Tag Archives: Cole Caufield

Edmonton Oilers, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

BLH Guest Post: A 2019 NHL Mock Draft (Picks 1-15) by Terrance Grise

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!

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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.

Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, Keith Fries, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects, Rumors

Edmonton Oilers: Weekly #AskBLH Mailbag + The 2019 NHL Entry Drafts 1st and 2nd Team All-Stars from @KeithFries

It’s time to get into the #AskBLH mailbag one more time! This is where you ask me any question you’d like and I give you my honest answer. Topics might simply be centered on the Edmonton Oilers, but I encourage folks to step outside that box and ask me whatever is on their minds.

Now, I hope to get around to everybody who sends me their question, but sometimes it doesn’t work out. In that case, I will do my best to get back to you on the ol’ Twitter machine.

THE MAILBAG!

@dashate24 asks: Why do we want to trade Lucic for a more useless player?

Good question my friend! I think it’s just a matter of giving guys a fresh start in other markets. What I’m wondering is why the Oilers are the ones having to sweeten the deal if the Canucks are the ones who really want Lucic?

@AhmedMayta asks: Realistic free agents Oilers should target?

You know what Ahmed? I think it’s going to be really hard to gauge this until we know what the roster is going to look like the night before Canada Day. I would say they should go after players like Dan Carr, Brandon Pirri, Joonas Donskoi, and Brian Elliott, but if they find a way to clear up some cap space by trading some of their bigger tickets, that changes things. You might see them go after players like Gus Nyquist, Marcus Johansson, or Anton Stralman then.

@adnacOilGhost asks: You replace Bob Nicholson as CEO, what’s the very first thing you do?

Oh! I like this question. I’d make it as affordable as possible to go to regular season games for everyone. Bringing down the prices on healthier food options would be a must for me. I’d do what it takes to make the in-game presentation one that rivals that of Vegas’ or Nashville’s. The fan experience is really important to me, so I’d try to maximize that potential the most.

I enjoy anarchy a bit, so I’d also give media passes to the Oilers bloggers out there who pass my rigorous interview process.

As for the team itself, I’d encourage my GM to expand the scouting team as much as possible. I feel like teams really skimp out here. I want scouts everywhere, including Asia. I’d be having hockey camps all over the world promoting the brand and keeping an eye out for talent.

@dashate24 asks: Is it possible that Poolparty (Puljujarvi) gets an offer sheet at $2M x 4 years, and if he does, do we take the 3rd rounder?

I’d match it. JP at $2M for four years would be an amazing contract.

@ArchivistSports asks: What do you think JP will do this June/July?

I think he’ll head home and resume his off-ice training and participate in his annual charity games. Whether he comes back in September or not, we’ll have to wait and see on that.

@Tusen_bitar asks: Why and when you have chosen Oilers?

I was born in 1980, so one might consider me to have been born into the Oilers. My father tells me stories of cheering for Edmonton when I was a very young lad during their Cup dynasty days but I don’t really remember much about that.

As I got older I gravitated towards the Red Wings because of Yzerman/Coffey/Federov and the Penguins for Lemieux/Jagr/Coffey in the early 90s. I liked Peter Forsberg and the Avs for a while and also the Maple Leafs when Curtis Joseph was playing net for them too.

But I always had the Oilers in my back pocket. It wasn’t really until they started to get really bad as to when I ramped up my interest in the team and I simply haven’t found a reason to not cheer for them since then.

@OilDoug asks: What happens with Lucic this offseason. Stay? Go? What comes back?

He gone. What comes back for him? Who knows? It sounds like a player who needs a change of scenery like Milan.

@LonnbergMari asks: If Leavins is right and part of the team just doesn’t want to play with him, what should a smart gm do? Resign or trade and in either case, just hope for the best?

I’m torn on this. Aren’t we sick of the locker room cliques on this team yet? If Holland believes there’s still something in Jesse, he could sit down those guilty of alienating Jesse and give them a stern grilling. Then at the same time, sit Pulju down and tell him it’s time to grow up and that we don’t always work/play with people we like.

