A Fine Bourgault

by Lowetide

The Edmonton Oilers drafted Xavier Bourgault in the first round of the 2021 entry draft, continuing a flow of forward picks that began in 2020 and included all six selections that season. Bourgault is a talented scorer and there is some evidence that he has a range of skills that could represent a more complete game. After what has been a turbulent start to summer, the draft was a welcome return to normal. I believe this was a quality pick.

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’s the latest!

BOURGAULT

Bourgault is an interesting player, I ranked him No. 14 overall based mostly on his offence but discovered a little more nuance to his game after he was chosen. For pure offense, he compares well to most previous draft picks who weren’t No. 1 overall selections (and Leon), with only Kailer Yamamoto clear of him in draft year NHLE:

  1. Connor McDavid 25-42-67
  2. Taylor Hall 17-29-46
  3. Nail Yakupov 18-22-40
  4. Leon Draisaitl 15-25-40
  5. Kailer Yamamoto 16-22-38
  6. Ryan Nugent Hopkins 11-27-38
  7. Xavier Bourgault 16-16-32
  8. Raphael Lavoie 12-15-27
  9. Ryan McLeod 10-17-27
  10. Tyler Benson 7-16-23
  11. Jesse Puljujarvi 10-11-21

He’s a little shy of Kailer Yamamoto, also drafted No. 22 overall (in 2017), but will eventually push him (or Jesse Puljujarvi) for an NHL right-wing job on a skill line. His goal-scoring ranks No. 4 (tie) on this list although a pile in this group are between 15-18 goals. We’ll call it a good neighbourhood. Tyler Wright says he projects Bourgault as a top-six NHL forward and that’s about right based on the numbers. Now, onward to day two.

