Prospect Info: 2017 Post Trade Deadline Prospect Pool Snapshot

[Soli]

With another couple days before the next Oilers game, figured its a good time to start up a prospect discussion. A quick glance at the depth chart by position as I see it:

CENTER: D. Caggulia, J. Khaira, H. Samuelsson, A. Rasanen, K. Platzer

LEFT WING: T. Benson, J. LaLeggia

RIGHT WING: J. Puljujarvi, A. Slepyshev, G. Chase, P. Russell

LEFT DEFENSE: G. Reinhart, Z. Paigin, C. Jones, J. Oesterle, M. Niemalainen, D. Simpson, W. Lagesson

RIGHT DEFENSE: M. Benning, E. Bear, R. Mantha, F. Berglund, J. Marino

GOALTENDER: L. Brossoit, N. Ellis, E. Laurikainen, D. Wells


Some prospect updates so far this season:

- Benson has been out of the Giants lineup for some time now. He's been examined by the Oilers doctors and last we've heard from Matheson was speculative but pointing towards a hernia. Don't know if surgery will be required. Pretty concerning that this is an ongoing issue susceptible to reoccurring and nagging injuries.

- The emergence of Benning, the continued rise of Bear, and the signing of the most impressive OHL free agent have strengthened the right side. I'd say we're another good prospect away from a respectable RHD prospect pool and bringing balance to the Leftorium.

- Speaking of our defense cupboard, theres a real log jam coming next year in Bakersfield or we're gonna see a very inexperienced blueline. Paigin needs rescuing, Bear, Jones and Mantha should be graduating. Reinhart becomes waiver eligible and will be in the NHL I imagine. Oesterle is a UFA but I'd like to retain him. Musil is an RFA and I could see them walking away. Betker should see more AHL time too. Fayne I imagine will be moved or bought out.

- Henrik Samuelsson? He's played 5 games for the Condors. Ankle acting up? Learning the system? Just not good enough?

- Don't look now, but Tyler Vesel is playing his way out of obscurity and potentially to a contract.

- Rasanen is joining an excellent hockey program with Boston College next year. He's apparently bound to the hip to Tolvanen, which is fine if some of of the future 1st rounders shine brings Rasanen closer to his own spotlight.`

- Don't know if we got any hot tips on anymore potential prospect signings, but we've been linked to Daniel Brinkley and Zach Aston-Reese previously. NCAA signing season will kick into high gear later this month. As other have noted, the Oilers organization has been using this route and more successfully under Chia and it's really been a boon to poor drafting and a dearth of picks in the recent. EDIT: could also see Aaron Irving signed.

- Correct me if I'm wrong, but we're sitting at 48 contracts. How many prospects do we need to sign before our rights to them expire? Svoboda? Vesel? Lagesson?

- Finally, and this will bleed into discussion with the Draft thread, but we retained our 1st rounder and after this review of our cupboard, as long as we continue to retain that pick we should be picking in the mid 20's. I'd probably still stay clear of left handed defenseman unless there's stud potential BPA in that range (Hague?), but if it was me, I'd be looking for a forward that can drive offense. Not an auxiliary piece, but a true driver of offense.

Anyways, eager to hear what everyone sees in our prospect pool in its current state.

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[Nunymare]

I wonder if we sign Paigin in the next few months. Would be nice to see him at camp and (presumably) in Bakersfield next year.

Also, Ellis' numbers look really good. Has anyone seen him play who can offer some more insight?

 

[Spawn]

Outside of Puljujarvi I don't see a blue chip prospect. I have hope for a few guys, but I don't really see many guys with high end potential. Benson is an intriguing prospect but the injury concerns are troubling.

Jones and Bears are intriguing wild cards, but I need to see both of them at the AHL level succeeding before I get too optimistic about them. Over the years we seem to have a decent number of guys who have good last years in junior offensively who then get to the AHL and can't even **** a drop and quickly go from prospect to bust.

 

[DipsyMcDoodles]

Outside of Puljujarvi I don't see a blue chip prospect. I have hope for a few guys, but I don't really see many guys with high end potential. Benson is an intriguing prospect but the injury concerns are troubling.

Jones and Bears are intriguing wild cards, but I need to see both of them at the AHL level succeeding before I get too optimistic about them. Over the years we seem to have a decent number of guys who have good last years in junior offensively who then get to the AHL and can't even **** a drop and quickly go from prospect to bust.

Greg Chase

 

[BarDownBobo]

Just to build on on of your last points Soli, I believe that the following we'll lose the following prospects if unsigned: Miroslav Svoboda, Ziyat Paigin, Zach Nagelvoort and Evan Campbell. Paigin is the most worrying one and I'd like to see what he can do in NA, Svoboda is interesting but tough to judge his year since he's playing Czech-2. Aidan Muir could use the same loophole that Benning used last year, but that seems unlikely.

 

[bzur]

Outside of Puljujarvi I don't see a blue chip prospect. I have hope for a few guys, but I don't really see many guys with high end potential. Benson is an intriguing prospect but the injury concerns are troubling.

