The Edmonton Oilers do not have essentially the most gifted prospect pool, which has dwindled over the previous 12 months after trades and gamers like Stuart Skinner, Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg graduated from the NHL. However they’ve some strong gamers to look at and different potential gems within the system.
There’s rather a lot to stay up for with strong prospects in each place, however as a year-round contender, it is comprehensible the Oilers system is not awash with elite expertise. Beneath, I’ve ranked the Oilers’ prime 10 prospects for 2023-24 primarily based on their plans for the long run in Edmonton.
10. Luca Munzenberger
Luca Munzenberger continues to be a good distance from becoming a member of the Oilers and will not catch anybody’s consideration together with his offensive play. That is not why the crew drafted him in 2021, although. There’s all the time a necessity for a stopping defenseman, and he is doing it nicely, hopefully in a position to complement a number of the offensive-minded defenders the Oilers have already got at fullback.
Dobber Prospects described him as a “defensively accountable defender with strong dimension and mobility. Makes easy performs to ease the strain and makes first cross out of the defensive zone. Does not have a lot affect offensively however has level kick. A few of Munzenberger’s strengths throughout video games could be ignored, however play an enormous position in his crew’s success. Evasions are vital, particularly on level crew just like the Oilers, and extra pucks on the web from the purpose are all the time good. The previous third-round decide is but to signal with the Oilers and nonetheless performs Division I hockey. When he turns professional, we’ll get a greater have a look at him and what he may deliver to the group sooner or later.
9. Carter Savoy
Carter Savoie had a troublesome rookie marketing campaign within the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2022-23. Nevertheless, it was solely his first skilled season, and a few gamers develop otherwise. The previous fourth-round decide was transitioning from faculty, which is an enormous change. He struggled to place up factors, and in comparison with the Bakersfield Condors’ different AHL rookies, he took a little bit of a again seat. It was just one offseason, and plenty of prospects take greater than a 12 months to grow to be an impactful participant. He additionally picked up the harm which did not assist however there may be nonetheless hope for the 21-year-old winger, who will look to have a greater season in 2023-24. Do not anticipate NHL ice time simply but. He has rather a lot to show at skilled stage and the gamers forward of him within the depth charts to cross.
8. Maxim Beriozkin
The Oilers have a couple of prospects enjoying within the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), together with Maxim Beryozkin. He was drafted within the fifth spherical in 2020, has been enjoying in Russia since earlier than his draft 12 months and continues to be there with spectacular numbers. The 21-year-old now has 114 video games of KHL expertise and reached a milestone final season.
He performs on the wing in a midfield position and after registering only one objective and 4 factors in his first 62 video games, he scored seven objectives and 26 factors in 52 video games in 2022-23, serving to within the playoffs. Anticipate to remain within the KHL for a couple of extra seasons earlier than coming to North America, however he may make the leap to the NHL then.
7. Nikita Yevseyev
Nikita Yevseyev can be doing nicely within the KHL. He performed a full season in Russia’s prime league as a defender at 18, and his skilled profession took off on the fitting foot. He is sturdy defensively with flashes of offensive capability, as he isn’t afraid to get in on the motion. He will not be coming to North America anytime quickly, nevertheless it might be good for him to proceed enjoying skilled hockey in a robust league. He may be definitely worth the wait if he completes his recreation.
6. Max Wander
Max Wanner is a lesser identified Oilers prospect who has come by way of the ranks and impressed. Not solely has he made nice strides over the previous 12 months, however he is additionally placed on an important efficiency in rookie camp. He’s anticipated to play within the AHL this season as a rookie after leaving the Western Hockey League (WHL). In rookie camp, he was enjoying on prime pair subsequent to Broberg and regarded nice (from “Ouch! Edmonton Oilers Have One Of NHL’s Worst Prospect Swimming pools, In accordance To Draft Professional,” Edmonton newspaperJuly 5, 2023).
