The Edmonton Oilers swung a trade Saturday afternoon to move up in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
They sent their own 2025 fifth-round pick to the Nashville Predators in exchange for the 131st overall pick, using it to select US National Team Development Program defenceman Asher Barnett.
The 18-year-old just finished his second year with the USNTDP, scoring eight goals and 22 points in 58 development games, adding three goals and six points in 21 USHL games. A native of Wilmette, Illinois, he captained the USA’s u18 team this season, scoring two goals and six points in seven games, helping them capture a bronze medal.
Standing at 6’0″, 201 lbs., Barnett is a left-shot defenceman who has some offensive upside, Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis opined.
He’s good as a distributor, and seems to always be looking to create something. He’s not big, but he’s got some muscle to him. The U-18 captain put up modest numbers with the USNTDP this year but this felt like some of his best hockey at the U-18s.
In May, Ellis had other good things to say of Barnett’s game from the u18’s.
The Americans lack a high-end producer like the Hutson brothers of days past. But Barnett helped fill the gap at this tourney. He’s good as a distributor, and seems to always be looking to create something. He’s not big, but he’s got some muscle to him. The U-18 captain put up modest numbers with the USNTDP this year but this felt like some of his best hockey – especially against Switzerland where he looked unstoppable by the blueline. I could see a team banking on his upside in the middle rounds.
Elite Prospects draft guide, meanwhile, praised his defensive game.
Bringing a little bit of everything defensively, Barnett wins his minutes with transition passing, physicality, and defensive details. He punishes net-front attackers with crosschecks and then detaches to intercept the puck carrier behind the net for a stop. He wins inside position, proactively engages opponents, and tips away passes – all key traits for strong off-puck defenders moving forward.
Barnett was the Oilers’ third pick during Day 2 of the draft. The team used the 83rd overall pick to select Kamloops Blazers winger Tommy Lafreniere, and the 117th pick on another WHL player, Saskatoon Blades winger David Lewandowski, a German.
The Oilers hold two more picks Saturday: their sixth round pick, 191st overall, and their seventh round pick, 223rd overall.
You can follow every pick live on Daily Faceoff.
Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on Twitter, currently known as X, at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.
Get ready for wall-to-wall coverage of one of the biggest days in the calendar — the Daily Faceoff Live Free Agency Special goes live on July 1st at 11 AM EST. Host Tyler Yaremchuk is joined by Carter Hutton, Matthew Barnaby, Jeff Marek, Hart Levine, Colby Cohen, Jonny Lazarus, and insiders from across the Network for three hours of in-depth analysis, live reactions, and real-time updates on every major signing and trade. From blockbuster deals to under-the-radar moves, we’re breaking it all down as it happens. Don’t miss a minute — catch the full special live on DailyFaceoff.com and Daily Faceoff’s YouTube.