Jones and Bears are intriguing wild cards, but I need to see both of them at the AHL level succeeding before I get too optimistic about them. Over the years we seem to have a decent number of guys who have good last years in junior offensively who then get to the AHL and can't even **** a drop and quickly go from prospect to bust.

Maybe my theory about Benson being a mid 30-something math/gym teacher is actually true.. nagging sports injuries from when he blew the big game? That kept him from the pros so he reentered the NHL draft under a false identity for another shot?

Seriously look at the guy.. he was 30 when he was 16.. it's quite remarkable. Haha

Also it's nice to see some decent D depth now.. we are dealing with a lot of risk reward from my view but if any of these guys turn out I'll be feeling much better about our prospect pool and ability to draft.

Love the signings too. I'm all for taking chances on free prospects and likely cutting ties with some failed ones.

 

[McAsuno]

Greg Chase

I was high on Chase when we drafted him. Sucks that he's been a disappointment.

 

[BarDownBobo]

On another note, I'm very curious how the Condors defense will look next season. Looks like they'll have 3 or 4 rookies back there, depending if Paigin comes over. Reinhart loses waiver exemption next season so he'll be in Edmonton all year(if not Vegas) and Oesterle is a Group VI UFA and I could see him moving on to a place that might have a clearer path to the NHL. That leaves the following for next year:

Dillon Simpson(RFA)
David Musil(RFA)
Mark Fraser(UFA)
Ben Betker
Caleb Jones
Ethan Bear
Ryan Mantha
Ziyat Paigin(?)

Along with a few guys who are currently on AHL deals and may be extended or replaced. I could see them keeping one of Musil or Fraser around as a vet presence for all these rookies, but it could be very interesting to watch them if all of Jones, Bear, Mantha and Paigin are playing regularily next season.

 

[thadd]

Great post!

What our current situation with Bogdan Yakimov? Do we expect to see him come back to North America for training camp next season or has he committed to several seasons in the KHL?

Hearing of Benson being out with hernia tells me that he needs to calm down. Hernia are usually a clear indicator of a player pushing themselves too hard.

 

[Soli]

Outside of Puljujarvi I don't see a blue chip prospect. I have hope for a few guys, but I don't really see many guys with high end potential. Benson is an intriguing prospect but the injury concerns are troubling.

Jones and Bears are intriguing wild cards, but I need to see both of them at the AHL level succeeding before I get too optimistic about them. Over the years we seem to have a decent number of guys who have good last years in junior offensively who then get to the AHL and can't even **** a drop and quickly go from prospect to bust.

I'd agree, theres not a whole lot to get excited about high end wise. Even as exciting as Bear is, I don't see him as more than a #5 PP specialist at the NHL level as his ceiling.

Speaking of blue chip, I'd like to see Pulju score more at will in the AHL. He's not the purest of goal scorers, his most important offensive attribute is his ability to push the river, but his one-timer is the best in the franchise and we need to feature it when he's up. I think he might be flubbing it too much still. Easier to take passes from Connor McDavid and Nuge rather than in the AHL, but still something I've noticed.

Just to build on on of your last points Soli, I believe that the following we'll lose the following prospects if unsigned: Miroslav Svoboda, Ziyat Paigin, Zach Nagelvoort and Evan Campbell. Paigin is the most worrying one and I'd like to see what he can do in NA, Svoboda is interesting but tough to judge his year since he's playing Czech-2. Aidan Muir could use the same loophole that Benning used last year, but that seems unlikely.

Agreed with Paigin. What's his draft re-entry specifications? Since we drafted him as an over ager, do we still have to sign him prior to the next draft or he re-enters or do we have longer with him, potentially into the summer when our contract spots free up?

Any chance we can sign someone to a AHL deal?

I was high on Chase when we drafted him. Sucks that he's been a disappointment.

Yeah, I'm a big Chase fan. Feel like he's not getting enough TOI, but you also got to force the issue as a low round selection.

On another note, I'm very curious how the Condors defense will look next season. Looks like they'll have 3 or 4 rookies back there, depending if Paigin comes over. Reinhart loses waiver exemption next season so he'll be in Edmonton all year(if not Vegas) and Oesterle is a Group VI UFA and I could see him moving on to a place that might have a clearer path to the NHL. That leaves the following for next year:

Dillon Simpson(RFA)
David Musil(RFA)
Mark Fraser(UFA)
Ben Betker
Caleb Jones
Ethan Bear
Ryan Mantha
Ziyat Paigin(?)

Along with a few guys who are currently on AHL deals and may be extended or replaced. I could see them keeping one of Musil or Fraser around as a vet presence for all these rookies, but it could be very interesting to watch them if all of Jones, Bear, Mantha and Paigin are playing regularily next season.

Are we forgetting Lagesson? I forgot about signing him till your previous reply and he should be in contention for a spot on the Condors.

Great post!

