The draft rarely goes as expected, and last night’s first round of the 2020 edition proved the point beautifully. Who on earth is Yegor Chinakhov? Last night’s pick of Dylan Holloway might be the only 2020 Edmonton selection that ever counts in the Guide and Record Book. The scouts hope for more. There’s plenty left on the board.
THE ATHLETIC!
I’m proud to be writing for The Athletic, and pleased to be part of a great team with Daniel Nugent-Bowman and Jonathan Willis. Here is our recent work.
- New Lowetide: Oilers draft Dylan Holloway on Day 1, with trades possible Wednesday
- New Lisa Dillman: Dylan Holloway could be a ‘difference-maker’ for the Oilers
- New Eric Duhatschek: Connor McDavid’s positive COVID-19 test stirs debate about the next NHL season
- Lowetide: Oilers draft preview — What to expect from Round 1
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers could benefit both now and in the future by adding a right-shot defender
- Lowetide: As Oilers exit the system, the situation is fluid
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: What’s in a name? For NHL players, deciding on pronunciation can be a challenge
- Lowetide: Reconsidering Oilers’ offseason in light of Oscar Klefbom injury news
- Jonathan Willis: Buyer beware: Trade partners for Oliver Ekman-Larsson have to hope he ages well
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s work week: Get good players, keep good players
- Lowetide: Who will be available if the Oilers pick at No. 14?
- Lowetide: Oilers’ defence prospects are pushing, and changes are coming
- Lowetide: Rising talent, acquiring picks key to Oilers’ success at draft
- Lowetide: European leagues are open, and Oilers prospects are everywhere
- Lowetide: Ken Holland and Dave Tippett’s past players: Can any help the Oilers?
- Lowetide: Roster projections for Oilers, including trade and free agent targets
- Jonathan Willis: Why the Oilers should buy out James Neal
- Lowetide: Oilers approach 2020 draft with increased depth in important positions
- Jonathan Willis: There are no good shortcuts for the Oilers with Jesse Puljujarvi
- Lowetide: Potential trades and partners for the Oilers’ offseason
- Lowetide: A bold draft strategy for the Oilers in 2020
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers third-line centre search should include other teams’ cap casualties
- Lowetide: Dealing a defenceman? Taking stock of Oilers’ blueline assets
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Q&A: Oilers GM Ken Holland on improving internally, the flat cap and goaltending
- Jonathan Willis: Can the Oilers find value picks among the 2020 NHL Draft’s impressive Russians?
- Lowetide: 10 free agent targets for the Oilers this offseason
- Lowetide: What if the Oilers went scorched earth in front of 2020 free agency?
- Lowetide: Oilers Top 20 Prospects, Summer 2020
- Jonathan Willis: Unqualified RFAs could be top offseason targets for the Oilers
HOLLOWAY’S RANKING
We’ll get into this more deeply during the Harvest Moon post (it might be up tonight, but could be tomorrow morning if I don’t have time) but it’s interesting to see where Holloway was ranked heading into the draft.
Button, McKenzie, Wheeler and Pronman’s rankings are all in the range, I nicked him for offense and Red Line called him a “hard-working middle six center” so their valuation is more similar to mine. The SilverSevens.com range had Holloway running No. 14-22, meaning he was chosen at the upper range of expectations. Not a reach pick based on the numbers above and the Silver Sevens evidence.
DAY TWO
16 RW Noel Gunler. Has a great release and an impressive resume. Attractive option.
19 LC Jan Mysak. Skilled and is effective in all areas. Major move in second half.
These two men will be premium talents this morning, Holland would need to land the Detroit pick to get either man. I don’t think Edmonton has the ammo to do it without compromising the NHL Oilers for 2020-21.
21 LD Jérémie Poirier. Smart offensive defender, puck transporter.
30 LW John-Jason Peterka. A speedy winger with skill, survived in a men’s league.
Second verse, same as the first. I liked Peterka’s resume, wonder if the Oilers considered him as one of the trade down options. This would have been a good year for it in my opinion, as was 2013 when MacTavish did it. Those trades didn’t work out, but it was a grand idea. Looks like the Flames are trying it this year.
