I remember this draft very well. The Oilers had a chance at three outstanding prospects when it came time to make its first-round pick. I thought they would go defense (Bouchard or Noah Dobson) and there was a scoring winger (Oliver Wahlstrom) also available. These years later, suspect the organization is pleased with the choice.
From the universe of the 2018 draft, Bouchard is No. 10 in Games, No. 8 in goals, No. 3 in assists and points. He’s an absoute beauty. Ryan McLeod worked out too, he is No. 9 in goals among players chosen at the 2018 entry draft. The big story from deep in the draft is Mike Kesselring, who ranks No. 14 in assists among defensemen chosen that year.
You can tell a lot about a team’s direction by their annual draft list. Stan Bowman arrived in the summer of 2024, so the last two drafts can reasonably be described as Bowman drafts and (Rick) Pracey drafts. What are they building?
Well, from what I can see, they’re drafting players who could one day play in the NHL. Men like Asher Barnett and Rudolfs Berzkalns have the skill sets to be effective in goal and shot suppression. They’re excellent everywhere, save for the offense. Tommy Lafreniere looks to be the best offensive prospect, but he was below a point-per-game in the WHL during his draft year. He did spike last year in the WHL, and looked good in a five-game audition with the Bakersfield Condors this spring.
The Oilers under the Bowman-Pracey draft plan are going to need a skill player to pop. Maybe it’s Lafreniere or David Lewandowski or even Malcom Gastrin, but I don’t see a strong offensive player drafted by this group in the two seasons they’ve had the microphone. I like the players, but there’s a reckoning in Edmonton’s future.
New for The Athletic: Examining Oilers centre depth: Locks, hopefuls and a Condors new wave
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7500875/2026/08/09/edmonton-oilers-centre-depth-chart/
I have a concern as to how Bouchard who KK and Coffey have helped to become one of the best D men in the league is going to react to Babcock’s coaching style . What happens the first time he makes a D zone error ? Top D men are unbelievable when they are allowed to play with confidence which includes mistakes but many more great plays offensively . But if they are afraid to make a mistake it can go south fast ..We will see in about 60 days
Morgan Reilly made mistakes and continued to rack up minutes. In fact, he played the highest average TOI of his career under Babcock. He has a slightly lower giveaway rate but a substantially lower career GF/GA percentage too. I acknowledge that’s over a larger sample size and a team stat vs individual but to me this is a nothingburger.
I think Bouchard will be fine.
🙄
I think DJ Smith will be handling deployment and accountability in that regard. Sure, I guess, Babcock can yell down and order Smith to bench but I think Smith will generally be the one making decisions in this area.
Smith had Bouchard at the Worlds, relied at him as in #1D, all situations, and has spoken glowingly about him this offseason and thinks he can help Bouch get to that top 3 d-man level (which he’s already close to).
I don’t think these coaches are about benching for mistakes, per se. I think mistakes are permitted if they aren’t done out of a lack of effort/work/commitment or outside the structure they are being asked to play.
I think these coaches are smart enough to know what Bouchard is, what makes him effective and what makes him special – there will be room for him to play his game within the structure.
Hindsight being 20/20, last season at the deadline was a good opportunity to trade a veteran for some future- like a high draft pick or another prospect with pedigree. Bowman needs to trust himself at this deadline this year.
Bouchard?
Hyman?
Jarry or Anderson?
Bouch is among the best dmen in the league just entering his prime. Pretty tough to win a trade with him involved. While also leaving a huge unfillable hole in the roster.
An Anderson jarry trade is unlikely to provide any sort of high end or even mid level return.
Youth for the sake of youth is a bad idea. Bouchard & Hyman outperform their contracts, if someone wants Jarry, that could work, Andersen won’t be going anywhere unless the Oilers are out of the playoff race.
The next time the Oilers pick in the first round is in 2028. Hopefully it’s late.
Then McDavid/Draisaitl will be 31/32 years old.
Too late to wait for a lower percentage pick?
Optimally the Oilers can find a big, 24year old, RHC with second line driver potential at the deadline.
Acquisition cost?
That cost would be high no doubt.
I think it’s more likely the oilers will hope to acquire a right shot center by the deadline but more of a third line type. Acquiring that player would probably be in the range of dickinsons cost.
Right shot being more costly but no mangipaine baggage.
