With the AHL playoffs rapidly approaching, the Bakersfield Condors are heating up at exactly the right time — and several of the Edmonton Oilers' most closely watched prospects are leading the charge.
Over a four-game stretch from March 20 to 28, the Condors dropped a tough 7-4 decision to the San Diego Gulls before reeling off three consecutive victories. Bakersfield now sits fifth in the Pacific Division, just two points behind the third-place San Jose Barracuda, with nine games remaining — all against divisional opponents. Home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs is firmly within reach.
Calvin Pickard provided a timely reminder of his capabilities by turning in a 22-save shutout against the Wranglers, while the Condors unleashed 44 and 40 shots on net in back-to-back wins over the Texas Stars at Dignity Health Arena.
Isaac Howard: The Oilers' Top Prospect Keeps Rolling
There is very little left to add to the Isaac Howard conversation that hasn't already been said — and yet the former first-round pick keeps finding ways to make it louder. The winger now sits at 20 goals and 42 points in just 39 games this season, posting four goals and three assists over the recent four-game run while generating a remarkable 19 shots on net — including a nine-shot performance in the loss to San Diego.
The development most worth noting in Howard's game isn't simply the production, but the how. The 21-year-old has shown marked improvement in his ability to find open ice without the puck — a skill that eluded him earlier in his professional career. Whether it's drifting to his off side to open up one-timer lanes, retreating high into the offensive zone to avoid defenders, or reading a rimmed puck and laying a tape-to-tape pass to a linemate, Howard is demonstrating the full toolkit of a future NHL contributor.
His goal on March 20 against San Diego — a drag move that sent the puck through a defender's legs and used the Gulls' blueliner as an inadvertent screen — showcased the creativity and hockey sense that made him such a coveted prospect. Subsequent goals in the wins over Texas further illustrated his ability to manufacture space in a crowded offensive zone. The upward trend is unmistakable, and the playoffs will serve as a significant test of just how far he has come.
Atro Leppänen: Offensive-Minded Defenceman Continues to Evolve
Finnish defenceman Atro Leppänen recorded a goal and three assists over the same four-game stretch, pushing his season totals to nine goals and 32 points in 44 games. The offensive blueliner remains one of the more dynamic threats the Condors possess from the back end, with a willingness to jump into the rush or activate down the wall at virtually any opportunity.
One of the more encouraging developments in Leppänen's game has been a noticeable improvement in shot selection. Earlier this season, the six-foot defenceman was releasing the puck from virtually any angle regardless of the situation. More recently, he has demonstrated patience — reading the play before deciding whether to shoot or find a better option. A spinning backhand pass that landed perfectly on the tape of a streaking Quinn Hutson, who tipped it home, illustrated the kind of creative, heads-up play that distinguishes a good professional defenceman.
There are still areas to address. Foot speed remains a concern, and at this stage of his development, the jump to NHL ice would represent a considerable leap. However, Leppänen has adapted well to the North American game and continues to contribute in significant ways as Bakersfield makes its playoff push.
Beau Akey: Defence-First Defenceman Makes His Case
Rounding out the prospect spotlight is Beau Akey, the former Barrie Colts rearguard selected in the second round. Akey was held off the scoresheet over the four games, leaving him at two goals and 10 points on the year — modest numbers that tell only part of the story for a player who projects primarily as a defensive defenceman.
Without power-play time in his first professional season, offensive production was never going to be the calling card. What Akey has shown instead is an ability to move the puck efficiently in transition, read developing plays, and present himself as an option when the opportunity arises — without overextending or gambling. His skating ability and defensive instincts are what will define his professional career, and the upcoming playoffs should offer a genuine measure of where those skills stand against elevated competition.
If Akey can establish himself as a reliable shutdown defenceman during the postseason run, it would represent a strong capstone to his first full year as a professional.
Around the Condors
There were a number of other notable storylines to emerge from Bakersfield's recent stretch. Newly acquired forward Josh Bloom, obtained in a deal that sent Jayden Grubbe the other way, scored his first goal as a Condor. Captain Seth Griffith reached a remarkable milestone, recording career AHL point number 700 — making him just the 27th player in league history to reach that mark. Finnish winger Roby Jarventie was also loaned back down to Bakersfield following his stint with the Oilers, a significant addition for a team battling for positioning in a tight divisional race.
Wednesday's matchup against the Colorado Eagles — who are pushing for top spot in the Pacific Division — figures to carry all the intensity of a playoff game. For a Condors group growing in confidence with each passing week, it may be the kind of test that tells the rest of the league exactly what Bakersfield is capable of.
Source: OilersNation. Original reporting by Spencer Pomoty. WestNet News has rewritten this article independently.