31 LW Martin Chromiak. One of the most skilled players in the draft.
33 LD William Wallinder. Big (6.04, 195) 2-way defenseman with good speed.
35 RW Zion Nybeck. Undersized playmaker, great passer. Impressive speed.
36 RC Jean-Luc Foudy. Speedy center plus skill, mediocre season.
37 LD Emil Andrae. Fast defenseman with offensive potential. Plus passer.
38 LC Ty Smilanic. Lean center, plus skater and pure scorer. Had mono.
39 LC Vasili Ponomaryov. Great hands and good speed, he’s a little under the radar
41 RW Sam Colangelo. Big power winger with skill, scored 28 goals in 44 games.
42 RW Luke Evangelista. Skill winger, great passer, plays in all disciplines.
43 RD Helge Grans. Solid two-way defenseman with good size and speed.
44 RW Connor McClennon. Numbers are solid to excellent. Undersized, range of skills.
45 RC Jack Finley. An August 2002 and a big pivot, he plays a fairly complete game.
46 RW Kasper Simontaival. Unusual skating style but he’s quick and has high-end skill.
47 RC Justin Sourdif. Two-way winger gained notice at the Hlinka, solid season.
48 LW Veeti Miettinen. Undersized winger, fills the net with pucks.
49 RW Pavel Novak. Speedster with skill, he’s a scorer.
50 LW Sean Farrell. A good skater with plus skills, spiked offensively.
51 LW Daniel Torgersson. He has size and good speed.
52 LC Thomas Bordeleau. Owns a great shot and is highly skilled with the puck.
53 RC Tyler Tullio. Small playmaking pivot. Good passer, great shot.
54 RW Ryan Francis. Playmaking winger who plays a smart game.
55 RC Theodor Niederbach. Skill center is a late breaker this draft.
56 LW Carter Savoie. Small, fleet skill winger delivered 99 points in 54 games.
57 LD Ryan O’Rourke. Good size (6.02, 181) projects as a top-four defenseman.
58 LW Brett Berard. Small skill winger with good hands.
59 RW Daniil Gushchin. Small, speedy playmaking forward. Good numbers.
60 LW Oskar Magnusson. Smaller winger good speed and two-way acumen.
This is the section I can see the Oilers grabbing a player, maybe two if things work out right. Vasili Ponomaryov, Veeti Miettinen and Daniil Gushchin are three good names.
61 RC Jaromir Pytlik. He’s a fine skater and has two-way skills.
62 RD William Villeneuve. Tall, thin two-way blue spiked offensively.
63 LW Owen Pederson. Pederson scored 28 goals in 61 games.
64 LC Marat Khusnutdinov. Small (5.09, 165) two-way center with great wheels.
65 LW Will Cuylle. Has a great shot, plus size and skill. Smart winger.
66 LD Lukas Cormier. Undersized skill defender with good speed and skill.
67 RD Michael Benning. Impressive skills (fine skater, excellent passer).
68 RW Brandon Coe. Power forward scored 25 goals in the OHL this season.
69 LC Roni Hirvonen. Undersized two-way playmaker can play center or wing.
70 LW Luke Tuch. Alex Tuch’s brother, he plays a similar style with less offense.
71 RC Tristan Robins. Impressive numbers, he is very skilled.
72 LD Yan Kuznetsov. He’s 6.03, 201, 18 and regarded as a solid defender.
73 LC Antonio Stranges. Terrific speed and skill, disappointing season.
74 RW Alexander Pashin. Small winger with impressive skill can score and pass.
75 RW Dylan Peterson. Big W with skill/speed, shy offensively this season.
76 RD Topi Niemela. Niemela skates well, playing in Liiga. Some chaos.
78 LW Roby Jarventie. He’s an August 2002 and a nice size and speed combination.
79 LD Eemil Viro. Small, fast offensive defender, no dominant skill.
80 G Calle Clang. Good size, a .913 SP and stellar work at the Hlinka.
81 LW Kyle Crnkovic. Small (5.07) doubled his point total season over season.
82 LC Elliot Ekmark. High skill, elusive, great speed, undersized.
83 RW Wiljami Myllylä. Speed demon, gaudy scoring numbers for days.
84 LC Theo Rochette. Undersized two-way center, intriguing offense.
85 RD Luke Prokop. A giant (6.04, 218) able to close gaps and suppress offense.
86 LD Tyler Kleven. A big shutdown defenseman (6.04, 201) with good speed.
87 G Sam Hlavaj. Boasts a .915 save percentage and stands 6.04, 218.
88 G Nico Daws. .924 save percentage represents a big performance spike.
89 LC Daniel Ljungman. Emerged at the Hlinka Gretzky. Great release.
90 G Joel Blomquist. Strong numbers (.929), good glove.
Marat Khusnutdinov, Roni Hirvonen and Elliot Ekmark are interesting players, there will be many on my 61-90 list who will pass through the draft.
