The Edmonton Oilers made a notable move before the start of the 2024-25 season by placing Raphael Lavoie on waivers, which led to the Vegas Golden Knights claiming the 24-year-old forward. Lavoie’s departure might raise eyebrows among fans, especially given his recent performance in the AHL, but should Oilers fans really be concerned about this loss? The answer is no, and here’s why.
No Room on the NHL Roster
While Raphael Lavoie had a strong showing in the AHL last season with 28 goals and 22 assists in 66 games, the reality is that there wasn’t a clear path for him to crack the Oilers' NHL lineup. The Oilers’ forward group is already deep, with elite talent and established players filling the top spots. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner lead a formidable attack, and the bottom six is filled with experienced, role-specific players like Derek Ryan, Mattias Janmark, and Connor Brown.
Lavoie, while talented, wasn’t projected to fit into Edmonton’s immediate plans. His skill set didn’t necessarily match the Oilers’ needs for their bottom-six forwards, who are often expected to bring more of a defensive presence or physical edge. Lavoie is an offensively talented player, but on a team that’s aiming for a Stanley Cup, he didn’t bring the level of experience or versatility to warrant a spot on the opening-night roster.
Timing and Development
Lavoie, now 24 years old, is still developing into a potential NHL regular, but time was running out for him to find a permanent role with the Oilers. While his 28-goal campaign in the AHL shows promise, his overall development curve didn’t quite align with Edmonton’s win-now mentality. The Oilers need players who can contribute immediately to their pursuit of a deep playoff run. Lavoie might have been given more time to develop on a rebuilding team, but for Edmonton, who is in their Stanley Cup window, he didn’t represent a must-keep asset.
Vegas Gets a Shot, Edmonton Doesn’t Lose Out
For the Vegas Golden Knights, claiming Lavoie off waivers gives them an opportunity to test out a young forward with offensive upside. He may find a place in Vegas’ roster, where the expectations and competition for roster spots may be different. In Edmonton, though, Lavoie’s ceiling wasn’t high enough to justify holding onto him in a tight cap and roster situation.
Ultimately, the Oilers’ loss of Lavoie won’t likely hurt them in the long run. With an already established roster and championship aspirations, Edmonton’s focus is on finding the right mix of players who can contribute to their immediate success. Lavoie, while a promising young talent, didn’t have a clear role to play in that pursuit.
So, do we care? Not really. The Oilers are chasing the Cup, and Lavoie, unfortunately, was simply a victim of the team’s competitive depth. While it’s worth keeping an eye on his progress in Vegas, Edmonton’s roster is locked and loaded for bigger goals.