DAY TWO LIST

  • 7 RW Nikita Chibrikov, St. Petersburg Small skill winger. Massive U18’s in Texas.
  • 13 LC Francesco Pinelli, Kitchener Rangers  Smart, skill C who passes well, plus speed.
  • 16 RC Logan Stankoven, Kamloops Blazers 5.07, 165. Demon on the forecheck, plus skills.
  • 21 RW Olivier Nadeau, Shawinigan Cataractes More bull than beauty, he is effective.
  • 22 LD Daniil Chayka, CSKA Moscow Two-way defender, plays in all game states.
  • 24 LW Eric Alarie, Moose Jaw Warriors 6.01, 196. Big PF with plus skill.
  • 26 LC Aatu Raty, Karpat Talented center who struggled in the Liiga
  • 28 RC Ryder Korczak, Moose Jaw Warriors A top play-making center in the WHL.
  • 31 LW Ayrton Martino, Omaha Lancers Small speedy winger, September 2002.\
  • 32 LW Conner Roulette, Seattle Thunderbirds He has good hands/speed.
  • 35 LD Olen Zellweger, Everett Silvertips He is undersized (5.09, 165) but very skilled.
  • 36 LW Joshua Roy, Sherbrooke Phoenix. High-end skill, could go higher.
  • 37 RW Simon Robertsson, Skelleftea.  Bert’s boy, has a powerful shot. Feb. 2003.
  • 39 LD Evan Nause, Quebec Remparts Two-way defender is 6.02, 186 and spiking offensively
  • 40 LC Brett Harrison, Oshawa Generals A two-way center with good speed.
  • 41 RC Connor Lockhart, Erie Otters.  Probably the best skater among OHL eligibles.
  • 42 LW Sasha Pastujov, USNDTP Plus shot, offensive winger. Average speed.
  • 43 LW William Stromgren, MoDo  Big skill winger with good wheels.
  • 44 RC Riley Kidney, Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Another skill pivot, a good skater.
  • 45 LD Stanislav Svozil, Brno. Impressive with the puck, solid without it.
  • 46 LC Oliver Kapanen JYP Smart offensive player who drives offense.
  • 48 RC Justin Robidas, Val d’Or Foreurs. He’s Yvan Cournoyer small, bullet on skates.
  • 49 LW Alexander Kisakov, Moscow Dynamo  Just 5.10, 141, terrific skill.
  • 50 LD Sean Behrens, USNDTP. Undersized blue is very skilled and smart.
  • 51 LC Lorenzo Canonica, Shawinigan Cataractes. Another skill center, great skater.
  • 52 G Alekesi Kolosov, Minsk. KHL goalie, .911 SP and still a teenager.
  • 53 RW Samu Tuomaala, Karpat Good shooter, average speed, two-way resume.
  • 54 RW Prokhor Poltapov, Moscow.  Skilled winger plays NA style. 25 goals in 61 games.
  • 55 LD Ethan Dal Mastro, Mississauga Steelheads A big, strong shutdown blue.
  • 56 LC Sami Päivärinta, Lukko. Small two-way center, fine playmaker.
  • 57 RC Danila Klimovich, Minsk Zubry. Size, speed, shot, set the U18s on fire.
  • 59 LD Artyom GrushnikovMoscow. Big shutdown blue, mobile, great passer.
  • 60 LW Zack Ostapchuk, Vancouver Giants. Speed and size, plus some skill.
  • 61 RD Aleksi Heimosalmi, Assat. Versatile two-way defender.
  • 62 G Benjamin Gaudreau, Sarnia Sting. Impressive U18 (.919 SP) has him here.
  • 63 LC Jakub Brabenec, Brno. Skilled center with size, quality at U18s.
  • 64 LW Jackson Blake, Chicago Steel. Elusive skill winger with big-league moves.
  • 66 RC Daniil Tesanov, Yaroslavl. Big center with speed and range.
  • 67 LC Redmond Savage, USNDTP. Solid two-way center with speed.
  • 69 LC Cole Huckins, Acadie-Bathurst Titan. He has size, can skate. Skilled.
  • 70 LW Matvei Petrov, Moscow. Big winger (6.02, 178) can score, great shot.
  • 71 RD Jacob Guévin, Muskegon Lumberjacks. Offensive defenseman, fine skater.
  • 72 LD Anton Olsson, Malmo. Big, sturdy shutdown defender. Mobile.
  • 73 LD Graham Sward, Spokane Chiefs. He’s 6.02, 169. Physical mobile shutdown blue.
  • 74 LD Janis Moser, EHC Biel-Bienne. Overager, fine skater and complete skill set.
  • 75 LW James Malatesta, Quebec Remparts. Speedy winger is small, plays a rugged style.
  • 76 LD Vladislav Lukashevich, Yaroslavl. Shutdown blue, he’s a good skater, good shot.
  • 77 LC Florian Elias, Mannheim. Small skill center, he’s a determined player.
  • 78 LW Sean Tschigerl, Calgary Hitmen. Two-way winger aggressive in all areas.
  • 79 LD Shai Buium, Sioux City Musketeers. Big defender plays smart two-way game.
  • 80 LW Viljami Marjala, Quebec Remparts. C-LW is highly skilled, creative playmaker.
  • 81 LW Nikita Buruyanov, St. Petersburg. Small winger, terrific speed and aggressive play.
  • 82 LD Aleksi Malinen, JyP. Fantastic skater, skilled, some chaos.
  • 83 LD Jack Peart, Fargo Force. Impressive young player, undersized with range of skills.
  • 84 G Brett Brochu, London Knights. Under radar goalie delivered a .919 SP as a rookie.
  • 85 LC Victor Stjernborg, Vaxjo. Two-way forward, aggressive forechecker, great passer.
  • 86 LD Vasily Machulin, Moscow Dynamo (MHL). Good size, dynamic skater.
  • 87 RD Jack Bar, Chicago Steel. Good size, plus shot, some skill.
  • 88 LW Jeremy Wilmer, USNDTP. August 2003, great passer, high skill.
  • 89 LW Ville Koivunen, Karpat. Smart winger with skill.
  • 90 RW Jake Chiasson, Brandon Wheat Kings. Good size, improved offensively.
  • 91 LC Samuel Helenius, JYP. Huge checking center already in the Liiga.
  • 92 LW Tristan Broz, Fargo Force. Nice range of skills, fine passer good skater.
  • 93 RC Ryan Winterton, Hamilton Bulldogs. Solid prospect, skilled and September 2003.
  • 94 LD Aidan Hreschuk, USNDTP. Solid two-way defender, effective in coverage.
  • 95 LW Owen Pederson, Winnipeg Ice. Big winger with goal-scoring ability.
  • 96 RW Zakhar Bardakov, Vityaz Podolsk. Big PF with some skill. He is 20.
  • 97 LC Theo Rochette, Quebec Remparts. Undersized two-way center, intriguing offense.
  • 98 LC Cameron Berg, Muskegon Lumberjacks. Good speed and skill.
  • 99 LC Juuso Mäenpää, Kalpa. Very small but highly skilled playmaker.
  • 100 RC Josh Pillar, Kamloops Blazers. Fast player, scored well and is draft re-entry.
  • 101 LC Vasily Atanasov, Mamonty Yugry. Great speed and he is skilled. Undersized.
  • 102 LD Dave Ma, USHL, Chicago Steel. Tremendous skater and very creative.
  • 103 RW Ilya Fedotov, Nizhny. Smart player with skill and utility.
  • 104 RW Oliver Suni, Lukko Rauma. Strong winger with range of skills.
  • 105 RD Brent Johnson, Sioux Falls Stampede. Undersized chaos blue with great speed.
  • 106 LW Ilya Nazarov, Yaroslavl. Big winger with skill, May 2003.
  • 107 RC Ethan Cardwell, Surahammars. Two-way center with skill, effective forechecker.
  • 108 RW Nikita Grebyonkin, Magnitogorsk. Skill and size plus some speed.
  • 109 LW Arvid Sundin, Brynas. Underzied burner has breathtaking shifts.
  • 110 LD Cameron Whynot, Halifax Mooseheads. Two-way blue, fine skater.
  • 111 LC Samu Salminen, Jokerit. 6.03 center with real talent, heavy boots.
  • 112 LD William Trudeau, Charlottetown Islanders. Puck mover with calm feet. Raw.
  • 113 RD Roman Schmidt, USNDTP. Huge shutdown blue with some offense.
  • 114 LC Liam Dower-Nilsson, Frolunda. Two-way center with some offensive spark.
  • 115 G Patrik Hamrla, HC Energie Karlovy Vary. Dominated Czech junior.
  • 116 LW Matthew Knies, Tri-City Storm. 6.02, 210 PF, might be a little shy on top-9 skill level.
  • 117 LD Kirill Kirsanov, St. Petersburg. Good skater, passer, physical. Bet the Oilers like him.
  • 118 RD Scott Morrow, Shattuck-St. Mary’s. Big D has complete skill set at high school level.
  • 119 LD Yaroslav Busygin, Chekov. Big blue who can hit, has some skill.
  • 120 G Carl Lindbom, Djurgarden. Top draw U18s has him here.
  • 121 RW Robert Orr, Halifax Moosheads. Two-way winger with a great shoot.
  • 122 RD Ryan Ufko, Chicago Steel. Mobile puck mover can run a power play. Undersized.
  • 123 RW Albert Sjöberg, Sodertalje. Great shot and work ethic.
  • 124 RW Simon Knak, Portland Winterhawks. Prolific junior scorer, January 2002.

