With the 2019 NHL draft only days away, Max from TPE Hockey has let us in on a few late round picks who could actually be diamonds in the rough. As Oilers fans, we know that Edmonton has a history of poor picks in the later rounds but Max here has five players that he thinks would be good picks.
Blaisdell is a versatile center playing for the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL. He has a combination of offensive skills allowing him to be a tough threat to contain in the offensive zone. His shot shows you everything you want to see from an 18-year-old: quick release, high velocity, and solid accuracy. His shot pairs well with his quick thinking. While he can move the puck to dangerous areas very well while his shot must be respected too.
His two-way play is also quite intriguing. He creates turnovers at an impressive rate from my viewings and turned many of those turnovers into offense. Blaisdell’s strong transition game allows him to turn his d-zone steals into offensive opportunities. Much of this strong transition play comes from his skating abilities. Blaisdell’s east to west skating is phenomenal and his north-south movement is above average.
In the BCHL, he was the 3rd U18 player in scoring this year. He put up 33 goals and 58 points over the course of his 51 game BCHL season. He made big strides from his draft minus one season where he struggled to produce and compete at the junior level. Now, after his acclimation, he’s become a strong competitor and all-around threat.
Blaisdell is slated to be heading to the University of North Dakota in the 20-21 season. Although after his explosion this season he could be NCAA bound for this coming season. Blaisdell can be expected to be off the board in the 3rd or 4th round.
Jayden Struble
Struble, like the next player on this list, is a bit of a wildcard as a prep schooler in his draft year. He’s a favorite of many on Hockey Twitter after his feature by Andy Lehoux (below) and his strong performance at the Combine. Struble spent last season on the blueline for St. Sebastian’s School in Massachusetts. He scored 10 goals and 40 points over 28 games against the toughest competition in the US prep school scene.
Struble became more widely known after his sheer dominance at the NHL Combine. He was by far the leading performer, winning multiple events. While many of the Combine’s results are often put off as nearly useless in the general scheme of things, Struble’s off ice prowess translates well. His power is clearly seen in his skating ability. He cuts through the neutral zone with speed and is impossible to contain. He can utilize his puck skills and make decisions at high speeds which makes him as dangerous as he is.
The 6’0” defender also plays a strong defensive game. He’s as physical as you’d expect a big, strong defenseman to be, but doesn’t go out of the way to be physical. He closes lanes, shuts down rushes, and holds the blueline very well.
Next season Struble will play for the Victoria Grizzlies in the BCHL before heading off to Northeastern University. Struble can be expected to get picked anywhere from the late 2nd to the 4th round.
Jackson LaCombe
Another wildcard prep school blueliner Is Jackson LaCombe. LaCombe put on a show with the prestigious Shattuck St. Mary’s program scoring 89 points in just 54 games in Minnesota’s top prep school league. His name might be familiar from his Hlinka Gretzky Cup appearance, although he was fairly invisible at on stage.
LaCombe became a more widely known prospect a bit of a ways into this season when he started to rack up points. He turned down an offer to play this season with Chicago in the USHL, opting to only play a few games with them.
Like Jayden Struble, LaCombe is a strong skating, puck moving defensemen. He has a fluid stride, great transition play, and a creative playmaker.
The concern is not only that LaCombe played in prep school, but struggled in his short times at high levels in his quick stints with Team USA and the Chicago Steel. LaCombe is a high upside, low floor player who is probably off the board in the 3rd to 5th rounds.
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Patrick Moynihan
When asked who the most underrated USNTDP player was, all of his teammates at the combine said Patrick Moynihan.
Moynihan plays a well-rounded game in all three zones. As a center, he fills defensive and offensive assignments perfectly. He’s good at getting to open areas and finishing or getting pucks to dangerous areas. He’s not the most skilled player, but he gets the job done.
His stats don’t jump off the page with only 22 points in 28 USHL games, but he was pushed down the lineup on one of the strongest U18 teams ever assembled. He will play for Providence in the NCAA next year. Expect Moynihan to be a 4th rounder on draft day.
Domenick Fensore
A 5’7” NHL defenseman is something not seen in a long, long, long time. Although if one player is going to appear on an NHL blueline at that height it will be Dom Fensore. He is known for his dynamic skating and offensive skill. He’s no doubt a top 5 skater in this draft. I don’t need to list out his strengths in skating because every aspect of it is top notch. His edges are so good that it allows him to be able to play both sides. As a left-handed defensemen, he is commonly seen on the right side and thriving. He also loves to jump into the play below the tops of the circles and is able to get back into position after he does it.
Fensore, while primarily an offensive threat, he still has great defensive instincts. He plays a great defensive game, he does everything right. It’s just that lacks the size. As a 3rd pairing d-man, he was over a PPG in the USHL and is bound for Boston University in the NCAA. Fensore could go anywhere from the 2nd to 7th round due to debates over his size.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PvJ1UC1RHs
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Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer recently tweeted out what he felt like the Oilers would be adding going into the 2019/20 season under the context of an $81.5M-$82.5M salary cap.
Sign 1B goalie who can start 30-35 games ($1.5M-$2.5M).
Add one top-9 forward ($2.5M-$3.5M).
Bring in two forwards for the bottom-6 ($1M or less).
Get creative opening up a couple of spots on defense for Caleb Jones, William Lagesson, Ethan Bear, and/or Joel Persson.
Well if I had to guess for each one of the suggestions above and taking into consideration Ken Holland’s relationships created through his time in Detroit, I would say that there’s a really solid chance that he’s going to be able to spruce up the Oilers roster in short order.
THE 1B GOALIE
I really liked Petr Mrazek’s season for Carolina and I believe there’s still a lot of game left in the 27-year-old. He played 40 games and 2.39 GAA and a .914 save percentage. If the Oilers are looking for a guy who’ll be able to play a solid chunk of the season, then Mrazek is their man. I think it would be tough to say if playing for Holland in Detroit was a pro or a con at this point. He was traded away from the Red Wings after all, but if anybody knew this guy through and through, it’d be Holland.