Doesn’t change my point. Trading away a 26 year old for a draft pick is a bad idea
Not this season but if Nuge or Hyman have good seasons that’s the play. It’s only about age, and replenishment. Traded for a young player and maybe more (they are value contracts, but the Oilers need youth) with some ability. It’s a hockey trade that would make sense for some teams wanting the experience and leadership side
If you don’t you age out for sure, another DoD, and there isn’t a Connor or Leon, or Celebrini, in every draft. Out of 4 1 OVs Nuge and Yak were the prize in two
This is the way in my opinion as well SS. I’d throw Ekholm into that mix as well.
Look at pavelski his hands had him scoring 25 plus in his late 30’s. The man also taught Wyatt Johnston how to control and find that soft area in front of the net. Hyman has this special quality as well in finding that soft area in front of the net. I believe Podkolzin will learn from Hyman. I think we see a huge year for a rested Nuge 25G Hyman 39G
Wait, is the implication that was a missed opportunity to trade Bouchard for a high draft pick or a prospect with pedigree?
Last year’s team was hard pressed to compete for Stanley.
I mention Bouchard because he didn’t/doesn’t have trade protection and because he IS as good as we think he is. I think teams would pay a premium for his services.
That hard pressed was all about injuries and shitty coaching
and various other things such as general malaise and disrespect for the regular season, etc., etc.
but, but, but the Oilers need his services and he’s not even in his prime – I don’t understand the premise for this trade idea.
I believe this year’s team will compete for Stanley, they are set up to compete in many ways. Even taking that away, I believe the organization is attempting to assemble the team to compete for Stanley.
If they are trading Bouchard for futures now, well, they might as well ask McDavid where he’d waive to go to – that would have singled an intent to not compete in the hear and now.
I believe we still haven’t seen the best of Bouchard 5 on 5. I do think Mike will have Bouchard joining the rush more. I look back at those Wings teams Babcock coached he never stunted any offence from his D even if you disregard the freakish Lindstrom. I remember Babcock giving the green light to Rafalski and Kronwall. I believe as a whole unit our D will improve 5 on 5 point wise by 25% A healthy Walman will generate many points 5 on 5.
I think there is a certain amount still of the residual bet on athletes who play hard but haven’t show results yet that lingers from Holland still. I’m not even sure that’s a terrible perspective as it worked out for us a few times though we pissed it away with offer sheets.
It would be very helpful if one of the young guys came out of nowhere and was a rocket. Strangely the best bet aside from Savoie and Howard is probably one of the goalies at this point. Unger seems like he could force his way into the big leagues in another year or so.
Id put Samanski and dach at the top of that list. Both look to be at least 4 th liners while both have some tools that could translate up the lineup. Also makaladumla could prove to be a top 4 dman.
This is the part of bowman I appreciate most. His ability to load up on maybes. Likely more than one exceeds expectations.
A player that has barely been mentioned is Aku Raty. He is a 25 year old R shot, speedster and he is a forechecking menace.
As a 22 year old, his very first season in North America, he finished 2nd in Tucson scoring behind 21 year old Josh Doan (scored 2 fewer points in 7 fewer games). That season he even played in his first (and only) NHL game.
The next season, under the same coach, he struggled to score. That team was lead in scoring by Yamamoto and veteran AHLers. After 50 games he was traded, finishing 15th in team scoring.
Last season, he was the top scorer in Kärpät. The #2 scorer had 1 more goal, had 7 fewer ponts, but played in 5 more games. Raty was +8, to also lead the team, meanwhile the #2 scorer, a veteran pro, was -15.
All this to say, Aku Raty is a darkhorse and has many elements (including competitiveness and handedness) that could very well catch the new coach’s eye.
Is he our new Noah Philp? Sounds like Raty is not shy of contact like Philp was.
Not sure what you mean. Raty is a winger.
These are the current signed RHS forwards in the organization:
Hyman
Savoie
Kapanen
******Possible Call-ups•••••••••
Hutson
Michaels – Center?
Raty
••••••••••ECHL******************
Stefan
***********Prospects***********
Lafreniere
Park
Wakely
Harvey
This is it
Sorry mate something about his name made me think he was a right shot centre.
I have him at like 18F on the depth chart but he has a chance to put his name in the conversation. At this point, I consider him a non-factor for the NHL unless/until he shows something real in Bako.
Interesting the past two seasons with SBGM Oilers have been drafting players shy on offence.
So were Broberg and Holloway. The art of scouting is projection.
More so later in the draft you need to trust your scouting staff to find that hidden raw gem.