OILERS MOCK

No. 22 overall RC Xavier Bourgault, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL). A scoring winger who shoots a lot and owns creativity with the puck, I had him as the No. 3 right winger and No. 5 center in the draft. He projects as a solid scoring winger, I’d estimate his offensive potential is going to be in the same range as Kailer Yamamoto. Two more years in the QMJHL is likely. NHLE: 32.1

No. 90: LW Eric Alarie, Moose Jaw Warriors 6.01, 196. Big PF with plus skill, Red Line says “he is a much more functional skater than given credit for” and for me his offensive output and scoring make him a legit prospect for the NHL. Under the radar everywhere, and I do mean everywhere, save Red Line. NHLE: 26.1

No. 116 overall: LW Matvei Petrov, Moscow. Big winger (6.02, 178) can score, great wrist shot. Corey Pronman at The Athletic says “Petrov has a chance due to his skill and scoring, but he will have to add elements to play in the NHL.” NHLE: 10.7

No. 180 overall: RW Josh Williams, Edmonton Oil Kings. He turned 20 in March and has been in the WHL since Diefenbaker was prime minister. The young man can score goals and that always has value, but speed is going to be a concern. This is the final year he is eligible and he might make an attractive free-agent signing this summer for the Oilers. NHLE: 33.8

No. 186 overall: LC Daniil Lazutin, SKA St. Petersburg (MHL). Speed and skill are his calling card, he’s a July 2003 and has what they used to call a projectable frame (6.02, 174).

