Prospect Info: HFOil Top Prospects Rankings - #1

[Skolman]

Bouchard, another vote for my boy Lagesson. He might not make the team out of camp but he won’t be in the AHL for long. Kid’s a gamer and damn near NHL ready.

Really? I don't know a ton about him, but you seem to be a lot higher on him than most

 

[ChaoticOrange]

Really? I don't know a ton about him, but you seem to be a lot higher on him than most

IMO he’s got Swedish Gator written all over him. Decently mobile, nasty as all hell, and rock solid in his own zone.

 

[Skolman]

IMO he’s got Swedish Gator written all over him. Decently mobile, nasty as all hell, and rock solid in his own zone.

Not going to lie, I don't remember much of Smith. Who would be a current comparable in your opinion?

 

[Wretched Oil]

I picked Yam because we've seen him in the bigs, and he's done well.

Haven't even seen Bouchard practice with nhlers

 

[rockinghockey]

Bouchard is the #1 prospect as he was the #1 pick in this draft.

Yamamoto isn't far behind though. I would have taken Yamamoto top 3 in this draft if it would have been his draft year.

Oilers have 2 exceptionally elite level prospects in those 2.

No way Yamamoto goes top three if he was in this year’s draft

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

I don't think so actually. Some kid called McDavid topped that particular list

After him it was pretty sparse

 

[rickysusedsht]

I think yamamoto is going to be the better player in the next 3 years after that will depend on how bouchard devolpes .

 

[McMozesmadness]

Make sure to nominate someone to be added into the next poll!

I'll be interested to see the results of Bouchard vs. Yamamoto.

I love the initiative, but I think @McMozesmadness has a 5-year study going.

Maybe collaborate?

I’m cool with someone else taking over. @Leon Draisaitl if you want the last 4 years of results @Soli linked to them. Also if you want to use some video of our prospect pool in your posts, I know a lovely channel out there Edmonton Future Watch

 

[Dan Kelly]

yup, might have been better off deleting Yam and Bouchard, then having the poll with the rest of the players listed and saying who's the Oilers #3 prospect !

 

[BarDownBobo]

Not going to lie, I don't remember much of Smith. Who would be a current comparable in your opinion?

Best comparable is probably our own Adam Larsson, big physical stay at home dman. I'm with @ChaoticOrange as well, he's gonna surprise people this year and get into quite a few games.

 

[Skolman]

Best comparable is probably our own Adam Larsson, big physical stay at home dman. I'm with @ChaoticOrange as well, he's gonna surprise people this year and get into quite a few games.

Hmm, definitely spikes my interest now

 

[48g90a138pts]

As excited ass I am with Bouchard and I am really really excited. I think Yamamoto will be a more impactful player the first few years. With the big question mark at RW for this team there's opportunity ready for the taking.

Usually takes some time with defensemen before they make some major strides. On the other hand having that RHD for the power play, Bouchard might be that massive piece of the puzzle that's been missing.

I think Bouchard is the bigger prospect for down the road, but Yamamoto is #1 for me atm. Having a potent winger for McDavid is more important.

It will take some time for Bouchard to fill in all the weak areas all defensemen have to work on when making that large leap to the NHL. Bouchard will be no different.

 

[Aerchon]

Hmm, definitely spikes my interest now

Smid, Smith, and Larsson are his comparables.

I honestly don't have much to go on. Watched him closely at one or two international tourneys. His stats, especially his offensive stats, do not indicate an nhler...

But for some reason I love this prospect as well. Maybe a case of seen him good but when I watched him he has everything you want in a nhl defenseman except offense.

Good size, skill, IQ... gritty, hits. His passing and shooting from what I've seen are waaaay better than his stats indicate.

I imagine he will be an nhler from what I've seen and heard but I think he will be a depth guy.

A year or two of unspectacular stay at home defending in a 6/7 role where he quietly but convincingly helps the team win while on the ice. Until he tops out as a rock solid bottom pairing #5 anchor for a solid 10+ years as an Oiler. Cost controlled because he doesn't get the points.

I think he plays both sides well too but don't quote me on that.

I'm extremely stoked about our defense moving forward.

I am a big fan of: Sekera, Nurse, and Larsson. Think that is 3/4 of a very solid balanced top 4 that can do a lot of winning. Klefbom if he was a righty or even just more consistent/better at defending is good too. Russell imo I like but is a place holder for a younger/better/cheaper player like Lag.

Lag and Jones as 5/6/7 guys eventually on the left side. Or that new guy. Or Davidson or... Left side bottom pairing are a dime a dozen. Feel-good about our leftorium now and moving forward.

Right side soooo much better now. Benning is our placeholder playing above his head in a #4 role currently. If he can either rise to the challenge or be pushed down the line up either is good.

We are missing that elite offensive right shooting defenseman and who do we have coming down the pipeline but Bear and Bouchard... Perfect fits for our needs. Even if they top out as a bottom pairing PP/O-zone specialist that significantly improves our team.

In two years...

Klefbom/Sekera (whichever wins the spot) paired with Larsson

Nurse paired with Bear or Bouchard (whichever wins the spot)

Lag/Jones/??? (Whichever wins the spot) paired with Benning.

That's a balanced group with good talent moving forward.

 

[ChaoticOrange]

Not going to lie, I don't remember much of Smith. Who would be a current comparable in your opinion?

A left handed Larsson lite or a less stupid Gudas would be my comparables for him.

 

[ChaoticOrange]

Smid, Smith, and Larsson are his comparables.

I honestly don't have much to go on. Watched him closely at one or two international tourneys. His stats, especially his offensive stats, do not indicate an nhler...

But for some reason I love this prospect as well. Maybe a case of seen him good but when I watched him he has everything you want in a nhl defenseman except offense.