If the Oilers are looking for a more veteran presence here, Maybe Mike Smith. As much as I disliked him in Arizona and Calgary, he’s a pretty ornery goalie who doesn’t take any shit and he was the only Flame to show up in their brief playoff appearance this past season. I also like how he can play the puck, that said, it does come back to bite him in the butt from time to time.
THE TOP-9 FORWARD
Joonas Donskoi is my pick here. He’s the perfect middle-6 option for the Oilers. He’s fast, he can play both ways, and he’s seemingly good for around 30-40pts a year. He can skate quite well and he will go to the dirty areas. I also happen to believe that he’d be a great help to Jesse Puljujarvi and be able to mentor him a bit in the event that Pulju gives this new regime a chance. I’d reckon he’ll command close to $3M per year depending on the term length.
If the Oilers were to open up some cap space with a trade or two, I think Gustav Nyquist and Mats Zuccarello would most definitely be in their sights. I do see them demanding closer to the same dollar value and term as Jordan Eberle mind you. So would you be satisfied paying either $5.5M for five years?
Now if we come back down a bit, then I see Brett Connolly and Michael Ferland in the $4M-ish camp. Maybe Connolly will try to really bank on that career year of his and Ferland might get a bit more considering the narrative set from this year’s Stanley Cup Final. That being teams need to have tough mobile forwards to win.
And if we come right down, Alex Chiasson shouldn’t be commanding more than $2.5M nor can I see Richard Panik or Thomas Vanek charging any higher.
Some wildcards here might be Wayne Simmonds, Marcus Johansson, and Ryan Dzingel. Simmonds has really slowed down in recent years. His point totals have been decreasing and his PIMS increasing. Maybe that’s born out of frustration, but can you think of a GM that would pay him more than $4M given the unsure status of the cap and the expansion draft coming? He’s become a bit of an injury concern to boot.
Johansson was outstanding for the Bruins in the playoffs I found. His speed and puckhandling made him a dangerous target for Boston. Unfortunately, his health has been a major concern for the last two years and thus his production has dropped. What would you pay someone with a recent history like that?
As for Dzingel, I think he might be happy sticking in Columbus. He played college hockey there and with Artemi Panarin leaving, there’s pretty much a spot there for the taking. But in the case that he wants to hit the open market and see what’s out there, his speed and tenacity would be very welcome on the Oilers. Is he going to price himself out of Edmonton’s range though? Might be another guy looking at $5.5M a year.
THE TWO BOTTOM-6 FORWARDS
Daniel Carr has been on the Oilers radar for a long time. He’s basically a Brendan Gallagher-lite. Same playing style and traits but to a lesser degree. He spent the year in the AHL last season but he lit it up with 71pts in 52 games. He’s too good for that league and Edmonton could use him in their bottom-6. He’s a local lad too, so that might help getting him in under a million bucks.
Another player who spent the year in the Vegas Golden Knights organization, Brandon Pirri, would be a nice fit for Edmonton’s bottom-6. He scores wherever he goes but he can never stick. Now I’m not sure if that’s an attitude thing or what, but he produces and the Oilers need depth scoring. Had 12 goals in 31 games for Vegas last year.
Brandon Tanev piled up 29pts in 80 games for Winnipeg in 2018/19 while averaging around 14 minutes a game. 15 of those points were goals. Tanev plays a very aggressive game and he’s both fast and quick. Quite the waterbug he is. He won’t be signing for $1M but if the Oilers were interested, I wonder if he’d sign for Kassian money (a shade under $2M).
Other options here might be Adrian Kempe, who gave the Oilers fits last season with his tenacity and smart play down low. Garnet Hathaway would add some toughness to the bottom-6 IF Edmonton were looking for that, and Kenny Agostino kind of came out of nowhere to score 24pts in NJ/MTL last year. He’s got some speed to his game too.
The wildcard in all of this is Patrik Berglund. Yes, he quit the Sabres last year, turned down a crapload of cash to return home, but he says he’s ready to return to the NHL. At 31 years old, do you think he’s done as an NHLer? Would he be a decent 3rd line center?
THE DEFENSE
My feeling here is that Kris Russell and Matt Benning will be traded to open up that right side for Joel Persson and Caleb Jones. I get that Jones isn’t a right-shot defender, but he played that side almost all season last year in Bakersfield as he was pair with Mattias Ekholm clone, William Lagesson.
Getting back to Russell, no question, he’s not in the same bracket as Justin Braun, Matt Niskanen, or Radko Gudas, but he’s a wanted man in the NHL. His teammates love him wherever he goes and he’s well respected by coaches across the league.
Now if Braun can be moved for a couple of draft picks, I would think Russell could too (not a 2nd and a 3rd) and that would really create some wiggle room for Holland and co. They’ve got just over $9M in cap room right now and if they could move him without taking salary back that would take them to around $13M.
On the other hand and to make this a bit bigger of a deal, yesterday on Lowetide’s show, Tom Gazzola and Tyler Yaremchuk were discussing the possibility of moving Darnell Nurse for a right-shot top-4 defender and then using Sekera on the 2nd pair. It’s not a bad idea depending on who the dman coming back is… Ideally, you’d want someone who puts up as much as or more offense at evens than Nurse AND is a threat on the powerplay.
People aren’t going to like this suggestion, but what about Rasmus Ristolainen? His 65 points with the man advantage over the past three seasons has him tied with the $11M-man Erik Karlsson and that total has him above other all-star defenders like Kris Letang, John Klingberg, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Morgan Reilly, and Drew Doughty.
I’ve always liked this player because he’s massive, he’s tough, and he’s got a Cannon the likes Edmonton hasn’t seen since Sheldon Souray was around. That said, he’s not as proficient a scorer at evens as Nurse (60pts to Risto’s 51 in the past three years). I imagine folks will point to his fancy stats and complain as well, but it doesn’t matter which metric you use, I can most likely show you someone you might consider to be a much better defender who has similarly poor numbers there too.
