Edmonton Oilers Talk: More on Bourgault, Getzlaf is set to hit the market, and more NHL Rumors

Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with excerpts from the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation from all of the internet’s best sites including Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, The Athletic, TSN and more!

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The Hockey Writers (Brian Swane)

5 Things to Know About Oilers’ First-Round Pick Xavier Bourgault

He Was Drafted On Cue
- Bourgault’s name was called right around the point expected.
- Bourgault was No. 20 on Bob McKenzie’s rankings, one spot higher than on the list of TSN colleague Craig Button. The Athletic slotted him 23rd, while The Sporting News had Bourgault at No. 24. NBC Sports actually called it, projecting the Oilers would pick Bourgault, albeit with their original pick at No. 20.
He’s Making History For His Hometown
- Bourgault hails from L’Islet, a town of about 4,000 people in southern Quebec. He’s the first L’Islet-native to be drafted by an NHL club, and would become the town’s first ever NHL player.
He’s Edmonton’s First Cataractes Prospect in 25 Years
- The last time Edmonton drafted a player from Shawnigan’s QMJHL team was 1996, when they used the 19^th-overall pick to select Matthieu Descoteaux, a defenceman.
He Minds His Manners
- Bourgault was one of three finalists this season for the QMJHL’s Frank J. Selke Trophy, recognizing the most gentlemanly player in the league. Consideration is given to players who prove efficiency on the ice, while showing maximum respect towards opponents and officials and by avoiding the penalty box.
He Takes This Stuff Seriously
- Bourgault was asked if he had any hobbies and what interested him that isn’t related to hockey. The teenager’s response? “I’m a guy who really likes to train. This summer I left my hometown to live in Montreal,” he said. “It’s four hours from my hometown, so training is very important. I’m very serious in everything…”

BLH’s Thoughts: A grinder eh? Bob Stauffer will love that about this guy. Expect to hear a lot about Bourgault’s work ethic on Oilers Now this week as Bob reviews Edmonton’s draft class.

As I said in this morning’s post, if Bourgault can come close to developing into a Nick Suzuki-type, that’ll help me forget about the Oilers passing on Jesper Wallstedt. My advice for the young man, get bloody good at taking faceoffs and never stop working on them.

In his element – meeting and playing with children…😋🤩 pic.twitter.com/wfgZ9qQuVO

— Mari Lönnberg (@LonnbergMari) July 25, 2021

NHLEntryDraft.com

2021 NHL DRAFT GRADES: FULL RESULTS, ANALYSIS FOR EVERY FIRST-ROUND PICK

EDMONTON OILERS (VIA MIN) — XAVIER BOURGAULT, C, SHAWINIGAN (QMJHL) | GRADE: A

The Oilers traded down and drafted highly dynamic center Xavier Bourgault. The forward is an extremely intelligent player, with strong skating, exceptional positioning and impressive awareness. Bourgault has some creativity in his game that he utilizes to drive to the net. There is likely a belief that he’ll shift to the wing with the Oilers or he could eventually be the third-line centre if he does stick to the middle.

BLH’s Thoughts: Bourgault’s been a winger in Shawinigan for the most part, I don’t understand why the belief is that he’ll shift to a position he’s already familiar with. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? He’s got the size and the frame to do it and from what I’ve seen, he looks quite strong on his feet and tough to knock off and those are all great assets to have if you want to play center.

My only problem with some pundits comparing him to high-end two-way forwards like Pageau and Bergeron is that every other scouting report I’ve read line tells me his defensive game isn’t all that great, he likes to cheat positionally, and that because of his wide skating stance, his mobility on the ice gets hurt.

So I guess we’ll see. I can see him getting moved to center next season if Mavrik Bourque graduates to the pros and he’s going to be a consideration for Team Canada’s World Junior squad.

The Captain Ryan Getzlaf not close right now with the @AnaheimDucks Other teams circling around his camp though. Has no problem testing the market. @MissinCurfew @SiriusXMNHL @stevekouleas

— Shane O'Brien (@ShaneOBrien55) July 24, 2021

The Daily Goal Horn

NHL Rumors Roundup: Dougie Hamilton; Jack Eichel; Mika Zibanejad; and Zach Hyman

We’re told that there might be mutual interest between the Devils and Hamilton, who previously had been linked to the Kraken. That interest could come in the form of a seven-year deal worth an average of $9 million per. The contract would essentially replace P.K. Subban’s when No. 76’s deal expires at the end of the season. It would also create a splash. – NY Post
According to a recent report in The Athletic, the Pegula’s who own the Sabres want to trade him (Jack Eichel) out West. It also sounds like they would be willing to accept less in order to keep him out of the East.
There have been preliminary discussions between Drury and Zibanejad’s agent, Monir Kalgoum, who happens to be the center’s brother. Our best information at this point is that Zibanejad is seeking a deal that would be at least commensurate with the one under which Eichel is operating in Buffalo. That would entail a commitment of $10 million per year. – NY Post

BLH’s Thoughts: Help me understand the part about the NJ Devils adding Dougie Hamilton at $9M/yr to their squad? To me, it sounds like they’d be happy riding out next season with Subban AND Hamilton both making $9M just to make sure they’ve got Dougie in tow long-term. I just wonder with the offensive firepower the team is being built around, wouldn’t it be better to have a more rounded defender to help bring along Ty Smith and in the future, Luke Hughes?

I remember reading a report earlier this summer about how the Pegulas and Jack Eichel were on great terms, yet, that’s not what I’m reading above, “We love the guy, but get him as far away from Buffalo as possible!”. Maybe they’re just doing him a favor… Or not.

I like Mika Zibanejad but for the love of Christ, if the Rangers give him $10M/yr on a new deal, they’re going to shoot themselves in the foot. He’s an outstanding hockey player but there’s no way he should be making more than Leon Draisaitl.

Just on that tweet above regarding Ryan Getzlaf, all year long Bob Stauffer has been bringing his name up subtly and since Getzlaf’s agent (Gerry Johansson) is buddy buddy with Stauffer, it makes sense that the Oilers play-by-play colorman would be pumping the Ducks captain’s tires like that.

I know the Oilers would love to get their hands on him because he’d be the perfect third line center, but they’d have to do one helluva sell job given his family situation and I’m thinking the money they’d need to pay him would cause “that” portion of the Oilers fanbase to collectively rip their dicks off in frustration, metaphorically speaking. So, I’ll put that one on the “believe it when I see it” pile.