The Edmonton Oilers received some significant news regarding one of their top prospects. It was recently reported that Edmonton’s top goalie prospect, Samuel Jonsson, would likely return to Sweden this coming season. The Swede previously came to North America to play for the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets last season.
Despite a successful campaign, which included posting a 2.38 GAA and .910 save rate, Jonsson was linked with a move back to his homeland. At the time, Oilers prospect expert Bruce Curlock was not a fan of the move. In fact, the analyst even questioned “the player’s enthusiasm for the organization.” Nevertheless, it seems as if the netminder will now remain in North America for the upcoming season.
“Regarding reports involving Edmonton Oilers goaltending prospect Samuel Jonsson, all indicators are that he will be attending EDM’s Rookie Camp in September,” reports Oilers NOW host Bob Stauffer. “Further to that, he is expected to play in North America this season.”
The update regarding Edmonton’s prospect was obviously received well by Oilers fans, including Curlock. The analyst responded to Stauffer’s post by proclaiming, “This is super encouraging!” Edmonton now has to find room for Jonsson at their AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. The club already has multiple goalies, including veteran Matt Tomkins and fellow prospect Connor Ungar.
Samuel Jonsson Recently Named Top Edmonton Oilers Prospect
GettyThe Edmonton Oilers hope that Samuel Jonsson can be their goaltender of the future.
The Athletic’s Allan Mitchell recently rated Jonsson as the second-best prospect in the Edmonton Oilers organization. Ike Howard, who was an NHL rookie last year, topped the list. “Jonsson has posted two quality seasons in a row across two professional leagues,” wrote Mitchell. “He’s 22, 6-foot-5 and 201 pounds. That’s the goalie size the Oilers prefer, and Jonsson’s performances since his draft day suggest he’s on a trajectory to the NHL despite being a fifth-round draft pick in 2024.”
The netminder was the 12th player in his position to be selected in the 2024 NHL draft. Despite this, Jonsson has stepped up his game since being picked by the Edmonton Oilers. He posted an impressive 1.88 GAA and .922 save rate with Swedish club BIK Karlskoga in his first full season after being drafted. As a result, he won the goalie of the year award in the Allsvenskan.
While Bakersfield has plenty of goalie options, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal has hinted that Jonsson should get a chance with the Condors. “Ungar and Jonsson are both ready to show what they’ve got at the AHL level,” writes Staples. AHL affiliates typically tend to give multiple young netminders an opportunity.
Edmonton Needs to Develop Next Star Goalie
Jonsson will obviously need to continue developing to receive a shot with the Edmonton Oilers. Nevertheless, there is a fairly clear route to the NHL for the youngster. Edmonton will enter the 2026-27 season with three goalies: Frederik Andersen, Tristan Jarry, and Devon Levi.
Andersen, however, is 37 now and only signed a one-year contract with the club. Jarry, on the other hand, is signed for two more seasons with a significant $5.37 million AAV. Levi, while still just 25, is also set to become a restricted free agent next summer. The Oilers have had netminder issues for years now and would love to find a reliable star between the pipes.
Oilers Receive ‘Super Encouraging’ Update on Top Prospect