OilersNation has reported:

Oilers prospect Asher Barnett opened his sophomore season at the University of Michigan playing a substantial share of his ice time with Landon DuPont, who is projected to be the first overall pick in the 2027 NHL draft. The Wolverines used seven defencemen across their first two games, changing pairings during play, and Barnett skated with either DuPont or Henry Mews. Both partners lean toward offence, while Barnett’s defensive reliability gives them more room to join the attack.

Barnett, a six-foot-one defenceman and Michigan assistant captain, showed that he can contribute to breakouts as well as defend. He does not automatically defer to his partner and can deliver a strong first pass out of his own zone. When opponents pressure him, he can draw them in and move the puck through the middle rather than rushing a decision.

His first point of the season came after he took a drop pass from Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage and attracted two defenders. Barnett returned the puck to Hage, who set up a teammate for the finish and an assist for Barnett. He also collected a loose puck, skated with it and put a solid shot on goal.

The opening-weekend assessment of Barnett also highlighted his patience with the puck and his ability to handle pressure. His gap control remained effective, with the defenceman closing on opposing players quickly and applying pressure in different areas of the ice. More college experience is expected to help him continue improving his puck skills and composure as he moves the puck around.

Barnett is not expected to produce many points, with Michigan’s other players likely to account for much of the offence. His role is expected to centre on difficult defensive situations, including protecting a one-goal lead and killing penalties. Michigan is expected to be a top team again, and Barnett is projected to have a significant part in its success.

The opening games also brought strong starts from three Oilers prospects in the Canadian Hockey League. David Lewandowski returned for a third season with the Saskatoon Blades, while Caden Harvey and Andrew Robinson were back with the Windsor Spitfires. Barnett was the only prospect discussed who was not playing in the CHL.

Lewandowski, a German winger and 2025 fourth-round pick, had two goals and five points in three games for Saskatoon. Both goals were game-winners. He took seven shots over those games, a rate below his 2025-26 pace, when he recorded 144 shots in 57 games.

Lewandowski’s tendency to pass instead of shoot was evident in a play against the Prince Albert Raiders. After taking a smart route behind a defender, he faked a shot and sent a precise backhand pass to a teammate for the primary assist. The play reflected the prospect’s ability to use passing as an effective option, though his tendency to look for teammates has also prompted calls for him to shoot more often.

He scored a power-play goal against Prince Albert by changing the angle of his shot and picking the top corner. The game was tied 2-2 with about a minute and a half remaining when Lewandowski scored the winner. A power-play entry against the Raiders also stood out as a notable moment in the game.

His skating drew a positive assessment for his edgework and elusiveness, even if it is not especially fast or smooth. He was able to keep pace with the game and was described as efficient in his play. Lewandowski is entering his final Western Hockey League season, which is expected to be a high-scoring one.

Robinson, a six-foot defenceman and fifth-round pick, recorded one goal and six assists in four games with Windsor. His seven points tied him for second among OHL defencemen, while he led that group in points per game. His lone goal came shorthanded.

Robinson’s early production has come alongside a straightforward, efficient approach to moving the puck. In one representative play, he carried the puck into the offensive zone, stopped in front of a defender and made an aware pass toward the middle. The play was not elaborate, but it showed how controlled entries and timely passes can contribute to points.

Like Barnett, Robinson has shown a willingness to draw in pressure and then make a play to get past the forechecker. That patience and skating ability can help him escape difficult situations, although the same approach may be less effective at the professional level. At six feet tall, he will need to continue leaning on his skating as he advances. Early signs suggest the Windsor defenceman could prove to be a good selection.

Harvey, a Windsor forward, opened his campaign with two goals against Saginaw, then added one assist over his next three games. The two goals came off the rush, including one on the power play. His game has been assessed as that of a two-way forward with defensive awareness and a solid skating base, while his scoring may not translate into a large offensive role at the professional level.

On both goals, Harvey moved across the width of the ice, going from west to east to create space after confusing a defender. On the power-play rush, he followed a strong shot with an immediate increase in pace after receiving the pass. The change of speed created extra room for him to score. He is being watched as a prospect who could potentially fill a bottom-six role in the future.

The early performances have added to a promising start across the Oilers’ prospect group. Lewandowski, Barnett, Robinson and Harvey have all begun their seasons, with the three CHL players back at their junior clubs and Barnett opening his college season at Michigan.

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