Oilers Quick Hits: Michaels, Stastney & Moves That Could Matter
The Edmonton Oilers are in the part of the offseason where not every move is going to make a big splash. The headlines usually belong to the big contracts and major additions, but building a team for an 82-game season is about more than the names at the top of the roster. Sometimes it’s about finding the right young players to develop and making sure there is enough depth when injuries and the grind of the season arrive.
That’s what these two moves represent. The Oilers have added another development piece in Owen Michaels and another experienced option on the blue line in Spencer Stastney. Neither move will change the team overnight, but both fit into the bigger picture of creating a roster that can handle the ups and downs of a long season.
Quick Hit One: Owen Michaels Gets a Longer Look in Edmonton’s Plans.
The Oilers are continuing to build out their depth, and Owen Michaels is the latest young player getting a chance to move closer to the NHL. Michaels signed a two-year, $1.8 million contract with Edmonton after joining the organization on an entry-level deal earlier this year. While he didn’t make his NHL debut, the new contract suggests the organization sees something worth developing.
Michaels is coming off a strong season at Western Michigan University, where he recorded 13 goals and 26 points in 39 games during his junior year. The most likely path is for him to begin the 2026-27 season with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, where he can adjust to the professional game and continue building his skills. These are the types of signings that don’t always get attention right away, but sometimes a player earns his way into the conversation faster than expected.
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Quick Hit Two: Spencer Stastney Adds Depth and Experience to the Blue Line.
The Oilers are also bringing back some extra stability on defence with Spencer Stastney signing a one-year, $1.575 million contract. Stastney split last season between Edmonton and Nashville, giving him valuable NHL experience and the ability to step into the lineup when needed.
He scored two goals and totalled 10 points in 66 games last season, while adding 56 shots and 63 blocked shots. He may not be an everyday player when everyone is healthy, but having someone who understands the NHL's pace and demands matters. The playoffs have a way of exposing teams that don’t have enough depth.
What Does This Mean for the Oilers?
The bigger picture is that Edmonton is trying to create options. Michaels represents the future and the possibility of developing another useful player from within. Stastney represents the present and the importance of having experienced players ready when the season gets difficult.
Contenders are rarely built only through the big moves but by getting the smaller decisions right over and over again. These two signings may not generate headlines today, but they could become important pieces of the Oilers’ season when the games start piling up.