91 LC Cameron Berg. Good speed and skill.
92 G Dylan Garand. Eye popping SP (.921) for June 2002, but he’s only 6.0.
93 RC Zayde Wisdom. Pure scorer, strong season, wheels are the concern.
94 LW Emil Heineman. Older prospect, good size and speed.
95 LD Daemon Hunt. Will earn his money as a shutdown defenseman.
96 LW Pavel Gogolev. Now 20, he is fast and has a great shot.
97 LC Juuso Mäenpää. Very small but highly skilled playmaker.
98 LW Maxim Groshev. Skilled and determined with the puck on his stick.
99 RD Kasper Puutio. Good Hlinka and then a strong late push after being dealt.
100 LW Cross Hanas. Speedy winger scored 22 goals in Portland.
101 LC Evan Vierling. Playmaking center spiked late. Excellent passer.
102 LW Yevgeni Oksentyuk. Impressive season for Feb. 2001, under the radar skill W.
103 RD Alex Cotton. Big defenseman with a great shot, overager.
104 LD Anton Johannesson. Small puck mover is a wizard, could be a steal.
105 RD Billy Constantinou. Chaos blue made my list last year, worth a late flier.
106 G Brett Brochu. Under the radar goalie who delivered a .919 SP as a rookie.
107 RC Josh Pillar. Fast player, spiked offensively, could be underrated here.
108 LW Blake Biondi. High skill, great speed.
109 RC Colby Ambrosio. Speedster, very skilled, I love his resume. He’s a bullet.
110 LW James Hardie. Volume shooter, 34 goals, one dimensional.
111 RD Thimo Nickl. Strong skater, two-way blue, December 2001.
112 RD Eamon Powell. Impressive skater can move the puck effectively
113 LD Donovan Sebrango. Two-way defender, excellent skater.
114 LD Dave Ma. Tremendous skater and very creative.
115 LW Rory Kerins. 30 goals for an April 2002 is worth drafting.
116 LD Mitch Miller. Fine skater, has two-way skills.
117 RW Oliver Suni. Strong winger with range of skills.
118 G Devon Levi. Impressive .941 SP.
119 LC Michal Gut. Skill center, average speed, August 2002.
120 LW Eric Juhlin. Good shot, solid (13 goals in 36 games) at even strength.
121 RD Ian Moore. Massachusetts offensive defenseman.
122 LW Maxim Beryozkin. Size, speed, skill, shot. Average speed is the worry.
123 LHD Alexander Nikishin. Good skater, plus shot, he’s a throwback who hits to hurt.
124 G Drew Commesso. Good size, thrived wherever he played in 2019-20.
125 RD Ethan Edwards. Impressive speed and skill puck mover.
OILERS MOCK
No. 14 overall: LC Dylan Holloway, Wisconsin (Big-10). I mentioned yesterday that Holloway might be too much to resist, his scouting report is a close match for Holland-Wright in Detroit. He’s fast, can forecheck, win battles and we’ll see. NHLE: 13.3
Holloway is the highest draft pick by Edmonton in team history, easily eclipsing Tyler Pitlick (No. 31 in 2010). As I see it, Edmonton chose an exceptional athlete with great speed over high skill player like Connor Zary, Dawson Mercer or Mavrik Bourque. All of these players have some question about them, despite being bona fide first rounders.
Today, the Calgary Flames have to ask themselves how to improve Connor Zary’s skating. It sounds easy, but the list of men who couldn’t do it is long.
Edmonton has to hope Holloway spikes offensively in college, and finds a role on a top-six line when he arrives in Edmonton. If he can win a job playing LW with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, the goals should come. I expect that may be the organization’s thinking.
Holloway could emerge as a complementary offensive player who provides a defensive conscience for the 97 line in a few years. He might also be a No. 3 center for the team. I would have made a different bet (Mercer), but I can say the same thing about Broberg a season ago and there’s no bitching about that pick from this blog today.
I’m not saying trust Holland-Wright because there’s very little track (one pick). I’m saying the pick is in, this young man has talent and Edmonton didn’t have anyone who could be called a power forward before yesterday.
