Quoting: Eberles_Backcheck
Random sens fan claims Lavoie is unlikely to ever play in the NHL. Take it to the bank.
Well, I am near Montreal, easy to follow the QMJHL here. I have known Lavoie since 2017. What about you? There's a guy I listen a lot too called Stephane Leroux who is like an encyclopedia on Q players. By the way, I know his father... he's the mayor of a very nearby city
Pre draft, Lavoie was ranked 21st on average by 14 different sources
https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/nhl-entry-draft-picks-2019/2019/6/21/18692160/2019-nhl-draft-rankings-consensus-hughes-kakko-bob-mckenzie-athletic-hockey-prospects
Ottawa had 2 opportunities to draft Lavoie in the 2nd round before the Oilers took him 38th, they took Pinto 32nd (ranked 45th on that list) and Sogaard 37th (ranked 69th on that list)... I don't think they regret their choices at all, Pinto is a stud in the making and Sogaard has beast potential.
Also, does the Oilers draft success inspires confidence to you? Because for me, it really doesn't
All that being said, I edited because I should have said "as a regular". I can't see NHL coaches being able to endure his lack of defensive awareness. Mind you, I thought Mike Hoffman would be a "cup-of-coffee" player back then, but he brought high end offense so he made it (his 2-way game has always been a weakness). If Lavoie can also bring high level offense, then he could also stick. I have been "right" on a ton of NHL players before (which allowed me to make good sums of money), and my "success ratio" has gotten higher over time. It's quite good nowadays but not saying I can't be wrong, player development is not linear so Lavoie could find a way