we have talked long about in this feature, the Edmonton Oilers would need to get creative and jump into the junior and collegiate ranks for free agent signings. With draft picks being sent out frequently in trades to bolster the Oilers’ roster for a playoff run, the team needed to source young talent in other ways. So it was not so surprising the Oilers announced the signing of James Stefan on March 21, 2024 to a three-year entry-level contract.
Well, James Stefan has set the bar quite high to start his career with the Edmonton Oilers. In the five games since his signing, Stefan has 4-3—7 and added 27 shots on net. Yes, I said 27 shots on net. Stefan came as advertised. He plays the offensive side of this game with a very brain, and it translates to a fair number of opportunities every game for him to shoot the puck. Watch this clip of his second playoff goal of the post-season. Stefan doesn’t do anything spectacular except get lost for just a couple of seconds in the quiet part of the ice. While the space isn’t there for long, it is for his release.
Stefan, the 20-year-old Portland Winterhawk, had been tearing up the WHL this season and was one of the more attractive prospects available. For the Oilers, they added a shoot first, scoring winger who plays the game offensively at a very high level. This past week, we all got our first in-depth look at the newest Oilers prospect, and he did not disappoint. More on him, as well as another impressive winger who had a great week and all your news and notes in this week’s Edmonton Oilers Prospect Report