But if things are simply too broken, he would find a way to move him and get a good like-aged player in return. My fear in this scenario is that Jesse hits his stride on another club and the Oilers get burned though.

When it’s all said and done though, the players have a job to do, so they should go and do it.

THE 2019 NHL ENTRY DRAFTS 1ST AND 2ND TEAM ALL-STARS by Keith Fries

With this article, I thought it’d be fun to try and construct all-first and all-second teams for this year’s draft-eligible prospects.

Keep in mind that I went with the player’s primary position.

All-First Team

LW – Matthew Boldy  /  C – Jack Hughes  /  RW – Kaapo Kakko

LD – Bowen Byram  /  RD – Moritz Seider

LG – Spencer Knight

A forward line made up of Boldy, Hughes, and Kakko would likely be nicknamed, “Goals and Grit.”

While Hughes maybe is more on the “goals” side than the grit one, there’s no doubt that he’s flanked by some rough riders with skill. We know of Kakko’s explosive offensive abilities, but Boldy also shows a propensity to score. All three are great puck movers. Speaking of which, there’s Byram whose bread and butter is getting the puck out of his own zone. Playing alongside the physically imposing Seider would make those breakout rushes much easier for Byram. Once the puck enters the offensive zone, both defensemen have the ability to jump into the play as a fourth-forward. In their own zone, Seider is the more reliable defender of the two and is helped in net by arguably one of the best goaltending prospects of all-time. Knight, who some would say has franchise potential, doesn’t need much help in front of him to be the brick wall that he is.

This starting line-up certainly helps, though, but even if playing with an All-Worst Team, Knight would find ways to make his squad seem competitive.

All-Second Team

LW – Peyton Krebs  /  C – Alex Turcotte  /  RW – Cole Caufield

LD – Philip Broberg  /  RD – Victor Soderstrom

LG – Dustin Wolf

Krebs, Turcotte, and Caufield would not only be a hell of a trio, but could legitimately be one of the best power play units, in history.

Krebs’ distribution game is off the charts, and with his smart reads and calculated timing, could dish out some beautiful primary assists to either Caufield or Turcotte. We know Caufield is arguably the best sniper in his entire draft class, but Turcotte’s shooting stroke is just as pretty and just as effective. While he may be more of a playmaker, like Krebs, Turcotte has the kind of slick mitts that you want in a centerman to either set up his linemates or finish with a remarkable shot. On the back end, they’re flanked by two highly-skilled Swedish-born defensemen, Soderstrom and Broberg. While Soderstrom handles more of the defensive duties – sound play in his own end, moving the puck along the boards, or manning the point, Broberg is able to jump into the rush with his lightning quick speed and heads up play. The two would make a formidable pairing, with a complimentary skill set. An argument could be made about who slots in at goaltender, here – possibly Ilya Konovalov or Mads Sogaard – but there’s no argument in my mind. Wolf has been lights out since debuting in the WHL in 2017 and has received nothing but criticism along the way – all because of his undersized frame. His IQ, compete level, and maturity are all well beyond his years.

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Elias Pettersson’s nickname is “Alien”. Here’s a shirt to celebrate it! Click the image to buy one!
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Edmonton Oilers, Keith Fries, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

2019 NHL Entry Draft: Who are the best Defensive Forwards, Snipers, and the Smartest Players Available? by @keithfries

And we’re back with our final round of the 2019 NHL entry draft’s Loves, Lusts, Booms, and Busts.

Let’s begin with the defensive forwards.

Dylan Cozens is a name you might find on most boards teetering on the edge of the top-5. If he’s on the board at 6, he won’t be when pick 7 comes up. With a big frame already, Cozens does an exceptional job of pushing guys off pucks and dominating down low and along the boards. Plays a solid 200-foot, power, game. His play in his own end leads to many breakout attempts and, with his beeline north-south speed, he can quickly move the puck up-ice and finish with a laser beam wrister.