Good size, skill, IQ... gritty, hits. His passing and shooting from what I've seen are waaaay better than his stats indicate.

I imagine he will be an nhler from what I've seen and heard but I think he will be a depth guy.

A year or two of unspectacular stay at home defending in a 6/7 role where he quietly but convincingly helps the team win while on the ice. Until he tops out as a rock solid bottom pairing #5 anchor for a solid 10+ years as an Oiler. Cost controlled because he doesn't get the points.

I think he plays both sides well too but don't quote me on that.

I'm extremely stoked about our defense moving forward.

I am a big fan of: Sekera, Nurse, and Larsson. Think that is 3/4 of a very solid balanced top 4 that can do a lot of winning. Klefbom if he was a righty or even just more consistent/better at defending is good too. Russell imo I like but is a place holder for a younger/better/cheaper player like Lag.

Lag and Jones as 5/6/7 guys eventually on the left side. Or that new guy. Or Davidson or... Left side bottom pairing are a dime a dozen. Feel-good about our leftorium now and moving forward.

Right side soooo much better now. Benning is our placeholder playing above his head in a #4 role currently. If he can either rise to the challenge or be pushed down the line up either is good.

We are missing that elite offensive right shooting defenseman and who do we have coming down the pipeline but Bear and Bouchard... Perfect fits for our needs. Even if they top out as a bottom pairing PP/O-zone specialist that significantly improves our team.

In two years...

Klefbom/Sekera (whichever wins the spot) paired with Larsson

Nurse paired with Bear or Bouchard (whichever wins the spot)

Lag/Jones/??? (Whichever wins the spot) paired with Benning.

That's a balanced group with good talent moving forward.

Yep, big Lagesson fan. He’s never really played for an offensively talented group, but I think there’s a ton of upside there.

 

[BudBundy]

I think yamamoto is going to be the better player in the next 3 years after that will depend on how bouchard devolpes .

I really havent been impressed with Yamamoto so far. Players as small as he is really have to be ++ skaters both in terms of flat out speed and shiftiness. Basically they cant go through anybody so they better be fast enough to blow by or be able to escape/make someone miss. He still has lots of time to get more leg strength and make it happen but I just have yet to see him get the kind of looks and angles he will need to score in the NHL. I do like his hockey sense and willingness to go into traffic. We’ll see!

 

[Aerrol]

I really havent been impressed with Yamamoto so far. Players as small as he is really have to be ++ skaters both in terms of flat out speed and shiftiness. Basically they cant go through anybody so they better be fast enough to blow by or be able to escape/make someone miss. He still has lots of time to get more leg strength and make it happen but I just have yet to see him get the kind of looks and angles he will need to score in the NHL. I do like his hockey sense and willingness to go into traffic. We’ll see!

I agree with this for the most part, other than to say his edgework/shiftiness is fine. He just needs to get the timing down at the NHL level to be avoiding hits and big players. Where I really want to see him improve skating wise is acceleration and top speed. Johnny Gaudreau really grew in that area the last few years so I think Kailer can as well.

I also have to say I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned how disappointing this last year was for Yamamoto. For a kid who started strong and made the big show, and was known for his competitive drive, I was really disappointed to see him phone it in for large parts of his Jr year. He didn't even impress at the world. Jr's, where you'd think he'd have the motivation to prove himself. He still showed his high end skill set and put up respectable numbers, but I dunno, I was disappointed. I was looking for complete jrs dominance from him after his start to the season.

 

[McDaddy]

1. Bouchard
2. Yamamoto
3. Skinner
4. Bear
5. Maksimov
6. McLeod

etc.

 

[Spawn]

I'm interested in where Jones lands on the list this year.

He had the patented "elite junior player to garbage AHL pro" first season that our development system has so seamlessly mastered over the years.

 

[jukon]

Hmm. I picked Yams over Bouchard. Surprised to see so many pick Bouchard.

In terms of top prospect, how are you interpreting that? Highest ceiling? Highest floor? Best overall?

 

[BudBundy]

I'm interested in where Jones lands on the list this year.

He had the patented "elite junior player to garbage AHL pro" first season that our development system has so seamlessly mastered over the years.

We’ve had a major issue with the AHL coaches being worried more about padding their own win stats and playing veteran AHLers over actual prospects.

 

[Spawn]

Hmm. I picked Yams over Bouchard. Surprised to see so many pick Bouchard.

In terms of top prospect, how are you interpreting that? Highest ceiling? Highest floor? Best overall?

I would say Bouchard has Yamamoto beat in all three of those categories. Yamamoto might be more NHL ready I suppose.

 

[soothsayer]

Bouchard is a killer. 2018 version of Provorov but probably better. He could hit 90 points next year if he ends up back in the OHL.

 

[rickysusedsht]

I really havent been impressed with Yamamoto so far. Players as small as he is really have to be ++ skaters both in terms of flat out speed and shiftiness. Basically they cant go through anybody so they better be fast enough to blow by or be able to escape/make someone miss. He still has lots of time to get more leg strength and make it happen but I just have yet to see him get the kind of looks and angles he will need to score in the NHL. I do like his hockey sense and willingness to go into traffic. We’ll see!

to me coming into camp he is a player that will not be denied a spot. If he puts his money where his mouth is he can push that development pace up a notch. He was not happy getting sent down and i think he is here to prove he can stick. I like anyone who has that fire and I think that in it's self will propel him ahead . like I said maybe only for a few years but I'm banking on him to come out flying

 

[Dan Kelly]

Bouchard is a killer. 2018 version of Provorov but probably better. He could hit 90 points next year if he ends up back in the OHL.

wouldn't be a stretch considering he had 87 this year.