Wanner has dimension, energy and tenacity, however his confidence is at an all time excessive. He is probably not known as as much as the NHL this season, but when he retains up the tempo, we’ll see him sooner slightly than later in an Oilers jersey. He could have began out as a defensive-minded participant, however he is blossomed into a superb two-way presence on the again. Proper-handed defensemen are harder to seek out, and there can be room on the street for him to carve out a spot within the NHL.
5. Olivier Rodrigue
Olivier Rodrigue might be the subsequent goaltender for the Oilers. His path is just like that of Stuart Skinner as they each struggled as soon as they turned professional however discovered their recreation. That is precisely what Rodrigue did final season, taking his save share to a decent .912 SV%. He must be given extra reins, as there must be no demotion to the ECHL in 2023-24. He should be a couple of seasons away from breaking into the NHL at 23, however he is positively heading in the right direction. We’ll see if the previous second-round decide can dwell as much as expectations and carry out even higher with a reasonably strong AHL crew forward of him.
4. Raphael Lavoie
Raphael Lavoie is the closest to being prepared for the NHL, however he has but to play a recreation for the Oilers. His final two seasons within the AHL have been very eventful, however after recovering from a nagging harm, he got here again and lit up the league, exhibiting us precisely the extent he can attain. He has reached a deal that reveals he’s betting on himself to play within the NHL this season as his cap can be $874,1125 AAV. The Oilers do not have a lot cap house to work with and it will have been simpler for the crew to suit him in if he had taken $750,000 AAV. With a strong coaching camp, he must be a part of the crew.
Lavoie is large, very sturdy with the puck and has shot. After posting 25 objectives and 45 factors in 61 video games (together with 42 factors within the final 48 video games) in 2022-23, his fashion of play mixed together with his peak is one thing very thrilling. Even when he does not crack the opening night time roster, there is no doubt we’ll see him within the NHL sooner or later in 2023-24.
3. Tyler Tulio
Tyler Tullio had a profitable rookie season within the AHL in 2023-24. He was an eye fixed opener, however what opened his eyes much more was his stellar efficiency at Oilers rookie camp this summer time. He’ll get a top-six position this season and have the ability to hone his craft and become place within the AHL roster. He reveals all of the indicators of an ideal third-line ahead who can even produce. He can flip pucks together with his tenacity, win puck battles and has already proven flashes of being an excellent participant. He ought to arrive in Edmonton in a couple of seasons.
2. Matvei Petrov
Matvei Petrov could also be a bit behind the opposite Oilers forwards launched to the AHL final season as he will get to expertise a professional for the primary time this season. That does not imply his elite offensive expertise will not translate to his rookie season in 2023-24. He has over 90 factors within the two seasons he has performed within the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and his offense should not be an issue within the AHL in 2023-24.
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His recreation is all attack-based, so his defensive recreation is a little bit of a priority. Offensive expertise and consciousness are rather more tough to show than fundamental defensive wants. He will not be recalled this season, however with slightly work on the professional stage, he can tighten up his recreation and be a strong NHL producer going ahead. He obtained off to an important begin on the Oilers’ rookie camp, already getting observed with the offensive expertise he possesses.
1. Xavier Bourgault
In addition to Lavoie, Xavier Bourgault is the Oilers’ subsequent prospect closest to creating the NHL. He is the one former first-round participant within the group who hasn’t made the leap but or been traded, and we may realistically see him win a couple of video games this season if he continues to enhance within the AHL.
He was spectacular in his first skilled season after dominating the juniors for 4 years. He is the type of two-way participant that the Oilers are very enthusiastic about, as he reveals sturdy expertise in all three areas. He is a shoot-first participant who will get to the fitting areas of the offensive zone, but additionally has nice defensive consciousness and the flexibility to show pucks over.
There’s rather a lot to stay up for with Oilers prospects, even those that aren’t on the roster. Sooner slightly than later, we’ll begin seeing these gamers come to the NHL.
