Among draft eligible players who will be available at No. 20, do you have one or two that you prefer? A year ago, my personal choice for Edmonton was Arthur Kaliyev, because I didn’t think Dylan Cozens would be on the board when Edmonton made its pick (he was, in fact, gone). It’s time for the annual draft Q and A, and the top 10 goalies for 2020.
THE ATHLETIC!
The Athletic Edmonton features a fabulous cluster of stories (some linked below, some on the site). Great perspective from a ridiculous group of writers and analysts. Proud to be part of The Athletic, check it out here.
- New Lowetide: Oilers prospect Raphael Lavoie’s possible impact in his first year pro
- New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: The good, bad and ugly of the Oilers’ last 15 years of free agent signings
- New Lowetide: Why you should be worried about William Lagesson’s future in Edmonton
- New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Remembering the goal that made Fernando Pisani a cult hero in Edmonton
- New Lowetide: The Oilers’ 2016 draft remains an enigma, with a glimmer of hope
- New Jonathan Willis: The parallels from the fall of Alexander the Great and the 2006 Oilers
- Lowetide: 5 AHL forwards who offer the Oilers a chance to buy low on real talent
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘Agape’: Why Oilers prospect Cooper Marody wrote a song about Colby Cave
- Jonathan Willis: Connor McDavid’s recovery is just one of 2020’s incredible Masterton stories
- Lowetide: Every prospect in the Oilers system and what’s next for each player
- Lowetide: Oilers minor leaguers over 40 years, and Jay Woodcroft’s current role
- Lowetide: Charting Theodor Lennstrom’s future with the Oilers
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Projecting the Oilers’ black aces and how much they’ll play
- Jonathan Willis: Projecting the Oilers’ lineup for their play-in series versus the Blackhawks
- Lowetide: Could the Oilers draft a defenceman in the first round?
- Lowetide: Why the Oilers should extend Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as soon as possible
- Lowetide: Oilers farmhand Josh Currie’s small window of opportunity
- Jonathan Willis: Misguided priorities helped turn the Oilers’ 2010 rebuild into a debacle
- Lowetide: Oilers greatest areas of need for the 2020 draft
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Six bold (and not so bold) predictions as the Oilers prepare for the Blackhawks
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers facing a bonus penalty for 2020-21 but the news isn’t all bad
- Jonathan Willis: Multiple choice: What might an Oilers trade at the 2020 NHL Draft look like?
- Lowetide: Mike Green’s playoff role and possible future with the Oilers
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Favourite player who will be available when Edmonton selects? It’s a tough question because I don’t know when the Oilers will pick. At 20, I expect Jarvis, Zary and Bourque could be gone. If all three have been chosen, plus the expected names by No. 20, I’ll name Jan Mysak as my choice. I’m uncertain Edmonton would pick him that early, though.
Who do you think the Oilers are considering in the first round? If the first 16 names on my list are gone, my guess is Edmonton would consider Russian goalie Yaroslav Askarov who by then would represent good to exceptional value. I think Kaiden Guhle would get a long look, perhaps Mysak and big college winger Dylan Holloway. I ordinarily have a better feel for Edmonton’s draft, but Holland-Wright are a new group and there is some mystery.
Holland rarely took a goalie in the first round as Detroit GM. Very true, but the draft is about value. I count (on my list) one goalie and three defenseman who bring enough to rank inside the top 20 prospects. That means 16 forwards, a big number. If those 16 forwards are gone when Edmonton picks, and the goalie remains, he may represent the best value.
One player in the draft who will go higher than you have him ranked? LD Yan Kuznetsov. He’s young, big, mobile and plays in the NCAA. I have him mid third round, Craig Button has him just outside the first round. Button is a scout. His reasons are rock solid I’m certain, but math led me to these rankings and we stand far apart on this player.
Probably you’re just bad at this. Well, Kuznetsov is the kind of player my list has a hard time with, but the truth is I don’t think drafting a shutdown blue in the first round is wise. Kids who are teenagers in the NCAA are difficult to project, but the verbal on him doesn’t scream offense and puck moving. Kuznetsov would benefit from an age 20 draft. Or not. I have him on my list, but Button’s number will be closer than mine.
Favourite player not on your list? RW Declan McDonell of the Kitchener Rangers. Good speed, skill, can check. Moved up the roster over the season. 21 goals in the OHL with very little notice.
