B-Side Edmonton Oilers Draft Preview: Part 1
The 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver is almost here and like all Oiler fans out there, I am excited to see our new GM, Ken Holland, put the Oilers back on track. There is a lot of speculation out there on what he might do this weekend. Oilers will of course draft the best player available as the team has need of elite players in every position but there is a lot of uncertainty as to who is the best player outside of the top 2.
Ken Holland will have put together a list that ranks players for all seven rounds of the draft. There is an argument to be made for trading up in the draft to secure a player like Bowem Byram who will almost certainly be drafted in the top 5. There is also an argument for trading their first round pick (8th overall) and something else to move down in the draft as there are many great prospects in this draft. However a deal like this is rare and it will be harder to pull off as many teams find themselves needing the players on ELC deals to save them from cap trouble.
The Oilers will have a top 8 list in case a high ranked player is passed on and is available when they make their pick. The top 2 on their list will be Jack Hughes and Kappo Kakko. They are the obvious top two and they won’t slide so lets look at the remaining six from an Oilers perspective.
#3. Bowen Byram. The only defense man ranked in the top 10 by most scouts will most likely be gone when the Oilers pick and for good reason. The roughly 6’1, 200 lb, Cranbrook native, is the complete package. He plays a full 200 ft game and can add offence to the Oilers blue line while also adding a physical defensive game. He shoots left and would make an almost unstoppable pairing with the Oiler’s prospect, Even Bouchard, in a few years.
#4. Dylan Cozens. The 6’4 center from the Lethbridge Hurricanes is an amazing skater with gifted hockey IQ. He plays with urgency and desire to win that would be a huge asset to the Oilers both on and off the ice. He hasn’t fully filled out his large frame but he still plays a physical two way game. He is a right handed shot which would be a huge addition to Nuge’s second line. Allowing the Oilers options when taking the draw. There is a chance he will be available when the Oilers pick and if he is I am sure there is no doubt the Oilers will take him.
#5. Kirby Dach. Like Cozens, he is another huge right handed center, with the same height but with a much sturdier frame at 200 lbs. Arguably one of the most NHL ready prospects in the draft, the St. Albert native reminds me a lot of Leon Draisaitl when he was drafted. The guy plays a big offensive game and has the ability to drive the net with the puck like Leon was famous for. He is great defensively but he is considered a play maker with the ability to score when needed. His point total at 73 points in 62 games and 8 points in 10 games with Saskatoon is slightly behind Cozens but it is anyone’s guess who will be better in the future. He would be an incredible addition to the Oilers lineup.
#6. Alex Turcotte. Like the players listed above, Turcotte is a player that shows up to win each night. If you have seen him play you might label him a play maker because of his amazing ability to move the puck but he plays a complete two way game. The 6’0 center had 27 goals (62 points) in only 37 games with the US U18 team and 4 goals (9 points) in his 7 games at the World Juniors this year, he is underrated as a goal scorer. Turcotte can play any role the Oilers need and with elite talent.
#7. Trevor Zegras. Is another strong two way center from the US U18 team. He is a flashy and exciting player to watch. With 78 points in 54 games, he would a great addition to the Oilers lineup. He makes great use of any ice given to him and can dominate under pressure. At 173 lbs he has a little filling out to do but after a year in the minors there is little doubt he will be able to transition his game to the NHL.
#8. Peyton Krebs. Rounds out my list but he is an incredible player. Has has amazing hockey sense and plays with an intensity that reminds me of the Tkachuk brothers. Gritty and competitive the Calgary born center had 68 points in 64 games with Kootenay ICE this season. Whats important to note about Krebs’s points is he led his team by a large margin. The ICE had only 181 GF this season which is almost a hundred less than either Dach’s Saskatoon Blades or Cozen’s Lethbridge Hurricanes (all three teams from the WHL) this season. I am more inclined to look at his stats with Team Canada at the WJC this year where he led the team in goals (6) and points (10) in just 7 games.
Any of these would be great additions to the Oilers squad and it is probably obvious why it is unlikely the Oilers would trade down in this years draft. I encourage everyone to check these players highlights out as they are all fun to watch.