I’d draft mad skill all day and trade for pieces required along the way. The Holland-Wright Oilers aren’t going to comply, so we’re going to have to get used to it. Here is a modified possible mock:
No. 76 overall: RC Jack Finley, Spokane Chiefs (WHL). Big center who skates well for a man who is 6.05, 2.07. He’s already aware defensively and has good offensive instincts. Giant. NHLE: 23.1
No. 135 overall: RW Dylan Peterson, USNDTP (USHL). He’s a big player (6.04, 192), January 2002. Plays a heavy game, Red Line says he moves well. Can hang on to the puck for long periods because he’s so strong. NHLE: 12.8
No. 169 overall: RW Maxim Groshev, Neftekhimik (KHL) He’s 6.01, 194, skates well and is aggressive. Groshev is determined and has skill, probably projects as a bottom six winger. NHLE: 12.9
No. 200 overall: RD Alex Cotton, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL). He might go in the second round, but it’s tough to tell with reentries. Cotton is 6.02, 183, a fine skater and a May 2001. NHLE: 26.3
TODAY
Oilers will walk Andreas Athanasiou and Matt Benning, and qualify Ethan Bear. It sounds like a Jesse Puljujarvi signing/trade is close, and that might end up having the most impact on 2020-21 and beyond. Free agency awaits, I believe there are going to be some loud noises and we’ll definitely have something to talk about over the rest of this week and into next week.
One thing I believe: If Holland is walking AA, he has to have something in mind for the money. More hell than a little bit if Edmonton doesn’t address scoring on the wing in the coming days.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, we hit the ground running with draft talk, NFL chatter and breaking news, all on TSN1260. Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal will discuss the Dylan Holloway selection, the decision to walk Andreas Athanasiou and Matt Benning, plus any trade activity that happens this morning. Joe Osborne from OddsShark discusses NFL Week 5 and the impact of Covid-19 on betting units. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
NEW for The Athletic: Jesse Puljujarvi signing overshadows a strong day for Oilers at draft
https://theathletic.com/2123193/2020/10/07/lowetide-jesse-puljujarvi-signing-overshadows-a-strong-day-for-oilers-at-draft/
Very likely, I agree – I was just making the point that him being a college player doesn’t mean he will take longer to arrive.
Matheson reporting that Barrie is #1 on Holland’s d-list because he can run a PP.
Thankfully he indicates Holland is only interested in a one year deal.
I don’t get this premise – yes, Barrie would be a great sub for Klef on PP1 but there are multiple legit internal options and I don’t understand why a PP dman needs to be a target.
Duclair acted as his own agent. Was offered a “substantial” raise but ultimately could not reach a deal with the Sens. As per TSN 1290 this afternoon.
Of note on the Jesse contract, he will make $900K this season and $1.45M in the 2nd year so his QO will be $1.45M.
As you know, it is not the QO teams are afraid of, it is the arbitration decision.
Yes
This is all Wright by me
I’m trying to follow along on my phone at work…so that’s 6 picks and 6 forwards..yes..?
Not a goalie or D man in sight
6’2″ 183 lbs
“He showed off good puck control and could cover it effectively with his body. For a player of his size, Lindewall showed off good first steps and could accelerate well with the puck without having to slow down. What Lindewall does best is his work in front of the opposing net. He can take and deliver blows and has some grit to his style.” -EliteProspects 2020 NHL Draft Guide
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/480558/jeremias-lindewall
Jeremias Lindewall
…who?
Ok, the final pick for the oilers.
And the pick is…
Apparently it has something to do with potential Arbitration issues if he files for arbitration. Trying to use a loop hole to keep his AAV down me thinks.
Duclair not qualified at $1.65M??????
I think one leaves Hollaway in college for two years minimum, and then he should be almost ready to step right into the NHL. There is no point rushing him to the AHL. US college hockey is good hockey.
Yamamoto
Kassian
Puljujarvi
Archibald
Chiasson
P. Russell
P. Russell very well could be assigned to the AHL (or taxi squad equivalent) but it sure would be nice to move Chiasson for a 2021 pick and free up a bit of walking around money (and get a mid-late pick for next season).
The Chiasson/Bjork speculated deal (or similar) is an option as well with AA moving on (likely) – Benson as the natural replacement if no LW is added externally.
Oh goodie. Calgary took Rory Kerins.
Booo….
Holloway could very well turn pro after one more season in college – likely would need AHL development but have you been expecting the 14th to impact the lineup before draft plus 3?
In fact, going to college may lead to Holloway impacting the lineup earlier – compare to a CHL prospect that would be too young for the AHL in their draft plus 2 – assuming not NHL ready come October they’d be back to junior and a non-option for the season. Holloway could potentially play in the AHL in draft plus 2 and be an NHL opinion if he develops.
