Player Discussion 2016 Draft Roundup....So How Did We Do?

[Hynh]

not everyone has even been thrilled with Benson or Niemelainen either.

Tyler Benson = Pitlick (because of injuries)

Markus Niemelainen = Marincin

Matt Cairns = Jeremy Blain

Filip Berglund = Troy Hesketh

Dylan Wells = Kevin Bouchard

....you get the picture.

I understood the comparisons until Berglund = Hesketh. Eliteprospects doesn't have Hesketh's draft year stats while Berglund made 5 appearances for an SHL team. Not that Berglund is a lock or anything but at least he's in a real system

 

[Jumptheshark]

Need to research

 

[Paralyzer008]

I agree with your write up on nemo and benson but i think its a decent strategy.

I think Chia went with fairly safe picks at the top of the draft. But suppose you get a top six RW, a 3rd line LW, and a 5 d playing meaningful minutes when the cap crunch hits in 3 years.....then this draft is a big success.

On top of that you have some other guys who, with some luck, could develop into depth defenders and role players.....(maybe more if you get weird-lucky)

True. No matter what, we got Puljujarvi as a top flight winger. Benson is going to make the league, just not sure in which capacity. Even 2 guys out of the draft isn't bad and we'll see about the rest. I do think Cairns will make it in some capacity 5 years down the road and Niemelainen should get close.

 

[PKSpecialist]

The LD/RD argument is just weird now.

They're prospects.

We have Bear, Marino, and now Berglund and Desharnais to be ready in 3 years and we can add an infinite amount of RD between now and then as either prospects or players. Not to mention that a LD can potentially play RD.

The Rshot D problem is one for next season and wouldn't have been solved in this draft, it might not even get solved this offseason (and that doesn't mean you can't improve the defense).

It's the imbalance in the pipeline. Sure, we have 4 RHD in the pipeline. And about 15 LHD and added just as many in this draft as RHD. Yes, the 5th round dmen are not playing in the NHL this year, but we continue to fail to address that position and it continues to be a black hole in the organization. When you see that we can't seem to acquire one via trade because the ask is crazy, don't you think it would be prudent to add several of them at the draft to make our current problem someone else's in the future?

 

[BoldNewLettuce]

It's the imbalance in the pipeline. Sure, we have 4 RHD in the pipeline. And about 15 LHD and added just as many in this draft as RHD. Yes, the 5th round dmen are not playing in the NHL this year, but we continue to fail to address that position and it continues to be a black hole in the organization. When you see that we can't seem to acquire one via trade because the ask is crazy, don't you think it would be prudent to add several of them at the draft to make our current problem someone else's in the future?

We added two. How is that continuing to not address it? Because we didn't trade up get Fabbro somehow?

 

[plikestechno]

Went with good. Pool party falling was amazing, exactly the type of guy the Oilers need in strength, skill, position and character. Maybe he can just lighten that room up a bit. Guys who are fun in the room but serious and hard working on the ice do well in the NHL. When Selanne was all excited for us on Twitter that's all I needed on the kid.

Benson has a lot of potential.

And throwing a bunch of lottery tickets at D is alright in my books.

Very glad they didn't make any stupid trades. Was hoping for Subban for Drai and # 4 like everybody else but once it wasn't happening I was glad they didn't make any kneejerk stupid trades.

Hall for Hamonic and RNH for Brodin or Dumba rumours were starting to make me sick. I would still do Eberle for Shattenkirk if Shatty is willing to sign an extension.

 

[PM]

I'm not an Oilers fan I just want to vote.

Thought you guys had a really good draft. You picked up some really nice pieces this year and I still can't believe you got JP.

 

[OilTastic]

I understood the comparisons until Berglund = Hesketh. Eliteprospects doesn't have Hesketh's draft year stats while Berglund made 5 appearances for an SHL team. Not that Berglund is a lock or anything but at least he's in a real system

Berglund = Musil.

 

[AM]

Maybe we can avoid rushing these players.

