Soli
Supervision Required
- Sep 8, 2005
- 21,741
- 11,185
The Oilers are on the upswing/pacing-the-same-through-as-many-games-as-last-season and the WJC are in full swing so probably about time we get this thread up. This is likely the very last NHL draft in its format as we know it since the draft is becoming decentralized as soon as next year. They're going out with a bang, hosting the draft at the Las Vegas sphere that opened this past fall.
At the time of this posting in December, the Oilers have a 1st, 2nd, 5th, and two 6ths. It's unlikely we have the same munitions come draft day, but we'll see how things play out.
This will be the first draft for the Oilers after the dismissal of Tyler Wright. Let's hope Rick Pracey does less damage than his predecessors.
Some early rankings to peruse for those interested:
---
Some draft storylines with Oiler tie-ins:
- Coming off a Frozen-Four appearance, no other program has the calibre of draft eligibles than the Boston University Terriers. Freshman Macklin Celebrini is having an Adam Fantilli-esque season and is the engine of the Canadian WJC offense. He jockeys for the 1st overall spot against future Terrier and projected #2 overall pick Cole Eiserman. Also committed to BU for the '24-'25 season is draft eligible defender Cole Hutson, Lane Hutson's younger brother. Of note for Oilers fans is 2021 6th round selection Shane Lachance, who features on the 1st unit PP with Celebrini and L. Hutson.
- Michael Brandsegg-Nygård is looking to be the highest Norwegian born player to be selected in the draft surpassing Marius Holtet (42nd, 2002). His CHL rights were picked up by Beau Akey's Barrie Colts.
- The Oil Kings bottomed out last season as they entered the famine part of the junior hockey cycle. Draft eligible Gavin Hodnett led the Oil Kings with 43 points last season and the Oil Kings brought in help via big Czech import Adam Jecho. Jecho had a good start to the season playing down the middle producing 9-10-19 in 20 games and had recently returned from a LBI that likely cost him a WJC appearance.
- In the unlikely scenario that we keep our 1st rounder, I'm prognosticating we select from the strong crop of blueliners. I think as many as 6-7 blueliners could go in the Top-15 and then we're debating the merits of LD Aron Kiviharju vs. LD Cole Hutson vs. RD Adam Jiricek perhaps. Kiviharju has been heralded but tumbling, Hutson is getting the draft shine from his brother’s proof of concept, and Jiricek's season is over after a knee injury in his first WJC game.
- Looking back at our development camp invites, we may have missed out on Nate Misskey. He's leading the Royals in defenseman scoring; over Arizona 5th rounder Justin Kipkie, whom a few of us liked as a sleeper d last draft. And after a change of scenery from Gatineau, Antonie Verreault is leading the Huskies in scoring.
- Miroslav Satan's son and namesake is draft eligible. Satan Jr. is 6'6 tall.
Discuss.
Last edited: