March 7, 2022 by Eric Friesen

Since Tyler Wright took over as Director of Amateur Scouting for the Edmonton Oilers in July of 2019, the organization placed great importance on drafting and developing scoring wingers to support superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

In 2020, the Oilers selected all forwards in the NHL Draft for the first time in franchise history. Last year, they used four of their six picks on forwards. Not all of them will make it, but the Oilers have several legitimate prospects with the potential to become NHL regulars.

Here’s an update on four Oilers’ forward prospects over the weekend:

LW – Dylan Holloway (14th overall, 2020)

After a quick start to his pro hockey career where he had five points in as many games, Dylan Holloway went the next six games without a point. But over the past two weeks, Holloway has found his scoring touch with four goals and six points in his last eight games.

Holloway had two shots and a plus-one rating as the Bakersfield Condors beat the Stockton Heat 2-1 on Friday. The 20-year-old Bragg Creek, Alberta native scored the game-winning goal to help lead the Condors to a 5-1 win over the Tucson Roadrunners on Saturday.

Despite a serious wrist injury that delayed his development, Holloway has the highest ceiling of any prospect in the Oilers’ system, and will be an important player for team going forward.

LW – Matvey Petrov (180th overall, 2021)

Matvey Petrov has continued to collect points with impressive consistency in his first OHL season. Petrov has eight goals and 18 points in his last 13 games, while only being held off the scoresheet twice during that span.

The 18-year-old Moscow, Russia native notched two power-play assists to help lift the North Bay Battalion to a 4-2 win over the Kingston Frontenacs on Sunday. He also registered his third consecutive multi-assist game and 21st multi-point game of the season in the victory.

Petrov ranks tied for 10th in the OHL in goals (30), seventh in assists (44) and eighth in points (74) in 49 games this season. Petrov looks like a sixth-round steal for the Oilers already, and he surely would have been selected higher if he had come over to North America a year earlier.

RW – Ty Tullio (126th overall, 2020)

Playing in his third and final OHL season, Ty Tullio has been the offensive leader for the Oshawa Generals this year. Tullio currently has 23 more points than his next highest scoring teammate.

The 19-year-old Lakeshore, Ontario native tallied an assist to extend his point streak to 11 games in a 6-2 loss to the Peterborough Petes on Sunday. Tullio has eight goals and 18 point during his 11-point streak. He also opened the season with a 12-game point streak.

I expect the Oilers will sign Tullio to an amateur tryout at the conclusion of his major junior season and assign him to the Condors in the AHL. Tullio joined the Condors late last season as well, but didn’t play in any games.

LW – Carter Savoie (100th overall, 2020)

Following a solid freshman campaign with the University of Denver Pioneers in 2020-21, Carter Savoie has been one of the top scorers in the NCAA this year. Savoie has five multi-goal games as a sophomore, including two hat-tricks.

The 20-year-old St. Albert, Alberta native had one assist as the Pioneers defeated the Colorado College Tigers 4-0 on Friday. He then scored two goals and an assist to lead the Pioneers to a 5-2 victory over the Tigers and capture the NCHC regular season title on Saturday.

Making the night even more memorable, Savoie also recorded his team-leading 20th goal and 40th point of the season. If the Oilers can get Savoie signed following the NCAA Frozen Four Tournament, he could also join the Condors for their playoff run this spring.