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The basic consensus is that the Edmonton Oilers don’t have the strongest farm system, particularly after three proficient younger gamers have graduated to the NHL in Stuart Skinner, Philip Broberg, and Dylan Holloway. Having mentioned that, there are all the time some hidden gems drafted late who by no means received a superb look earlier than being drafted or have been creating out of prying eyes. This is who we’re going to focus on right here and provides followers one thing to stay up for exterior of the pleasure surrounding the very expert Oilers workforce in the NHL.
Nikita Yevseyev
The first prospect that we’ll dive into is Nikita Yevseyev. If you have a look at any listing of Oilers’ prime prospects for the coming season, he’ll be ranked larger than you would possibly anticipate. This Russian prospect was drafted a hundred and ninetieth general in the sixth spherical in 2022 however is taking part in means above the place he’s anticipated to be at this level in his improvement. Typically, younger gamers who come up taking part in in the minor leagues of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), Swedish Hockey League (SHL), National League (NL), and so on, must spend at the least a couple of years there earlier than making the soar to the prime skilled league. Not Yevseyev.
He was a really fast riser in that he spent a season and a half in the MHL, which is Russia’s junior hockey league, earlier than taking part in the majority of 2021-22 (draft yr) in the VHL (Supreme Hockey League, the second highest hockey league in Russia). He impressed a lot that he solely performed two video games in the VHL final season and 48 video games in the KHL as an 18-year-old.
Yevseyev is extra identified for his defensive capabilities however has proven some glorious flashes of offensive expertise. Russia often produces offensive gamers, so he’s considerably of a rarity. While his defensive skill is what has gotten him to the level the place he’s already been profitable in a full season in the KHL at such a younger age, his skill to create offence and soar into the rush will have the ability to push him additional. There is an effective likelihood that by the time he develops sufficient and comes over to North America, he might discover a spot on the Oilers’ blue line instantly.
Maxim Beryozkin
The subsequent participant to observe is Maxin Beryozkin, who additionally performs in the KHL. He was drafted in 2020 in the fifth spherical at 138th general and the massive winger has risen up the ranks. He too is not going to be in the NHL anytime quickly, however like Yevseyev, might soar proper into the Oilers’ lineup when he comes over to North America.
While Beryozkin didn’t seem like something particular for the first two seasons after he was drafted, he lastly broke out, placing him on the radar. He cut up time in 2020-21 and 2021-22 between the MHL and KHL and simply couldn’t appear to switch over the offensive manufacturing. He put up 26 objectives and 63 factors in 47 video games in the MHL, however might solely muster up one purpose and 4 factors in 61 KHL video games.
Related: Holland’s Patience With Oilers’ Prospects Could Pay Off in Big Way
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Something clicked and Beryozkin caught round and performed primarily in the KHL final season, recording seven objectives and 26 factors earlier than including two objectives and 5 factors in 12 playoff video games. The power forward with a great scoring ability lastly put it on show when he received a possibility (aged out of the MHL) and is now proper on monitor to be a possible middle-six ahead in the NHL, hopefully for the Oilers (from “Edmonton Oilers hope history doesn’t repeat with this Russian-trained prospect”, Edmonton Journal, Aug. 17, 2022).
Shane LaChance
Another late-round choose by Oilers basic supervisor Ken Holland, Shane LaChance was chosen in the sixth spherical in 2021, 186th general. Like the others, this very giant winger had a bump in manufacturing final season to get him on our radar. Playing in the United States Hockey League (USHL), he jumped from 11 objectives and 23 factors in 55 video games to 33 objectives and 54 factors in 62 video games. From age 18 to 19, that may be a large constructive step for the Oilers’ prospect.
LaChance’s shot is one thing to notice as he displayed it final season placing up 33 objectives. His biggest weakness is skating although. If that improves, his ceiling might be a lot larger regardless of expectations for him to already enhance upon his purpose totals from final season. Late-round measurement has been considerably of a pattern for the Oilers. With so few draft picks as a result of they’ve been utilizing them since the workforce was in win-now mode, gamers like LaChance, who’ve the instruments to succeed, give the Oilers’ prospect pool some promise. He possesses a capability to repeatedly win puck battles, which works very properly along side his measurement and with the ability to maintain onto the puck.
All three of those prospects have shot onto the radar and can be a trio that might change the complexion of the Oilers’ farm system in a couple of years’ time.
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