Prospect Info: The 2022 Draft Thread

[LTIR]

If Matt Savoie drops to 10-15th I hope Holland trades up for him.

 

[ImmuneEH]

I'm hoping for the best defenseman available or a project like Miroshnichenko that could potentially help drive offense in the top 6 from the right side.

 

[gordonhught]

I'm hoping for the best defenseman available or a project like Miroshnichenko that could potentially help drive offense in the top 6 from the right side.

Agreed. Another RHD please. No more lefties (unless the best D man by far is a lefty).

 

[McDoused]

Assuming we keep the pick and we look at Bob's list - I see a lot of guys that I would be extremely happy with:

25. Chesley - 6'0.5" 201bs RD

I've seen Chesley all over the place. I think whoever takes him will get a solid defenceman for a lot of years. The more you watch him, the move you appreciate his edges, hockey IQ and ability to make the right play. I could see him turning into a Ryan McDonaugh type.

26. Bichsel - 6'5.5" 225lbs LD

I don't expect Bichsel to be around with our pick given his size and untapped offensive potential. Bichsel could be this years Moritz Seider light. Seider didn't exactly have the best of numbers in the DEL either. Bichsel is a great skater for his size, plays a physical game and can move the puck surprisingly well. The young Swiss player has some flashes of Darnell Nurse in his game. If you want to try and hit a homerun, this is a pick. My guess is Anaheim snags him with their pick at 22.

27. McGroarty - 6'1" 204lbs LC

If McGroarty can work on his speed and skating, watch out. This kids shot is LETHAL. In addition to having one the best names in the draft, Rutger put up just stupid numbers in his career so far. He reminds me a bit of Bo Horvat but I could see him putting up better NHL numbers if he figures it out all. I think he has a pretty high ceiling but still some untapped potential here.

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That Leaves us with the following:

28. Nathan Gaucher - 6'3" 207lbs RC
I don't mind Gaucher but I think he tops out as a 3rd line center and reminds me of Adam Lowry. Maybe thats too harsh but I don't know if I see the upside but overall a very safe pick. Wouldn't hate the pick as right hand centers are always nice to have and something the Oilers are missing. I see him more of an early second but wouldn't be surprised if hes the guy we grab given that this isn't exactly a strong draft.

29. Luca Del Bel Belluz - 6'0.5" 17lbs LC
I'd rather have Owen Beck if I'm being honest. Del Bel Belluz has had a productive season but plays a cerebral game that I'm not sure it translates very well to the NHL level. He seems slow to me and doesn't really seem like he has enough gas in the tank to make the NHL as a top 6 forward. I guess I just don't see how he fits into the Oilers at this point.

30. Filip Mesar - 5'9.5" 174lbs RW
Impressed early but he really looked small against men. I don't know how much he improved this year playing against harder competition. My fear is that hes too small and becomes a perimeter powerplay guy. Super skilled and fun to watch at times though, just not sure we need another smallish RW.

31. Sam Rinzel - 6'3.75" 180lbs RD
I'm always impressed with these guys at the high school level and say to myself that they check all the boxes. Unfortunately these big defenceman from high school seem to rarely pan out. Not sure it's worth the risk in the 1st.

32. Tristan Luneau - 6'1.5" 189lbs RD
Steady guy that I think is flying under the radar a bit. He's a big RHD that I think plays a 4-5 role in the NHL. Wouldn't be the worst pick but not a really sexy pick either. I would be okay with Luneau but I do think their are more talented players around. Should be a nice complimentary player

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Overall not too happy with what would be here based on Bob's rankings. Other players available are:

33. Owen Beck
34. Jagger Firkus
36. Calle Odelius
40. Lane Hutson

Beck would be okay the same way Gaucher would be but neither would be my 1st choice. Firkus probably isn't a Holland pick given his size but you never know. Odelius would be a great pick. Hutson I love but he is a huge gamble for a team that doesn't pick again until the 5th round.

