The #LetsGoOilers signed '24 #196 William Nicholl to a 3 year ELC $985K Cap Hit/AAV Yr 1: $850K NHL, $85K Signing Bonus, $85K Minors Yr 2: $900K/$85K/$85K Yr 3: $950K/$85K/$85K Deal starts in 26/27 Rep'd by Andy Scott @OctagonHockey puckpedia.com/player/william…
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Oilers sign prospect William Nicholl to entry-level contract
Photo credit: Ian Goodall/Goodall Media
Apr 1, 2026, 14:00 EDTUpdated: Apr 1, 2026, 13:55 EDT
The Edmonton Oilers signed an up-and-coming prospect to his first NHL contract on Wednesday.
William Nicholl is now officially a member of the Edmonton Oilers organization, as he agreed to a three-year entry-level contract beginning in the 2026-27 season.
Nicholl was selected in the seventh round of the 2024 Draft from the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. The six-foot-tall, 183-pound forward missed half of the season due to a shoulder injury. Upon his return, the two-way centre has been nearly a point per game option for the Knights.
This season, he’s scored 11 goals and 26 points in 32 games. His production took off after a quiet draft year offensively, and in 2024-25, the left-handed forward scored 21 goals and 57 points in 66 games.
Some prospect experts have said he might have a late-round steal. In the Oilersnation Summer Prospect Ranking, Nicholl was ranked seventh amongst Oilers’ futures.
Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis said he’s a strong skater who’s as good without the puck as he is with it.
“Taken 196th overall, Nicholl has emerged as the London Knights’ second-line center alongside Easton Cowan and is on pace for more than 60 points. He was a depth forward with just 20 points in 65 games last year, but his game started to come alive as the team won the OHL championship,” Ellis said before this season began.
“Nicholl is an excellent skater who brings speed and energy to every shift. I think his ability to handle the puck on the rush – and at speed – has improved, making him more dangerous in the process. Given that he was one of the last picks in the draft, there’s a lot to like, and I think he’ll push his way up the Oilers’ depth chart as time progresses. Once known more for his off-puck play, I’m glad Nicholl has taken control offensively, too.”
Nicholl and his London Knights team are the reigning Memorial Cup Champions, having been to the final the last two seasons. He’s dressed in nine Memorial Cup games and a total of 38 playoff games in his junior career. Overall, he’s produced two goals and 17 points.
On Tuesday night, the Soo Greyhounds took a 3-0 series lead against the Knights. Nicholl has one year of junior eligibility remaining.
Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and has been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, he also collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues. Follow him on X at Menzies_4.
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