Edmonton Oilers: How to Move Forward With All Top Ten Prospects
The Edmonton Oilers finally have a top tier pool of prospects. We will see if the Oilers front office team can manage the pool correctly.
For the first time in a long time, the Edmonton Oilers have a large number of young prospects that show promise. However, the Oilers have shown time and time again that they do not know how to manage a pool of prospects.
After Peter Chiarelli was relieved of his duties, Bob Nicholson stated that the team would be more patient with their prospects. We will see if they stay true to their word on that sentiment.
The purpose of this article is to outline the Oilers top ten prospects (in my opinion), and what the plan should be moving forward with these players. I will state where the player should be playing next year, and what I believe would be a successful season for them. Now, let’s get started with the obvious one.
Some people argue whether the name at the top of this list should be Yamo or Puljujarvi. I think that Bouchard is the Oilers’ top prospect. My opinion is that Bouchard should start next season in the AHL, especially if the Oilers decide not to trade Matt Benning. Unless he completely lights it up in the American League, he should stay there for a full season next year.
If he gets stronger, develops defensively, and is close to a point per game in the AH; that would be a successful season for him. Some may say he should be in the NHL next year. I know that defensemen often take longer to develop, and moving him to the NHL may jeopardize his development. The Oilers cannot afford not to hit a home run with this player. Also, the fact that he was not on Craig Button’s Top 50 NHL prospects list is ridiculous.
First Batch of Prospects
Kailer Yamamoto was rushed to the NHL by the Oilers after being drafted in 2017 and struggled out of the gates. This season, he was sent to the AHL, and for now, this is where he belongs. He needs to develop his game further and get stronger, and also build his confidence to an acceptable level. He is having a great season in Bakersfield which is a good sign.
I believe, barring any drastic changes to his game, he should start in the AHL next year as well. He should stay there for at least the first half of the season and then the Oilers should re-evaluate the situation. The Oilers need to clear cap space this summer and look for help on the wings from outside the organization.
Oh, Jesse. How the Oilers have screwed up your development thus far. Just Like Yamo, he was rushed to the NHL and did not flourish, and his confidence took a major hit. This season especially, he has been shackled on the fourth line (before being injured). Even when he was given a chance in the top 6, one mistake and he would be booted back to the fourth line.
Playing 10 minutes a night in the NHL on the fourth line is no way to develop a top prospect. I am not saying his situation thus far is not on Jesse as well, but the Oilers are mainly to blame. I think he should be with the club next year but in the top 6. If he is not in the top 6, he should be in the AHL, plain and simple. He can still be a dominant player in this league. Hopefully, as I said above, the Oilers can find some help on the wings from outside of the organization, so it is not all on Jesse (and possibly Chiasson).
Cooper Marody has had a great year this year, putting up 43 points in 43 games with the Condors, and playing six solid games for the Oil. I think this player, with a good summer, will be ready for the NHL next year. I can see him centering the third line with Colby Cave centering the fourth line. He is 22 years old and will have a year of pro under his belt. This was a great trade pickup for the Oilers. If he can have 15+ goals on the Oilers third line next year, that would be a successful season.
Second Batch of Prospects
5. Tyler Benson
This player has had a great year down in Bakersfield in his first full year pro. The team is rolling right now, and he is a big part of it. Many thought this player would be a top 15 pick in the draft, but because of injuries, his stock slipped. I think he was a steal for the Oilers in the second round. He has real potential to be a great NHLer in the Oilers top 9.
However, I don’t think this should be next year. Let him light it up in the AHL for one more season and then bring him up to the big club. He is a player that will be needed in the future. I think a full year in the American League at above a point per game, on their top line, would be a successful season. Just like this season, only better.
6. Caleb Jones
Caleb Jones has arguably taken the most significant step this year out of any Oilers prospects. At some points last year he looked like he may be going downhill. He stepped up his game this year. He is a fantastic skater and has offensive upside. He held his own in the NHL until they paired him with a struggling Adam Larsson against the opponent’s top players. When he was on the third pair, he was succeeding.
I think he should be with the Oilers next year (especially if they move one or both of Sekera and Russell), but sheltered on the third pair. He can be an effective third line D-man and could put up points. I believe a full season with the Oilers, on the third pair, with 20+ points would be a great year.
7. Ethan Bear
Bear’s prospect stock has dipped a bit in the past year, especially with the Oilers drafting Bouchard. But do not kid yourself, he is still a great player. If the Oilers do not trade him, he should spend another year in the AHL. He can battle for top pairing minutes with Bouchard, Legasson, and Persson. If he passes them, you could bring him up. But I don’t mind him being in the A for another year.
Last Pool of Prospects
8. Ryan Mcleod
Mcleod came into Oilers camp this year and impressed a lot of people, so much so that he almost made the Oilers out of camp. He has had a solid year in the OHL this year, with 21 points in 25 games. I would not have Mcleod with the Oilers next year. Have him go down and join what will be another successful Condors team and learn how to play the pro game. A year in the minors at a point a game pace would be a successful year for him. He could move up this list of prospects with another great year next year.
9. Joel Persson
I will admit, I do not know much about Joel Persson. He kind of came out of nowhere and is having a great two years in the Swedish Elite League, and the Oilers have his rights. This is another great pickup for the Oilers. His timeline is a little rushed considering he is 25 years old. However, I would still like to see him play a year in the AHL with the Condors and see if he can put up big numbers in the North American pro game. If he can, the Oilers could consider moving Ethan Bear. A season operating the second pair and second PP unit for the Condors should be good for him.
10. Kirill Maksimov
Since being drafted by the Oilers in the 5th round, 146th overall by the Oilers in 2017, Maksimov has put up two monster seasons in the OHL. Don’t look now, but the Oilers may have a late round sleeper on their hands. He put up 80 points last year and another 76 in 59 games this year. I will be the first to say putting up numbers in junior does not always translate to pro. Do not rush him, have him play at least one full year in the AHL before considering bringing him up to the Oilers.
The Oilers have a great prospect pool, and if managed correctly, they could set up the team for success in the coming years. That is one positive to take out of this season. Thanks for reading!