Edmonton Oilers recall Josh Samanski as Mattias Ekholm injury concern hits lineup

Samanski is 23, a left-shot forward, and an undrafted signing now on a two-year deal at a $975,000 cap hit that runs through 2026-27.

That is the data punch here. Edmonton did not make this move for headlines, it made it because the roster suddenly needed a body that can survive NHL minutes right now.

In Bakersfield, Samanski has produced 8-23-31 in 45 games. With Edmonton, he has chipped in 0-2-2 through six NHL games and won faceoffs at a strong clip.

If Ekholm cannot go Sunday in Vegas, the trickle-down effect is obvious. Edmonton loses its calmest matchup defender and asks the blue line to play harder minutes without its best stabilizer.

You can feel the fan base bracing for another long night if Ekholm's status stays cloudy.

Ekholm has played 63 games and posted 6-27-33, plus a team-best plus-21. Those are not just points, that is top-pair insulation for Evan Bouchard and cleaner exits under pressure.

That is why Samanski's recall matters even if he is not replacing Ekholm directly. It gives Kris Knoblauch one more forward option, which helps protect the rest of the lineup from being stretched thin.

The fit is simple hockey. Samanski can skate, get in on the forecheck, and play low-event minutes while the stars handle the heavy offensive lift.

Vegas also makes this bigger than a one-day transaction. Edmonton sits at 30-25-8 entering Sunday, so every missing piece carries weight in the Pacific race.

For now, this feels less like a prospect story and more like a stress test. If Ekholm sits, Edmonton needs Samanski to keep the bottom six honest and the game manageable until the blue line gets its backbone back.