Tag Archives: Raphael Lavoie

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

Edmonton Oilers: 2019 NHL Draft Review and An Update on Jesse Puljujarvi

That’s it! Another draft is in the books and I have to say, after day 1, I was slightly disappointed that the Oilers didn’t take my boy Matthew Boldy. I couldn’t really wrap my head around the idea of Edmonton leaking out who they were going to pick more than a week in advance of the draft. That said, two possibilities did cross my mind,

  • They were trying to lure a team into offering up a package to move up. Vancouver being the most likely team as there were rumors they would’ve liked to have a higher pick.
  • They were simply letting it be known who they were taking. Not the best course of action in my opinion, but it is what it is.

The thing is, as I sat and gave the thought of Philip Broberg more time, I came to appreciate the pick more and more. Every report I read on the big Swede said that he had some sort of issue with his defensive IQ, but if you think about it, what high-end offensive defenseman that has EVER come through the draft hasn’t had those?

(I’ll be getting in touch with some folks in Sweden soon and doing a bit more homework on this player. So I hope I can bring you something you haven’t read yet on him in the coming weeks.)

This player is one of the youngest in the draft and he was playing 2nd division pro in Sweden. All the while staying afloat against men and playing a safe game. This tells me that he’s open to instruction and is coachable, I like that. When he did lace up the blades vs. his peers, he was undoubtedly one of the most dominant players on the ice at any given time.

So if he can perform like that vs his peers now, who’s to say he won’t be able to do that against them in the future. He’s 6’3″ right now, but I’m thinking he’s going to grow a bit more yet. He might end up being 6’5″ and 225lbs when all is said and done. Add to this that he wants to work on his physicality…

It’s kind of hard to give this guy an NHL comparable because he rushes the puck so well and he’s so big. I can’t really think of a man as tall as Broberg with this sort of skill. Maybe Larry Robinson but he hit like a freight train and he was one mean son of a bitch. Right now, that’s not part of Broberg’s repertoire.

I’ve said he reminds me of Brent Burns a bit whereas others have said he’s more like John Klingberg. Now, both Burns and Broberg were forwards who converted to defense, right? At best, we’re probably looking at a lesser version of some Burns/Klingberg hybrid but if he can find a way to pattern his game after his favorite player (play the video below if you don’t know who that is), that would be quite advantageous for the Oilers.

As for Raphael Lavoie, I’ve been high on him since the beginning of the year. My favorite player was Mario Lemieux, so when a big guy with hands who can score goals comes out of the “Q” arrises, it perks my ears.

But I’d heard throughout the year that perhaps he had some “issues” and I wanted to be sure so I contacted a scout for a successful QMJHL team and I asked him for his uncensored opinion of Lavoie,

Lavoie is an “if” player. That means, no one is willing to be unsure in round #1. Really good shot but other than that I’m wondering why he was considered a first round pick. His compete level is not the best and also, he’s 6’4″ but not physical. 1v1 battles are lost a majority of the time. In tight spots he’s not the best with the puck. Honestly, That’s a good pick in the 2nd round but the kid has to work on A LOT of things, specifically his attitude. 

I saw him play all year and he was never a first round pick for me. 

Yikes… That said, Mario wasn’t known for his stellar attitude when he joined the Penguins in ’84 either. Someone told me his dad is the mayor of a small town outside Montreal and he’d ran into some problems not too long ago. I guess that person was right. Not that any of that should matter for Raphael, but if it’s said that he has some mental shortcomings, you’d like to know to what extent they go.

(How many readers will come away from this thinking I believe Lavoie is the next Mario Lemieux now or that I’m shit-talking this player?…)

Did anybody else here Bob Green (Edmonton’s director of player personnel and head amateur scout) say that Bill Scott should be happy with this pick because he could go to Bakersfield next season?

  • Isn’t Bill Scott the Oilers cap management expert?
  • Do you think it would be a good idea for Lavoie to leave Halifax and start his pro career in Bakersfield next season?