Ristolainen is tied down for another three seasons at $5.4M per and if he’s putting up around the same stats as Nurse but better on the PP and the Oilers have players to fill in for Darnell, what’s the problem? Can you tell me that Darnell Nurse isn’t going to be asking for around $7M on a long-term deal next summer? If so, what number do you think he’ll sign for and do you think he’ll have earned that?
In three seasons, if it’s not working out, the Oilers could move Ristolainen if need be. It’d be easier due to his handedness and his PP production AND it would give the Oilers more time to develop their bluechip prospect, Evan Bouchard.
BLH’S TOP-50 2019 NHL DRAFT PROSPECTS
After extensive research and the use of around five draft guides this year, this is my list of 50 prospects for the upcoming 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
I dinged guys for work ethic issues or consistency problems. Players that were poor skaters were ranked lower if they didn’t have much else they could bring to the ice. If a player was considered a perimeter player, that didn’t help their case either. I do take size into consideration a bit. I found that there is a massive influx of sub-6-foot players eligible for the draft and that if everything was equal, I’d probably still take the bigger player.
Conversely, skaters who had a high work ethic and those that were outstanding skaters were ranked higher. I feel that skating is of the utmost importance with regards to the direction of hockey now. I’m also a fan of players who will play a bit old-school, meaning they aren’t afraid of the rough stuff and will get their noses dirty. Defensive IQ is as important to me as offensive IQ as well.
But as it is every year, sometimes a player is just so good at one thing, it overshadows his flaws, like Kirby Dach (consistency/work ethic) or Trevor Zegras (High risk/selfish). These players are ridiculously skilled and should be taken in the first seven picks I imagine, but for me, they drop a little bit. Whereas Matthew Boldy and Vasili Podkolzin probably aren’t as skilled as Dach and Zegras but they are much smarter players at both ends of the rink and if their offense dries up, they can still be impactful to the game.
The players in bold are where the Edmonton Oilers would be selecting.
I was so impressed with Terrance Grise’s previous 2019 NHL mock draft that I asked him if he wouldn’t mind mocking up the rest of the first round. Luckily for me, he said yes and now you get to enjoy the fruits of his labor too!
On to Mr. Grise’s 2019 NHL Mock Draft (picks 16-31)!
16.) Arthur Kaliyev – (COL Avalanche)
Colorado has put together a formidable defense, so assuming they don’t move this pick before Friday I’m expecting them to focus on forwards and goaltending. Adding Turcotte and Kaliyev would be a great way to stock their shelves for the future. Notching 102 points this past season with Hamilton Bulldogs, Kaliyev more than doubled his point totals from his first year in the OHL. What’s even more impressive is that he split that total evenly between goals and assists. Showing that he can set up teammates, as well as get the job done himself. Despite putting up that many points, Kaliyev has struggled in the draft rankings. A couple of sites even have him falling into the 2nd round. Given that he is a big winger that has proven he can use the tools he has in an elite way, this is right around the area that I would expect him to be taken.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwnkMElynFo
17.) Moritz Seider – (VGK Golden Knights)
After having their first real big playoff controversy, earning their stripes as true NHL hockey fans, the Vegas faithful are going to be looking for a boost going into the 2019-2020 season. Seider definitely will not be ready to suit up in the Knights gear next season, but he should give fans something to look forward to. Everyone in this league knows how valuable right shot, top pairing defensemen are, and Moritz Seider brings the goods. His point totals don’t jump out at you managing just 6 points in 29 games. What stands out is how much his coaches use and trust him. By all accounts, he has tremendous hockey sense, so if he proves to have a scoring touch as well he could prove to be the second best defenseman from this class.
18.) Alex Newhook – (DAL Stars)
Leading the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL, as both the team captain and scoring leader, Alex Newhook is a prime example of how deep this draft is in forwards. He led the league with 102 points, outscoring the next best forward by 18 points. He also had 35 more points than his closest teammate. Impressive, but also part of the reason I couldn’t justify ranking him ahead of Kaliyev who put up the same totals in the OHL. His footwork is very impressive and allows him to maintain possessions while fighting past defenders. He’s a guy that wants to carry the puck into the zone and does so effectively.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQWvYZRv-OQ
19.) Victor Soderstrom – ( OTT Senators)
Soderstrom was very impressive in the SHL as an 18-year-old. This should make Sens fans happy that Pierre Dorion was able to recover a first round pick in this draft. His skating and first pass are exactly the kind of qualities scouts and GMs are looking for given the current way the game is being played. At a young age, he is already risk-averse and rarely makes the wrong play. For these reasons, he is one of the guys I could see leaping into the top 15 if teams are looking to add to their defensive depth.
20.) Cam York – (WPG Jets)
Thankfully my contact with the Jets filled me in on the Trouba trade details so I didn’t look like a moron predicting who the Rangers would take with this pick. Too bad when you consider all the possible play on words that could have been if the Rangers did, in fact, draft him. All joking aside, York is a great two-way defender who quarterbacked the USNDP team this past season, providing all their forwards with the pillar they required to maximize their effectiveness at both ends. However, he is a guy that is going to need a solid 3-4 seasons to ripen before you can expect to see him throw on an NHL sweater.
21.) Matthew Robertson – (PIT Penguins)
Calen Addison is probably the best prospect in the Penguins system, but I can’t shake this feeling that Jim Rutherford is hoping that a defenseman will fall to them on Friday. One thing that is unique to Robertson’s game compared to his peers is his poker face. Oil Kings fans probably know what I’m talking about. Robertson rarely looks in the direction that he passes, this makes him a nightmare for defenders cause he rarely misses a pass. He also is very effective at maintaining the offensive zone and moving across the blueline to open up seams. Also, given the physical tools he has, he may already be ahead of Addison developmentally.