What our current situation with Bogdan Yakimov? Do we expect to see him come back to North America for training camp next season or has he committed to several seasons in the KHL?

I don't expect to see Bogdan Yakimov in North America ever again. Then again, never say never. He's got yeti status, maybe years down the line we'll have a sighting.

 

[BarDownBobo]

Agreed with Paigin. What's his draft re-entry specifications? Since we drafted him as an over ager, do we still have to sign him prior to the next draft or he re-enters or do we have longer with him, potentially into the summer when our contract spots free up?

I've heard something about since Paigin and Svoboda were drafted as overage Euros they have to be signed by June 1, but I can't seem to find the actual clause for that anywhere. Going to look into it more. I don't think they'd be going back into the draft though, since they'll both be 22 by the time of this years draft, think they'd just become free agents.

Are we forgetting Lagesson? I forgot about signing him till your previous reply and he should be in contention for a spot on the Condors.

Lagesson spent a year in the USHL after being drafted before heading to the NCAA, so he's only in his sophomore season right now. He could sign this summer but I think it'd be best for all parties for him to return for at least his junior season. Four rookies on the blueline in Bakersfield will be a handful for Fleming next year as is.

 

[48g90a138pts]

I've heard something about since Paigin and Svoboda were drafted as overage Euros they have to be signed by June 1, but I can't seem to find the actual clause for that anywhere. Going to look into it more. I don't think they'd be going back into the draft though, since they'll both be 22 by the time of this years draft, think they'd just become free agents.



Lagesson spent a year in the USHL after being drafted before heading to the NCAA, so he's only in his sophomore season right now. He could sign this summer but I think it'd be best for all parties for him to return for at least his junior season. Four rookies on the blueline in Bakersfield will be a handful for Fleming next year as is.

What I've found on Cap Friendly is that Svoboda must be signed by June 1st. Paigin on the other hand says his right are indefinite.

 

[Zaddy]

The prospect pool is getting better and it's really helped with the FA signings in Caggiula, Benning and now most recently Mantha. I like this approach a lot. We have two really good prospects in Pulju and Jones and two fairly good ones in Benson and Bear. Benson's injury woes are concerning though.

The defense and goaltending positions have been shored up pretty well in recent years. Ellis and Wells look like legit goalie prospects and on D we have a lot of depth now, hopefully someone will emerge.

For the coming draft I'd like to focus on drafting skilled forwards because that's where we're really lacking. Outside of Pulju and Benson we don't have anything coming that looks anything like a top6 forward.

 

[BoldNewLettuce]

dont we have a few more ncaa forwards kicking around?

 

[nexttothemoon]

Caggiula I have to say hasn't been very impressive so far.

His pts/60 at 5 on 5 is .74... same rate as Oesterle in his games with the Oilers and I don't think any of us really view Oesterle as some offensive wizard so Caggiula isn't exactly doing much offensively.

Of course people will (rightfully) say... he's only played 45 games... give the guy a chance and some time. I agree as well.

He likely should be in the AHL and developing there somewhat but I assume they did promise him a chunk of NHL time which is why he's stuck on the roster so long this season.

While his offense has been very thin... he doesn't appear to hurt the team defensively in terms of GA while he's on the ice so that is one positive... he's not bleeding at both ends like say a Yakupov was prone to do.


Overall looking at the forward prospects... I'd agree it doesn't look overly encouraging.. but Slepyshev/Puljujarvi/Khaira all have good shots at being good NHL players... Puljujarvi obviously being the brightest and best prospect by far.

Even if just those 3 pan out I would say that's reasonably good success.

 

[Seachd]

What I've found on Cap Friendly is that Svoboda must be signed by June 1st. Paigin on the other hand says his right are indefinite.

Yes, because of the lack of transfer agreement with Russia, the limit doesn't apply. If he never signs, they'd have his rights until he becomes a regular UFA (27), as far as I know.

 

[Aerchon]

I think our prospect pool is solid and more balanced than it has ever been. Losing a guy from it for the expansion draft will hurt tho.

I would like to see us draft a big, two way, right shooting, center, that can skate this year with our first round pick. Even adding a pick or minor prospect to move up to grab someone like that would be my preference. No idea if such a prospect actually exist in the first round this year.

McDavid, Leon, Puli, Nuge, Ebs, Lucic, and Maroon really is enough skill in the top 6.

Lets, Kassian, Pitlick, Slepy, Paka, Cag, Poo if he stays and gets better that's decent for the bottom 6 as well.

I think this board is too offense/skill focused. The NHL is all about two way play now. Size, two way play, and speed. Big guys that can skate, bang away for goals, and play systems no matter who they play with.

 

[Consultant]

Caleb Jones is emerging as a top prospect.
He was one of USA's best defenders on a world junior gold team.
Now from the sounds of it he is running the show out of Portland.
Oil Top Prospects for me are:
1) Pulujarvi
2) C. Jones
3) Reinhart
4) Bear
5) Ellis
6) Benson

 

[BoldNewLettuce]

no really.....put Vesey up there

edit; Vesel?