It’s been said that if Lavoie has a good center passing him the puck he’ll be very dangerous. Luckily, the Oilers have some pretty decent centers, eh?

The Oilers third pick in the draft this year ended up being the KHL rookie of the year. I’ll be honest, I’d never even heard of Ilya Konovalov, but I guess he’ll be backstopping Craig MacTavish’s team for the next two seasons unless he’s dealt.

Konovalov is only 6-feet tall, which is short by today’s standards for goaltenders, and so my thinking is that if he can turn out to be the next Anton Khudobin, I’ll be happy.

I don’t mind Edmonton taking him here because they’ll still have to wait a couple of seasons before they can bring him over BUT they won’t have to wait five or more seasons for him to be ready as they would if they’d taken the goalie I liked in this draft, Dustin Wolf. But had they not selected the double-overager who’ll be 21 next month, I’d have liked to have seen them take Semyon Chistyakov.

In the fourth round, a young Czech shooter who plays the left-wing by the name of Matej Blumel was taken. Again, probably not my first choice but at this point, it’s apparent that the Oilers were taking players that wouldn’t have to be signed very quickly. Blumel will go to play in the NCAA next season and he could spend three or four years there developing. When his time is over at the collegiate level, he’ll be in his early 20s and at that point a mature young man. His required time spent in the minors would most likely be minimal, basically allowing him to sign an ELC as an older player and really give the Oilers and decided upper hand.

Maybe Holland sees this young man as the next Jake Guentzel or something, who knows?!

Funny enough, in the 6th round, Matej Blumel’s best buddy was taken by the Oilers. Tomas Mazura played US High School for Kimball Union last year. He’s a tall lanky center with some good playmaking skills. Another long-term project.

I might’ve taken super speedster Leevi Aaltonen here or perhaps the enigmatic Blake Murray.

With their last pick, the Oilers analytics team went to work and picked a diminutive center from Craig MacTavish’s new team in Russia, Maxim Denezhkin. I won’t begin to try and describe this player for you because I have no idea who he is. To me he sounds like one of those tiny skillers that you see racking up the points in European leagues that never come over to North America.

I might’ve taken someone like Kristian Tanus, Billy Constantinou (possibly Broberg’s teammate next season), or Michael Gildon but who am I but a lowly armchair GM and scout?

All in all, I don’t think it was an amazing draft for the Oilers. I like the potential of the top two selections and I’m intrigued by the Russian netminder but my list would’ve looked a bit different at the end of the day on Saturday.

Just a couple of other notes:

  • The draft didn’t exactly shout out Bob Green to me. One player drafted out of the CHL? I wonder if his days are numbered amongst others in the scouting department, both pro, and amateur.
  • It didn’t really scream out Keith Gretzky either if I’m being honest. But his job seems to be secure, so no need to speculate there.
  • Bob Green made mention that Bill Scott should be happy because Raphael Lavoie is eligible to play in Bakersfield next season. I’m not super tight on the rules there but if that indeed is the case, 1) Would you rather see Lavoie in Bakersfield or Halifax next year and 2) Isn’t Bill Scott the director of salary cap management? Why would he be happy if Lavoie was in Bakersfield or not? I was under the impression that Keith Gretzky was the GM of the Condors…
  • Is it weird that MacTavish is going to be overseeing two of Edmonton’s draft picks in Russia next season? Green said that it was a coincidence and that the final lists were done before MacT got the job but what team in the history of the NHL finalized their draft lists in the middle of May? I call BS on Bobby here…
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The BLH 2019 Top 50 NHL Draft Prospects

As you know, I did up a list of the 50 best prospects for this year’s draft and I have to say, I think I did ok. 40 of my suggestions were indeed taken by pick #50. Here’s my list again and the pick that player was taken in brackets. The players in bold are the ones that slipped out of my top 50.

