The following is the Steve's Oilers Web Site ranking of the top seven prospects in the Edmonton Oilers' organization.

Arguably the Hamilton Bulldogs best forward, Rita has adjusted nicely to the North American game and proved he can skate and play an aggressive brand of hockey.  After starting slowly last season, he finished the year with 25-17-42 in 76 AHL games.  Rita has excelled in Hamilton this year and has also scored three goals with the Oilers in limited action during callups.  He should be a lock to stick with the big club next year.

After originally being drafted 46th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2000 NHL Draft, Stoll was unable to come to a contract agreement with the Oilers’ southern rivals.  Calgary’s loss was Edmonton’s gain, as Stoll looks to have all the tools to be at worst a solid defensive forward in the NHL.  He possesses an accurate shot and plays a physical game.  He also has strong leadership abilities, captaining both his junior squad and the Canadian world junior team.  He has already played four games with Edmonton, and will get a long look next season.

Torres plays a very physical game, and is described a solid checker.  A budding power forward, he is strong on his skates and decent puckhandler.  He was given short looks by the Islanders in both 2001 and 2002 before being traded to the Oilers along with Brad Isbister in exchange for Janne Niinimaa.  It's unlikely he'll get an NHL shot with the Oilers until next year.

After being a surprise first round pick, Niinimaki was one of the best players in the 2002 World Junior Hockey Championships.   He possesses excellent vision, stick handling and playmaking abilities.  He could eventually be the second-line center the Oilers are seeking, but Niinimaki will likely spend next year in Finland.

Salmelainen possesses explosive speed and a great shot.  After dazzling early in training camp, his play leveled off and he was reassigned to Hamilton to become more familiar with the North American game.  Salmelainen is having a solid first year with the Bulldogs and has the skills to be no worse than a third liner.

Lynch was a surprisingly late cut for the Oilers in training camp after playing with more poise than expected.  He was traded from Red Deer to Spokane in November, and a broken arm has hampered his development this season.  It is likely that Lynch is more of a long-range prospect for the Oilers.

A big goalie, Deslauriers is strong down low and rarely gets beaten along the ice.  He has a strong showing during training camp and was unbeaten in pre-season action.  Believed by many to be the Oilers’ goaltender of the future, Deslauriers will be given all the time he needs to develop his skills.

The following is a list of some of the other major prospects in the Oilers' system.  This is by no means a definitive list of all of the Oilers prospects, and it will be expanded and updated over time.

Bobby Allen Defence 2nd round pick (52nd overall) in 1998 NHL Entry Draft Allen came to the Oilers with a reputation as a puck-moving defenceman, but has shown little of this ability during his time with the organization.  Acquired from the Bruins in exchange for Sean Brown, he has played well during limited NHL action and appears to be a candidate for a sixth or seventh defenceman position in the future. Status: Assigned to Hamilton (AHL)

Marc-Andre Bergeron Defence Never drafted It says something about NHL teams' obsession with defencemen with size when a player can set a QMJHL record for goals by a defencemen with 42 and go undrafted.  The Oilers elected to sign the 5'10" Bergeron to a free agent contract after seeing him notch 101 point in his final year in junior.  After a unspectacular rookie season in the AHL, Bergeron has been the Bulldogs' steadiest defenceman this year, earning a late season callup.  Bergeron has shown potential as a powerplay specialist, and does not shy away from rough play.  With the Oilers' thin defence, he should get a long look. Status: Assigned to Edmonton (NHL)

Ty Conklin Goaltender Never Drafted After being signed as a free agent by the Oilers, Conklin has backstopped the Hamilton Bulldogs for the past two seasons.  He has not seen as much ice time this year due to the deep roster on the shared Edmonton- Montreal farm team.  Conklin is described as a solid positional goaltender with good mobility.  He was impressive in his four games with Edmonton last season, but barring an injury or trade to either Tommy Salo or Jussi Markkanen it is unlikely he will get an NHL shot with the Oilers. Status: Assigned to Hamilton (AHL)

Kari Haakana Defence 8th round pick (248th overall) in 2001 NHL Entry Draft An over-aged prospect drafted in the late rounds, the big Finnish defender is strong and hard to move off his feet.  He plays a low-risk game in his own end.  Haakana is willing to jump into the play but prefers to stay-at-home and take care of defensive responsibilities first.  After suffering a rib injury this season, Haakana was reassigned to Hamilton.  He is unlikely to be more than a sixth or seventh defenceman.  Status: Assigned to Hamilton (AHL)