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.
#22 - Kailer Yamamoto
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