No. 212: RW Albert Sjöberg, Sodertalje. A late breaker who combines tremendous work ethic and speed and delivers solid two-way play. He isn’t a top-six winger and had just one point in 17 Allsvenskan games, but a strong WJ’s will get him drafted.

You may also like

4.2 5 votes
Article Rating
176 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
northerndancer

I have to think that Jan-Luca Munzenberger would have been well scouted by Drai’s father, the highly placed coach in Germany. Drai is committed to the Oilers and why wouldn’t papa want to see his kid win a thing or two. The German national teams are on the rise, big country, lots of money and more kids playing. Nice pick up for a late draft in my humble opinion.

Jaxon

Brabanec
Latimer
Tourigny

jzed

Hello, my name is Luca…….

VanIsleOil

…I live on the second floor….

Time for a Mozzaburger…:)

Jaxon

Still holding out for Brabanec, Latimer at 116, Tourigny at 180.

Jaxon

Great review From Draft Analyst:
“LHD Jan-Luca Munzenberger (GER): A big-bodied vacuum cleaner on defense who’s been eating minutes like mad, Munzenberger is a first-year draft eligible with a late-2002 birthday who is committed to the University of Vermont. He was left off Central Scouting’s initial Watch List but his play for Kolner Junghaie in Germany coupled with his ongoing performance in Edmonton at the World Juniors . He has ideal size (6-foot-, 190 pounds) but has the mobility and agility to cover faster players, especially when holding his line and transitioning into a backskate. Munzenberger’s stride is as wide as they come and although he’s style may not look pretty, he definitely gets from Point A to Point B faster than most teenage defensemen his size. He plays a mean, physical brand of hockey and can be considered a bit of a throwback. Munzenberger’s role in the match against Slovakia was identical to his usage with Kolner Junghaie — he anchored the top penatly-killing unit and played the point on the power play. He has soft hands and delivers clean passes to any area in the offensive zone, but what makes Munzenberger dangerous is his lethal shot — he owns a bomb of a shot, not only for its velocity but for the sheer power he generates with little backswing. His wrister is just as nasty and Munzenberger is quite accurate whether he keeps his attempts low or high.”

I really like the player, not crazy about the pick, adding another LHD to a young left side in Nurse, Broberg, and Samorukov. Especially in a year when nobody really knows who the best player available is.

meanashell11

I watched him vs Russia and he played RD the entire game?? Why do you say he is left D?

meanashell11

He’s left shoot but plays RD. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfdk1IIWQ68

Jaxon

I called him a LHD, which doesn’t change based on where he plays. LD is different from LHD. That said, I’m guessing if he is not the best D on the team he would probably play LD instead of RD. He may be playing RD in Germany and doing well, but that may change in the AHL and NHL if he makes it. He is a LHD.

jzed

We can trade Luca to Stevie Y in a couple of years to play with Seider. We’ll take that big skinny goalie the’ve got

GordieHoweHatTrick

Long live the leftorium!

meanashell11

He’s RD

jzed

Elite Prospects page says he shoots left, so ya, on the Oil he’s a RD

meanashell11
Oil2Oilers

Munzenberger best have Draisaitl width shoulders to where a name that big on his back.

jzed

So much for ‘drafting for need’ . Maybe Drai phoned it in.

Gerta Rauss

Gene Principe is thrilled with this pick

Jaxon

Brabanec, Latimer, Tourigny

Tarkus

Luca Munzenberger to the Oil at 90.

German d-man, 6’2″.

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/407643/luca-munzenberger

EDIT: Committed to the U of Vermont next year:

https://www.si.com/hockey/news/world-juniors-who-helped-their-draft-stock

Last edited 3 years ago by Tarkus
Psyche

And here is a shift by shift video from World Juniors:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfdk1IIWQ68

northerndancer

Thanks for the great link. He has the hack and whack in front of the net down like a pro. No one within stick distance failed to get a cross check. Good positioning, looking for tight gaps on the defensive transition. Somewhat weak on the first pass bit…my first period only observations. The whole German team looked a little shaky offense. Maybe more accurately they looked tired by the time they tried to break out. He looks like a promising larsen replacement.

Yukon Jerk

Munzen berger?

Randle McMurphy

Treiliving, you going to take a dman?

