Oilers: Recapping the team’s 2021 NHL Draft Class

The Edmonton Oilers NHL Draft was kind of quiet. After deciding to pass on a potential future franchise goalie in Jesper Wallstedt the team decided to draft Xavier Bourgault with their first-round pick, but let’s not get too ahead of ourselves here.

The draft featured some feel-good stories. From New Jersey drafting Luke Hughes to Seattle drafting their first-ever player during the NHL draft. It was a really fun event. The Oilers made some moves during the draft and honestly, it was a pretty quiet night for them. While I understand the draft is never going to be the most exciting thing in the world, the team could have made a few moves to improve their team now and for the future.

Here is the entire Edmonton Oilers’ 2021 NHL Draft Class:

Round One 20th Pick Overall: Xavier Bourgault

Round Three 90th Pick Overall: Luca Münzenberger

Round Four 116th Pick Overall: Jake Chiasson

Round Six 180th Pick Overall: Matvei Petrov

Round Six 186th Overall: Shane Lachance

Round Seven 212th Overall: Maximus Wanner

This team is definitely not done making deals this offseason. While there are some talented names on this list none are going to jump to the NHL next season. Bourgault has the best chance as he is such a skilled forward, but the team cannot rely on him to play in the NHL he is better off developing somewhere else where he can play in a bigger role.

Now I am not going to lie, there is not much to be said about a lot of the players on this list. That is what happens when a team gives up their top draft picks for different assets over the years.

Plus during a pandemic season, some of these players have been on the ice in a lot more limited role than in years past so there is no easy way to decide who is higher rated than others. The scouts had their work cut out for them this season, and now we will have to just wait and see if any of these guys can make it to the NHL.

Edmonton had an emphasis on forwards this draft as our out of the six players drafted are forwards, in particular all capable of playing on the wings.