Dylan Cozens: Boom

One name circling the top-10 is Matthew Boldy; a versatile forward out of the U.S. National Team Development Program. “Polarizing” seems to be the word of the year, as it applies to many prospects at the head of this year’s class – including Boldy. Some have categorized him as the 2nd-best player out of the USNTDP program, behind Jack Hughes, while others have said he could be a swing-and-a-miss. Regardless, it’s his two-way game that has scouts intrigued. He isn’t afraid to play along the boards while carrying the puck into the offensive zone. Can easily body out his defender. And while he doesn’t have much speed, Boldy does a nice job of staying in the play with powerful strides and big steps.

Matthew Boldy: Lust

Then there’s Nolan Foote – who has defense in his blood. Unlike his father, Adam, and older brother, Cal, Nolan’s shot and along the wings is where he seems to be most effective. Does a nice job of screening opposing netminders and using his big frame down low. One of the underrated elements of Foote’s game is his passing. He’s an excellent distributor, with a textbook no-look pass. With 138 points (68Gs|70As) in 168 WHL regular season games, Foote has the numbers that prove he’s not a bust and could be a very desirable option on day 2.

Nolan Foote: Lust

The next set of prospects we’ll take a look at are the snipers.

If it’s a sniper you want, Cole Caufield is your guy. He has so many different weapons in his arsenal and uses each one of them effectively. Away from the play, Caufield does a nice job signaling for his shot to deliver a heavy one-timer. When driving the net or playing down low, Caufield’s ability to roof the puck seems unimaginable and leaves the crowd mesmerized. There’s nothing more I need to say.

Cole Caufield: Love

While it could be argued that he’s more of a two-way forward, Vasili Podkolzin’s sniping abilities are the driving force behind his success. Sure, he can muscle through tight defensive coverages or dish out a clean tape-to-tape pass, but his shot is really something special. When on the power play, he has an Alexander Ovechkin-type game of play, where he sets up at the top of the faceoff circle to receive the puck for a deadly one-timer. He can score in a variety of ways and shows good strength on his backhand shot. His offensive gifts can’t be ignored.

Vasili Podkolzin: Lust

Arthur Kaliyev can absolutely bury the puck! Other than that…

Arthur Kaliyev: Bust

And our final group, the brainiacs (IQ).

Dustin Wolf finished the year as not only one of the best goaltenders on the ice but in the classroom, as well – winning the WHL’s Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy for the scholastic player of the year. A real student of new age head trajectory, Wolf does a nice job keeping himself mentally balanced during games. Doesn’t get spooked easily, and seems to settle in, more, as the game goes on. Finishing the year with a 1.69 GAA and .936 SV% in 61 games played, Wolf showed equal dominance in the post-season, providing the Everett Silvertips with a true #1-netminder after the departure of Carter Hart. NHL Central Scouting ranking him as the 12th-best North American goaltender is a #^%&ing joke.

Dustin Wolf: Love

I’ve always been a fan of comedians because they’re truth tellers. One person who has a great sense of humor, timing, execution, and delivery is Trevor Zegras – who blew me away in early interviews. His high IQ translates into games, and you can see it every time Zegras takes the ice. He’s got unbelievably deceptive hands and overall playmaking abilities that leave you speechless. He can find anyone on the ice and was one of the USNTDP’s go-to players for offense. While he may elect to make the difficult play, rather than the easy one, sometimes, he has the abilities to make those plays happen and can rectify his mistakes with good defensive coverage.

Trevor Zegras: Love

So, based on last week’s and this week’s articles, the most eligible prospect is…

…TREVOR ZEGRAS!

Edmonton, come on up to the stage and draft your next future Oiler.

Elias Pettersson’s nickname is “Alien”. Here’s a shirt to celebrate it! Click the image to buy one!
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Edmonton Oilers, Keith Fries, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

Edmonton Oilers 2019 Draft: Will the Oilers Choose a Sniper or a Diaper? By @KeithFries

In this post, I summoned the talents of Keith Fries in order to give me a clearer idea of the top snipers that could be available to the Edmonton Oilers in this year’s draft. I wanted to know which players were the real deal and which ones weren’t and the reason for that is, I think there’s a real internal debate going on within the Oilers amateur scouting department as to which player they should take this year. Should the take a more rounded prospect like Peyton Krebs or Matthew Boldy, should they swing for the fences and take a massive risk on the big puck-rushing Philip Broberg, or would it be more prudent to add a bonafide goalscorer to play alongside Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins?

