Team: 2019-20 Edmonton Oilers

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 24, 2019

Published: Aug. 10, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Thanks Dangle! Tiers are as listed and players are ranked top to bottom in each tier.

Goaltenders are voodoo so I've just ranked them on how I see the organizational depth as-is. Starrett should be the backup next season barring a collapse this season, and Konavalov is worth keeping an eye on but I won't make any rash decisions until he's had a year of North American pro. Rodrigue has more pedigree than Skinner and Wells, and is likely to have a higher ceiling. I actually think the lesser of Skinner and Wells will be traded this calendar year.

Tier 1:
The Oilers do not have any "elite" prospects, this is a section typically reserved for like 1st, maybe 2nd, overall picks.

Tier 2:
Broberg and Bouchard - development pending - could be the top-pairing of the Oilers for the next decade. Both have the toolboxes and potential to be the cornerstones of a cup-winning blueline, but they have to get there first. Bouchard's cup of tea during the AHL playoffs left many Oilers fans salivating at the possibility of what he can do at the next level. Broberg has looked comfortably ahead of his peers at the WJC Summer Showcase, and a year playing against men is going to prepare him for turning pro in North America. My only issue is that it may stunt his offensive potential, but that could be regained in the AHL or even developed in the SHL based on usage and his time at the upcoming WJC's.

Tier 3:
Benson and Jones are projected to make the NHL roster this season, so I won't go too in-depth on them. Samorukov sits at the top of this pool based on his dominance during the latter-half of the OHL season: he was a force for Russia in last years' WJC's and he thrived in Guelph once Merkley was traded. He has the toolbox to be a top-pairing guy but it's more likely that he's bee a really good #3 behind Broberg and Bouchard. Lavoie is more apt to excel as a power winger than as a center, and his options for partner centers on the Oilers bodes well for his career. McLeod ranks in lower, as his +1 year in junior left a lot to be desired. His skillset and speed are still highly attractive however and should probably make the team after a year in the minors.

Tier 4:
Yamamoto finds himself sliding in the prospect pool due to injuries, and if he can show that his wrist is sorted out for good this season, there's no reason he can't slingshot himself back up a tier come this time next year. This is very much a sh*t-or-get-off-the-pot year for Kailer, as the team is desperate for scoring wingers and his opportunity for an NHL paycheque will not be better next summer. Marody lacks the boots to be a high-end NHL option but should make an NHL career for himself as a skilled 4th-line forward that won't sink you if he has to play 3rd-line minutes. Lagesson has the skillset of a modern shut-down defender but will need to show that he can skate at an NHL level to remain in the league long-term. Berglund and Kemp have the size and skill to suggest that they could one day be steady NHL options, but don't have exceptionally high ceilings.

Tier 5:
Bear is not strong defensively and has seen his development shunted by injury: his cannon of a shot makes him a strong powerplay option but his options quickly run out after that. Likely trade fodder (as early as this upcoming deadline) for a team willing to bank on him being able to stay afloat on a bottom-pair with a more stable defender. I have Maksimov here because he definitely has the skillset to one-day end up as McDavid's winger but is unlikely to thrive as a 3rd-line checking winger. I've found it incredibly hard to gauge where he could end up and a couple years of professional hockey is going to be incredibly telling as to where he stands in the prospect system. Very much a boom-or-bust prospect, and could be a gem of a late find.

Tier 6:
Kesselring is a huge unknown that I want to keep an eye on, and the duo of Hebig and Safin are looking to be AHL-journeymen at best. The bottom of the list is just too hard to quantify, as I haven't seen a lot from the likes of Blumel, Mazura, and Denezhkin. Any names in the system that I didn't list here are one-and-a-million longshots to make the AHL in a meaningful way, nevermind the NHL. Granted, Siikanen might be a diamond in the rough, but nothing else in the system inspires any confidence. I doubt Hawkey sticks with the Oilers' system and genuinely figured they would have traded him for some kind of return by now.

I think the 2020 draft is another year where the Oilers need to prioritize skilled forwards: the LW prospects leave a lot to be desired in terms of top-options, and if RNH is to be moved, another skilled pivot should be sought. Right-handed defenders are still going to be a wanted commodity, as the team looks to be really riding on Bouchard being a top-guy and one of Berglund, Kemp, or Kesselring over-achieving and being able to step into a top-4 role. I'm uncomfortable suggesting the Oilers have a prospective 1A/1B goaltender situation in their pool, and that acquiring an additional 2020 First round Pick and finding a way to draft Askarov would not be a horrible idea. I think EP Rinkside was justified in ranking the Oilers prospect pool in the bottom-half of the league (17th): there are good pieces here but everything's still a longshot. Edmonton likely being a lottery team this season sucks for the players and the fanbase, but it's probably a necessary evil from an organizational standpoint.