 

[PKSpecialist]

We added two. How is that continuing to not address it? Because we didn't trade up get Fabbro somehow?

We took 2 more LHD before taking any RHD. Putting a higher emphasis on an organizational strength. I'm not saying to reach, and I'm not saying passing up on good talent. I like Niemelainen a lot, but Adam Fox would have been a great pick there too. Cairns is a good project, but Berglund and Jacob Cederholm were available there.

I'm fine with the draft and who we got, but as I said, this organization is extremely thin on RHD prospects, and heavy on the left. This draft actually adds to that.

Outside of Eric Gryba, we haven't been able to acquire a RHD via trade. The quest continues, and every right hand D in the system, including Bear are still extreme long shots to make the NHL.

 

[PKSpecialist]

Berglund = Musil.

Not even close. Musil is a defensive D, and Berglund is an offensive D.

 

[Tyrolean]

Anything past the second round is almost a complete guessing game so I've always disliked commenting on those picks. Like others have said our first three picks were very good. Even the second round is almost entirely a guessing game so picking a player like Benson is ideal because his ceiling is higher than most players in the whole draft.

From what I've heard from talking to scouts over the years, the later round picks are based mostly off player personalities and other factors. When you're picking in the first round or two you are usually picking the most talented player you can.

The players who make the NHL after the first round get there off sheer determination, willingness to learn, creativity, etc. You can usually tell after a 15 minute interview that the teams do what kind of person these kids are and how they will be in the coming years. I am confident in our picks throughout the entire draft.

Do teams use a good translator for interviews with the kids that don't speak English or well enough?

 

[BoldNewLettuce]

We took 2 more LHD before taking any RHD. Putting a higher emphasis on an organizational strength. I'm not saying to reach, and I'm not saying passing up on good talent. I like Niemelainen a lot, but Adam Fox would have been a great pick there too. Cairns is a good project, but Berglund and Jacob Cederholm were available there.

I'm fine with the draft and who we got, but as I said, this organization is extremely thin on RHD prospects, and heavy on the left. This draft actually adds to that.

Outside of Eric Gryba, we haven't been able to acquire a RHD via trade. The quest continues, and every right hand D in the system, including Bear are still extreme long shots to make the NHL.

I don't see how it's Adam Fox or bust though. The depth is improving.....i'd have loved a few deals to get like sergachev, and juulsen + and trade up somehow to get fabbro.....but imo this total fantasy scenario is not even as good of a draft as the one chia just had.

 

[Canovin]

Good.

Would have taken a chance on Sokolov instead of Wells. Kid is more talented than Benson. Unbelievable how he was passed on. Worst case scenario he adds more skills in the AHL. Wells won't be stealing any jobs in the NHL or the AHL

 

[Zaddy]

Puljujarvi was the BPA and a fantastic pick - A+

Benson isn't a terrible pick...better players available but he does have a bit of upside that we didn't see due to the injuries. He's a guaranteed bottom six player at the least. - B

Niemelainen isn't as good as HF thinks he is. Sure he's big, but I don't see much of a true upside here. Fairly soft, doesn't have much of a shot. His potential is a No.5 D to me so I'm not in love with this compared to everyone else. C

Berglund is kind of interesting, another guy who got killed by injuries last year. Overagers are hard to predict especially when they're playing in Swe Jr. but there's some potential here and he shoots right which is awesome. B-

Cairns is a guy I really like but it's a long con. Probably has No.4 potential, maybe a 3. Can move the puck and be tough. Makes a few errors that need correcting mentally. Also needs to play in a stronger league. B

Rasanen had a great U-18 but that was because of who he played with. I'm not super convinced that he's going to be a player yet. His Fin Jr. numbers aren't bad but not impressive. We'll see. C+

Wells had one good tourney at the Ivan Hlinka. He also had an awful season. Not really a fan at all of this pick but goalies are voodoo. I guess the question is why we're taking a goalie then if he doesn't have underlying stats to support him. D

Desharnais was only picked because he's big and he shoots right. There were way more guys on the board that Edmonton passed over. Not a fan of this one. D

Graham McPhee is a guy where he only really impressed at the U-18s and partly that's because the US had a stacked roster. 5 goals at the USHL level and middling numbers for the USDP, despite being small. At least he's not a lazy player. We'll see where this one goes C-

Despite ALL of that analysis above, these guys aren't even 20 yet. It's so hard to project where their games will go. Always hopeful on all of them.

