Edmonton Oilers calling up Olympic-bound prospect
The Edmonton Oilers have added another Olympian to their roster.
With the team having five more games before the Olympic break hits next month, GM Stan Bowman has opted to bring on German prospect Josh Samanski. The 23-year-old forward will be joining Leon Draisaitl on Germany’s Olympic team next month and is just one of three Oilers players who will make the trip to Italy.
As a result, Edmonton has demoted Ike Howard, sending him back to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors after an 11-game NHL stint where he managed just two assists.
The #Oilers have recalled forward Josh Samanski from the @Condors & loaned forward Isaac Howard to Bakersfield. pic.twitter.com/nm0A2bsPD5
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) January 26, 2026
Samanski first joined the Oilers organization last season, signing a one-year contract with the club in April. He spent the past four years playing in his native Germany, where he was a standout player for the DEL’s Straubing Tigers.
The move to North America appears to be a smooth one for Samanski, who has been among Bakersfield’s most reliable and productive players. In 39 AHL games, the German centreman has seven goals and 28 points.
There is potential for this to be more than a cup of coffee for Samanski. The Oilers are looking for more stability at the third-line centre role, and there is a good chance that Edmonton intends to audition Samanski in that role for a while. If it clicks, he could wind up sticking around the Alberta capital for a little while longer.
This would allow Edmonton to keep Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the top line and move Jack Roslovic back to the wing, where he’s had more success this season.
Being a centreman also opens up a bit of flexibility in where he can be utilized. While most of his AHL time has been as a pivot, the Oilers have shown that they are not scared to play centremen on the wings.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed that Samanski will make his NHL debut on Monday night against the Anaheim Ducks.