22.) Vladislav Kolyachonok – (LA Kings)
Given that they already have Gabriel Vilardi in their system and will almost certainly draft a forward with the 5th overall pick, it is very likely that the Kings will look for a defenseman with this pick. Kolyachonok has shown that he is equally effective at both ends and shows up to work night in and night out. A great add for any team, but even more so for one with an aging blueline.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqpm3DqQ2Tg
23.) Ryan Suzuki – (NYI Islanders)
Taking both Noah Dobson and Oliver Wahlstrom early in the first round last year the New York Islanders did very well for themselves in 2018. Ryan Suzuki could be a very nice compliment to their growing pool of young talent. With very quick hands and well-developed edges, Suzuki managed to produce pretty effectively on a weak Colts team. He also has a very underrated backhand, using it to surprise goaltenders and defenders alike. He does have a tendency to avoid confrontations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybldFog5TkY
24.) Thomas Harley – (NSH Predators)
You sometimes think that Thomas Harley is scared of having the puck on his stick with how quickly he gets passes and shots off. In reality, he is just a quick thinker and likes to rush his opponents with the hopes that they will make a mistake before he does. This is a strategy that has worked for the young man from Syracuse. Another strength he has is cross seam passing, plays that can be risky, but usually payoff if they are executed correctly. With how successful the Predators have been in recent years, I think they would consider this pick a big offseason victory.
25.) Connor McMichael – (WSH Capitals)
“Creativity” is a word that comes to mind when you watch Connor McMichael with the puck. He doesn’t need a lot of space to make things happen either, and when players possess the instincts that he does, opportunities occur early and often. Coaches will like that they won’t have to press on him to shoot the pill as often as he can. He is a guy that will make a very comfortable living by getting pucks on net and jamming home rebounds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK9lgwo9j0k
26.) Brett Leason – (CGY Flames)
If anyone is going to take a chance on an overager who has commanded the attention of scouts, it would probably be a team whose window to win is open, and will require as much depth as they can possibly acquire, right away. Calgary fits this description, and Leason checks off a lot of boxes that a team like Calgary is looking to fill. A big right winger who’s not afraid to throw his weight around, while also having decent offensive ability. Sounds like a player that would fit into the Flames current model. Probably doesn’t hurt that he is a local product either.
27.) Tobias Bjornfot – (TB Lightning)
If Tampa Bay learnt anything from their embarrassing first-round exit, it’s that there is still room in the game for players that have an edge to their game. This is an aspect that Bjornfot has in his kit and doesn’t mind using. He is also very mobile and has the ability to walk the blueline to open up gaps. He also managed to put up 22 points in just 39 games in Sweden’s J20 SuperElit league. An accomplishment that hasn’t gone unnoticed.
28.) Yegor Afanasyev – (CAR Hurricanes)
This draft is full of big forwards who can shoot and Afanasyev is no exception this trend. He’s also a guy who is going to require a bit more development time, as he lacks experience in “pro-style” environments. But Carolina is a team with a relatively young group of forwards, and this pick has the potential to pay dividends in the future.
29.) Samuel Poulin – (ANH Ducks)
With an aging core group of forwards, Anaheim needs to get young quickly. Poulin is yet another larger winger with good hands and lethal release. Like Suzuki, he is a guy that has obviously put in the time working on his backhand. He played on both wings with the Sherbrooke Phoenix over the last year on his way to putting up 76 points. If you recognize the name it’s because his father, Patrick Poulin, is a former NHLer.
30.) Bobby Brink – (BOS Bruins)
Similar in stature to Cole Caufield, Brink has incredible vision and anticipation. He likes to pick his spots ahead of time and arrives at the right moment to capitalize. He has an exceptional one-timer and on-ice work ethic that enables him to be effective even with his smaller frame. Having already committed to the University of Denver, expect to hear his name in consideration for the Hobey Baker award in the not too distant future. Boston has a habit of drafting local area guys that they’ve seen a lot of and this is a trend that I fully expect to continue here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiY7d7vMgTA
31.) Alex Vlasic – (BUF Sabres)
Buffalo is one of three teams with two picks in the first round of this draft. With their second pick, I think they will look to add some defensive depth. Standing at 6’6”, Vlasic adds a lot of that. Very well composed under pressure, he uses his frame to avoid making the wrong play. Smothering the puck into the boards if necessary, he knows he can win the battle the majority of times. High percentage plays is the name of the game that this kid plays, and he plays with a quiet smoothness that casual fans probably won’t recognize, but diehards will appreciate in the key moments of games.
Suffice it to say, I am pretty excited for Friday. I’m really hoping we see some moves made and some picks moved. If there ever was a draft for it, this would be the one. Level heads always seem to prevail when Bettman takes the mic, unfortunately.
As an Oilers fan, there are a few guys I’d love to see throw on the copper and blue, so here they are in order of who is least likely to be available at 8th to most: Bowen Byram, Kirby Dach, Matthew Boldy.
Comments and feedback are always appreciated! Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter here.
What a hilarious phrase! Click the pic to get yours today!New Team, New Shirt! Buy a 16-bit Karlsson (Sharks) today!The Vegas Golden Misfits are going to the Stanley Cup Final in 2018!!! Love ’em or hate ’em it’s an amazing story and this is one punk rocker’s way of giving tribute! Click the pic above and get yours today!
Today’s guest post is from a fellow Oilers fan named Terrance Grise. He wanted to have a mock draft of his published and I’m happy to help him out.
If you’re looking to dip your toes into the water with regards to blogging, feel free to reach out and get in touch with me! Best bet is probably on Twitter here.
I’ll turn it over to Terrance now. Enjoy!
Elias Pettersson’s nickname is “Alien”. Here’s a shirt to celebrate it! Click the image to buy one!
Hey, hockey fans! If you think you’ve read every 2019 mock draft you can handle then you’re wrong cause I’ve got one more for you! Don’t worry it is slightly expedited as I chose to only cover the first 15 picks. I am a big draft nerd largely due to Edmonton’s positional tendencies over the past decade.
So this is how I think the top-15 picks should play out. Having said that as with most drafts this will most likely play out very differently than I think it will but that’s half the fun!
