Here we see the second pandemic draft taking place, with the same problems as in 2020. Although the vast majority of NHL players had all gotten their jabs and thus were safe to return to the ice, we had to wait until the vaccines had moved through the general population before it was safe for players to return to the ice and fans to return to the stands. Thus, most leagues around the world had a reduced season, but this time starting late instead of ending early. Again, I'd say keep expectations low and then be happy if things turn out.
The Oilers were once more playoff contenders at this point. So again they were drafting in the middle of the pack, specifically at the 20th spot.
First round - Xavier Bourgault, 22nd overall - Oilers actually swapped picks with Minnesota (previously 20th overall) and gained a third round pick as well in this draft for their trouble
Bourgault started his career for the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL, and caught the Oilers' eye after three out of his four seasons in junior - his rookie season being the only exception - that he put up over one PPG every season - specifically 71 points in 63 games, 40 points in 29 games, then 75 points in 43 games, and putting up two seasons of 30 goals and a season of 20 goals in those seasons as well.
Bourgault's team also did well as a group, as the Cataractes won the President's Cup as QMJHL champions but lost in the Memorial Cup semifinals to the OHL champion Hamilton Bulldogs. (Fun fact - the Edmonton Oil Kings were the WHL champions that season). He also killed it on defens]ce too, putting up +8, +7, then +29 in those seasons.
Bourgault, however, thus far has not been able to find that success at the pro level. He put up a modest 13-21-34 in 62 games for Bakersfield in his rookie season. Albeit with a +10, so far the only element of his junior game he's been able to find at the pro level. He followed that up last season suffering an injury and thus limiting himself to 8-12-20 in 55 games.
It also didn't help Bourgault's cause, that he's played four playoff games for the Condors over the past two seasons and produced no offence in any of those games. This then led the Oilers to trade Bourgault and Jake Chiasson to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a more NHL-ready Roby Jarventie and a 2025 fourth round pick, which was then flipped to San Jose in the Cody Ceci trade.
Bourgault's ELC expires after this season, so it remains unclear whether or not he has an NHL future. He better hope the fresh start -- which likely means he'll suit up for Ottawa's farm team the Belleville Senators -- pans out, otherwise there's a good chance he might have to continue his career across the pond in Europe.
Trending up or down? Definitely down
Who did the Oilers miss out on? Only one impact player was drafted after Bourgault - Wyatt Johnson (Dallas), a guy who is a rarity at this point in the draft who went straight from junior to the NHL, putting up 24 then 32 goals in the process. The fact he was picked only one selection after Bourgault at 23rd overall hurts a little.