What position gives you the most trouble? Defensemen.
Really? Not goalies? Shocking. I need to sit down. Who knew? I look for complete defensemen, then two-way, then offensive, then shutdown.
What would a successful draft for Edmonton look like? If the Oilers can grab Seth Jarvis in the first round, it’s a good draft. The nature of the team’s draft board is it’s likely just one pick will have an impact. That’s based on the traded picks. In a way, it’s like the 2014 draft.
How so? In 2014, Edmonton drafted Leon Draisaitl in the first round, then had to wait through the second and third rounds because picks had been traded for David Perron and Ben Scrivens. This year, it’s going to be slow due to trades that sent away picks for Andreas Athanasiou, James Neal (possibly) and Mike Green.
So you’re saying lower your expectations? I’m saying that if the first four rounds are Seth Jarvis, Andreas Athanasiou, offloading Milan Lucic’s contract and Mike Green, fans should be five miles beyond impressed.
GOALIES 2018 DRAFT (LT RANK)
1 Jakub Skarek, Jihlava (Czech). No. 72 to NY Islanders
2 Oliver Rodrigue, Drummondville (QMJHL). No. 62 to Edmonton.
3 Lukas Dostal, Brno (Czech). No. 85 to Anaheim
4 Olof Lindbom, Djurgardens (SuperElite). No. 39 to NY Rangers.
5 Amir Miftakhov, Irbis Kazan (MHL). Undrafted.
6 Ivan Prosvetov, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL). No. 114 to Arizona.
7 Joel Hofer, Swift Current Broncos (WHL). No. 107 to St. Louis
8 Justus Annunen, Karpat (Jr. Sm-Liiga). No. 64 to Colorado.
9 Vincent Purpura, Omaha Lancers (USHL). Undrafted.
10 Alexis Gravel, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL). No. 162 to Chicago.
GOALIES 2019 DRAFT (LT RANK)
- Spencer Knight, US National Team (USHL). No. 13 to Florida.
- G Mads Søgaard, Medicine Hat (WHL). No. 37 to Ottawa.
- Pyotr Kochetkov, HK Ryazan (VHL). No. 36 to Carolina.
- Hunter Jones, Peterborough (OHL). No. 59 to Minnesota.
- Colten Ellis, Rimouski (QMJHL). No. 93 to St. Louis.
- Jonathan Lemieux, Val d’Or (QMJHL). Undrafted.
- Trent Miner, Vancouver (WHL). No. 202 to Colorado.
- Carter Gylander, Sherwood Park (AJHL). No. 191 to Detroit.
- Amir Miftakhov, Irbis Kazan (MHL). Undrafted.
- Lukas Parik, Liberic (Czech Jr). No. 87 to Los Angeles.
Ilya Konovalov, drafted by Edmonton at No. 85 by the Oilers, did not appear on my list last season.
GOALIES 2020 DRAFT (LT RANKING)
- G Yaroslav Askarov, VHL. He’s famous, acrobatic and might represent the most value on the board when Edmonton picks in the first round.
- Calle Clang, SuperElite. Good size, a .913 SP and stellar work at the Hlinka. His resume is quite impressive over the last three seasons.
- Sam Hlavaj, QMJHL. Boasts a .915 save percentage and stands 6.04, 218. I have him higher than other lists; backup posted a .901SP.
- Nico Daws, OHL. .924 save percentage represents a big performance spike. He’s a December 2000.
- Joel Blomquist, Jr Liiga. Strong numbers (.929), good glove. He got into a couple of Liiga games.
- Dylan Garand, WHL. Eye popping SP (.921) for June 2002, but he’s only 6.0.
- Brett Brochu, OHL. Under the radar goalie who delivered a .919 SP as a rookie. Sept 2002. I think he could be a steal later in the draft.
- Devon Levi, CCHL. Impressive .941 SP, he’s a December 2001. You’d like to see him in a better league.
- Drew Commesso, USHL. Good size, thrived wherever he played in 2019-20. Big step forward. July 2002.
- Tucker Tynan, OHL. Had a ghastly injury but his .910SP and June 2002 birthdate have him here.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, we hit the ground running with a full boat of guests and some big news. Jonathan Willis from The Athletic will join us with some major personal news and we’ll chat Oilers and changes in Buffalo. Tom Gazzola from TSN talks NHL return at 11 and Ken Boehlke from Sin Bin will chat about the possibility that Vegas will be a host city. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
I’d say a whole thread nearly absent a single strawman or red herring thrown up is winning a bet.