1.) Jack Hughes – (NJ Devils)
Posting 34 goals and 78 assists (112 Points) in 50 games (2.24 PPG), Jack Hughes is the bell of the ball for the 2019 draft class. Every aspect of his game screams franchise player, to the point that comparisons have been drawn to Connor McDavid. I am hesitant to draw the same parallels only because Hughes plays much more of an East-West game and forces openings by getting the defense out of position. He doesn’t seem to possess the same breakneck speed that #97 uses to embarrass defensemen. Having said that, he is an elite skater who will break his opponent’s ankles with perfect edge work and stick handling.
A part of me wanted to predict a Kaapo Kakko upset at first overall, largely due to the fact that New Jersey has done it before with the Nico Hischier selection back in 2017, that saw Nolan Patrick fall to Philadelphia. But given New Jersey’s need for a centerman and how elite of a prospect Hughes has proven to be, I just couldn’t justify it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR7VH4Xirr4
2.) Kaapo Kakko – (NY Rangers)
It was awesome watching Kakko in the Word Championship tournament less than a month back. You really got to see why he always seems to be mentioned in the same breath as Jack Hughes. It was also very apparent that he has been playing above his age class for a while now, looking very comfortable going up against some of the best that the NHL has to offer. He had a very strong season in the LIIGA scoring 22 goals and 16 assists for TPS. He is so strong on his skates and stick, this allows him to control the game down low and really dictate the play in the offensive zone. Being a left shot on the right wing, he really uses the inside angle to his advantage, beating goalies on either the short or far side from outside the slot. He also has the ability to make defenders look silly from in tight.
Considering how far the Rangers jumped at the lottery they will be thrilled with this consolation prize and that there is a strong chance that in five years’ time we will be looking back at this draft and arguing about who should’ve been taken first overall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0QpejmAih0
3.) Bowen Byram – (CHI Blackhawks)
Bowen Byram is my favorite player from this draft class. Growing up I loved watching Scott Niedermayer, and let’s just say when I watch Byram play, a feeling of nostalgia washes over me. I truly believe if he was eligible for the 2017 draft that he would’ve been the consensus #1 choice. His lateral movement on the blueline alone is enough to make scouts and GMs fall in love with him. Then you add his passing and playmaking ability to the fold and you have the most complete defenseman the draft has seen in a long time. Although his shot does not possess overwhelming power, he beats you with ridiculous accuracy and a fast release.
Byram potted 71 points in 67 games and also carried 33 +/- rating. Really good when you consider he went -3 and -5 in his previous two seasons with the Vancouver Giants. Quite frankly, Chicago would be crazy not to take him at 3rd overall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96A0xmTFTkA
4.) Alex Turcotte – (COL Avalanche)
If there was a comparable to Alex Turcotte it could be said he resembles a smaller version of Leon Draisaitl. His passing ability is eerily similar and I find that he also likes to slow the game down in the O-zone, even though he is a very good skater and can generate speed through the neutral zone. Any team would love to have his playmaking ability down low, especially on the power play. He has a strong, active stick and always seems to be in the right spot in all three zones. Teams are going to like this guy because he plays a pros game and probably only requires one more year of development before he’s ready for the show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvR0e2wpj3c
5.) Kirby Dach – (LA Kings)
I am just going to come out and say it, I really like this kid. He just may be the most polarizing player in this draft class, cause people seem to love him or hate him. Not too many people (that I’ve heard from anyways) seem to have a neutral opinion on #77. By all accounts, however, he seemed to really impress at the combine. I think he’s going to take a big step next year for the Saskatoon Blades and prove that he deserved to be a top-5 pick in the draft. Being the other large WHL centermen in this draft, Dach and Cozens have been compared to each other all season.
Personally, I feel that Dach can have more of an impact on the game and is not limited to being solely a point producing centerman. The knock on him, however, is consistency. This is the main area that I am predicting will improve sooner rather than later in the years to come.
I do also foresee the possibility of him transitioning to the wing as an NHLer. Having said that, forwards that can play multiple roles are becoming extremely valuable in this league. So having a big right shot guy who can take faceoffs every now and then could prove to be a game changer for the team who drafts him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOgVdIz6mi4
6.) Cole Caufield – (DET Red Wings)
GOALS, GOALS, GOALS! Alex DeBrincat may be the best thing that has ever happened to Cole Caufield. So many comparisons can be made between these two players, so we’ll see if teams have learned anything from Chicago back in 2015. For most of the year, Caufield has been ranked somewhere in the top-20, finishing the year with an unbelievable 72 goals for the USNDP, has seemed to shoot him up the rankings with the draft now only days away. Elite finishers are becoming increasingly hard to come by nowadays and Caufield may be competing for the Rocket Richard Trophy in the near future. It will be interesting to see how well his game converts to the NHL, but I think that he has proven to GMs and scouts that he has the ability to score goals and be effective in more than just one way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XXIDv7Gy0I
7.) Matthew Boldy – (BUF Sabres)
Like Dach, Boldy has incredible hands for a guy his size. His passing ability may also be the most underrated part of his game, as he is known largely for his heavy and accurate shot. He can also use his strength to get past defenders, and usually ends up making space for his teammates in the process. Already weighing in at 192lbs, Boldy may be the most physically prepared prospect in this draft class. There are a couple of aspects of his game that do require a little attention. Unlike his USNDP teammates, he can be caught out of position from time to time. He is also more willing to make riskier plays in the offensive end of the ice, something that he has been able to get away with because of the strength of his team in comparison to their competition. The good news is that these are habits that are arguably some of the easiest to remedy, and the positives that Boldy can provide to the team that drafts him, far outweigh the current downsides.