I hope you enjoy Keith’s article below. You can follow him here on Twitter.

Click the pic and grab a 16-bit McDavid tee!

As we inch closer to the NHL Entry Draft, you’ll hear more-and-more about players being labeled as booms or busts.

So in that same line of thinking, we’re going to play a game I’m calling “Sniper or Diaper.”

Cole Caufield – 5’7” – 163 – R – RW – USNTDP U18

Let’s just get this one out of the way, early. Not only is Caufield a sniper, but he’s also a contributor in a multitude of ways. His quick decision making and timely goals all help generate not only offense but confidence down the lineup. He’s got a variety of shots in his arsenal and shows an equal amount of velocity and power on his forehand and backhand, alike. His performance in the World U18s will likely propel him up a few spots on most draft boards.

Conclusion: Sniper

Arthur Kaliyev – 6’2” – 190 – L – LW – Hamilton Bulldogs

This one could go either way depending on who you’re asking. For me, I have my concerns about Kaliyev’s overall game, but if we’re speaking strictly about his sniping abilities, there’s no question he can bury the biscuit. A comparison, maybe not in terms of shooting stroke or technique, but in terms of their skillset and lack of versatility in other facets of their play, would be Owen Tippett. Nothing much beyond his shot.

While I didn’t dwell on it above, Caufield isn’t afraid to attack the dirty areas of the play – down low or along the boards – to make an impact. He’s 5’7” mind you. And then you have Kaliyev, a guy with size most players could only dream of, completely avoiding those situations. I see a lot more open space around Kaliyev than I do Caufield, and that’s a direct correlation of Kaliyev’s lack of grit and physical assertiveness. He showed the same lackadaisical effort in my early viewings of him and I wonder if his outstanding season, this year, is more of a player trying to go all out in his contract year, so-to-speak.

Conclusion: Diaper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4UPwqwZMrc

Raphael Lavoie – 6’4” – 198 – R – RW – Halifax Mooseheads

Lavoie probably didn’t live up to the standards that analysts put on him, this season, but he was still incredibly productive at 1.17 PPG. Lavoie does a nice job playing to his size, a bi-product of his positional versatility being able to lineup down center. He’s got some grit in his game and can be a difference maker when he’s rolling. But, those nights seem to come and go, which is why his draft stock may not be as high as early projected. As a shooter, he’s got some real power in his release.

Though, I worry about his lack of focus. …In one game I saw, he was wearing a suit (whether a healthy scratch or injured, I’m not sure) and was looking at his phone every time the camera panned to him. So yes, there are things about his game and his shot that intrigue me, but I have my concerns, as well.

Conclusion: Wiper (Neither)

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Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects, Rumors

Edmonton Oilers: Mike Gillis, Ryan Strome, and Where the Oilers Will be Shopping for Players

I woke up this morning to see the Oilers Twittersphere still going bananas over Ryan Strome and Mike Gillis and who can blame them really. It’s not as if the fans of the team have anything to be happy about. They wanted McLellan out and they got their wish. They wanted Chiarelli out and they got their wish. Now there’s a sentiment out there that had the Oilers now made the Strome and Caggiula trade that the team would be in a better position in the standings, possibly in the playoffs?

Yikes…

Take a second and think about that for a second. Does that make sense?

The trades overshadow the players I think more than anything here. At the end of the day, the return that Chiarelli got for Strome and Caggiula wasn’t satisfactory but I do understand the reasoning for the trades.

Drake Caggiula did have seven goals for the team before being traded right after Christmas but he hadn’t scored the 12 games prior and there were no Ginos for another nine after the deal. In fact, he’s only scored 4 goals in Chicago. The Drake has a total of 18 points and is dash seven on the season. Don’t tell me that he was the missing link in Edmonton. That’s almost as bad as blaming Toby Rieder for the team NOT making the playoffs.

Good player, fun to watch, but obviously not the guy Edmonton was expecting when they signed him out of NoDak.

