Oilers' Josh Samanski: A Young Player Having a Big Year
I have to admit that Josh Samanski is a player I didn’t know much about until recently. When he made the Oilers’ lineup, I took notice. Truth is, the youngster is having a big year. He arrived in Edmonton this season without much noise, went about his work, and—almost before anyone realized it—he’d earned a spot on Team Germany for the 2026 Olympics and grabbed his first taste of NHL hockey.
Not bad for a 23-year-old who started the year with the American Hockey League (AHL) Bakersfield Condors.
Samanski is a late bloomer who is now playing on Team Germany in the Olympic Games.
Samanski’s story isn’t flashy or dramatic. He’s not one of those players you heard about at 16 or saw plastered all over scouting reports. Instead, he’s one of those late-blooming, steady climbers who keep showing up, keep improving, and suddenly leap a rung you didn’t expect. Born in Erding, Germany, in 2002, he worked through the local and junior systems before breaking through with the Straubing Tigers in the DEL. That’s really where the Oilers noticed him—he looked confident, strong on the puck, and more creative than anyone expected.
His 2024–25 DEL season—14 goals and 26 assists in 52 games—didn’t blow the doors off, but it showed enough promise that Edmonton decided to take a swing and sign him to a two-year deal. From there, he went to Bakersfield, where he kept building. Twenty-eight points in 39 AHL games isn’t superstar stuff, but it’s the kind of production that tells you a player is figuring things out. And when you’re a young center adjusting to smaller ice, tighter checking, and a lot less time to make decisions, “figuring it out” is half the battle.
Samanski was called up earlier this season to the Oilers.
Then came the call-up. And honestly, he looked… calm. Not overwhelmed. Not trying to do too much, just playing his game. Kris Knoblauch, who doesn’t hand out compliments like Halloween candy, made a point of noting how quickly Samanski adjusted to NHL pace. That says something. Coaches don’t care about flash—they care about trust. And Samanski already looks like someone they don’t mind putting out there, even in small doses.
He picked up an assist in his third NHL game, and while it wasn’t some highlight-reel moment, it was the kind of simple, imaginative play that makes coaches nod quietly and think, “Yeah, okay, we can work with this.”
Samanski gets to play on Team Germany with Oilers’ teammate Leon Draisaitl.
And now he’s at the Olympics, skating for Germany on a team that’s leaning heavily on Leon Draisaitl. You can bet Samanski is learning a ton just being around him. Draisaitl has already said he likes Samanski’s feel for the game, which is praise worth framing.
If you’re Samanski, this whole year must feel surreal: new league, new country, first NHL games, and now representing Germany on one of the biggest stages in sports. And the best part? Nothing about him feels temporary. He’s not a one-week story or a token call-up. He’s earning his ground shift by shift, the way good pros do.
Samanski has a long way to go, but he's learning quickly.
There’s still a long way to go, but you can see why the Oilers are intrigued. There’s something there—a blend of poise, smarts, and steady work—that makes you think his best chapters are still ahead.
For a young player, you can’t ask for a better start. And for fans, Samanski is one of those names you circle early, just in case he turns into something special. He might. And it’s going to be fun to watch him chase it.