8.) Dylan Cozens – (EDM Oilers)
As one of the strongest skaters in his class, the pride of Whitehorse – Dylan Cozens – may just turn out to be one of the sleeper picks in the top-10 of this draft. Big right shot centers with skill aren’t easy to come by, and that is why at #8, this could prove to be a value pick. Although he has a big frame, he is more likely to use his speed to overpower the opposition and generate scoring chances. He’s a guy that likes to find the unoccupied areas on the ice, especially in the offensive end. Being one of the most complete two-way players, teams will be very excited to call his name at the podium on Friday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HkcX4Sf_aU
9.) Trevor Zegras – (ANH Ducks)
At this point in time, Zegras is the best passer in this draft. His vision and hockey sense allow him to predict where his teammates will be, and his execution allows him to get the puck to that exact spot when they arrive. It is beyond impressive watching him place the puck in vacant ice, at the exact moment it needs to be there, time and time again, rarely turning it over. He is a guy that coaches will design set-plays around just because of how perfectly he can execute passes. He loves to use his feet and the boards to his advantage to maintain possession, and also has an above average shot. Would not surprise me in the least if he was not available for the Ducks at #9.
10.) Vasili Podkolzin – (VAN Canucks)
No matter where Podkolzin is drafted, he is going to be one of those picks where the GM will say “We could not believe he was still on the board when Bettman called our name.”. Just based on his skill and the fact that he already has an NHL first step, he should be a lock at 4th overall. But for whatever reason, Russian prospects usually seem to fall a few places. Podkolzin is a big right winger with bite that plays a responsible game and takes pride in helping his defensemen out in his own end. Sample size may be the biggest factor for this pick but this is a guy that always seems to show up when the spotlight is on him, something that will occur quite a lot throughout his career.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFCA6GHrTOg
11.) Peyton Krebs – (PHI Flyers)
You always hate to see guys get injured, but it is especially rough when it happens just before their pro draft. Being that he is very young and has arguably the highest ceiling in this draft, I would hate to see Krebs fall due to this unfortunate Achilles injury. Krebs likes to stir the pot and set the tempo of games, he also has an uncanny ability to avoid taking bad penalties. He is a very competitive player who will out skate opponents to both ends of the ice and will beat them there more often than not, demonstrating his incredible hockey sense and positioning. Krebs may be the only player in this draft that has the potential to be just as effective on both the powerplay and the penalty kill.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMJjAj3v8ks
12.) Phillip Tomasino – (MIN Wild)
Tomasino is a guy that has flown under the radar due to the forward strength in this draft class. However, after researching this kid and watching every one of his highlight videos on YouTube, I cannot see a scenario where 15 straight GMs pass on him. He refuses to be outworked and has one of the quickest releases I have seen out of a major junior player. If I was only given one word to describe him, “dynamic” comes to mind. Another right shot guy who can play multiple roles and has the potential to make GMs who pass on him look back and wonder “what if?” down the road.
13.) Philip Broberg – (FL Panthers)
This may turn out to be one of the most interesting/active drafts in recent memory. I say “active” because I can totally see picks being swapped and teams wanting to move up or down based on what selections occur in the top 5. I say this now because we are at pick #13 and this is only the second defenseman I have on the board. I honestly can’t justify placing Broberg any higher. Although he has very good skating and playmaking ability, he frequently makes questionable decisions with the puck that constantly burn defensemen at the NHL level. That is why I don’t think he is a top 10 player in this or most drafts. Having said that, if he can clean his game up, he does possess the upside to be a solid two-way, top 4 defenseman at the NHL level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ylLjmJ3tQQ
14.) Spencer Knight – (ARZ Coyotes)
This is probably the pick that I am most skeptical about just because of how reserved GMs have proven to be about drafting goalies early in the first round. I am convinced that Spencer Knight deserves to be taken in the top 15, but would not be shocked at all if he fell as far as the early 2nd round. Knight has ice in his veins and remains composed under pressure. He has also perfected his technique, standing at 6’3” he positions his glove and blocker perfectly, as to not be caught too high or too low, reducing the amount of movement and energy he has to exert to make a save. Another reason I could see him falling is based on the strength of the USNTDP team in front of him, a justification that I acknowledge, but do not believe justifies ranking him lower.
15.) Raphael Lavoie – (MTL Canadiens)
If the Montréal Canadiens want to prove to the league that they are not required to have only small forwards on their team, while at the same time proving that they love their French Canadian players, then they should draft #50 from the Halifax Mooseheads, Raphael Lavoie. Not only does he make dwarves out of the players around him, but he also has tremendous skill and a pro-release. He also has a tendency to show up in big moments and capitalize on his opportunities. Being just 10 days shy from eligibility for the 2018 draft, Lavoie should be eligible to play in the AHL this year, as he turns 20 years old on September 25th. This may be desirable for a team looking to add youth to their pro-roster, sooner rather than later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4dGcSe1ZHs
Some players I believe deserve an honorable mention as potential top 15 picks include: Moritz Seider (D), Cam York (D), Victor Soderstrom (D), and Alex Newhook (F).
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Recently on Twitter, I have seen a lot of discussion about the Oilers potentially trading down in order to acquire some assets, while at the same time hopefully making a value pick slightly later on. While this idea intrigues me, a friend of mine suggested maybe trading the 8th and Puljujarvi up to 3rd, as it sounds like Chicago really wants to take a forward and may be willing to trade down to do it. Given the current situation with Puljujarvi, and that trading him would help the Oilers with the upcoming Seattle expansion draft considering he will be eligible to be selected. Not to mention the fact that the 3rd overall would basically guarantee that you would draft one of Bowen Byram or Kaapo Kakko, I would make this trade all day long if Chicago was game. Based on what we know about Ken Holland and his recent comments, my guess is they make the pick at #8.
Part two is coming folks! I’ll address picks #16-#31 shortly!
Feel free to comment with your opinions and thanks for reading! You can follow Terrance on Twitter here.
We’re going to talk about the recent Oilers rumors making their rounds briefly and then move on to take a look at how the Oilers draft would look like if we used Steve Kournianos’ 2019 NHL Draft Report to make the Oilers selections at this year’s NHL entry draft.
