Confirmed with Link: Oilers sign Raphael Lavoie...
- Thread starter McBeastMode
- Start date
I was hoping this was the Raphael that jumped onto the ice during that Oilers event at WEM once
Senor Catface
Registered User
- Jul 25, 2006
- 15,932
- 19,813
Jumptheshark
Rebooting myself
It's a contract that starts next year so it doesn't count against this year's 50.
Jumptheshark
Rebooting myself
alphahelix
Registered User
- Feb 15, 2007
- 7,031
- 2,811
Why? Because his stats from playoffs last year into this season are inflating expectations?
He has a very nice frame, early scouting criticisms about his acceleration seem commonplace for guys of his size and they often look slower than they are. Maybe he lacks some tenacity night-to-night? But his playoff performance was outstanding...
Based on raw stats (which of course is where a lot of poor analysis comes from on HFBoards), he is widely outperforming his draft number.
I’m just curious what criticism actually holds weight at this point? People seem to have appreciated his 2-way contributions in limited ice time for the WJC championship. I don’t doubt that he will have some struggles transitioning to pro, as do 90% of prospects, but I also get the impression that his weaknesses are overstated. We all drooled over Puljujarvi’s fit as a top RW, but he has had exactly one stretch of goal scoring prowess in his career (WJC tournament with Aho and Laine), whereas Raphael seems to be a regular lamplighter, even if his skating is behind Puljujarvi— skating isn’t everything. They have the same frame, but Puljujarvi might be more of a Paajarvi while Raphael could be more of a Neal (which was a good thing at one point).
So what’s your take?
Bring Back Bucky
Registered User
There is no capacity for him to break hearts. He came at 38, not 3 or 18.
There has always been lots of question marks around the player. I think he could be a pleasant surprise or a mild disappointment. I don’t think anyone has gotten too overboard on the kid.
McDNicks17
Moderator
With him and Maksimov in Bako next year, they're going to have some shooters.
Keep the right-shooting bombs coming. They have to hit on one eventually.
Keep the right-shooting bombs coming. They have to hit on one eventually.
LTIR
Registered User
- Nov 8, 2013
- 25,892
- 12,858
Jumptheshark
Rebooting myself
THe Oilers have been pretty bad drafting in the 2nd round. Was there one successful pick there since Stoll? But maybe things are changing. It looks like both Bear and Jones will be useful players.
Draiskull
Registered User
- Oct 26, 2005
- 23,332
- 2,167
Many would argue that he is crude not rude. All would agree that Drai leads and Mike Smith is a party dude.
Aerchon
Registered User
- Jul 20, 2011
- 10,515
- 3,705
Did you watch him at the WJC? Or junior?
Certainly not a speedster but I thought his skating woes overblown at those levels. Nhl may be different of course but I don't think skating is as much a concern as I thought it might be prior to watching.
Draiskull
Registered User
- Oct 26, 2005
- 23,332
- 2,167
Jumptheshark
Rebooting myself
He reminds me of Neal. The kid is 6-4 and takes big strides and I think he might have trouble adapting to the NHL quick start, stops, spins and adjust
from what I have seen he looks like a Clydesdale
Jumptheshark
Rebooting myself
Yamamoto always had speed--the question for him was being able to put up with NHL physical nature
Mr Positive
Cap Crunch Incoming
- Nov 20, 2013
- 35,940
- 16,328
if that really was the concern, then it was always misplaced. The modern NHL is very kind to smaller players.
I seem to recall many making comment about his skating speed. And really, when I think of Yamamoto's strengths, it's not really that he is blazing fast. It's more about quickness in short spaces, smart puck decisios, and tenacious forechecking (focused on the puck)
Aerchon
Registered User
- Jul 20, 2011
- 10,515
- 3,705
I think of Neal with him as well. Neal was an effective nhl player/skater through his prime anyways.
Obviously more Neal than Draisaitl but his stride reminds me of Draisaitl a bit too.
alphahelix
Registered User
- Feb 15, 2007
- 7,031
- 2,811
He’s not really “smaller players” though, he’s more like smallest player. So I think it is reasonable that people had concerns.
tardigrade81
Registered User
I dunno.... I think he might be fast
but.... I Dunno....
k.... I have no idea who he is
I just wanted to fit in 
DethOfDragnz
Registered User
A good signing. Like many people there are some question marks with Lavoie but he seems to be doing well at the junior level, he could have gone higher in the draft for sure he's worth signing, developing, and seeing if he can make the transition to the pros.
Senor Catface
Registered User
- Jul 25, 2006
- 15,932
- 19,813
This was your gut last offseason on Yamamoto.
You should go see a doctor about that gut!
SwedishFire
Registered User
- Mar 3, 2011
- 5,332
- 1,863
With what everyone is saying in this thread, I know from experience, that those player expected to go high, and falls on draftday - there is often a reason to it. A few exceptions is likes of P.K Subban, M.Barzal (if 15 ranks as a faller...) it actually doesnt...).
So with this player, I just lower my expectations. But its though, His strength is everything you want in a linemate to McDavid...
So with this player, I just lower my expectations. But its though, His strength is everything you want in a linemate to McDavid...
