A fresh AHL call-up arrives in Edmonton, and someone else pays the price for the Oilers

Jan 26, 2026 (11:21)

Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

Josh Samanski gets recalled, Isaac Howard gets loaned, the Edmonton Oilers feel urgent.

It is a clean Monday shuffle before the Ducks come to Rogers Place.

Samanski arrives from the Bakersfield Condors with real AHL juice.

He is 23, undrafted, and signed by Edmonton in April 2025 on a two-year entry-level deal.

This season in Bakersfield, he has 7-21-28 in 39 games.

"The Oilers have recalled forward Josh Samanski from the Condors & loaned forward Isaac Howard to Bakersfield."

- Edmonton Oilers

-

That line screams "earned it," not "emergency."

He is a left-shot center who can slide to the wing and keep a fourth line moving.

The Oilers are 26-19-8 heading into Monday, and every point matters now.

Oilers fans want scoring depth so badly that any fresh name feels like hope.

Samanski's straight-line game fits a night when you just need honest shifts.

His quick-trigger finish can play off a heavy forecheck, even without top-six time.

The bigger wrinkle is Howard going back down for minutes.

Howard is 21, a 2022 first-round pick, drafted 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

He has 2-3-5 in 28 games with Edmonton, plus 10-13-23 in 16 games with Bakersfield.

That is the classic development call, more touches, more man advantage reps.

Also keep an eye on February, Samanski is headed to the Olympics with Germany.

This feels like Edmonton trying to win tonight and build for April at once.

Previously on HockeyLatest

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JANVIER 26\|153 ANSWERS A fresh AHL call-up arrives in Edmonton, and someone else pays the price for the Oilers Should the Edmonton Oilers keep Josh Samanski up for a full month?
Yes	111	72.5 %
No	42	27.5 %
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