Oilers: Kailer Yamamoto’s Keys to Success, Profile and Expectations

Kailer Yamamoto is going to be coming into this season with lots to prove. He will need to have a better season if he wants to be part of the Edmonton Oilers’ top six.

After signing a one-year extension worth $1.175 million with Edmonton Oilers, Yamamoto will need to have a better season offensively if he expects to get more money next offseason. Penciled in on the wing with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Leon Draisaitl, Yamamoto is in a spot where he needs to produce points or he will be moved down the lineup.

Stats From The Past:

Keys To Success:

1. Score More Goals- Scoring 11 goals in 27 games back in the 2019-2020 season, Yamamoto scored only 8 goals in 52 last season. If he hopes to stay in the top 6 he is going to have to put more pucks in the back of the net. If he struggles I can see Zach Kassian getting a look in his place.

2. Forecheck- Being on a line with Leon Draisaitl would be a dream come true to most players. Being on a line with a high skilled player like Leon, Yamamoto will be relied on to retrieve the puck in the offensive zone. Nugent-Hopkins and Draisaitl are more skilled than Kailer and will be able to have more success if Yamamoto can get the puck to them.

3. Be Hard To Play Against- A hard forecheck is only a part of being hard to play against. To make a difference on a game to game basis, Yamamoto has be active in all aspects of the game. He needs to things like be strong in the defensive end, drive the net hard and finish hits when available. If he is able to get in the head of the opposing team he is playing the right style.

Expectation:

I expect Yamamoto to have a bounce-back year. Watching last season he appeared to have bad luck. He missed a lot of wide-open nets and looks. If he is able to finish on those chances he should have no problem helping out the Edmonton Oilers in their top 6.