The Edmonton Oilers weren’t big-game hunting in Buffalo during the draft. With just five picks to dissect and none in the first round, the 2026 NHL Draft felt more like finding their true complementary gem than anything.

That sentiment was even more evident when they traded down from their opening pick at No. 52 to drop six spots and recoup further draft capital later in the draft. It was clear they had their target, and probably even clearer that they had no worries of him being snagged before them.

The pick turned out to be Latvian forward Rudolfs Berzkalns. While he may not be a household name most raved about before the draft, it’s a strong bet for a team typically looking for more foundation than flash.

Hailing from Valmiera, Latvia, he has been in North America since he was 14, playing hockey on a small sheet. He’s now played two seasons in the USHL with the Muskegon Lumberjacks, where he’s steadily improved his game by the month, it seems.

With just 33 points (18 goals, 15 assists) in 91 games, his production hasn’t been tremendous, but his utilization, numbers, and game have steadily improved over time. That improvement stretched into the playoffs, where he put up 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 16 games, helping them all the way to a league final.

That uptick in production through the playoffs isn’t necessarily shocking, though.

Why is Rudolfs Berzkalns a player built for playoff hockey?

Berzkalns established himself as one of the most reliable two-way forwards available outside the opening round. He earned increasingly difficult assignments as the season progressed, became a fixture on both special teams,........

© Oilers Nation