?

It’s a fine line to walk for the Oilers. They want to develop Hutson and launch him into the lineup alongside other youngsters like Matt Savoie and Josh Samanski to speed the team up, but it’s not always that simple. They don’t have the luxury of building a perfect farm system right now because Connor McDavid has two seasons left before he reaches unrestricted free agent (UFA) status for the first time in his career.

I think Edmonton just has to hold court for right now. Hutson is clearly improving game by game, and he will be an NHL player soon. If he proves he can make the roster out of camp, then let it ride. It worked with Savoie this season. The Oilers will likely be aggressive in free agency, which could complicate things for him and create questions closer to next season’s trade deadline.

For now, Hutson and the Oilers need to work together and hopefully kickstart a successful career.