THE RUMORS
Corey Perry is the latest to come up and if Anaheim can’t find him a new home via trade, the talk is that they’ll buy him out. Now, I wouldn’t mind having the former Hart winner on the team because he’s an epic shit talker and you never know when you’ll need someone to concuss a goalie or pick on a rookie? But if he’s going to cost the Oilers anything more than $2M, I don’t think I’m interested. The Oilers ARE trying to get faster right?
Nikita Zaitsev has the same agent as Pavel Datsyuk and we know who the former Red Wing’s GM used to be right? It’s the Oilers new GM, Ken Holland. I don’t believe there’s much to this Dreger rumor and Friedman basically shut it down on Oilers Now yesterday morning. Edmonton’s defense is full at the moment, why would they be looking to add another overpaid option and weaken their leverage? I mean, are the Leafs looking to add some functional truculence to their team? In that scenario, let’s talk.
Would you rather have James Neal, Loui Eriksson, or Milan Lucic? For me it depends. Would I rather have someone who can score, help out on the PK, or address my puck possession numbers? Neal will kill on defensively but he’s not that old and he is still a bit of a pest at times. Lucic can’t score but he doesn’t kill you in the fancies. Whereas Eriksson will offer some veteran guidance to the younger players on the team, but not much more than what Lucic is giving you production-wise, apart from the puck not dying on his stick.
The fact of the matter is, Milan Lucic has gone to management THREE SEASONS IN A ROW and has made it known that he wouldn’t stand in the way of a trade… That followed an incident in Calgary that involved some alcohol and him breaking his leg thus making him ineligible to play in the final Battle of Alberta of the season and subsequently the one game where Connor McDavid gets hurt… I think that’s a poor display of leadership from someone who was brought in to bring just that to the locker room.
Click the pic and grab a 16-bit McDavid tee!
THE DRAFT ANALYST’S 2019 NHL DRAFT REPORT
The 2019 NHL Entry Draft is just around the corner and I’ve got a plethora of draft guides sitting on my desktop and in my tablet just waiting to be utilized. So I thought a good idea might be to use the picks from each guide’s rankings to perform the draft for the Edmonton Oilers.
Check out the previous articles written in the 2019 series below:
Now, some guides don’t have enough players ranked to do the entire draft, so we’ll just have to do with rounds one to four in that case, but for the rest that do have enough, I’ll lay them out for you and give you the best brief reports on those players that I can. I haven’t watched all of the players and therefore I’ll be forced to go with reports from other publications and my own digging about to get a good idea on them in order to present it to you.
Today we’re going to use one of the most affordable draft guides available, The Draft Analyst’s 2019 NHL Draft Report. You can find it for the low low price of $5 right here. What will you find in this guide? Let’s let the Draft Analyst himself, Steve Kournianos, tell you,
The Draft Analyst’s 2019 NHL Draft Report is now complete. Inside you’ll find 249 player profiles that take an in-depth look at every prospect’s skills, strengths and weaknesses. Also included are rankings for both first-year eligibles and draft overagers, as well as the most detailed NHL team previews around! Find out what each club is doing right, doing wrong or in some cases, not doing a thing! Each team’s top prospects are listed by position, as well as immediate draft needs and the players they should target to address each one.
Want more? How about a two-round mock draft, top-25 rankings by position and a detailed breakdown of the draft order. I’ve also added a Top-31 ranking for the 2020 NHL Draft. There’s no better guide to have in your hands as NHL teams run through pick after pick. Don’t miss out on one of the most detailed draft primers on the market.
For $5 there’s no way you can go wrong with the amount of content you’re getting. Steve is an independent scout and you’d be doing a massive service to him and his efforts by grabbing his draft report. For the price of a Big Mac meal, you won’t regret it and you’ll be healthier for it!
The Oilers have the no.8, 38, 85, 100, 162, and 193 picks in the draft. This is who The Draft Analyst has ranked at those numbers.
At this point, you’ve probably heard everything there is to hear about “Goal” Caufield. The comparisons to DeBrincat are a tad shallow I feel. Sure, they’re small and they score goals but I think that Caufield is a bit better off the puck than DeBrincat is. The way that Caufield finds the areas on the ice where he can pull the trigger is really reminiscent of how Brett Hull used to do it. The other thing I like about this little fella is that he’s pretty effective at digging the pucks out of corners and finding an open teammate. I don’t reckon he’ll be winning and Selke trophies anytime soon but nobody cared about Hull’s 200ft game when he was scoring 70 goals a season and Cup-winning goals.
Put him on a line with McDavid or Draisaitl (or both) and the Oilers will reap the benefits.
I have to agree with Kournianos here. Boldy is already gone in his rankings, as is Turcotte, Podkolsin, and Zegras. So I’ll take the next best thing in my books, the scoring specialist. It might be fair to wonder about the choice mind you, the Oilers do have Kailer Yamamoto, who is the same size, coming along and there’s been no definite decision made on Jesse Puljujarvi yet. I simply feel that if all the other options are off the board, you take the goal-scoring specialist.
He’s a bull in a China shop folks. When’s the last time you saw Edmonton draft and develop a proper old-school power forward. I’m not talking about the days when Cameron Abney and Mitch Moroz were picked and no disrespect to Abney and Moroz, but Poulin is much more of a player than those gentlemen.
As I watched Poulin at the U18s, I noticed how responsible of a player he is defensively. Having an NHLer for a father has paid massive dividends with regards to Poulin’s hockey IQ and awareness. He’s not the fastest but he knows where to go and the best way to arrive at his destination. You’d think for a man of his size he’d lack in the finesse dept. but not Poulin. He’s got a good set of soft mitts on him and he can dangle.
I’ve watched Albin Grewe be a complete non-factor in games and I’ve seen him take over games as well. This is a player who is as feisty and pesky as he is skilled. He could very well be the next elite pest and we might be saying his name in the same breath as the Brad Marchands or Claude Lemieuxs of the world.
Grewe will blow past you, deke your D partner out of his jock, create a scoring chance, and then wallpaper your teammate in the corner chasing the loose puck. You have to keep our head on a swivel and be mindful of when he’s on the ice or you might just find yourself counting sheep.