  1. (1) Jack Hughes – C – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
  2. (2) Kappo Kakko – RW – TPS (SM-Liiga)
  3. (4) Bowen Byram – LHD – Vancouver (WHL)
  4. (5) Alex Turcotte – C – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
  5. (12) Matthew Boldy – LW – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
  6. (10) Vasili Podkolzin – RW – SKA-Neva (VHL)
  7. (15) Cole Caufield – RW – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
  8. ( 16) Alex Newhook – C – Victoria (BCHL)
  9. (3) Kirby Dach – C – Saskatoon (WHL)
  10. (9) Trevor Zegras – C – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
  11. (7) Dylan Cozens – C – Lethbridge (WHL)
  12. (17) Peyton Krebs – C – Kootenay (WHL)
  13. (13) Spencer Knight – G – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
  14. (38) Raphael Lavoie – C – Halifax (QMJHL)
  15. (14) Cam York – LHD – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
  16. (11) Viktor Soderstrom – RHD – Brynas (SHL)
  17. (8) Philip Broberg – LHD – AIK (Allsvenskan)
  18. (79) Pavel Dorofeyev -LW – Magnitogorsk (KHL)
  19. (18) Thomas Harley – LHD – Mississauga (OHL)
  20. (23) Simon Holmstrom – RW – HV71 J20 (Superelit)
  21. (34) Bobby Brink – RW – Sioux City (USHL)
  22. (26) Jakob Pelletier – LW – Moncton (QMJHL)
  23. (6) Mortiz Seider – RHD – Mannheim (DEL)
  24. (40) Nils Hoglander – LW – Rogle (SHL)
  25. (22) Tobias Bjornfot – LHD – Djurgardens J20 (Superelit)
  26. (19) Lassi Thomson – RHD – Kelowna (WHL)
  27. (28) Ryan Suzuki – C – Barrie (OHL)
  28. (49) Matthew Robertson – LHD – Edmonton (WHL)
  29. (24) Phil Tomasino – C – Niagara (OHL)
  30. (25) Connor McMichael – C – London (OHL)
  31. (20) Ville Heinola – LHD – Luuko (SM-Liiga)
  32. (30) John Beecher – C – USNTDP (USHL/NCAA)
  33. (21) Samuel Poulin – RW – Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
  34. (33) Arthur Kaliyev – RW – Hamilton (OHL)
  35. (52) Vladislav Kolyachonok – LHD – Flint (OHL)
  36. (73) Patrik Puistola – RW – Tappara U20 (Jr. A SM-Liiga)
  37. (54) Robert Mastrosimone – LW – Chicago (USHL)
  38. (66) Albin Grewe – RW – Djurgardens U20 (Superelit)
  39. (117) Semyon Chistyakov – LHD – Tolpar (MHL)
  40. (29) Brayden Tracey – LW – Moose Jaw (WHL)
  41. (45) Yegor Afanseyev – LW – Muskegon (USHL)
  42. (27) Nolan Foote – LW – Kelowna (WHL)
  43. (83) Anttoni Honka – RHD – Jukurit (SM-Liiga)
  44. (31) Ryan Johnson – LHD – Sioux Falls (USHL)
  45. (49) Nic Robertson – LW – Peterborough (OHL)
  46. (88) Ilya Nikolaev – C – Loko Yaroslav (MHL)
  47. (44) Jamieson Rees – C – Sarnia
  48. (39) Jackson Lacombe – LHD – Shattuck (MIN- HS)
  49. (32) Shante Pinto – C – Tri-City (USHL)
  50. (122) Ethan Keppen – LW – Flint (OHL)
A new season means a new design! Click the image above to get the new Pulju shirt!

Jesse Puljujarvi, Gone This Week?

Late last night, Kurt Leavins of the Cult of Hockey reported that he expects the Oilers to trade Jesse Puljujarvi before July 1st and his reason why the big Finn would be dealt this week was…

  • The Oilers are tight to the salary cap.