As for Strome, he had seven points in his previous 35 games in Edmonton before being dealt to the Big Apple. Three points in 18 games this season. THREE! Nobody can argue that that is brutal production and he was given a defined role on the team (3C/PKer) to boot. So it’s no wonder that in a season that meant so much, the Oilers felt they needed to move him on.

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My friend, SPR, had some interesting things to say on Twitter today regarding Strome that I will share with you here.

Question for the masses. Are the failures of Lucic, Rieder & Strome all Chia’s fault, or should we be looking at the philosophical approach of both coaching staffs too as a culprit? If u look at their #’s pre-EDM & post-EDM (Strome), guys tend to have success in different systems. I’m almost of the thought that it doesn’t really make a difference which bottom 6 players u bring in, if u take away all their offensive creativity & just tell them to dump & chase all game, like Yamo & JP were told to do, no one will have real success. It’s more of system thing

Two old school, heavy hockey coaches now in TMac and Hitch. Why do guys like Chiasson and Kassian have success? Is it because they play with 97 & 29 or is it because they’re ALLOWED to play a more creative style when they play with them?

Dump and chase from lines 2-4 and not getting there 75% of the time seems to be the M.O. of this team for years. If u want 3 scoring lines, u have to let 3 lines be offensively creative. Forcing them to dump and chase every night won’t achieve that.

Those teams do it with a purpose and immediately look to get puck to the slot for a high danger scoring chance. EDM continuously looks to cycle the puck back and forth till they get it to the point for a weak shot on net with anyone in front. It’s like all Edmonton does is stall and try and maintain possession on lines 2-4 till McDavid is ready to come back out. Let him open it up offensively then back to what doesn’t work again. Rinse, repeat.

I think there’s a lot of wisdom in what Sean is saying there. I mean considering that the skilled creative types were moved out (with the blessing of a couple of the greatest coaches in NHL history I might add) in exchange for players who were more predictable, it’s fair to ask what SPR is asking.

MIKE GILLIS

Today you might’ve read what Cult of Hockey Journalist (and Oilers insider) wrote about Mike Gillis. If not, you can do so here. The overriding sentiment is that Gillis should be interviewed, had information gleaned from, and ultimately not hired. But my question is, he’s going to know this going into any interview, so how much gold do you think you’re going to get out of him?

I don’t know if Gillis will get hired in Edmonton or Seattle or any other team looking for a new GM but I do know that he wants to wipe the front office clean in Edmonton if they’re interested in hiring him and I can see how that would rub people the wrong way in Edmonton. The Edmonton media doesn’t seem to like him because he’s not a nice man to deal with.

What I will say is that it hasn’t been working in Edmonton with the nice men. Thirteen years and one playoff appearance to show for it. Most of the front office has been the same in that time frame. So don’t you think it might be time to flip the switch here?

Maybe it’s time to hire the mean man and make things uncomfortable.

Is everyone projecting Mike Gillis in the wrong role though? Should we be talking about him as the Oilers’ President of Hockey Operations? How much would he be dealing with the media then? He could still implement his forward thinking and install whatever analytics department he wanted in this role but all the things that everyone shits on him for wouldn’t so much as apply to my belief.

Thoughts?

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WHERE THE OILERS WILL BE SHOPPING FOR HELP

I’m of the thought that the Oilers will be sending a pretty solid group of scouts to the World Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia this year in hopes of unearthing some affordable additions to the team next season.

Names that have come up in the past are Joakim Nygard (W), Jacob Lilja (W), and Anton Wedin (W) from Sweden. Oula Palve (C), Otto Leskinen (D), Oliwer Kaski (RHD), and Ville Leskinen (W) from Finland. Perhaps Ilya Mikheyev (F) and Vlad Tkachyev (F) (Remember Vladdy Hockey?) from Russia as well.

Interim-GM Keith Gretzky did make mention of procuring some talent from Europe that is a bit more pro-ready on Oilers Now recently.

THE DRAFT

At this very moment, the Oilers are sitting at 8th overall. This means if the standings were to remain the same, they could draft either in the top-3 with a lottery win or move down as far as 11th if I’m correct on that.

Obviously, the Oilers will be looking for the best player available where ever they end up.