I strongly suspect Holland isn’t going to bid McDavid and Draisaitl farewell with a pat on their backs when they reach UFA…
At the end of “year 9” McDavid will be 27 and with 2 years left on his current deal. Year 9 is not the end point. Likewise year 11/UFA, IMO.
Personal risk to players is extremely minimal. It’s largely about keeping it out to avoid mass attack rates like recently seen at Fort Benning and Ft. Leonard Wood AFTER quarantine testing. PA and NHL want nothing jeopardizing completion.
Going forward low transmission regimes are likely to focus on a few things that seem to drive most transmission Iin lower density locales. Indoor social indoor gatherings. Stadium scale events. International tourism (quarantine ideally could be replaced by testing).
Yes, most of the players are young and healthy but some do have underlying conditions and some could be unknown at this time.
Not to mention, there are more than just player – I don’t think the average head coach is young and health – more the opposite.
Understood but the NHL thing was never about the border restrictions which never restricted crossing for occupational work. Hockey was already covered there with other biz
The issue was the provinces 14 day quarantine rule vs the federal interpretation.
Isn’t most of Canada well under potential capacity? Has it ever been over taxed?
To me trying to run extremely low transmission which will never eliminate it and seeing increasing consequences everywhere else doesn’t make sense.
As for NHL returning to play, o find it ridiculous that they are hyper vigilant over young healthy highly resourced people doing sports while at my business I repeatedly hear stories of people crossing the border basically being waved through by border agents with out of province and out of country plates.
That the Feds still have a leaky border is beyond the pale. The numbers in most of Canada ‘flattened’ when the travel was at least largely restricted no?
The double talk is the biggest problem with all of this. ‘Can’t give the pro athletes any special treatment’.
Does the public in majority care? I think more would like to watch hockey and anything else fresh. The biggest threat to apathy about Covid setting in is the gaps in what is actually happening that is in the media daily and what we hear first hand and what citizens are being asked to sacrifice at the same time.
The federal system the Privy Council left us long ago and a leader in way over his head showing a lot of poor outcomes as I see it.
Hey all
Goalie is the most important position. I think that is where you need to be the most active if you don’t have a bona fide starter.
You can’t buy Connor or Leon but they have them. Get a goalie and use the draft if you have no other good options IMO
Made me Laugh !
Аrpon Basu
@ArponBasu
Just realized on the day the NHL stopped, the Sabres were to play in Montreal. Had they won in regulation, the Sabres would have had a .500 points %, the Canadiens would have been at .493. The Sabres would be in, Canadiens out. Would today’s massive firings had still happened?
The carnage in Buffalo appears to spectacular.
Taj (@taj1944) Tweeted:
Elliotte on 650 said it might be close to 30 people that are let go by the Sabres.
The 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. #ATaleOfTwoCities
There are five sheets of ice available for practice in nearby locations.
Shouldn’t be a problem.
Maybe – I’m not sure.
All the actual games, play-in and round robin will be at T-Mobil – 3 games per day I believe.
Not sure how many sheets they need for practice, etc.
Off the top of my head, Dom had the Oilers for 83 points and Lowetide had 89.
I went somewhat in the middle at 86. It took a worldwide pandemic and early season end for me to get a prediction within three points of the actual result.
That’s how bad I am at predicting the Oilers point totals.
Yes, I’ve heard similar about the hotels in Edmonton.
I was thinking that perhaps they could put all the players in the Marriot and the non-players could slum it at the Westin and Sutton Place but the Marriot only has 322 rooms (24 suites) and, with 32 player rosters (28 skater and 4 goalies), its not enough for all the players. It could be more as well as the 28 skaters plus unlimited goalies isn’t official, there was rumblings of perhaps 30 skaters being permitted.
Oops posted too late- it was more of a kudos but feel free to delete. Sorry.
“Quit while you’re ahead. All the best gamblers do.”
Now. Let’s move on, please and thanks.
Anyone want in on this? Over-under on when the HH jabs will stop?