At the time of writing, the Oilers’ cap space sits at $8.33M according to Cap Friendly or $9.4M according to Puckpedia.

Ty Rattie and Tobias Rieder aren’t being re-signed nor do I imagine Tyler Vesel and Colin Larkin are. So that leaves JJ Khaira, who’s been linked to Vancouver and our boy Pulju. Even if the Oilers were to re-up both Khaira and Puljujarvi, how much would they really cost? $3M maybe? $2M? Not enough to make a dent in my opinion.

But that said, Holland has said he needs to “sign or acquire” a backup goalie and he’d like to add some middle 6 forwards as well. He needs to free up some room on the defense because he has seven defenders on 1-way deals.

Does that mean Joonas Donskoi or the guy that Leavins said in his post, Brett Connolly, who’d probably come in around $3M?

I don’t think Connolly is going to sign for $3M at all. If Kevin Hayes is getting near $7M for a shade over 50pts last year, do we actually think that Connolly who had 46pts is going to sign $3M x 3 yrs? Not me, but Mr. Leavins and Mr. Stauffer seem to think so and they’ve got contacts that are right in the thick of things (Stauffer is tight with Connolly’s agent Gerry Johansson), so maybe I’m wrong.

So if the Oilers pay to move out Kris Russell for example, they won’t be “tight to the cap” and thus the narrative that’s being thrown out here is voided.

I’m not against the idea of trading Jesse anymore. It seems like a foregone conclusion as it is, which is a shame. I’m just not buying the reasons that are being thrown out there like “salary cap”, but if I had to read the bones on this, I feel like it’s being rushed a bit and the return for Puljujarvi isn’t going to be anything you’ll be bragging to your buddies about.

Holland has said he’s had “lots of calls, lots of calls” on Puljujarvi and Leavins repeats that. I don’t doubt they’re getting calls on him, they’ve been getting those since before Chiarelli was fired; going back to last season I believe. GMs are still trying to fleece the Oilers on him, right?

Why in the world would you trade a player so young, with so much potential to realize still for a player who “has 30-150 NHL games on their resume but with comparable struggles”? Are we thinking that this “struggling” player is going to help Edmonton win more from the bottom six than someone like Patrick Russell or Joe Gambardella?

Maybe Holland is softening his tough stance on Jesse since he said he’d be happy to watch him score lots of goals in Finland last week? Maybe the offers are getting better? Who knows?

I’m just saying, none of this is adding up. You?

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!

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).

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

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.

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.

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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

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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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Edmonton Oilers, NHL, NHL Entry Draft, Prospects

@TPEHockey’s 2019 Mid-Season NHL Draft Rankings

1) Jack Hughes C (USNTDP, USHL) – 179cm, 73kg

It was unfortunate that due to injury Hughes missed much of the World Juniors. Although in his few games we saw his unparalleled skating ability and skill. He registered an assist in each of his games and played a crucial role in the Americans silver medal run.

From what I saw, Hughes was the best player on the ice every time he went out. He had an especially good game against Russia where, when given ice time, he was clearly the best player on either team. It was really too bad the USA staff favorited their veterans over their better young stars.

2) Kaapo Kakko RW (TPS Turku, Liiga) – 186cm, 82kg

The gold medal-winning Kaapo Kakko played an enormous role in Finland’s gold medal run. He scored the game winner in the finals and was clearly a top 2-3 player for Finland. In my opinion, only Aleksi Heponiemi played better for Finland.

Kakko has gotten a lot of attention as a possible #1 pick after this performance, but personally, I still see Hughes as better. Nonetheless, Kakko still shows the top talent and hockey IQ in the class outside of Hughes. Nobody is even close to challenging Kakko for the 2nd spot.

