Edmonton Oilers prospect Josh Samanski is set to make his NHL debut tonight against the Anaheim Ducks, and if you’ve been following the Bakersfield Condors all season, you knew this was coming.

The 24-year-old has been progressing in the AHL — 7 goals, 21 assists, 28 points and very little ice time on the power play. That’s production earned the hard way: five-on-five minutes, defensive responsibility, and proving he deserves this chance.

“It’s obviously awesome,” Samanski said after morning skate. “Very excited to get things started and just experience my first game. You want to get a chance, so I’m very happy that I can get the opportunity, and I’m looking forward to showcasing my skills.”

The downside? Isaac Howard was sent down to Bakersfield to make room. Howard’s been playing well in the NHL, showing flashes of the skill and hockey sense that made the Oilers trade for him. But Samanski’s earned a test at this level, and Howard getting some time playing 18 minutes a night in the AHL won’t hurt his development. He’ll be back. This isn’t goodbye—it’s a temporary roster shuffle.

Samanski’s path to the NHL hasn’t been conventional. He spent time in Europe before returning to North America and joining the Oilers organization. The adjustment wasn’t seamless, but he worked through it.

“I think getting to North America again for the first time, a little bit of a learning curve,” Samanski said. “But I think from staff to players, we did a good job helping me adjust, and I just felt really comfortable from the get-go, so I think I improved my two-way game, and it’s been good there.”

That two-way reliability is what caught Kris Knoblauch’s attention. The Oilers need players who can contribute defensively, especially with the lineup still dealing with injuries and inconsistency. Samanski fits that mold.

“He’s pretty reliable, so this is a great opportunity for him, and we’re excited to see him,” Knoblauch said. “We were just talking about Kapanen earlier about having a little more speed to our lineup, a little more tenaciousness and maybe a little bit of physicality, but he’s a guy who can get in on the forecheck and play with some speed. He’s not going to be trading chances.”

If that wasn’t excitement enough, Kasperi Kapanen is also back from injury. Again. Kapanen’s had a brutal season—multiple knee injuries, setbacks, and far too much time spent rehabbing instead of playing. He knows it. We know it. And he’s tired of talking about it.

“I gotta stop getting hurt because I have to talk to you guys every time I come back,” Kapanen joked with us reporters. “So it’s been frustrating. You never want to re-injure your injury, so hopefully, no more setbacks, and I’m just excited to get back out there again.”

He’s right—we do want to talk to him every time he comes back. He’s a great interview, candid and self-aware. But more importantly, the Oilers need him healthy and contributing. When Kapanen’s on the ice, he brings speed and forechecking ability. He just needs to stay there.

And of course, all this roster movement means one thing: Andrew Mangiapane will be watching yet another game from the press box. At this point, it’s not even surprising. Mangiapane’s been a healthy scratch more often than not, and with Samanski getting his shot and Kapanen returning, there’s simply no room for him.

Tonight’s about Samanski. A kid who’s put in the work in Bakersfield, and earned his opportunity. The Oilers need depth contributions, and if Samanski can bring the same reliability he’s shown in the AHL, he might stick around longer than expected.

Kapanen’s back. Howard’s down. Mangiapane’s out. And Samanski’s in.