Well, did I ever have a decision to make. I considered about 5 players seriously for this pick, but ultimately I sat down and really thought about who I thought the best player remaining was - who I had seen the most often with my own eyes, and who I thought I could really see filling a huge void for this team going forward.
With these things in mind, the Edmonton Oilers are very pleased to select - from the Spokane Chiefs, right shot C/RW Kailer Yamamoto.
Yamamoto's most common draft comparables are Johnny Gaudreau and Tyler Johnson, and is praised for his lethal shot, offensive IQ, playmaking, skating, and even strength production - indeed, Yamamoto is one of the best even strength point producers available in the entire draft. He had 30% more points than the next best player on his team, and produced better at even strength than both Hischier and Patrick. This kid is a gamer.
In my viewings of him, and in reading scouting reports about him, things that kept coming up were 'plays bigger than his size, feisty forechecker, not afraid of the dirty areas'. Honestly this kid reminds me of a cross between a Gaudreau and a Gallagher.
I believe that the Oilers have the size, meat, and snarl in the lineup now, but I feel like the skill needs to be beefed up as well. That's where Yamamoto comes in. I believe he will prove a quality asset (and Eberle replacement) in the coming years.
Commence the yelling - my body is ready.
Well, did I ever have a decision to make. I considered about 5 players seriously for this pick, but ultimately I sat down and really thought about who I thought the best player remaining was - who I had seen the most often with my own eyes, and who I thought I could really see filling a huge void for this team going forward.
With these things in mind, the Edmonton Oilers are very pleased to select - from the Spokane Chiefs, right shot C/RW Kailer Yamamoto.
With these things in mind, the Edmonton Oilers are very pleased to select - from the Spokane Chiefs, right shot C/RW Kailer Yamamoto.
Well, did I ever have a decision to make. I considered about 5 players seriously for this pick, but ultimately I sat down and really thought about who I thought the best player remaining was - who I had seen the most often with my own eyes, and who I thought I could really see filling a huge void for this team going forward.
With these things in mind, the Edmonton Oilers are very pleased to select - from the Spokane Chiefs, right shot C/RW Kailer Yamamoto.
Yamamoto's most common draft comparables are Johnny Gaudreau and Tyler Johnson, and is praised for his lethal shot, offensive IQ, playmaking, skating, and even strength production - indeed, Yamamoto is one of the best even strength point producers available in the entire draft. He had 30% more points than the next best player on his team, and produced better at even strength than both Hischier and Patrick. This kid is a gamer.
In my viewings of him, and in reading scouting reports about him, things that kept coming up were 'plays bigger than his size, feisty forechecker, not afraid of the dirty areas'. Honestly this kid reminds me of a cross between a Gaudreau and a Gallagher.
I believe that the Oilers have the size, meat, and snarl in the lineup now, but I feel like the skill needs to be beefed up as well. That's where Yamamoto comes in. I believe he will prove a quality asset (and Eberle replacement) in the coming years.
Commence the yelling - my body is ready.
I'm really not sure what to think of Yamamoto as I've never seen him play. The stats are there, but the size and being one of the oldest first time eligible definitely do worry me a bit. I wouldn't hate taking him depending how the draft went, maybe with a trade down, but as it's gone in this one there's one guy who's still available that jumps out to me as a much better choice than Yamamoto(won't say who till he's actually picked). In fact I'm not sure this guy will still be available at 22 on draft day.
Thomas is the guy I was alluding to here. I think he is a much safer bet than Yamamoto, as his style of play makes him a very safe bet to be at least a 3C in the NHL. But at the same time his skill level makes his ceiling comparable imo.
I'm not sure I like Thomas I think I'd take.......others.....over him.
'member the other small right draw center we drafted from London? I 'member.
are proud to select at #26 from Spokane of the WHL center Jaret Anderson-Dolan.
Next GM notified.
I strongly considered Thomas, but 16 goals over a full season of junior scared the bejesus out of me. I like everything else about his game.
Very tough decision. I wouldn't be opposed to trading down to, say, 28 or 29 and picking up a late 2nd in the process.
I'm glad you were ready to go because I totally pm'd the wrong person. Haha
Not a fan of small guys who aren't particularly good skaters, so I would have probably picked Thomas instead.
Yamamoto is a fantastic skater. Particularly with the puck.
http://whl.ca/article/whls-top-prospects-perform-in-sport-testing-combine
The Nashville Predators select Erik Brannstrom, defenseman, HV71
PM sent
Not arguing but where do you see that on the link?