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

If we don't trade the pick then draft BPA no matter what. Screw need. The prospect is very unlikely to make an impact the next 2 years so we're better off hoping they can increase their post-draft stock. That way they can be an attractive trade piece for a team who needs that position. If the BPA is an offensive play driving playmaking center you take him regardless of McDrai's existence and swing them in a trade for a dman.

 

[KMart27]

Late 1st with no 2nd, 3rd, or 4th. I fully expect Holland to trade back so he can add a pick.

 

[suddeninterest]

I think you take Hutson and likely worst case you get something similar to Sam Girard but hope for an Adam Fox. Elite skating and dynamic offensive ability. Just make sure he will sign here before drafting. Maybe recency bias but watching Fox and Makar these playoffs idrc if he’s 5’6 130lbs.

 

[PKSpecialist]

I think you take Hutson and likely worst case you get something similar to Sam Girard but hope for an Adam Fox. Elite skating and dynamic offensive ability. Just make sure he will sign here before drafting. Maybe recency bias but watching Fox and Makar these playoffs idrc if he’s 5’6 130lbs.

Because we don't own a second or third round pick I want no part of Lane Hutson. I don't hate the player, but I just don't like the chances of him becoming an impact player. With only one pick in the top 100 I want a little better certainty than a 5'8 defender. I'd much rather take my chances with Pickering, Luneau, Havelid, Nelson, Salomonsson, Chesley, Rinzel. Knowing that we likely have Nurse/Broberg as top 4 dmen on the left side for the foreseeable future, and Bouchard on the other side, I think its time to invest a first in a RHD who can hopefully develop and move into the top 4 around the time Ceci's deal is expiring. In my opinion, Chesley and Nelson are the most advanced of this group today, but I do have a soft spot for big defensemen with offensive ability and strong skating. Luneau, Salomonsson and Rinzel fit that bill a little better.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

This late in the first round I'm not sure if the Oilers keep the pick or move it for immediate help.Should they keep it, I can see them going after size, high compete level and character which can complement the smaller skill guys in the system. We see the value of robust support players like Nick Paul with high motor, size and inclination to grind for every inch of the ice. Someone mentioned Adam Lowry in a comp and I would be ecstatic for a large, physical character guy like that to continue to shape this roster into one that can grind and wear down opposition teams complementing the elite skill stun and gun work of McDavid and Draisaitl.

Still like Nathan Gaucher if he is available for all the reasons listed above: Gaucher's physical game opening eyes ahead of 2022 NHL Draft

Another of this large, high character support type is Reid Schaeffer who is rocketing up due to a breakout season and playoff: Schaefer ‘mauled’ by NHL interviews after strong season in Seattle - TSN.ca

Need bigger bodies to help assert their will on other teams during playoff grind time. Could see maybe a RD with size to continue building up the quality of defense pipeline prospects.

 

[McDNicks17]

If Bob's list is how it turns out, I'd want Holland to trade back for Noah Warren.

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

Not sure if this is the right thread to ask about this but I saw that Steve Staios' son Nathan won CHL defenseman of the year and appears to be a key cog of the dominant Hamilton Bulldogs. Apparently he's an undrafted free agent? Does anyone know much about his game? Could be a low risk signing with big potential and given the Steve Staios connection we could have the inside track on him.

 

[AddyTheWrath]

From Wright’s interview with DNB it looks like his staff prioritizes skill, speed and competitiveness.

Any prospects come to mind that will be available in our range?

 

[gordonhught]

From Wright’s interview with DNB it looks like his staff prioritizes skill, speed and competitiveness.

Any prospects come to mind that will be available in our range?

Maybe there is a good LHD available where the Oilers pick.

 

[McAsuno]

From Wright’s interview with DNB it looks like his staff prioritizes skill, speed and competitiveness.

Any prospects come to mind that will be available in our range?

Nail Yakupov

 

[BudBundy]

What’s the consensus on Nathan Gaucher around here?

 

[Nunymare]

Nail Yakupov

His cousin is eligible this year... Raul Yakupov at eliteprospects.com

 

[PKSpecialist]

What’s the consensus on Nathan Gaucher around here?