They can’t go wrong with 200pt man Jack Hughes if they win the lottery outright. Kaapo Kakko IS the winger they need and if you’re worried about another Finn getting picked and taking a bit more time to settle in, don’t. Kakko plays a much different game than Puljujarvi. His English might not be as good as yours or mine but the game is played on the ice and he reminds me of Matt Duchene in how he uses his edges and Joe Sakic with his shot. He’s lighting up the SM-Liiga as a 17-year-old…

After those two players, here are four more that impress me.

  • Alex Turcotte -C/W- (USNTDP)
  • Trevor Zegras -C- (USNTDP)
  • Vasili Podkolzin -RW- (SKA St. Petersburg)
  • Bowen Byram -D- (Vancouver/WHL)

Turcotte is a wrecking ball out there, not only with his physicality (he never gives up on the puck) but also the scoresheet. For the USNTDP U-18 program, he has 53pts in 30 games and for their junior team that suits up against USHL and NCAA teams, he has 34pts in 16 games.

Trevor Zegras is often referred to as Jack Hughes-lite. He’s a crafty line driver that doesn’t rely on others for point production according to Evan Oppenheimer.

https://twitter.com/OppenheimerEvan/status/1075869454192558081

“Betweenness” is a new metric that I’ve discovered that intrigues me. The most basic way I’ve seen it described is from DraftGeek’s Sam Happi,

Betweenness is a metric that estimates the influence of a player within his team’s scoring network. I like to look at it as a measure of how much the team would suffer if that player was suddenly removed from the scoring network of his team— the higher the betweenness, the more the team would feel the negative effects.

Of course, this stat isn’t the be-all, end-all that should determine a player’s worth. Its creator sums it up like this,

A player’s betweenness score may provide us with a lot of information about that player’s context, but it is only one way of doing that. Employing betweenness scores in one’s analysis may be extremely valuable — but it’s more like a thermometer than it is an actual doctor.

Zegras has also been racking up the points for that stacked USNTDP roster. For the U-18 team he’s amassed 76pts in 53 games and for the junior club he has 40pts in 27 games played.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-jv-71HZLM

Vasiili Podkolzin is a contested figure. He lit up the Hlinka-Gretzky tournament in Edmonton this past summer but he’s failed to really shine for his teams in Russia.

Admittedly, I have only seen a shift-by-shift video of him for SKA St. Petersburg but I was impressed with how smart he played. He’s quite good at being in the right spot at the right time both offensively and defensively.

I’ve said in the past, his aggressiveness is something I really enjoy. He reminds me a bit of Peter Forsberg or Evgeni Malkin in that manner sans Malkin’s size. Meaning he doesn’t take any shit out on the ice and he’ll come right at you if he feels he’s been done wrong by.

He’s probably going to stay in Russia for another season or two and that might be exactly what the Oilers need. Just to prevent them from rushing another 18-year-old kid into the lineup and blowing his development as their so apt to do.

Lastly, if Edmonton can get their hands on Bowen Byram, they should be jumping for joy. He’s the best defender available and he’s the perfect partner for Evan Bouchard if we’re projecting three-to-five years into the future.

Byram is a clutch goal scorer (I think he has 6 GWG OT goals this year). He can skate, shoot, and pass. He hits like a freight train despite not having a massive frame and he oozes leadership. Edmonton would be nuts to pass up the opportunity to grab him.

Might a good comparison to him be Morgan Rielly?

If the Oilers find themselves drafting lower than 8th, I would hope they explore a trade then. Either to upgrade the roster, which could be by subtraction (Lucic) or to trade down and pick up additional draft picks where they could select a forward like,

  • Cole Caufield (USNTDP) -W- Debincat 2.0. This kid scores at will.
  • Bobby Brink (Sioux City/USHL) -W- Fast rising up the rankings. Very smart and very skilled.
  • Phil Tomasino (Niagara/OHL) -W- Barzal-lite? You want speed and skill, Tomasino’s got it.

None of these players are big, apart from Kakko, who is 6’4″ and 200lbs plus but none are as slight as Kailer Yamamoto either.

Check out how the rest of the draft class is doing here.

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