By season’s end, he just looked tired and had a tough time making the saves he did easily the year prior. But it’s way too early to give up on this talented young netminder. A summer off will do wonders to refocus him. The question is, where does he play in 2018/19? He’s going to battle the likes of Shane Starrett and Stuart Skinner for the back-up job in the AHL, with the two losers ending up in the ECHL. But would Edmonton rather he get a full workload in the OHL as an overager? I would harbor a guess that after this past season in Peterborough, the Oilers would prefer it be for another team, so a trade is possible. Or they could have the two pro rookies, Skinner and Wells, split time in the ECHL. I think that’s the most likely outcome.

Expectations were high for the young netminder going into the season after such an impressive 2016-2017 season and playoffs, where Wells was considered one of the best goaltenders in the entire OHL. Last season, the Peterborough Petes finished third last in the OHL and Wells won just 20 out of 56 starts. He finished the season with a mediocre 3.62 GAA and 0.896 SV%. The stats don’t tell the whole story though as the Petes struggled mightily and had just one point-per-game player and not one player had a positive plus minus rating. After the Petes’ season was completed, Wells signed an ATO with the Oilers’ AHL team, the Bakersfield Condors. Soon after Wells signed an ATO with the Oilers’ ECHL affiliate team, the Wichita Thunder, after not seeing any playing time with the Condors. He played in one game for the Thunder. At this point it’s hard to predict what the future holds for the young goaltender and with the Oilers’ inability to develop goaltenders, I would keep expectations low at this point.

Wells and Peterborough are the first team through to the third round and look like a strong contender to make the OHL Finals later this spring. Dylan Wells has played well this season and is a bona fide NHL prospect. Edmonton chose him No. 123 overall, and he is delivering real quality (while facing more shots than any OHL goalie in contention). Dylan Wells is tracking very well. Miles to go, but his moment in the sun this week serves as a reminder that the Oilers 2015 and 2016 drafts show real promise. It appears some of these depth picks (Caleb Jones, Ethan Bear, now Wells) may end up playing in the NHL down the line.