Brad, Whynot?

Younger Oil

Both Nadeau and Alarie on the board still with one pick ahead of us, c’mon Ken

jzed

Still on the board after our pick

PokeCheck

2 picks out from 90, best available from the LT list:

21 RW Olivier Nadeau, Shawinigan Cataractes More bull than beauty, he is effective.
24 LW Eric Alarie, Moose Jaw Warriors 6.01, 196. Big PF with plus skill.
32 LW Conner Roulette, Seattle Thunderbirds He has good hands/speed.
36 LW Joshua Roy, Sherbrooke Phoenix. High-end skill, could go higher.
41 RC Connor Lockhart, Erie Otters. Probably the best skater among OHL eligibles.

55 LD Ethan Dal Mastro, Mississauga Steelheads A big, strong shutdown blue.

71 RD Jacob Guévin, Muskegon Lumberjacks. Offensive defenseman, fine skater.

84 G Brett Brochu, London Knights. Under radar goalie delivered a .919 SP as a rookie.

Marc

If the pick is Roulette, I call dibs on the ‘Oilers take a chance’ comment

Oil2Oilers

A Shane Doan interview while the Oilers are drafting is elite level trolling by the NHL network

Yukon Jerk

That & a commercial break
Assholes

Randle McMurphy

I forgot how well Devon Levi played at the World Jr’s

Last edited 3 years ago by Randle McMurphy
YKOil

Not a great trade by Buffalo. Lose an excellent 1b/2a type center to take a ride on the river of small sample sizes.

The only thing that makes sense is that Reinhart was adamant he wasn’t going to sign any extension that took up UFA years.

OriginalPouzar

So did:

Manny Legace
Justin Pogge
Steve Mason
Maxim Oullette

The list goes on and on and on.

Randle McMurphy

Steve Lansky said the draft coverage should be about the human interest stories. I wonder how he grades Sportsnet coverage and in particular Jackie Redmond…she seems to be trying to make it about these kids stories.

DevilsLettuce

I’m bullish on The Bourg, lots of talk about his quick passing, soft spot finding, and transition game. Lots of mention of himself, Yams, and Ebs. Don’t see much mention about his size advantage over these fellas.

I really see him finding chemistry with one of the big 2, if not McLeod in the least.

He got 3 minor penalties in 29 games, bodes well for him not causing moments that will take 97 or 29 off the ice.

Oilers have a gluten of young goalies, they got to try to get one of them to pop while spending their few picks on scoring forwards that they can hopefully get up to speed within the elc to contribute to the roster now as they need that cap space.

Never pick a voodoo man in the 1st round, stock up on skill, turn your assets into more asset while moving down 2 spots, adding an additional bullet you didn’t have before the move.

It’s a win for the draft table imo.

Last edited 3 years ago by DevilsLettuce
Harpers Hair

Reinhart trade is done.

2022 1st round pick Nd goaltender Devon Levi.

defmn

Boo.

Sierra

Question for the group, would you have traded the Oilers 1st and one of their goalie prospect for Reinhart.

OriginalPouzar

Yes – assuming there was an agreed upon contract in place.

McSorley33

Great question….

Tarkus

Fitting that Jack Peart’s scouting report says he likes to “rush the puck”.

Yukon Jerk

Also would have accepted
“great on the rush”

Harpers Hair

Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) Tweeted:
The #hurricanes are just out here stockpiling extra selections — they’ve turned Nos. 27 and 59 into Nos. 40, 51, 83, 109 and 147 across three trades.

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1418987888667086850?s=20

AMD

#90
Brent Johnson

Oliver Nadeau

Red Savage

Gaudreau

Harrison

Last edited 3 years ago by AMD
AMD

3 left plus 1

Red Savage

Harrison

Oliver Nadeau

Guillaume Richard

Last edited 3 years ago by AMD
Tarkus

Harrison off to the B’s at 85.

Last edited 3 years ago by Tarkus
AMD

Justin Robidas

dessert1111

For the Oilers to trade down last night, that tells me they didn’t want the goalie, so adding a late third is a great move IMO. First move I’ve been happy with by the team for what seems like ages but has really only been a couple weeks.

Picking a forward instead of a goalie there could also go along with the “all in for the next few years” theory since the forward could be on the roster in about 2 years and likely 5 or more for a goalie.

