As the regular season concludes and playoffs commence in major junior hockey, we delve into the 2025-26 performance of three promising Edmonton Oilers prospects in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). Tommy Lafreniere played for the Kamloops Blazers (WHL), David Lewandowski with the Saskatoon Blades (WHL), and William Nicholl represented the London Knights (OHL). This report outlines their season highlights and offers a glimpse into their potential futures with the Oilers.
Tommy Lafreniere
Tommy Lafreniere, Edmonton’s third-round pick (83rd overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft, distinguished himself as one of the WHL’s leading scorers in 2025-26. He netted 41 goals (tied for sixth league-wide), showcasing versatility with 13 power-play goals (tied for eighth), four shorthanded goals (tied for first), seven game-winning goals (tied for 11th), two overtime goals (tied for third), and seven opening goals (tied for second).
Complementing his goal-scoring, Lafreniere also contributed 36 assists, accumulating an impressive 77 points in 67 games—a significant jump from his 56 points in 68 games the previous season (2024-25). His exceptional performance mirrored the Kamloops Blazers’ improvement, as the team soared from 10th place and 53 points in the Western Conference to 5th place with 75 points, securing their first playoff spot since 2023.
This ascent aligns perfectly with the Oilers’ expectations, as amateur scouting director Rick Pracey noted at the time of the draft, foreseeing Lafreniere’s offensive surge and pivotal role in his team’s success. The 19-year-old is set to make his WHL playoff debut with Kamloops against the Kelowna Rockets in a best-of-seven first-round series starting Friday, March 27.
David Lewandowski
David Lewandowski, Edmonton’s fourth-round selection (117th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft, demonstrated significant growth this season. The German forward elevated his performance from 39 points with Saskatoon in 2024-25 to a team-leading 65 points this year. Across 57 regular season games, Lewandowski scored 17 goals and registered 48 assists.
His consistency was remarkable, with no more than three consecutive games without a point and four distinct streaks of at least five games with a point. Notably, between January 14 and March 18, he was held scoreless in only three contests over a 26-game stretch.
Lewandowski also dedicated several weeks to international duty, playing for Germany at the 2026 World Junior Championship in Minnesota—his second consecutive appearance. He was instrumental in an 8-4 win over Denmark, contributing a goal and two assists, helping Germany avoid relegation and secure their place in the 2027 World Junior Championship. Fans will have the opportunity to see Lewandowski in the WHL Playoffs as Saskatoon faces the Edmonton Oil Kings in a first-round series commencing Friday at Rogers Place. Last year, Lewandowski made his major junior postseason debut with a goal and an assist in four games for the Blades.
William Nicholl
William Nicholl, drafted by Edmonton in the seventh round (196th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, had a challenging start to the season, missing over half of the OHL regular season due to upper-body surgery last summer. Since rejoining the London Knights’ lineup on New Year’s Eve, he has played 32 games, recording 15 goals and 11 assists.
While his average of 0.81 points per game is a slight decrease from his 2024-25 season (21 goals, 36 assists in 66 games), Nicholl has recently found his rhythm, scoring in five of his last six games and registering points in 10 of his last 12 outings.
The 6-foot center has been a crucial part of London’s success, contributing to their back-to-back OHL championship victories in 2024 and 2025, and their Memorial Cup win last year. The Knights are now aiming for their third consecutive J. Ross Robertson Cup in the 2026 OHL Playoffs, which begin Thursday, March 26. London will start their title defense with a best-of-seven first-round series against the Soo Greyhounds, starting Friday in London.
Unlike Lafreniere and Lewandowski, who are expected to remain with their WHL teams next season, the 2006-born Nicholl might transition to professional hockey. His immediate focus, however, remains on securing another championship title.