Count me amongst the admirers of Josh Samanski’s defensive game.

When the Edmonton Oilers were growing short on bodies, especially at centre, through the home stretch of the 2025–26 NHL season, Samanski seized the opportunity.

What a whirlwind of a calendar year for the one-time, undrafted DEL product.

He went from signing an NHL contract in April 2025, playing in the World Championships for his native Germany, suiting up in his first North American pro games in the fall, earning the call to the NHL in January, representing his country at the Olympics in February, scoring his first NHL goal in March, playing five playoff games in April, and then playing in the World Championships again this May.

All in the span of approximately 13 months. Impressive.

But as we know, things have changed in Edmonton, with a new coaching staff and healthy competition in the Oilers’ bottom-six. Is there a spot for Samanski, or is he going to be collecting air miles going to and from Bakersfield, California? 

Is Josh Samanski a tweener, or a full-time NHLer?

On a team that bled easy goals against last season, Samanski’s “cheating for defence” approach to the game was refreshing. Scrolling through his pure counting stats will not blow you away — he finished a 24-game NHL campaign with two goals and four total........

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