3) Dylan Cozens C (Lethbridge Hurricanes, WHL) – 191cm, 80kg

Outside of Hughes and Kakko, Cozens is clearly the most NHL ready player in the class. He has the size and speed to hold his own in the NHL right now. The top 3 players are the only players could survive the NHL game right now. His straight line speed is the best of the 6ft plus players in the draft class. He’s also got an NHL ready shot and elite playmaking abilities. If a team wants an immediate solution at the 3rd or possibly 2nd line center spot, and a future number one center then Cozens is the guy.

4) Trevor Zegras C (USNTDP, USHL) – 180cm, 72kg

Nobody is trending up like Zegras has been. During Turcotte’s now ended absence, Zegras showed he is every bit as good as anyone in the draft class. He’s outproduced Hughes in the USHL and sees the ice as good as Hughes does. To continue the Hughes comparisons Zegras plays exactly like him. He usually plays center but due to some new found chemistry and Turcotte’s return, he’s being tested out on Hughes’ wing. Zegras is the 2nd out of 3 possibly elite centers out of the NTDP.

5) Alex Turcotte C (USNTDP, USHL) – 180cm, 88kg

The 3rd NTDP center in the top 5 is Alex Turcotte. The draft’s second-best skater is finally back from his injury that has cost him his entire season up until a few weeks ago. It hasn’t taken him long at all to get back up to pace as he’s already had a 3 point game against a collegiate opponent. With the rise of Zegras in his absence, there will be a coming battle between the two as to who the 2nd best center out of the NTDP will be.

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6) Kirby Dach C (Saskatoon Blades, WHL) – 192cm, 84kg

Saying Kirby Dach hasn’t had a good month is an understatement. In December, Dach scored only 4 points in 10 games with 3 of those points being in the last game of the month. He went on a 7 game point drought and had 1 point in his 1st 9 games. None the less, Dach is still one of the best players in the class. He has exceptional playmaking skill, underused shooting ability, and two-way prowess.

7) Peyton Krebs C/LW (Kootenay Ice, WHL) – 180cm, 78kg

Krebs continues to tear up the WHL without any support from his Kootenay Ice teammates. Krebs is the only major offensive driver on his team and still manages to be at over 1.2 points per game. None of his teammates are even close to one point per game with the highest being 0.79. Krebs has begun to be one of the more underrated players in the class. He’s showing he’s every bit as good as his fellow WHL stars in Cozens and Dach.

8) Alex Newhook C (Victoria Grizzlies, BCHL) – 180cm, 83kg

It’s really too bad that Newhook is stuck playing in the BCHL. He clearly exceeds the talent level in that league and is totally dominant. Newhook looked less than dominant at the recent World Junior A Challenge when the best players in non-CHL junior leagues compete for their countries. He was outplayed by players like Bobby Brink and Vasili Podkolzin, who will be found further down this list. Due to the lack of exposure in the BCHL, it’s going to be important for him to have a good showing at the U18 World Juniors.

9) Bowen Byram D (Vancouver Giants, WHL) – 183cm, 81kg

Vancouver’s star defender has rounded out another impressive month for the Giants. Byram has been a consistent threat from the blue line all season. He’s shown abilities in every aspect of the game including defense which many young flashy defensemen tend to lack. He’s up there as the best transitional defensemen in the class and impresses offensively. Expect Byram to plant himself in a top 10 spot as he continues to dominate the WHL from the blue line.

10) Ryan Suzuki C (Barrie Colts, OHL) – 183cm, 78kg

Ryan Suzuki has had a drop off in his stats as of late, but statistics don’t reflect the prowess of Suzuki. He is clearly the best passer in the draft, in my eyes. He makes impossible passes that you’d think he wouldn’t be able to see. He has unrivaled vision of the ice. He seems similar to your player in NHL 19 that can see the entire ice and make crazy passes because you have a bird’s eye view of the game.

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11) Cole Caufield RW/C (USNTDP, USHL) – 168cm, 70kg

Nobody in this class has the nose for the net that Caufield does. In the NTDP college cross over game, Caufield has 12 goals in 16 games. These goal counts from a draft eligible player is unheard of. Teams have learned from the success of Alex DeBrincat and getting Caufield anywhere past the 15th pick would be an absolute steal.

