Oilers fans should keep an eye on this CHL team this season

For Edmonton Oilers fans looking to the prospect pool in the hopes of long-term promise post-Connor McDavid, there is some optimism in that regard. Some might look to the non-roster list and look at the likes of Quinn Hutson and Connor Clattenburg, but beyond those players lies some additional prospect depth. David Lewandowski is a noteworthy name in this regard, but what about Caden Harvey? Alongside his Windsor Spitfires teammate, defenseman Andrew Robinson, he was selected by the Oilers in the later rounds of the 2026 NHL Draft. And with his arrival to the Oilers' organization comes a valuable influx of offensive talent; he recorded 34 points (11 goals and 23 assists) across 68 regular season games for the Spitfires in last year's OHL campaign. He also contributed an additional six points as Windsor advanced to the Western Conference Final, ultimately losing to the eventual champions - the Kitchener Rangers - in five games. With the Spitfires set to enter a new era, it remains to be seen who will be the team's top option going forward. But one can make a good case for Harvey to be that player. He is a candidate for a leadership role this year; such a role could help him further develop his game and put together some strong performances as he prepares to play for Penn State during the 2027-28 campaign. The same goes for Robinson. He's set to join Providence College after the 2026-27 OHL season, but there is room for him to improve his game before heading to the NCAA. After recording three points in 12 games during the 2025 OHL playoffs, Robinson enjoyed a solid first full campaign with the Spitfires. Through 63 games last season, Robinson recorded a total of 24 points (nine goals and 15 assists); his second postseason run saw him record two goals and six assists for a total of eight points. While the Spitfires might have a relatively new look this season, there is some continuity - both in terms of roster makeup and production - in the form of Harvey and Robinson. As a result, both players could be absolutely critical for Windsor's success this season, no matter what form it takes. But if the development route is the way the Spitfires want to go, then it's possible to suggest that the team will finish closer to the bottom of the Western Conference playoff picture. Even then, that could allow for NHL-bound prospects like Harvey and Robinson to get their moments leading the roster and providing an opportunity for up-and-coming players to gain vital experience before departing for the next step in their path towards the show. If Harvey and Robinson can step into this kind of role and help guide the Spitfires, then that will be a great opportunity for them to continue to develop before eventually making their NHL debut. This article first appeared on Oil on Whyte and was syndicated with permission.