Reading scouting reports on Bourgault, I’m picturing Kahun, and if they’re similar players at all hopefully Bourgault pops more.

dessert1111

If they’re high on the goalie prospects that makes sense too, though I think I remember rumours that they really wanted Askarov last year. Could just be a case of thinking he was the absolute goods, though.

I’m pretty high on Konovalov myself, a young guy with those SV%s in the KHL deserves a real shot to be an AHL starter this year and maybe get some big league games. Presumably we know more about the goalie cupboard 6 months from now.

Yukon Jerk

Plus I heard you can trade for a Calder candidate level tender with only a 3rd round pick & a set of John Garrett’s old goalie pads

Last edited 3 years ago by Yukon Jerk
jp

Or pick one up on waivers if you’re paying attention (but NO ONE is paying attention!).

Wolfpack

Agreed. It could be that the organization has confidence in the current goalie prospects, or that they have a plan for the NHL roster involving Stalock or a trade. Or both. But I strongly believe the Oilers need to make some deep playoff runs in the next 3-4 years and I do not recall teams going deep with 3rd year goaltenders carrying the mail. Even the best goalies tend to take 5 years to ripen. I don’t think there was any way the Oilers were taking a goalie in round one yesterday, regardless of who was there.

Last edited 3 years ago by Wolfpack
OriginalPouzar

I think the organization likes Konovalov, Skinner and Rodrigue and wants to see how they develop

Holland’s premise on tending is also somewhat notable. If I’m not mistaken, he is generally willing to pay for the uber-elite but, if an uber-elite isn’t available, he’s not going to shell out big. His premise is that, after the uber-elite, there isn’t much to choose between, say, goaltender 10 and goaltender 30.

Benign Bone

Man, Columbus is having a DRAFT. Adding Svozil on top of their trio of 1sts is a strong haul to start off with.

Randle McMurphy

True.

But keep in mind that the biggest winners today were typically some of the biggest losers last season.

Benign Bone

Pastujov fell pretty far for a guy the math seems to like. Haven’t looked much into him, though.

Randle McMurphy

Significant upside for Tyler Wright to outperform again this year.

(It’s almost strange how everyone reacts with comments about Holland doing this and Holland not doing that, when really it’s more Tyler Wrights day)

Last edited 3 years ago by Randle McMurphy
Harpers Hair

Of note…Islanders get Aatu Raty with the Oilers 2nd round pick.

Randle McMurphy

I’ve always wondered, how much does it cost you to rent that garbage can on Sesame Street?

#kiddingnotkidding

Last edited 3 years ago by Randle McMurphy
jp

Of note…Guenther and Martino (LTs #31) taken with Canuck picks (so far).

Harpers Hair

I’ll wager Connor Garland scores more for Vancouver next season than AA scores for the Oilers.

jp

Well that’s one way to twist really I suppose.

Of course the truth is much closer to Guenther being the payment for Garland.

Randle McMurphy

I think that’s a reasonable expectation.

Randle McMurphy

Stand down Philidelphia.

Chicago….The city of brotherly love!

Randle McMurphy

They going to add another Strome this week?

Halfwise

The damn squirrels keep running across my lawn…

Sorry LT, if it was me.

Randle McMurphy

That stuff sure elicits a gut response. Best when no one responds to that and it just gets deleted quickly

judgedrude

Is this request just a today thing or ongoing? If this is a long term request to forbid discussions on baseball and music, that LT guy might stop posting, but I think a lot of people here likes what he has to say.

Scungilli Slushy

Sorry LT

Please delete it, I can’t seem to.

I thought it was benign enough and related to a hockey thing.

Randle McMurphy

LT, you answered my question by informing me that your list isn’t meant to be predictive in terms of draft order. (Thank you for that)

Brian Lawton added to that for me when he stated that most teams have a list of 40 to 60 players. I think Sam Consentino added that he’s never seen a list longer than 100.

Randle McMurphy

There’s far more variability beyond the early second round than I realized.

Randle McMurphy

So much so that Scouting staffs don’t feel that a need for a list of more than 50 or so candidates, because they know that the other 31 lists will be significantly different than their lists. Like I said, still learning.

