Are two top Edmonton Oilers prospects coming to North America?

It appears the Edmonton Oilers are working to bring two of their top prospects to North America.

According to hockeysverige editor Rasmus Kågström, the Edmonton Oilers are looking to bring defenceman Philip Broberg to Edmonton.

“A number of players are now leaving Skellefteå AIK – including Philip Broberg,” Kågström wrote on Twitter, via google translate. “What I hear is that #Oilers wants over him as soon as possible to North America – and it’s not to play AHL hockey.

“Nothing set in stone just yet, but with Skellefteå out of the playoffs, Broberg seems to be heading over to Edmonton sooner rather than later, but probably only as a Black Ace for the playoffs. I cant see him being near an NHL spot at the moment. But again, nothing set in stone.”

That’s a pretty interesting report considering not only that Broberg hasn’t played any hockey in North America in his career, and didn’t have a tremendous season in the SHL. He only scored 13 points in 44 games, and none in 12 playoff games.

Fellow hockeysverige writer added he believes there’s visa issues holding him up.

“Considering how difficult it has been for Filip Berglund to get over to North America, I guess it can be problematic for Broberg as well,” he wrote on Twitter. “Tricky when Canadian teams have their AHL teams in the US, apparently.”

Broberg, however, isn’t the only prospect who appears to be heading over sooner rather than later.

Sport express writer Mikhail Zislis reported Friday that goaltender Ilya Konovalov, 22, is expected to sign an entry-level deal with the Oilers. It’s a report that was later confirmed by Sportsnet’s Mark Spector.

Konovalov was drafted by the Oilers in the 3rd round of the 2019 draft and has had much success playing in the KHL despite his age. In 111 regular season games, he’s posted a 53-41-9 record with a .922 save percentage and a 2.14 GAA to go along with 14 shutouts.

His save percentage never dipped below .912 in his four year career, and posted a .923 save percentage in 19 games this year.

Konovalov has been a very under the radar player and projects to have a legitimate chance to be a starter in the NHL.