HH?
on another note, I am trying to book a flight in September to go to Palm Springs to see my motor home. I have been on hold with messenger with WestJet since 1:45 PM to find out how to access my money from the cancelled flight in March, Interesting times. I am sure they don’t have much staff working and lots of people trying to contact them.
This will not be the first dead horse that was beaten when it comes to HH aka DSF
when will the HH jabs stop?
POINT made. I have had enough of them.
No such situation was placed in your bet, Covey is Icelandic for pay up or ship out.
Trying to rework, reword, play victim while suggesting you’re the one being reasonable is straight out of the millennial handbook.
For every dishonored bet, Brogarth Rigbelly loses 5% hockey sense.
There is no doubt the NHL would love Toronto.
EASTERN time zone
MASSIVE city
Close to New York (for Gary)
Many Hotel Options
Multiple rinks
HH needs to be timed out due to a disgusting and almost flauntingly proud absence of character and integrity. And, bets on this forum go to charity as a general rule. Not paying up is a horrendous display of bourgeoisie entitlement that is simply gross.
+1
Given his history, what are the chances Krueger gets fired over Zoom?
What’s the over/under?
What do you think HH?
Whoops, too soon?
HH’s desperation attempt is a sight to behold. Yikes.
Glad to see you back. I might be out of line but did you used to sell used cars?
I think you need four sheets plus T-Mobile, for the pre-tournament exhibitions and the play-in round.
Krueger’s going to be doing it all by himself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGrLb6W5YOM
I’ve heard the issue for Edmonton is a lack of high end hotels.
While the hotel attached to the rink is 5 star there are no others in close proximity to the arena and with the need to house and feed so many players, staff and broadcast crews in one of two bubbles is problematical.
Both Toronto and Vancouver have numerous 5 star hotels close to their arenas.
Speaking of the draft, TSN’s final draft ranking show (McKenzie, Button, Duthie) will air on Monday.
I think the (first) lottery is next Friday.
I expect we ALL are hoping for at least one “placeholder” win? The intrigue.
Yup Caesar’s is paying out individual stats bets.
Unless HH had a stipulation for games played
Pay up
Or get lost
Some of those betting houses have an 82 game season in their rule book.
You did not make such stipulation
You lost
Only one more year and the $4.5M yearly dead cap hit is gone.
Its no Bobby Bonilla payout…
Yup – the “bubble” should be cut off with general society and the NBA has agreed to fairly harsh ramifications for “leaving the hub” including mandatory 10-14 day self-isolaion, reduced comp for games missed and additional more thorough testing (nasal).
I anticipate it will be similar for the NHL.
I know that the players are live to being able to have things to do – Edmonton was going to quarantine off a golf course for example. You are right, that type of activity won’t be feasible in Vegas but they could have two-three hotels and their amenities available to them including pools, etc.
Would Covey be the same as covfefe?
Sports books are refunding bets made on incomplete seasons effectively considering them null and void since it is impossible to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.
https://www.thelines.com/futures-betting-tickets-when-sports-canceled/
This applies to our bet as well.
I had offered you an extension of the bet that would be fair to both parties but you refused the offer so I will assume you are not interested.
Should you be willing to entertain a reasonable extension of the bet, let me know.
Maybe, maybe not though.
Apparently there are dozens and dozens of amateur scout positions across the league that end on June 30 this year – not sure those will be “automatically extended” like player contracts.
This may be a good time to be looking for an amateur scouting NHL job.
Oops I forgot to mention the $100 goes to this wonderful site or your choice of charity.
Since H.H is MIA if anybody wants to go $100, I’ll take Leon against the field for the Hart.
OriginalPouzar,
Thanks you… sound advice…
Holland surprised the shit out of me when he took a project like Broberg. We shall see and how we do in the playoffs might influence how he drafts.
Covey leader calling H.H, come on H.H.
Covey leader calling H.H.
Covey leader to H.H, talk to me H.H
They have T-Mobil, for the games as well as the two sheets at Twin Arenas plus one other available sheet of ice for practice (I can’t remember the name but read a few times about the fourth piece of ice).
Petersson, Hughes, Boeser and….. Rafferty (Demko).
The first two are exceptional and a plus 3rd….
Well at least you can’t sign anyone to 15 years now.
Agreed – its not his MO (even though he has drafted a couple in the first round over the decades) and I don’t think Askarov is the Carey Price or MAF level of prospect – but a tier down at least.