Good write-up, I agree on all of them.

I think, objectively speaking, the Oilers had a good draft. It's hard to complain about adding some solid prospects. It's just the type of prospects that I'm not really sold on unfortunately. I wouldn't have picked any of the guys we took outside the 1st round.

Getting a guy who had 5 points in the BCHL with our 7th instead of Sokolov/Ronning/Sawchenko is a bit perplexing. Hell, I'd take those guys with 3rd and 5th round picks. Ditto Tuulola who was selected in the 6th round.

The most disappointing part though was taking Niemeläinen at #63, a guy who projects as a shutdown defenseman with limited offense if he does make it, over two really skilled offensive d-men in Dineen and Fox. May I remind you Tyson Barrie, who many of us have been clamoring for, is an undersized offensive d-man who was selected 64th overall?

If you want a player like that on your team you have to draft him. Instead we keep adding these big, defensive guys with limited offense, which I guess in a vacuum is fine, but when we're already filled to the brim with that type of d-man it wouldn't be so bad at trying our hand at taking a couple of smaller ones with high-end offense and hoping they pan out. I would've gladly taken both of Dineen/Fox with picks 32/63.

 

[Smartguy]

Wanted an NHL dman by the end of the draft we didn't get one still pretty happy though, pulju was a home run still can't believe he fell we heard all year about the big 3 and despite loosing the lottery we still got one somehow, Columbus will regret this one day soon I feel, picking for need in the top 3 in a year like this was not a good idea. I like the benson pick as well, who's the last skilled forward we drafted with top 6 potential that wasn't a top 5 pick? We needed depth in the system. The 3rd pick I don't know much about but Mckenzie had him going much higher. Honestly after the first round it's a crap shoot but all in all it went good

 

[ChaoticOrange]

Berglund = Musil.

That's a very weird comparison. Berglund has more offensive instincts in his pinky than Musil does in his entire body.

Think of a less-polished Rasmus Andersson.

 

[Tyrolean]

We took 2 more LHD before taking any RHD. Putting a higher emphasis on an organizational strength. I'm not saying to reach, and I'm not saying passing up on good talent. I like Niemelainen a lot, but Adam Fox would have been a great pick there too. Cairns is a good project, but Berglund and Jacob Cederholm were available there.

I'm fine with the draft and who we got, but as I said, this organization is extremely thin on RHD prospects, and heavy on the left. This draft actually adds to that.

Outside of Eric Gryba, we haven't been able to acquire a RHD via trade. The quest continues, and every right hand D in the system, including Bear are still extreme long shots to make the NHL.

RHD need is highly exaggerated. If you have good d-men it doesn't matter that much.

 

[La Bamba]

Too early to judge any of the decisions outside of the 1st round. I can guarantee basically everyone on this board hasn't watched any of these guys to an extent to which they can predict their NHL careers. There is a reason why they are low ranked draft picks and not 1st rounders, no need to rip them on their downfalls.

The only thing to worry about now is making sure they develop properly in order to reach their potentials. Stock them in the cupboards and check back in a couple years to see which ones sink or swim per usual.

 

[snipes]

Very happy with our draft.

 

[Mr Sakich]

The Ottawa rough riders once drafted a dead guy. If the oilers did that with picks 2 through 7, they still get a passing grade

 

[PKSpecialist]

I don't see how it's Adam Fox or bust though. The depth is improving.....i'd have loved a few deals to get like sergachev, and juulsen + and trade up somehow to get fabbro.....but imo this total fantasy scenario is not even as good of a draft as the one chia just had.