Looks like Engaras sat out all of 2018-19 and the start of last season due to an NCAA ruling because he played some pro in Sweden. Had a slow start then picked up. A two year over ager, already 21. Interesting pick.
I don’t think Ken Holland gave a care in the world to them being Alberta boys.
This is the first negative thing I’ve read related to the Saovie pick – do you not like the pick?
Not on LT’s list! Crazy!
Ok so apparently we picked Filip Engaras.
Thoughts?
Alternatively they could wait until the NHL starts. If they want to start now they will be very constrained.
The Oilers drafted the next JT Miller with #14.
Shelter Point.
And you forgot J.T. Miller.
The reason for the whining from the Shelter Bay sipping room…
https://www.nhl.com/nhl-draft/tracker/canucks
That is what I said to…then used the googler…
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/514147/maxim-beryozkin
Ranked #111 by Button
6’4″ 216 lb 18 yr old right shot winger
The New York Rangers are planning to retire Alex LaFreniere’s number before the end of this draft.
Funnily enough they are teammates!
Two Maxims for the Oilers on Yaroslavl. Must have seen him when checking on Denezhkin.
Crazy Pedestrian,
I’m guessing..
“122 LW Maxim Beryozkin. Size, speed, skill, shot. Average speed is the worry.”
122 LW Maxim Beryozkin. Size, speed, skill, shot. Average speed is the worry.
Same guy I assume. Leave to LT to get this surrounded!
Maxim Denezhkin’s cousin I believe
Maksim Berezkin
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/514147/maxim-beryozkin
Who is Maksim Berezkin?
That is wretched.
Sooo…. no OHL season then.
Ontario’s minister of sport has said that the OHL will have to remove all physical contact, including bodychecking in order to have a 2020/21 season…….
Matty reported that the Oilers had Askarov in their top 5…..
The speculation that the Oilers will go hard after Markstrom continues and grows…….
If the plan is to keep Mikko, will be very interesting to see if there is cap for any other material moves – the Klefbom LTIR cushion and maybe a Russell disposition but without Benning (likely), a depth d-man, at the least, is needed.
Can’t really see any material forward added if Markstrom is signed.
Benson replaces AA
Puljujarvi replaces Chiasson (if they can move him).
I look forward to the LT annual check in of the trade back of Guschin for Savoie and Tullio. Early impression is I am ecstatic with the value we received. I’d take either of our picks alone over Guschin, and he’s also a player I liked.
Rory Kerins Still on the board
LC Dylan Holloway
LW Carter Savoie
RW Tyler Tullio
Kerins or Puttio next please.
2. RC Tristen Robins3. LC Rory Kerins
4. RD William Villeneuve5. G Nico Daws6. RC Justin Sourdif7. LC Evan Vierling8. RC Jack Finley9. RW Zayde Wisdom10. RD Kasper Puttio
11. RD Luke Prokop***12. RW Tyler Tullio***
13. LW James Hardie
14. RW Luke Evangelista15. RW Brandon Coe16. RD Jack Thompson17. LW Pavel Gogolev
18. RD Miguel Tourigny
19. G Jakub Malek
20. LD Alec Belanger
Tullio is a solid pick. More of a playmaker than a scorer, but he produces.
Age and League adjusted Even Strength Projection of Primary Points:
OHL Quinton Byfield – 42
OHL Cole Perfetti – 36
OHL Marco Rossi – 35
QMJHL Alexis Lafreniere – 34
WHL Seth Jarvis – 32
USHL Sam Colangelo – 28
OHL Martin Chromiak – 27
OHL Tyler Tullio – 26
OHL Jacob Perreault – 25
QMJHL Mavrik Bourque – 25
OHL Rory Kerins – 25
I like the cut of your jib. He is definitely my best available for 138.
Further to the above, Benson with the tying goal for the GCK Lions (SWI) in the third to send the game to OT – he did miss in the shootout (first shooter).
Bouchard and Lavoie held off the scoresheet in their games.
Thilled.
Columbus sign Max Domi to a two year extension @$5.3 million per.
Tyler Tullio
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/201944/tyler-tullio
Great stuff on the Jesse signing
The increase over his QO is just fine given its two years of term.
Will be good to add his skill set and potential to camp.
Where he will play in the lineup will be up to him and his performance – there is opportunity on the right side with only one cemented top 6 right winger).
Good Pick