It sounds like Grewe is the next coming of Cam Neely or something, right? He’s pretty dangerous but the way I see him is that he’s a throwback player with modern skills. He’d be the next Esa Tikkanen if the Oilers drafted him sans the Tikkanese.
The feather-lite Berka is best described as a gamble that could pay off massively should his development plan succeed. He is a dangerous player on the ice at all times as he loves to play inside the dots. His motor runs high at all times and you’ll never question his work ethic.
Berka’s wrist shot is hard and accurate, and he likes to use it off the stride.
Pinto is a really smart player that can see the way a play is developing before it does. His wrist/snap shot is pro-ready, he’s got the strength, hockey IQ, and positional flexibility that coaches at the next level will really love.
He’s not the most physically engaging player, but he doesn’t shy away from it. He could probably work on his defensive awareness in his own zone. I reckon he’d be a good pick for the Oilers as he’s pretty much flown under the radar until recently, I feel like with his size and toolbox, he could turn out be at the very least a depth scorer and at best, a two-way middle-6 forward. Edmonton could use as much depth as possible.
No. 100 – David Karlstrom – C – 6’1″ 187lbs – AIK U20 (SuperElit) – 41gp 9g 11a 20pts
Karlstrom is your standard 3rd line checking forward. He works his butt off and plays a very honest blue-collar game. He’s pretty average at everything sans his wrister, which is actually quite powerful and accurate.
BLH’s Pick: Dustin Wolf – G – 6’0″ 156lbs – Everett (WHL) (ranked 106th)
Half of my prospect covering super duo, Max (@TPEHockey), had this to say about Wolf at the beginning of the season,
Wolf’s game is highlighted by his technical play that is common with a lot of upcoming high-level goaltenders. Every movement is calculated and crisp. He doesn’t panic when out of position and makes a recovery using his skating ability and edges. Wolf is a butterfly goaltender and makes a lot of his movements on his knees. He’s good at sealing the ice which prevents him from opening up holes when moving.
Another quality to his game is his puck tracking and vision. Screens and tipped shots don’t phase him since often a shot is taken through a screen and Wolf can easily find it and pick it out of the air.
The hits on Wolf are his size and ability to take up the net. He measures in at about 183cm (6’0”) which is under the expected height for a top goaltending prospect at 188 (6’2”). This doesn’t combine well with his lack of aggressiveness. Wolf relies a little too much on his lightning quick reflexes and could come out of his net more to take away space. Although this isn’t a huge issue as it’s something he could easily fix as he progresses his game.
One of the reasons I really like this player is his ability to handle the puck. Watching the Oilers offensive attack die on the vine because they’ve attempted to dump it in only to see the goalie stop it and make a counter play, it’s made me really appreciate how much skill it takes to handle a puck for a goalie. To add to that, Wolf put up comparable stats to Ian Scott (Prince Albert) but because Everett wasn’t as deep (read: successful), he lost the WHL Goalie of the Year to Scott.
I know that Edmonton has Skinner, Wells, Starrett, and Rodrigue in the system, but none of those netminders have the hands and calmness that Wolf has. I’m not sure I see Wells and Starrett as long-term members of the Oilers as it is.
No. 162 – Simon Jellus – C – 6’2″ 194lbs – Lulea U20 (SuperElit) – 35gp 12g 15a 27pts
Kournianos is the only person who has a report on Jellus in the draft guides I’ve covered so far. So really, all I’ve got to go on is what The Draft Analyst says with the young Slovak, which is thus,
An inventive playmaking center with size and strength who shows flashes of dynamism.
Jellus is crafty and creative with the puck, using a series of moves and tricks to get himself inside for a clean look at the net. Jellus is a very good set-up man who looks to involve the entire five-man unit into the attack.
Jellus is a heady player who keeps his eyes open and looks over his shoulder quite a bit, even when moving quickly up ice. He has excellent speed and strong balance, with little to no regard for traffic no matter how thick the wall of opponents at the line may be.
BLH’s Pick: Jackson Lacombe – D – 6’1″ 171lbs – Shattuck (HS-MN) (ranked 164th)
The Eden Prairie native is a fantastic skater with the silky mitts who models his game after Shea Theodore (VGK). Lacombe is an intelligent puck mover and an adaptable defender. Meaning, he can read situations quite well and he’s not all gung-ho offense all of the time. He knows when to go and when to stay back. He used to be a forward, so he has those scoring instincts ingrained into him hence the gaudy point totals.
This puck-moving defender played for Shattuck St. Mary’s High School program last season and racked up 89pts in 54 games. He did play five games for the Chicago Steel (USHL) but didn’t manage to put up any points. Apparently, Lacombe would’ve played more if not for an injury. According to Hockeyprospect.com, he should spend the year playing in the USHL next year and then move on to the Univ. of Minnesota.
I wonder long-term if we’re looking at a player who will find himself being compared to Cale Makar, Thomas Chabot, and Shea Theodore due to his outstanding mobility and edgework?
Washkurak is your typical short-statured hard-working grinder. He’s a smart player who knows where to go with and without the puck. He’s the kind of player that teammates love having on their squad because he goes to battle for them. Problem is, his skating isn’t great and he’s not that skilled. His ceiling is a 4th-line role player if he makes it to the NHL.
For me, I really think that these players can be found as free agents and that using a draft pick on them is a bit of a waste with the way the league is trending.
BLH’s Pick: Jonathan Brinkman – W – 5’11” 165lbs – Aalborg (DEN) (ranked 204th)
Brinkman is considered Denmark’s premier u18 prospect. He’s fast, intense, tenacious, gritty, elusive, and his shot and release are both lightning quick. I look at players like Michael Grabner and Marcus Sorenson, for example, and I think that taking a shot at Brinkman in the 7th round has very little risk and quite a bit of upside. I think the Oilers’ plan is to get faster and more skilled and Brinkman is both of those.
What do you think of those selections? Let us know in the comments below!
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