Scout’s Analysis: picks, prospects Oilers may supply in commerce

The Edmonton Oilers got here inside one sport of profitable the Stanley Cup final June, so there is no mistaking that this group is in win-now mode. As we get near the March 7 NHL commerce deadline, Edmonton will certainly be seeking to enhance its roster for an additional post-season run.

Recent outcomes have unearthed many questions relating to the type of participant, or gamers, administration ought to goal. Edmonton has been outscored 26-14 over their present five-game shedding streak. They’re a fragile staff proper now.

As the Oilers look to handle some wants and add gamers, potential commerce companions are going by way of the method of inserting worth on Edmonton’s prospects and draft capital compared to different groups across the league. 

Here’s a take a look at some prospects and draft slots the Oilers have to supply:

Since 2021 the Oilers have solely made 5 picks within the first two rounds of the draft. Only a kind of picks, ahead Xavier Bourgault, was chosen inside the highest 25 (22^nd total in 2021) and he’s now not with the group. Over the course of two drafts (2022 and 2023) Edmonton solely made seven picks in complete.  

Last June the Oilers made seven complete picks, together with London Knights ahead Sam O’Reilly (32^nd) and Finnish goaltender Emil Vinni (64^th), however the remainder of their picks got here after the fourth-round. 

This has resulted in one thing predictable: Edmonton is not dealing from a place of power on the subject of evaluating their prospect depth to different groups within the NHL. 

Nonetheless, here is a take a look at who might draw some curiosity.

Matthew Savoie, F, 5-foot-9, 170 kilos
Age: 21

Savoie is an exception to what I’m outlining above. He was a prime 10 decide in 2022 (ninth total by Buffalo) who the Oilers acquired within the commerce that despatched Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio to the Sabres. 

Savoie is Edmonton’s prime prospect. He’s performed to his offensive identification on the AHL stage in Bakersfield and presently sits second in staff scoring (13G-24A), which earned him a possibility with the massive membership. Savoie has wearing all three of the Oilers’ video games popping out of the 4 Nations Face-Off and contributed an help in Edmonton’s 6-3 loss to Philadelphia on January 22. 

At the AHL stage Savoie’s total sport has advanced to the purpose he’s being deployed in all conditions and averaging over 19 minutes per sport in ice time. He desires the puck on his stick, sees the ice very effectively, and is equally harmful distributing or directing performs on web. He works the flank on the ability play, makes performs rapidly, and has a fast launch. Defensively he’s working laborious to win puck battles and is mostly alert in his zone. His plus-16 ranking is a really optimistic statistic for a rookie ahead.

I’m optimistic the Oilers would like to not embody Savoie in any trades they’re exploring, however groups will probably be asking for him and, as famous, Edmonton is in win-now mode in order that they have to think about all choices out there to them. 

NHL Projection: Middle six ahead at even power. Potential first-unit energy play. 

Sam O’Reilly, F, 6-foot-1, 184 kilos
Age: 18

O’Reilly is a stable prospect who initiatives to be a two-way ahead on the NHL stage. He performs the sport with three-zone element and has the flexibility for use in a wide range of roles. The London Knights ahead has produced 18G-35A offensively. Even extra spectacular is his plus-44 ranking by way of London’s first 53 video games. He averages over 18 minutes of ice time and is deployed in all conditions. 

O’Reilly isn’t bodily punishing, however he doesn’t shrink back from visitors or battling to increase performs alongside the wall. I’m unsure what his ceiling will probably be offensively on the professional stage, however the best way he executes in all three zones makes him a lovely goal in commerce discussions. 

NHL Projection: Middle six ahead. Secondary offence. Bulk of ice time will come at even power and penalty-kill.

Beau Akey, D, 6-feet, 183 kilos
Age: 20 

The Oilers chosen Akey within the second spherical (56^th total) in 2023. He’s a barely constructed two-way/transitional defender who’s enjoying for the Barrie Colts within the OHL. Akey was additionally a member of Canada’s world junior staff this previous Christmas. 

Akey logs over 22 minutes per sport on the junior stage. Almost all of his shifts come at even power and the ability play, which he quarterbacks. He’s very hardly ever used on the penalty-kill. He’s a succesful distributor whose agility permits him to stroll the blue line to open up passing lanes. Akey undoubtedly leans playmaker greater than shooter. He’s solely potted 24 objectives in his OHL profession, in comparison with 76 assists. 

Akey is a stable skater. He has the quickness to leap to house forward of opponents to kill performs defensively, and the open ice tempo to guide or be part of the push offensively. If he will get caught up ice, he typically has the velocity to trace again on time and return to place. He isn’t overly bodily, as a substitute counting on correct physique place and an lively stick in his zone, particularly round his crease. 

Akey is a pleasant prospect, however he’ll want time to show he can defend towards larger, stronger, extra detailed skilled skaters. He does have the potential to offer a secondary layer of offence, which makes him a extra enticing goal in potential commerce discussions. 

NHL Projection: Two-way, transitional. Middle to backside pairing defenceman at even power. Potential second unit energy play quarterback.

Shane Lachance, F, 6-foot-4, 218 kilos
Age: 21

The Oilers chosen Lachance within the sixth spherical (186^th total) in 2021. He’s the captain at Boston University and is ending up his sophomore season. 

Lachance provides opponents all they will deal with within the laborious areas of the offensive zone. He has the dimensions, and attain, to increase performs alongside the boards and across the crease. When he units up across the web, he’s very tough to maneuver out of the best way and is an enormous distraction for goalies looking for pucks. 

Lachance brings a mix of objective scoring and playmaking. Most of his assists come from easy small space performs when he extends zone time and chips pucks to teammates. His quickness has improved an awesome deal since his draft yr. He’s able to skating performs by way of the impartial zone, however can’t be described as a risk off the push. 

Lachance averages over 17 minutes per sport at BU. The bulk of his ice time comes at even power and the ability play. On the ability play he units up on the web entrance or within the bumper place. He’s produced 23G-29A in 72 complete school video games. 

I’m keeping track of how different groups worth Lachance on the commerce deadline. He might be a reputation that’s included in a deal and finally ends up popping out of faculty on the finish of the yr. 

NHL Projection: Bottom six ahead at even power. Potential second unit energy play. Power ahead.

The Oilers lack capital within the upcoming draft, however their board is fairly flush with picks in 2026 and 2027. They have the pliability to incorporate second-round picks within the subsequent three draft cycles. They don’t personal a first-round decide this yr, however my feeling is groups will probably be extra all for their first spherical slots in 2026 and 2027. This draft cycle isn’t as flush with high-end expertise in direction of on the finish of the first-round. Not having a primary this yr isn’t essentially a detriment for Edmonton when speaking commerce with different groups. 

Edmonton’s prospect cabinet isn’t utterly naked, however they don’t have a ton of high-end expertise of their system. The staff has sacrificed draft picks up to now and the result’s predictable. The Oilers, in my view, solely have one grade “A” prospect that groups may have curiosity in and that’s newly acquired Savoie. The different names I’ve proposed have potential to be mid-range NHL gamers, maybe solely position gamers after they mature.