A likely 4th line Center. Doesn’t have the skill to play top 6, and will be in tough to produce at a high enough rate to be a top 15 3rd line Center. These aren’t knocks on these kids…it’s reality. Too many people look at late round picks expecting to hit on star players…if you get a player who plays 8 years in the league and 400+ games at the end of the first round consider it a win, regardless of the level of play.

Gaucher should be able to carve out a role as a PK guy who plays physically. I’d say he’s likely to become a player like Austin Watson. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[McDoused]

A likely 4th line Center. Doesn’t have the skill to play top 6, and will be in tough to produce at a high enough rate to be a top 15 3rd line Center. These aren’t knocks on these kids…it’s reality. Too many people look at late round picks expecting to hit on star players…if you get a player who plays 8 years in the league and 400+ games at the end of the first round consider it a win, regardless of the level of play.

Gaucher should be able to carve out a role as a PK guy who plays physically. I’d say he’s likely to become a player like Austin Watson. Nothing wrong with that.

I think he could be a 3rd line center like an Adam Lowry if things go right. I mean I do like the player but he is what he is. Hes a complimentary depth piece. He just lacks that extra step, explosiveness, shot and skill that would want from a first rounder. TBH Julian Lutz (who I took in our mock draft late in the 2nd round) I think has higher potential (but less of a sure thing).

If we draft from the Q I'd rather grab Tristan Luneau (who I also took in mock draft). He basically played all season at 75% trying to recover from injury. I think he becomes a steady #4 dman for some team that plays on your PK and eats up a lot of minutes.

 

[McDNicks17]

Not sure if this is the right thread to ask about this but I saw that Steve Staios' son Nathan won CHL defenseman of the year and appears to be a key cog of the dominant Hamilton Bulldogs. Apparently he's an undrafted free agent? Does anyone know much about his game? Could be a low risk signing with big potential and given the Steve Staios connection we could have the inside track on him.

I doubt there's an NHL player there.

He's not really a natural offensive player. That's kind of a kiss of death for a 5'10'' defenseman. He racked up points on Hamilton's PP, but I'm not sure he'd even be an AHL PP guy.

Could be a decent AHLer on an AHL deal, but I don't think I'd commit more than that.

 

[McDNicks17]

From Wright’s interview with DNB it looks like his staff prioritizes skill, speed and competitiveness.

Any prospects come to mind that will be available in our range?

Owen Beck fits the bill. He's ranked around our pick in most places.

He's not super skilled, but has enough puck skill to be a middle six center, I'd say. He's one of the best skaters in the draft. Great work ethic and two-way play. Probably the best faceoff guy in the OHL.

 

[PostBradMalone]

From Wright’s interview with DNB it looks like his staff prioritizes skill, speed and competitiveness.

Any prospects come to mind that will be available in our range?

That sounds like Jordan Dumais to me and I wouldn't hate if we were the team to take an early shot on him. Seth Jarvis is showing kids like him can come in and make an impact right away.

 

[bellagiobob]

 

[Delicious Pancakes]

Owen Beck fits the bill. He's ranked around our pick in most places.

He's not super skilled, but has enough puck skill to be a middle six center, I'd say. He's one of the best skaters in the draft. Great work ethic and two-way play. Probably the best faceoff guy in the OHL.

I would love Beck as the Oilers' pick. He's got the skillset and 2-way play to slot in as a 3rd line center but the upside to be a 2nd line center in the NHL. He's got the skating, IQ, and ability to gain the offensive blueline. He's stuck behind Del Bel Belluz but should get more opportunity on the PP next year. I like Del Bel Belluz also and see 2nd line potential, but I see Beck as being a better all-around player at the NHL level. He can obviously dish the puck, but hopefully he can develop his shot and learn when to be more selfish with the puck next year in Mississauga.

 

[Seachd]

If anyone who's been here as long as I have wants to feel even older: Rob Schremp is 36 today.

 

[joestevens29]

If anyone who's been here as long as I have wants to feel even older: Rob Schremp is 36 today.

Still remember talking to Craig Simpson after the golden bears and oiler rookie game, discussing what Schremp would need to work on to make the NHL.