I'm not sure where you got from anything that I posted that it was Adam Fox or bust? I said that I feel that because of the way we drafted(higher emphasis on LHD than RHD) that I believe that Nurse is probably going to be moved. Perhaps every trade scenario that Chiarelli proposed the ask back was Nurse, and he didn't feel comfortable giving him up? I never mentioned a trade, I never mentioned Fabbro/Sergachev/Juulsen....I was also very much in favour of drafting Jakob Chychrun until Puljujarvi fell into our laps. My sole point is that at some point the split between left and right must narrow, and we must draft/trade for an NHL level RHD.

RHD need is highly exaggerated. If you have good d-men it doesn't matter that much.

I don't disagree that it is highly exaggerated, but where I think it is underestimated is when you have defensemen like we do. The defenders who can play their off hand well are more often than not extremely good offensive defensemen who are good with the puck. The left hand defenders we picked today, and the ones we have in the pipeline outside of maybe Laleggia don't fit this criteria. I like Niemelainen. I think Cairns is an intriguing project. We didn't cross off the high end offensive D or high end puck mover boxes today. Berglund is the closest thing.

 

[Delicious Pancakes]

Good write-up, I agree on all of them.

I think, objectively speaking, the Oilers had a good draft. It's hard to complain about adding some solid prospects. It's just the type of prospects that I'm not really sold on unfortunately. I wouldn't have picked any of the guys we took outside the 1st round.

Getting a guy who had 5 points in the BCHL with our 7th instead of Sokolov/Ronning/Sawchenko is a bit perplexing. Hell, I'd take those guys with 3rd and 5th round picks. Ditto Tuulola who was selected in the 6th round.

The most disappointing part though was taking Niemeläinen at #63, a guy who projects as a shutdown defenseman with limited offense if he does make it, over two really skilled offensive d-men in Dineen and Fox. May I remind you Tyson Barrie, who many of us have been clamoring for, is an undersized offensive d-man who was selected 64th overall?

If you want a player like that on your team you have to draft him. Instead we keep adding these big, defensive guys with limited offense, which I guess in a vacuum is fine, but when we're already filled to the brim with that type of d-man it wouldn't be so bad at trying our hand at taking a couple of smaller ones with high-end offense and hoping they pan out. I would've gladly taken both of Dineen/Fox with picks 32/63.

This pretty much sums up how I feel. I think they did alright but definitely could have done better. I also would not have picked any of the players the Oilers took on day 2.

Pulju will be a 1st line RW but I think they may regret passing on Juolevi. Fills a need though and he should be a good fit so not complaining about that pick. There were better players available at 32 than Benson, and at 73 than Niemelainen. However, I think Benson will make it as a 3rd liner and Niemelainen will be a #5 D with ability to play 2nd pairing for stretches. I think Rasanen should make it as a bottom 6 guy too.

The rest are big question marks for me. I'm also confused by the logic of taking the players they did when there were other better players still on the board. You can give me the BS of we won't know for a few years, the scouts know better than you, yada yada yada. Draft skill. Admittedly, I'm not familiar with Desharnais but I haven't seen overage BCHLers work for this team yet.

That said if the first three and Rasanen are NHLers then that's a good draft right? I just look at Calgary's 2nd day of the draft and they beat the Oilers hands down even with the Oilers picking 2 spots higher most rounds.

 

[dustrock]

Rates as good, although getting Puljujarvi is amazing in and of itself.

Some very astute picks I think (one analyst compared Rasanen to Pavelski) and I actually like the Wells pick. Go for the goalie home run.

Niemelainen played rookie year in OHL from Finland and played on a terrible team. He might turn out to be a decent player in the mold of Marincin.

But I agree with PKSpecialist that I liked Dineen and Fox a lot and felt they have higher ceilings. Chiarelli obviously has a type of d-man he's looking for (Chara).

Descharnais - someone said "Chiarelli is doing someone a favor" and it's hard not to see that.

Otherwise why not try Quenneville with your 7th?

 

[dustrock]

Also Descharnais was in his 3rd (?) kick at the draft. Couldn't you just sign him to a try-out contract?