The Edmonton Oilers, in their quest for a Stanley Cup, have sometimes been criticized for prematurely parting ways with young talent. While the pressure to win now is immense, developing and retaining promising prospects is crucial for sustained success. Here are three young players that the Oilers may have given up on too soon:

1. Dylan Holloway: Traded to St. Louis in the summer of 2024, Holloway had shown flashes of potential with his speed and physicality. While he had yet to fully break out at the NHL level, his 26 goals in the preceding season suggested a player on the cusp of becoming a valuable contributor. The Oilers, opting for immediate solutions in Skinner and Arvidsson, sent Holloway packing. However, Skinner and Arvidsson "didn't pan out," leaving a void where young talent was supposed to flourish. Holloway's departure stings, especially considering Edmonton's need for cost-controlled, effective players in their middle-six forward group.

2. Sam O'Reilly: In a recent move, the Oilers traded forward prospect Sam O'Reilly to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Isaac Howard. While the intention was to acquire a player, Howard, who can contribute more immediately, many hockey experts believed O'Reilly would be a contributing member of the Oilers in the future. The Oilers' prospect pipeline has "taken a major hit over the past year," leaving management with limited options to replenish top talent, making the trade of O'Reilly all the more questionable.

3. Beau Akey: A 20-year-old defenseman drafted in the second round (56th overall) in 2023, Akey possesses "elite skills" and is considered a future impact player with top-four potential. Known for his mobility and offensive instincts, the Oilers' development staff thinks highly of Akey. However, with a veteran-heavy defense in Edmonton, it may be difficult for Akey to crack the lineup. This raises the question: Will he develop with the Oilers, or with another team? His skills will be highly sought after, and he may be a trade piece the Oilers are willing to give up for the right price.

The Oilers' recent prospect development has been a cause for concern. An analysis showed that nearly all of the Oilers' top 20 prospects either declined in value or were moved out of the system during 2024-25, with only a few trending upward. This highlights the importance of patience and a well-defined development system. It also underscores the risk of trading away assets that could blossom into valuable contributors down the road. While the pressure to win in Edmonton is ever-present, a balanced approach that values both immediate impact and long-term development is essential for sustained success. The Oilers need to ensure they aren't sacrificing their future for short-term gains by giving up on promising young players too early in their development.