In an intriguing twist of fate, Edmonton Oilers fans might feel a sting when realizing that one of their savviest draft picks, Jon Marino, a sixth-round selection in the 2015 NHL Draft—the same year they picked superstar Connor McDavid—never suited up for the team. Marino, a skilled defenseman, was selected from Harvard University at 154th overall but chose not to sign with the Oilers upon completing his college career.
Recognizing that Marino wouldn’t commit to the team, Oilers General Manager Ken Holland opted to trade him to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in 2021. This pick turned out to be Shane LaChance, the newly appointed captain at Boston University, a modest consolation for losing a promising talent like Marino.
At the time, Edmonton didn’t fret much over Marino’s departure, backed by promising defensemen like Ethan Bear, Philip Broberg, and Evan Bouchard. However, the need for a versatile right-shot defenseman, particularly one adept in both offensive and defensive facets like Marino, has grown more apparent.
Marino, known for his strong skating, adept puck handling, and smart playmaking, has shown his NHL capability over five seasons, initially with the Penguins and subsequently via trade with the New Jersey Devils in 2022. Accumulating 18 goals and 107 points over 328 regular-season games, he notched his personal best last season with 25 points in 75 games.
This summer, Marino joined his fourth NHL team, the Utah Hockey Club, which secured his services in exchange for two second-round picks—one from the past draft and another set for 2025. His story is reminiscent of other Oilers late-round picks who largely made their NHL impacts elsewhere, such as Erik Gustafsson, Tobias Rieder, Jujhar Khaira, and Tyler Pitlick.
Despite the historical trend of losing prospects like Marino, the Oilers have transformed into a more appealing NHL destination, signaling that future talents are likelier to stay. Edmonton now prides itself on its success in developing players across the board, ensuring a bright future both for the Oilers and players like Marino who once might have been part of it.