12) Bobby Brink RW (Sioux City, USHL) – 178cm, 75kg

Despite an injury, Brink has moved up my list. He’s been out for a while, but the more I watch him the more I like him. He does everything right, and it’s a shame he won’t be able to go to the U18 World Juniors since he isn’t on the NTDP. Playing in the USHL he doesn’t get the exposure other prospects do. It will be interesting to see where he ends up going come draft day.

13) Ville Heinola D (Lukko, Liiga) – 180cm, 80kg

Heinola is my sleeper pick to be the best defensemen out of this draft. Bowen Byram still remains well ahead of him but Heinola has surprised us before. He played as a top pairing defenseman for the gold medal-winning Finnish team alongside Henri Jokiharju. He thrived in that role not only showing offensive acumen, but very good defense too. While he hasn’t gotten a lot of attention up until now I think that will change after his WJC performance.

14) Vasili Podkolzin RW (SKA St. Petersburg, MHL) – 181cm, 75kg

Podkolzin is another draft-eligible player that attended the World Juniors. He seemed a bit out of his league but was able to hold his own and be a productive player. One of my criticisms of his play at that tournament was that often he would lose the puck in his feet and have his head down. Multiple times the tougher competition would realize that and he’d get lit up. This is less of a big criticism and more of a sign of a bigger problem. Podkolzin has the skill, strength, power, and versatility to be a great NHLer, but it’s the little things he seems to get wrong.

15) Arthur Kaliyev LW (Hamilton Bulldogs, OHL) – 188cm, 86kg

In terms of statistics, Kaliyev is one of the top performers. He’s got 33 goals in 42 games as a 17-year-old in the OHL and is on pace for over 100 points. With that, there is still some controversy around him. Many scouting services still have him ranked in the late first round due to some consistency, skating, and a few other small problems. For me, I see some of the same problems with Kaliyev but his sheer production is starting to override any doubts.

16) Anttoni Honka D (KeuPa, Mestis) – 179cm, 77kg

Nobody has fallen this season like Honka. At the World Juniors Summer Showcase Honka looked like the top 5 player we thought he could be last season. He had the trust of the Finnish staff and looked to be an important part of the World Junior team. But at the World Juniors Honka played the 7th defensemen spot and the Finnish coaching staff clearly had no confidence in him. It’s frustrating to see such a great player fall off as he has.

17) Connor McMichael C (London Knights, OHL) – 183cm, 77kg

With high expectations of players like Alex Formenton and Liam Foudy, they have both been outplayed by Connor McMichael. He’s been London’s best forward throughout every game. He’s got great vision for the ice and blazing speed. McMichael also plays a great 200ft game. It looks like London is going to have a player selected in the first round again.

18) Jakob Pelletier C/W (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL) – 175cm, 72kg

Jakob Pelletier is another player ripping up the CHL. He’s been a key part of the Moncton Wildcats offense. He’s been one of the more underrated and underexposed players in the draft.

19) Mikko Kokkonen D (Jukurit, Liiga) – 180cm, 86kg

Kokkonen has been an offensive dynamo for Jukurit in the Liiga. To put things in perspective, Miro Heiskanen finished his draft year with 10 points in 37 Liiga games. Kokkonen, on the other hand, already has 13 points in 36 games. It was criminal that Kokkonen was not named to the Finnish World Junior team.

20) Matthew Boldy C/W (USNTDP, USHL) – 183cm, 79kg

Boldy is going to be a favorite for many NHL teams. As big, fast, skilled power forward Boldy can contribute with goals, assists, and physical play. I’d consider Boldy to be one of the “safer” picks in the first round with a very high floor.

