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Revisiting the 2021 NHL entry draft - how did the Oilers make out?

The "reverse pandemic" draft - jabs received, safety increased amongst both players and fans. The season starts late instead of ending early. Ken Holland continues putting his stamp on the Oilers.

By Phil Gretzky

Feb. 9, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; General managers Ken Holland (left) of the Detroit Red Wings and Brian Burke (center) of the Toronto Maple Leafs talk with NHL Networks sportscaster Kathryn Tappen (right) during an NHL press conference for the 2013 Winter Classic at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb. 9, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; General managers Ken Holland (left) of the Detroit Red Wings and Brian Burke (center) of the Toronto Maple Leafs talk with NHL Networks sportscaster Kathryn Tappen (right) during an NHL press conference for the 2013 Winter Classic at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
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Fifth round - no pick, traded away to Ottawa for Tyler Ennis, which was flipped to Anaheim who made a selection with it.

Sixth round (two picks) - Matvey Petrov, 180th overall

Petrov took a rather unorthodox development route. He started in the Russian junior leagues, and caught the Oilers' eye when he put up 22-20-42 in 58 games in said league. He was brought across the pond to play in the OHL for the North Bay Battalion the following season. He absolutely lit up the OHL in two seasons played, putting up 40 goals and 90 points in 63 games in season one, followed by 27 goals and 92 points in 65 games in season two. His playoff boxcars are equally impressive - 10 points in 13 games in season one and 22 points in 20 games in season two.

Petrov then made his pro debut last season, where he put up 9-5-14 in 53 games. Not impressive for a rookie debut but hardly a condemnation, as the learning curve is steep for a lot of guys graduating from junior to the pros. With only one pro season under his belt, it's hard to judge him one way or the other. We need to see him play more games before we know for sure.

Petrov at this time has an ELC under his belt and will suit up again for the Condors next season. Hopefully he can harness his inner junior player and put up more offence with more experience under his belt.

Trending up or down? Jury's out at this time.

Shane Lachance, 186th overall - pick acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for the signing rights to John Marino (who was never interested in signing with the Oilers organization anyway, I might add).

Ken Holland did a lot of good things and a lot of bad things in his time as GM of the Oilers, but this selection may go down as one of his better picks.

Lachance is looking more like a diamond in the rough everyday, as to start he already is a player with size at 6'5" and 218 lbs. He began his career in a lower tier US junior league, putting up 15 points in 25 games for the Boston Jr. Bruins of the NCDC. He then graduated to the USHL, putting up 11-12-23 in 55 games with 67 PIMs - showing already that's he's not afraid to get physical and throw his body around on the ice. He followed that up with a whopping 33-21-54 in 62 games played with 53 PIMs and a further 3-3-6 in 9 games, as his Youngstown Phantoms ended up winning the USHL championship that season.

Lachance has since chosen to go the US College route, putting up 13-14-27 in 40 games for Boston University. Although his PIMs weren't that impressive, -- only 12 on the season -- he's already shown an amazing ability for defensive play as he put up a +15 to go with that offence, a two point improvement on his last season in the USHL. It is 100 percent rare for a player to improve his defensive play at the next level from juniors in his rookie season (the hardest skill for NHL players to master), and Lachance has absolutely accomplished it. I can't wait to see what he does for an encore next season. If he can improve on those boxcars over the next couple of seasons, the Oilers may offer him an early ELC.

Trending up or down? Up.

Who did the Oilers miss out on? Literally no one. In the fifth round only two players have even played NHL games, and both are simply AHL bubble players at this time, which of course may change over time but that's what they are right now. In the sixth round no one has played any NHL games. I'm satisfied with the team's use of draft assets in these two rounds.

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