theathleticuk
As the 2025-26 regular season wound down, the Edmonton Oilers brought up winger Max Jones from their AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. This move came a full decade after Jones was selected in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks, and he has spent that time trying to cement his place in the league.
Now 28 years old, Jones has accumulated 305 NHL games, including 40 with Edmonton over the last two seasons. His performance after the recall earned him a new contract for the upcoming season, guaranteeing him $850,000 whether he plays in the NHL or the AHL. That financial commitment signals the organization's belief in his value and desire to keep him in the fold.
What does this contract, along with his 21 regular-season appearances for Edmonton, reveal about Jones's future? Is there finally a genuine opportunity for him to earn a permanent NHL job? Jones brings a physical presence at 6-foot-3 and 217 pounds, with decent speed—his max speed ranked in the 57th percentile among Oilers last season. During his stint with the team, he posted 1.03 goals per 60 minutes and 1.72 points per 60. His rugged style contributed to outscoring opponents both in the AHL (54 percent goal share) and in a limited NHL sample (62 percent goal share, 61 percent expected goal share, according to Natural Stat Trick).
While Jones sits well down the depth chart at left wing, several factors work in his favor: the contract commitment, his late-season surge, the arrival of new head coach Mike Babcock, and the competitive landscape that could open a door. He will need a strong preseason to make an impression.
Key Analysis
Babcock's coaching preferences in Toronto often favored players who combined a rugged edge with the ability to outscore opponents. Examples like Nazem Kadri and Roman Polak illustrate this tendency. Babcock will likely seek forwards who can contribute at five-on-five while also engaging physically and driving the forecheck. When examining the Oilers' bottom-nine wingers from last season using points per 60, goal share, and hits per 60, two players appear locked into roles: Vasily Podkolzin is expected to join Leon Draisaitl on the second line, while Trent Frederic, despite a poor showing, is set for third- or fourth-line duties due to his contract. Colton Dach showed promise in a small sample and offers versatility as a center, potentially forming a forechecking fourth line with Frederic. Their brief time together last season was impressive: in 71 five-on-five minutes, they outscored opponents 4-3 with a 57 percent shot share and a 72 percent expected goal share.
Based on these numbers, Jones has a realistic chance to be in the mix for NHL ice time. He played 175 minutes at five-on-five, a decent sample, and his scoring and outscoring metrics look solid, complemented by his aggressive hitting and forechecking. At 28, Jones might seem past his prime, but he has been knocking on the door for years and could still carve out a significant NHL career. A comparison to former Oiler Patrick Maroon, who joined Edmonton at a similar age and capitalized on a prime opportunity, suggests that late breakthroughs are possible. Maroon went on to play nearly 850 NHL games and win three Stanley Cups.
Jones's path remains a long shot, but there are encouraging signs. General manager Stan Bowman acquired him in a complex three-way trade involving the New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins, which also brought Frederic to Edmonton. The contract Bowman signed with Jones this summer, with substantial AHL money, is noteworthy. Such deals are relatively uncommon, and the list of top AHL salaries for the Condors this fall reflects organizational priorities. The list includes several defensemen and forwards, with Jones's $850,000 at the top, indicating that management values him highly and hopes to protect him from waivers. If Jones doesn't make the team, he becomes a prime recall option, and the high AHL salary might deter other teams from claiming him. Last season, Jones's NHL numbers in a small sample far exceeded Frederic's contributions over the entire season, though that trend is unlikely to continue. Nevertheless, his performances in Bakersfield and Edmonton did not go unnoticed. If he can replicate that level of play, Jones could be a full-time NHL player by this time next year, despite the long road he has traveled.
Originally reported by theathleticuk.