Oilers Prospect Josh Samanski Named to Germany's Olympic Team After Paper Reassignment

Edmonton Oilers prospect Josh Samanski will represent Germany at the 2026 Winter Olympics after the club executed an administrative, or paper, reassignment to the Bakersfield Condors that cleared roster mechanics for his trip to Milan-Cortina. The move, announced by team channels and reflected in the AHL transaction log, lets the 23‑year‑old forward compete for his home country without an immediate AHL obligation.

The Oilers announced Samanski’s reassignment ahead of the Games, and the AHL transaction log registers the formal reassignment entry on Feb. 9, 2026. ProHockeyRumors described the transaction plainly: "This is not a transaction with immediate on-ice implications for Samanski, as he won’t be spending the Olympic break in California playing in the AHL. Instead, he’ll be in Italy, competing for Germany." Samanski joins Leon Draisaitl on Germany’s roster; Draisaitl has been named the team captain and the squad opens group play against Denmark on Feb. 12.

Samanski’s ascent has been rapid. He made his NHL debut with Edmonton on Jan. 26, 2026. Statistical snapshots vary by source: the Oilers’ release lists Samanski with 25 points (5 G, 20 A) in 32 AHL games this season with Bakersfield, while Heavy and CHL report a later snapshot of 28 points (7 G, 21 A) in 39 AHL games and a plus-8 rating. NHL game totals also differ in reports; Heavy noted Samanski "played in his first five career NHL games during his call-up with the Oilers, where he recorded two assists, four hits, and a plus-1 rating," while local coverage cited two assists in four NHL games. The variance appears to reflect different data pulls across reporting windows.

Samanski signed a two-year entry-level contract with Edmonton last April. League outlets have pinpointed that signing to April 2, 2025 and cited a $1.95 million total value. Before coming to North America, Samanski climbed through Germany’s system, including a season in DEL2 with Ravensburg and four seasons with the Straubing Tigers in the DEL, where he finished the 2024-25 season with 14 goals and 40 points and served as an alternate captain. He represented Germany at the 2025 World Championships, registering five points (2 G, 3 A) in seven games, and played at the U-20 World Junior Championships in 2021 and 2022.

Samanski’s personal reaction reflects both pride and perspective. He told the Edmonton Journal, "It was a dream of mine to both play a game in the NHL and to go to the Olympics, so it’s pretty hard to compare. I’m really excited about both opportunities." He added, "I am just very grateful to be able to live my dream. To be honest, I haven’t really thought about it too much. I’m kind of just living in the moment right now and taking it in."

For the Oilers organization, the paper reassignment is a routine administrative tool that also highlights the business of player movement during an Olympic window. For Samanski, Milan-Cortina is a showcase on hockey’s biggest stage that can accelerate his standing with Edmonton and raise his profile internationally. Fans should watch his ice time and line deployment for signs of how Germany utilizes him; his Olympic performance will shape his opportunities with the Oilers and the Condors once international play concludes.