By 2023-24 this team could more than a Contender, it could be a Dynasty. And that's without making massive changes: in fact the only big change I made was in net, by bringing in another goalie when Smith's contract expires. I'm not partial to Jarry, it could be Varlamov or Campbell or whomever, this team is going to score so much that they'll just need a competent netminder back there.
Aside from additional maturity and experience for current young players (it's a given that guys like Puljujarvi, Yamamoto, Bouchard, Skinner and McLeod will be better in 2 years), here's where the improvements are coming from:
- Broberg. At this point Broberg is tracking well ahead of Klefbom at the same age, he's showing a lot more offense than Klefbom and more offensive ability than most give him credit for.
- Samorukov. One of the top defensive defensemen in the KHL last season, he looked prime to win a roster spot at training camp this year until he got injured. He's playing again in the AHL now, but playing with your jaw wired shut can't be easy. He's an NHL caliber defender who will be in the NHL later this season. In 2 years he'll be better than the "3rd pairing" designation indicates.
- Holloway. Dylan Holloway led the entire NCAA in P/GP as a sophomore last season (draft +1) until he got injured. Yes, he was outscoring teammate Cole Caufield... plus he's a center, he's big, strong and an elite skater. If he had come through the WHL he'd have been a top-5 pick. He projects easily a 2C in the NHL (possibly 1C) and so will be the best 3C in the league in 2 years. He would have been the team's 3C today if not for the fact that his injury didn't heal properly and he had to have further surgery.
- Bourgault. Another mid-1st who is outperforming his draft position already, XB is posting an NHLe of 44 in his draft+1. That's among the best of all 2021 draft picks. If he keeps playing like this he'll be too good for the Q next season, projecting him into the NHL top-6 in 2 years is perfectly reasonable IMO. He's currently leading the entire CHL in both goals and points.
- Savoie. A 4th round pick in the 2020 draft, he has so far matched Cole Caufield's draft+1 and draft+2 stats in the NCAA while playing in a tougher conference. His scouting report reads a lot like Caufield's does too - undersized skill winger with an incredible shot. Should eat up all those beautiful Draisaitl passes. He's currently scoring at an NHLe rate of 36 goals and 61 points - wow. Dynamite. I'm projecting he starts the 2022-23 season in the AHL and gets recalled late in the season.
- Tullio. Another late round steal, Tullio was taken in the 5th round 2020 right after Savoie. He's killing it in the OHL again this year with an NHLe of 42. His play style is very much modeled after Gallagher and Marchand, he's a small but strong agitator who is good defensively and will also put up a bunch of points: he's currently 3rd in the OHL, although he's played fewer games than the 2 guys ahead of him. It's easy to see him playing a complete season in the AHL next year and being a solid bottom-6 forward after that.
- Petrov. I didn't even include him on my roster because I'm figuring on him spending this season and next in the OHL and then 23-24 in the AHL, although he certainly skilled enough to short-circuit that plan. He has scored 16, 12-9-21 in the OHL, good for 3rd in goals and 10th in points, as a rookie. The 6'2, swift skating Russian winger was selected in the 6th round just a few months ago. Clearly he was under scouted. NHLe is 20 goals, 35 points.
I think a lot of people are underrating this team's prospect pool. I think Wright and his predecessor have done very well, they've likely found 2 NHL players per draft and probably 3 in 2020.
The Oilers are now developing players properly too.
I think a lot of people are underrating this team's prospect pool. I think Wright and his predecessor have done very well, they've likely found 2 NHL players per draft and probably 3 in 2020.
The Oilers are now developing players properly too.
Agreed. Drafting has been continuously improving. Development system in place now is far far better than we have ever had. Soo many options coming in the next couple years is going to force some very interesting choices.
Agreed. Drafting has been continuously improving. Development system in place now is far far better than we have ever had. Soo many options coming in the next couple years is going to force some very interesting choices.
Sure will. I read somewhere that NHL teams net 1.5 players per draft on average. Edmonton has been doing better IMO, although it's early yet.
NHL players and projected NHL players by draft:
2015
1. McDavid*
4. Jones*
5. Bear*
6. Marino*
2016
1. Puljujarvi*
2. Benson*
3. Niemeläinen / Berglund have a chance
2017
1. Yamamoto*
3. Skinner*
3. Samorukov
2018
1. Bouchard*
2 McLeod*
2019
1. Broberg
2. Lavoie
3. Konovalov
2020
1. Holloway
4. Savoie
5. Tullio
2021
1. Bourgault
6. Petrov
Obviously there's less certainty in the more recent drafts, but these are the players who are on track for an NHL career of some description.
Nah, the Oilers already have at least 3 better goalies. Best to keep him in BJ-land, where sucking is the norm.
Oilers have made the playoffs twice in the last 15 years lol, Got swept in the first round one of those years. They had the best player in the history of the sport on their team for six of those years too.
Oilers have made the playoffs twice in the last 15 years lol, Got swept in the first round one of those years. They had the best player in the history of the sport on their team for six of those years too.
NHL calls it post season. They happen to be the authority on the matter.
Exactly, they call it the postseason but they dont call it the playoffs. They call it the qualifying round. Either way, you didn't even make it to the round of 16
Exactly, they call it the postseason but they dont call it the playoffs. They call it the qualifying round. Either way, you didn't even make it to the round of 16
*I* wasn't involved.
Playoffs/ postseason mean the same thing, don't be pedantic.
The Oilers were 9th in the league when the regular season ended and 4th in the Western Conference, they were a playoff team no matter how you look at it.
Exactly, they call it the postseason but they dont call it the playoffs. They call it the qualifying round. Either way, you didn't even make it to the round of 16
Quoting: CD282
*I* wasn't involved.
Playoffs/ postseason mean the same thing, don't be pedantic.
The Oilers were 9th in the league when the regular season ended and 4th in the Western Conference, they were a playoff team no matter how you look at it.
None of this has anything to do with the fact that Korpisalo sucks and nobody wants him. All this is is a weak attempt at trolling.
Playoffs/ postseason mean the same thing, don't be pedantic.
The Oilers were 9th in the league when the regular season ended and 4th in the Western Conference, they were a playoff team no matter how you look at it.
I know *you* weren't involved. don't be pedantic.
If it actually counted as a real playoff win they would call it the first round of the playoffs, not the qualifying round with the following round being called the first round of the playoffs
None of this has anything to do with the fact that Korpisalo sucks and nobody wants him. All this is is a weak attempt at trolling.
Go somewhere else please.
You said that sucking is the norm for the jackets so I thought I'd point out the massive disappointment that the Oilers have been for just about as long as the Jackets have existed. Not my fault you had to keep replying
You said that sucking is the norm for the jackets so I thought I'd point out the massive disappointment that the Oilers have been for just about as long as the Jackets have existed. Not my fault you had to keep replying
I see you completely missed the play on words. Oh well, can't expect much from someone with such a username.
I see you completely missed the play on words. Oh well, can't expect much from someone with such a username.
I got your play on words obviously i understood considering your reference was the exact reference my username makes. You used it also in the context of the Jackets being bad so I had to point out that your favorite franchise is one of the more disappointing ones of the last 15 years
I really think this team can be special when these prospects arrive, they're that good. The thing is, how do we get from here to there without the fanbase revolting?
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Bourgault,
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