Even the host of the Sportsnet panel, said he learned something in hearing that. 🙂

slurve

Still can’t phantom the move to bypass BPA and also filling a need with Wallstedt by dropping down to 22nd. Last time we dropped down to 22nd pick, the Oilers picked a highly skilled forward from the QMJHL to draft M A Pouliot.Wait a minute! Looks like the 2003 entry draft revisited! That year we dropped down and bypassed the likes of Getzlaf, Parise, Brent Burns, Perry, Mike Richards & Kesler for Pouliot. So long Wallstedt, next franchise goalie …?

godot10

Holland is extremely well-connected in Sweden. If he didn’t draft Wallstedt, he likely had very good reasons.

slurve

I am sure he is ; only Swedish dmen need apply…

OriginalPouzar

Last two times they picked 22, they drafted Eberle and Yamamoto….. so……

Harpers Hair

Something holding up the Sam Reinhart trade to Florida.

Anyone hear anything?

leadfarmer

Maybe one of those “LA and Seattle will be big movers” decided to actually do something

Randle McMurphy

Pittsburgh corners the market on Tristans

PokeCheck

Broz before Hoz.

Yukon Jerk

I love Hoz

Randle McMurphy

LT. Do you catch a falling knife at 90?

Would you take Chibrikov at 90, or is it just too risky, given everyone else passing on him?

Younger Oil

Jets took him at 50

Randle McMurphy

Thank you.

Younger Oil

Raty gets selected with a pick that we gave up for AA, keep an eye on that one.

Randle McMurphy

Toronto killing it today.

Kidding.

But the Maple Leafs picks are always interesting to see in modern times. Analytics in action.

Last edited 3 years ago by Randle McMurphy
Randle McMurphy

Ditto for Colorado.

Dac189

I wanted to see how often first round goalies succeed:

Listed by draft year
Name, pick#, games played, First year as starter
2000
Rick Dipietro… #1, 318GP, 2004Starter
Brent Krahn… 9, 1, N/A
2001
Pascal Leclaire… 8, 173, N/A
Dan Blackburn… 10, 63 , N/A
Jason Bacashihua… 26, 38 , N/A
Adam Munro… 29, 17 , N/A
2002
Kari Lehtonen… 2, 649, 2007
Cam Ward… 25, 701, 2007
Hannu Toivonen… 29, 61 , N/A
2003
Marc-Andre Fleury… 1, 883, 2006
2004
Al Montoya… 6, 168, N/A
Devan Dubnyk… 14, 542, 2011
Marek Schwarz… 17, 6, N/A
Cory Schneider… 26, 409, 2012
2005
Carey Price… 5, 707, 2008
Tuukka Rask… 21, 560, 2010
2006
Jonathan Bernier… 11, 393, 2014
Riku Helenius… 15, 1, N/A
Semyon Varlamov… 23, 543, 2012
Leland Irving… 26, 13 , N/A
2008
Chet Pickard… 18, 0, N/A
Tom McCollum… 30, 3, N/A
2010
Jack Campbell… 11, 86, N/A
Mark Visetin… 27, 1, N/A
2012
Andrei Vasilevskiy…19, 302, 2017
Malcolm Subban… 24, 82, N/A

I listed all goalies drafted in the first round between 2000 and 2014.
11 out of 26 goalies became starters.

Since 2008, Vasilevsky is the only 1st round goaltender to play as a starter. To play more than 100 games even.

The average time for a goalie to play as a starter is 5.36 years.

The notable names are
Lehtonen, Ward, Fleury, Dubnyk, Schneider, Price, Rask, Varlamov, Bernier and Vasilevsky

McSorley33

Great post

Randle McMurphy

Islanders with Aatu Raty at 52. Nice.

Jaxon

Wow, didn’t think he’d drop that far.

Younger Oil

Chib gone to the Jets

LMHF#1

Cam Atkinson was available?

And for only Voracek?

This is a weird league.

jp

Atkinson is a few months older than Voracek, signed for a year longer (for $2.375M less per), and was badly out-produced by Voracek over the past couple of seasons.

I think Columbus likely won that trade.

Randle McMurphy

7 RW Nikita Chibrikov, St. Petersburg Small skill winger. Massive U18’s in Texas.

What are the chances that Chibrikov drops to us at 90?

NO chance? Possible but not likely? Very likely?