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21) Raphaël Lavoie C/W (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL) – 193cm, 87kg

The only 2019 eligible player named to the Canadian World Juniors selection camp was Lavoie. It was really unfortunate for Lavoie that he didn’t make the team because he hasn’t lived up to last season’s expectations and he hoped to prove himself at the World Juniors. Hopefully being cut will motivate him to get back on track.

22) Philip Broberg D (AIK, Allsvenskan) – 190cm, 90kg

The large and powerful skating defender out of AIK in the Allsvenskan finally got his first goal of the season recently. Broberg has been steadily adjusting to the pro game since his rough start to the regular season. While I think Broberg has been massively overhyped he’s still a solid option for a team looking for an offensive defenseman.

23) Moritz Seider D (Alder Mannheim, DEL) – 192cm, 83kg

Seider has been quite the force in the German league after returning from a more than dominant performance in the second-ranked division of the World Juniors. He served as captain and earned Germany a promotion to the main division of the World Juniors. The defenseman was astoundingly good by all accounts. He scored at more than a point per game and ended the tournament only one point behind 2018 first rounder Dominik Bokk (STL) for the lead in points.

Remember that Seider is doing this all from the blue line, and is more of a two-way defender than an all offense guy.

24) Cam York D (USNTDP, USHL) – 180cm, 75kg

The best of the NTDP blueliners hasn’t had the great season we’d hoped for, but he remains an integral part of the NTDP. He’s the best American puck-moving defensemen and has two-way abilities.

25) Spencer Knight G (USNTDP, USHL) – 191cm, 90kg

Knight remains as the top goaltender in the draft. He was the third goalie for the Americans at the World Juniors but didn’t get into any games. He’s a big, aggressive goalie that has been able to handle collegiate competition with the NTDP. Watch for him to be a player that jumps up on draft day to a team in need of goaltending.

26) Nathan Légaré F (Baie-Comeau Drakkar, QMJHL) – 182cm, 89kg

Légaré has been a big offensive producer all season. He’s on pace to be just short of 100 points by the end of the season. He has benefited a lot from being on a very high scoring Baie-Comeau team.

27) Alex Vlasic D (USNTDP, USHL) – 196cm, 86kg

Standing on the blueline at 6’6” (197cm) Alex Vlasic immediately stands out. Being a such a vertically gifted defensemen Vlasic is an easy candidate to be overrated. Although I don’t think this is the case. Vlasic is more than just imposing. He can shoot, move the puck, and defend exceptionally well.

28) Nils Höglander LW (Rögle BK, SHL) – 174cm, 84kg

The first Swedish forward off the board comes pretty late. After a tough start to the season, Höglander has shown he can contribute for Rögle in the SHL. He’s been able to score and play physically at the pro level. Watch for Höglander to be one of the more NHL ready players in the class, and he could surprise people by making the NHL a little earlier than you’d think from a late 1st pick.

29) Dustin Wolf G (Everett Silvertips, WHL) – 183cm, 73kg

The anchor in the CHL’s 4th ranked team’s net has been Dustin Wolf all season long. Before the acquisition of a reliable back up, Wolf played nearly every game. Wolf is top 5 in WHL GAA, save percentage, wins, and shutouts at 17. Dustin Wolf has also increased his assists total this season to 4. This gives him 8 career WHL assists in 60 games.

30) Nick Robertson C/LW (Peterborough Petes, OHL) – 175cm, 76kg

The brother of top performing American World Junior player Jason Robertson has a similar outlook as his brother. Injuries derailed his season early, but he’s recovered and become the Peterborough Petes best player. He’s one of the more underrated players in the class.

31) Pavel Dorofeyev W (Stalnye Lisy/Metallurg Magnitogorsk, MHL/KHL) – 184cm, 74kg

The hard-working winger and Nizhny Tagil, Russia product has been a player worth watching all season. He’s split time between the KHL and MHL but has shown his best in the MHL. Dorofeyev is phenomenal on special teams and a great forechecker.

Follow Max on Twitter @TPEHockey

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