3 Prospects the Oilers Should Target With 52nd Pick in 2026 NHL Draft

The 2026 NHL Draft is under one week away, and the Edmonton Oilers are in an interesting position. They have been a competitive team over the last few seasons and have continually looked to upgrade their roster for immediate help, while trading future draft picks. They don’t currently have a first-round pick in 2026 or 2027, but they do have a second-rounder.

The Oilers don’t have much draft capital, as they didn’t have a first- or second-round pick in 2025 and have only four picks in this draft, including second-, third-, sixth-, and seventh-round picks. This article focuses on their second-round selection. Will the Oilers keep that pick and restock the farm system, or will they trade it for a quick solution? If the Oilers keep their second-round pick, here are three players they could target at 52nd overall.

Braidy Wassilyn, C, London Knights (OHL)

At this point in the draft, Braidy Wassilyn is a great target if you’re looking for high-upside offence. He was traded from the Niagara IceDogs to the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) early this season. He recorded two goals and five points in six games before the trade, then added another 17 goals and 41 points in 56 games with his new team. Unfortunately, he was held pointless in five playoff games. He hasn’t quite broken through offensively, but the potential is there.

He’s a smaller forward in today’s game at 5-foot-11 and 194 pounds, but he’s quick and elusive. He has the skill, but it’s just a matter of putting it all together. This seems like a boom-or-bust pick. Either he will develop into a top-six NHL forward, or he won’t have longevity. This would be a risky pick at 52nd, but the Oilers have made a ton of risky decisions lately, so this would be on brand. The left-shot forward will continue his development with Boston University in the NCAA next season. Hopefully, he can take the next step if the Oilers pick him.

Jakub Vaněček, LD, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

The Oilers need to add to their defensive prospect depth, and Jakub Vaněček would be a good choice. The Czech native recorded 14 goals and 35 points in 59 games with the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He also recorded three goals and five points in seven games at the U18 World Championship, helping his country secure a bronze medal. He also won silver at the 2026 World Junior Championship, but he didn’t suit up for a game.

Vaněček fits what Edmonton typically looks for in a defenceman. He’s a good skater, so he can transition the puck out of the zone effectively and use his legs if needed. His mobility can also counter the opposition’s forecheck. He also has good defensive instincts. He’s good at shutting down plays and limiting entries, while remaining positionally sound. The Oilers are often scrambling in their own zone, leading to quality chances against. Therefore, they need calmness and stability in the defensive zone, and maybe Vaněček could provide that one day. Mattias Ekholm is 36 years old, and Darnell Nurse will likely get traded this offseason. So, the Oilers desperately need another left-shot defenceman in the system.

While he’s not overly physical, the Oilers prioritize defencemen who play with pace and can keep up with their top-end forwards. The Oilers have also emphasized identifying European talent. Within the last few years, they’ve signed Josh Samanski, Aku Räty, Viljami Marjala, and Tomas Cibulka, while also drafting David Lewandowski, Daniel Salonen, Eemil Vinni, and Samuel Jonsson. Vaněček could be another quality European player the organization could add to the pipeline. Plus, you can never have too many defencemen, because you never know if you’ll find a hidden gem.

Liam Lefebvre, C, Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)

The centre depth in this draft class isn’t strong. Therefore, Liam Lefebvre could be a safe option. This is his second year of draft eligibility, so some teams might be hesitant to select him. He’s an older prospect, but the Oilers value that, given their prior history. He’s a 6-foot-3, 203-pound, right-shot centre. Right-shot centres are extremely coveted, and the Oilers are always looking for one, especially with size.

He spent the 2025-26 season split between the Rimouski Océanic and Chicoutimi Saguenéens in the Québec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), recording 32 goals and 59 points in 59 regular-season games between the two clubs. He also added five goals and 12 points in 20 playoff games, helping his team advance to the Memorial Cup. The Montréal native added two goals and four points in four Memorial Cup games, including an overtime winner against the Kelowna Rockets.

Lefebvre brings many intangibles that the Oilers would appreciate and need. He’s big, he’s physical, and he plays with an edge. He’s a good skater for his size, and he has a lethal shot. Sometimes his physicality resulted in major penalties, as he accumulated 86 penalty minutes. He’s not afraid to drop the gloves and lay big hits, resulting in a two-game suspension in January and a game misconduct in a Memorial Cup game against the Everett Silvertips on May 29.

His size and aggressiveness allow him to win board battles and keep possession in the offensive zone. He’s tough to play against, and the Oilers could use more grit in their lineup. He doesn’t have the highest upside, and he would need some time to develop, but he could be an effective third-line centre at the NHL level. Oilers fans love hard-nosed, physical, and relentless forecheckers, so if he’s selected, he should become a fan favourite, given his play style.

Should the Oilers keep their second-round pick and select one of these players, or trade it for immediate help? Keep following The Hockey Writers for all your NHL content throughout the offseason.