Last edited 3 years ago by Randle McMurphy
Randle McMurphy

Is Chibrikov like a Vladimir Tkachev?

TheGreatBigMac
Jaxon

These are the players I’m looking for on day 2:
#90

  1. LW Colton Dach, Saskatoon Blades, WHL – skilled, big and tough
  2. G Benjamin Gaudreau, Sarnia, OHL – gamble with no OHL season

#116

  1. RW Carson Latimer, Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL – one of the fastest in the draft
  2. RHD Miguël Tourigny, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL – one of the fastest with one of the best shots in the draft, overager though and tiny.
  3. LC Jakub Brabenec, Brno, CZE – skilled, one of the youngest in the draft
  4. G Alexei Kolosov, DYnamo Minsk, KHL – put up decent #s in the KHL
  5. C Dmitry Zugan, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, MHL – fast
Todd Macallan

Lots of good names there, feel like Latimer and Tourigney will be around in the 6th or 7th Rd but the way this draft is going who knows! I want Winterton at 90 and Brabanec or Hinds at 116 would be fantastic.

Jaxon

Pronman had Brabanec going 88, Latimer 92 and Tourigny 200 in his mock draft.

He ranked them 88, 115, and 117. So the could go at 90 and 115.

Tarkus

Dach off the board at 62 to join big bro Kirby in the Windy City.

Tarkus

And Gaudreau is off to SJ at 81.

Jaxon

#90

LW Colton Dach, Saskatoon Blades, WHL – skilled, big and tough
G Benjamin Gaudreau, Sarnia, OHL – gamble with no OHL season
#116

RW Carson Latimer, Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL – one of the fastest in the draft
RHD Miguël Tourigny, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL – one of the fastest with one of the best shots in the draft, overager though and tiny.
LC Jakub Brabenec, Brno, CZE – skilled, one of the youngest in the draft
G Alexei Kolosov, DYnamo Minsk, KHL – put up decent #s in the KHL
C Dmitry Zugan, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, MHL – fast

bobinyvr

Heard the criticism of Holland last night. Been an Oilers fan since they entered the league.

My take is that Holland is still hampered by two lost playoff rounds.
The team has two super stars but haven’t proven anything yet. Maybe Larsson stays if the Oilers lost in conference finals last year. They haven’t shown themselves to be a contender yet.

An old vet isn’t signing yet for cheap for his last chance at the cup.

Wish it was otherwise.

And Holland still battles with Americans not wanting to play in Canada, bad weather, bad taxes, small market, rabid fans.

When Oilers win two or more series in a year they will be contending and it will get easier to attract players.

Here’s hoping.

Kert

Winning begets winning.

JimmyV1965

Don’t overpay for free agents. There are other ways to build teams. Bad teams build through free agency.

dustrock

https://smahtscouting.com/2021/03/01/scouting-report-xavier-bourgault/

Pretty in depth report. Sounds like he shines in transition, which is becoming increasingly important.

I’m a bit wary of his age. Don’t have a problem with the pick though not grabbing either of the top 2 goalies, I dunno Ken. I know it wasn’t Detroit’s way to develop goalies but it can improve your roster and most of the Cup winners over the last 20 years had homegrown D & G to carry them.

5lowroll

anyone care to throw out a trade prediction? Any legs to Kassian to rangers for a third?

Todd Macallan

Only in that dream I had last night.

5lowroll

Definitely wishful thinking was hoping holland was playing chess with protecting him but maybe checkers…

YYCOil

When a Wilson, Reaves, MacDermid, Soucy, Lucic ect. rag dolls one of our stars at the end of scum … the other team is going to ask “what are you going to do about”? We got some capspace isn’t going fly with Dr25.

Scungilli Slushy

Nice pick by the Oilers with Bourgault, I am a little surprised they passed the Swede.

The Oilers are drafting for need, which is a freedom being better and not drafting in basically locked in spots in the top five gives. So holes in the pipeline are finally being patched.

It seems Holland either feels he can find good enough goalies, or the prospects are legit.

For me, I’m not that convinced about the prospects. Shorter goalies in today’s NHL, not many left. And it’s because of the sticks, everyone is a dangerous shooter now (if they don’t play for the Oilers). Many, many players have no problem roofing shots, even in tight.

Not impossible, for me not likely, at least in being a high end starter.