ChiaPete actually did very well finding NHL talent out of late round projects (Kesselring, Desharnais, Jones, Bear, Marino). Holland essentially struck out during his tenure (depending on how Clattenburg pans out). Here’s hoping Stan the Younger hits on a few long shots.
Pete had an eye for D talent. I don’t know who his scouts were as they were right up there in drafting serviceable D-men late. Actually Pete was kinda unlucky one or two of these D-men didn’t pop more like Nashville D-men have over the years.
Book isn’t closed on Holland. Nicholl has a real chance to play in the NHL and Wakely is still a relevant follow – and Samuel Jonsson is trending well.
Also, Akey is only entering his second season pro – he needs to stay healthy but he’s still relevant.
Jonsson for sure, forgot about him. The others, yeah, they’re in the Quigley Down Under category for me. A real long shot but there’s always a chance.
We’ll know more about Akey in 6-8 months.
Last season was his first season pro and, at the end of the day, it didn’t go terribly. Chaulk had the stat that he was plus or even in like 36 of his last 42 games. Sure, sheltered minutes but he was a rookie pro coming off way too much missed time and shoulder surgeries and then that puck to his face cratered his progress.
His skating is special and, if he can stay healthy and play a full season, he could put himself back in to the conversation – or he could sail in to the distance like many a second round pick…..
I’m well aware of Akey’s CV; the injuries and slight build go hand in hand with my reticence to consider him an impact prospect in waiting.
I hope, as ever, to be pleasantly surprised.
I don’t disagree but there is a difference between saying “Holland struck out” on Akey and “impact prospect in the waiting” – giant gulf in between, no?
I really am rooting for Will Nicholl to play in the NHL someday.
That kid has the gumption and wheels.
His motor and speed are indeed intriguing.
Its easy to imagine him being, at least, a 4th line energy and PK guy – could be more or could not even make it at that, we’ll see – I am exited to see him develop in his first year pro this season.
Akey=poor man’s Troy Stecher.
Not really a style comparison for me.
Akey is a much more dynamic skater.
We’ll see if he can stay healthy and grab a top 4 spot by midseason this year (AHL of course).
Drafting teenagers, we know that we generally won’t know for many years post draft but we can look at arrows over time and, at this point, 1 year out, pretty much every 2025 draft pick has an up arrow and is trending above reasonable expectations of their draft position.
The 2026 draft was less than 2 months ago so we know nothing yet but, for me, I am going to stop short of saying that Barzkalns was a bad pick due to lack of offensive potential, not who Pracey tells me they see some undervalued offensively potential in him, some things they can help him develop – if they are able to do that, well, with the other attributes he has, that could be a hell of a pick. We shall know more in 2, 3, 4 years.
They seem to be strategic in what type of team they are building now and for the future. Hard to play against seems up on the list. Many feel Liske has more upside, but it seems they are more focused on the forwards right now. And probably guys that might arrive sooner and contribute. D are usually further out
As a very nostalgic person who grew up with the Oilers of the late 90’s and early 2000’s, I love the Holloway, Schaefer, O’Reilly, Berzkalns player tree.
D-men take many years to develop into Journeyman NHLers hell look at Shea who popped at 27. Journeyman wingers arrive years earlier than the same can be said for D-men. Bowman collects Wingers that show some real promise and is able to trade these Wingers that arrive early for promising D on other squads. Anyhow what I’m trying to say is Bowman bypasses years of developing D by obtaining more mature D for those Wingers that arrive early. Now that Bowman has settled in and he’s replenished the farm club with Forwards he’ll be able to use them in trades instead of trading our 1st pick every trade deadline. Also quietly obtaining Emberson 26 Shakir 24 Regula 26 is some smart G.M-ing if one of these three can become a 2-4 D-man than Bowman is off to the races so to speak.
They are going to need some higher talent at some point, but at least this is a very active management group that isn’t afraid to do things that are less easy. They have already made a couple of plays with Savoie and Howard who have higher offensive potential than the fellows traded for them
I liked O Reilly but wasn’t sure how much offense he would bring and most project him as a 3C. McLeod was 7th in 5v5 TOI last season for F so was 3C it seems. If it works out they traded 2 bottom 6 for 2 top 6. I also think I prefer the wingers who seem to be more assertive than McLeod whose perimeter game doesn’t translate to the playoffs
Are you sure one or both are bonafide top 6 forwards.
Seems to me that remains to be seen.
