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CHL Playoff Preview: All 3 Oilers CHL prospects set for playoffs
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Dave Hall
Mar 24, 2026, 11:00 EDTUpdated: Mar 24, 2026, 13:31 EDT
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The Canadian Hockey League wrapped up its 2025–26 regular season on Sunday night, officially setting the stage for the road to the Memorial Cup.
The Edmonton Oilers have three prospects competing across the CHL ranks, and all three have punched their tickets to the postseason.
Here’s a breakdown of their opening-round matchups and what to expect.

Tommy Lafrenière — Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

The Kamloops Blazers secured the fifth seed in the Western Conference on the final night of the regular season, finishing with a 31-24-7-6 record. Their reward is a first-round matchup against the fourth-seeded Kelowna Rockets, who also happen to be this year’s Memorial Cup hosts.
Kamloops struggled against Kelowna during the regular season, dropping four of six meetings while being outscored 19–13.
Full schedule:
(4) Kelowna Rockets vs. (5) Kamloops Blazers
  • Game 1 – Friday, March 27 at Kelowna, 7:05 PM PT
  • Game 2 – Saturday, March 28 at Kelowna, 6:05 PM PT
  • Game 3 – Tuesday, March 31 at Kamloops, 7:00 PM PT
  • Game 4 – Wednesday, April 1 at Kamloops, 7:00 PM PT
  • Game 5* – Friday, April 3 at Kelowna, 7:05 PM PT
  • Game 6* – Saturday, April 4 at Kamloops, 6:00 PM PT
  • Game 7* – Tuesday, April 7 at Kelowna, 7:05 PM PT
    *If necessary
Tommy Lafrenière was a major bright spot this season and the Oilers’ most productive CHL prospect, finishing third on the Blazers with 77 points (41 goals, 36 assists) in his sophomore campaign. His 41 goals ranked among the league’s top scorers, trailing five players — including teammate J.P. Hulbert.
The 2025 third-round pick has quickly established himself as a legitimate offensive driver and will be a key piece if Kamloops is to pull off an upset. With a commitment to Western Michigan for the 2026–27 season, this postseason represents his final opportunity at the CHL level.

David Lewandowski — Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

The Saskatoon Blades finished sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 34-27-5-2 record and will take on the third-seeded Edmonton Oil Kings in the opening round.
Full schedule:
(3) Edmonton Oil Kings vs. (6) Saskatoon Blades
  • Game 1 – Friday, March 27 at Edmonton, 7:00 PM MT
  • Game 2 – Sunday, March 29 at Edmonton, 2:00 PM MT
  • Game 3 – Tuesday, March 31 at Saskatoon, 7:00 PM MT
  • Game 4 – Wednesday, April 1 at Saskatoon, 7:00 PM MT
  • Game 5* – Friday, April 3 at Edmonton, 6:00 PM MT
  • Game 6* – Sunday, April 5 at Saskatoon, 2:00 PM MT
  • Game 7* – Monday, April 6 at Edmonton, 7:00 PM MT
    *If necessary
David Lewandowski took a significant step forward in his second WHL season, leading the Blades in scoring with 65 points (17 goals, 48 assists) in 57 games.
The 2025 fourth-round pick recently turned 19 and remains eligible to return to Saskatoon next season. His playmaking ability and ability to drive their offence will be critical for a Blades team looking to pull off an upset against a strong Oil Kings squad.

William Nicholl — London Knights (OHL)

The London Knights closed out the regular season on a strong note, going 7-3-0-0 down the stretch to secure fourth place in the Western Conference. They will face the fifth-seeded Soo Greyhounds in the opening round.
Full schedule:
(4) London Knights vs. (5) Soo Greyhounds
  • Game 1 – Friday, March 27 at London, 7:00 PM
  • Game 2 – Sunday, March 29 at London, 6:00 PM
  • Game 3 – Tuesday, March 31 at Sault Ste. Marie, 8:07 PM
  • Game 4 – Wednesday, April 1 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07 PM
  • Game 5 – Friday, April 3 at London, 7:00 PM*
  • Game 6 – Sunday, April 5 at Sault Ste. Marie, 7:07 PM*
  • Game 7 – Tuesday, April 7 at London, 7:00 PM*
    *If necessary
William Nicholl’s season didn’t exactly start off on the right foot. After missing the first half of the year due to a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery, he returned on New Year’s Eve and produced at a strong clip, finishing with 26 points (15 goals, 11 assists) in just 32 games. That was on pace to match his breakout season from last season, in which he produced 57 points in 66 games.
He enters the playoffs in good form, recording points in 11 of his final 14 games. Turning 20 in May, the 2025 seventh-round pick is expected to transition to either the professional ranks or the NCAA next season, though no decision has been reported.

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