You told us Joe Snively was going to be the next big thing.
True story.
Did you read ” if it works out”
Savoie unless he regresses has proven he’s a top 6 player (small sample) . Howard is unproven.
It’s possible Savoie regresses. Also possible that Howard never plays 100 nhl games.
It was also possible that Draisaitl was going to be coburne equivalent or he would become one of the top players in the league over that last 10 years.
Savoie played well top 6 as a rookie, that’s a good indicator. O Reilly and Howard are unknowns, we know McLeod and he’s a decent middle perimeter player, I get why they moved on
Given you can get a 3C easier than a natural scorer the Howard bet seems clear, but it’s a bet still
Savoie’s rookie season was virtually identical to Montreal’s Oliver Kapanen.
The Habs don’t view him as a top 6 lock.
Absent an available alternative, Savoie might be but not on very many contending teams.
Perhaps he will pop like Jackson Blake did in Carolina who exceeded a PPG playing on the second line in the playoffs.
Savoies season was virtually identical to Brayden Points rookie season also. Savoie likely ends up between those two as an nhl player…..
I’d also take Oliver Kapenen in a trade if he becomes available. Very good player.
You do have an eye for identifying top 6 talent alright:
“Dashingsilverfox says:April 24, 2015 at 8:57 pm
No, he isn’t.”
Any other team that has a former top 10 pick, in this rookie NHL season, in the 2nd year of his ELC, that puts up 18 goals and near 40 points with no PP1 time and only top 6 time for a 1/3 of the season (where he was near PPG) and was the team’s top PK forward would be labelled a blue chip by you.
Dishonest posting!
Speaking of misleading posting…
Savoie scored 5 of his 18 goals and 7 of his 37 points on the PP.
Kapanen scored 33 points at 5V5 including 20 goals
By way of comparison, 19 year old Beckett Sennecke scored 21 EVG.
One of these is a bonafide top 6 player, the others are TBD.
Sennecke is a beauty. I agree he’d fit in well on the oilers.
He’s a real puck hound that seems to find he has time in scoring situations.
”Janmark had surgery in the offseason. I’m not sure if he’ll be in the mix for the team or not. We’ll have to wait and see how he returns” – Stauffer this past Friday talking about the PK.
First time I’ve heard anytime connected to the org allude to this vet perhaps not being on the team.
Later he says “Janmark, that’s a guy they we are going to need to monitor over the next month leading up to training camp”.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts the season on IR opening up a roster spot. He would still be on the cap, contracted players do not come off in IR or LTIR, so the added player would cut in to opening cap space but that is a non issue.
I’m impressed with the cap management. They fixed it up pretty quickly and now can do things with less hurdles
To be fair, an extra $10M from the cap increasing did a lot of the heavy lifting.
I’m not discounting clearing out some onerous legacy contracts cleanly, nor avoiding overpaying based on Guide and Record Book entries, but the league moving away from the flat cap (Covid) era is probably the number one driver. Or at least half of the reason the team has a strong current cap position.
The cap helped for sure but they would have still been tight carrying Nurse
Agreed. So did avoiding “death by a thousand paper cuts,” a la ChiaPete.
It was really one trade combined with “reasonable use of cap commitments” through the off-season.
Time will tell how the loss of Nurse on the ice will impact this coming season.
Some think “addition by subtraction” and that he’s an AHL d-man, other think that he played 20-22 minutes per night (in previous years much more), tough minutes, added size/toughness/etc. and, while he was clearly over-capped, provided a positive 2nd pairing impact. Walman and Shea and Shakir will play roles in that story.
Nurse’s best contribution was health. He played well at times, but he was also a problem at times especially in the playoffs. He also hadn’t really used his size in a while but I think KK played into that
For me reads are key. You can’t have breakdowns in critical moments, if you want to win a Cup, and that is not his best attribute. That probably had more to do with moving him than his cap hit. He’s not necessarily overpaid now given salaries but I don’t think his overall game warrants that cap hit on a team like the Oilers
I do think Nurse will get his second
wind in San Jose especially if he’s the QB on the PP-1 or PP-2. In saying that I’ll take my chances with Murphy-Shea the next 5 years at 8.1 million per year over 9.25 per for 4 more years of Nurse.
Nurse does a lot of of things well, most players have flaws. His are the kind that hurt deeply. He will help the Sharks more than he ever could the Oilers
I will qualify that with he did help the Oilers before they were in a cup winning situation