Oiler fans have reason to look forward to day 2 (or this season, later that same day) of the entry draft. Second round+ selections over the years include Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson and Jari Kurri. I don’t believe modern Oiler fans expect that kind of return with the second rounders this season, but if the club can acquire a Miro Satan or Kirk Maltby no one would complain.
STU’S SECOND ROUND (SO FAR)
- 2008: None
- 2009: C Anton Lander
- 2010: R Tyler Pitlick, D Martin Marincin, L Curtis Hamilton
- 2011: D David Musil
- 2012: L Mitchell Moroz
Apparently (I never know how to apply these studies to a modern era, and the NHL keeps changing the modern era rules) 25% of second round selections enjoy careers of 200 games or more. My experience with most Oiler fans suggests Stu MacGregor is average to slightly above average (I don’t agree, btw) so that would mean that we should expect exactly 1.5 NHL players from the current crop (it’ll be a full 2 players if the Oilers use both of their second round picks this season).
Fair? Or do we need to apply a special “Stu tax” as we’ve done with his first round selections?
COUNTDOWN TO ECSTASY
- Anton Lander 67
So far, only one of the second round selections has played in the NHL, and I do believe you can make a strong argument that those games should have been played in the AHL or SEL. Among the other second rounders, Marincin would appear to be closest to the NHL but I wouldn’t count out Tyler Pitlick getting the nod before him. Hamilton is barely holding on to a pro career, Musil’s about to turn pro and Moroz is one year away from going to the AHL (all things remaining equal).
I think we can argue the MBS picks are on track to produce 1.5 per 6, but of course in order to be above average he’d need to deliver two of these selections to the NHL. Is that reasonable? Probably, but we’ll have to wait and see.
THIS YEAR’S SECOND ROUND
Oilers selections are (currently) #37 and #56. Based on MacT’s verbal, I think there’s a chance the club deals #7 for a first and a second (say #13 and #43)–making this year’s second round a major item for the procurement department. Last night, I posted my top 30. What does the second 30 look like? Again, this is my list, complete with bias and NHLE and love of wide range of skills guys.
I have paid special attention to goaltending and center, two areas I believe Edmonton will be concentrating in this draft. All comments with * are Craig Button via tsn, otherwise it’s me stealing from Pronman and rephrasing or riffing on my own.
- #31–C Ryan Hartman: Good skater very good awareness a player who is no fun to play against!*
- #32–G Tristan Jarry: If we’re to believe SP, then he belongs here.
- #33–R Michael McCarron: PF has improved his foot speed. Oilers are on him, I’d bet money on it.
- #34–L Pavel Buchnevich: Exceptional skill winger, puck skills are the main calling card.
- #35–D Chris Bigras: Two-way defender with good speed and surprising defensive acumen for his age.
- #36–G Zach Fucale: His skills very good: skating, lateral mobility & positional approach to the game.*
- #37–L Andre Burakowsky: Good puck skills, can make plays at high speed and driving to the net.*
- #38–R Oliver Bjorkstrand: I love this player. Nice range of skills, great numbers and resume.
- #39–G Erik Comrie: 7th best SP in the WHL, has been a prospect of interest for a long time.
- #40–L Jacob de la Rose: Can play any F position, gets opportunities, may not be a natural scorer.*
- #41–L Jason Dickson: Very good skater with quickness, agility.*
- #42–L William Carrier: Big guy with skill, Pronman’s description of his skating is interesting.
- #43–D Steve Santini: A solid defender with good speed, very strong, physical player.
- #44–L Anthony DuClair: Speedy winger with some skill, lacks consistency.
- #45–R Justin Bailey: Nice range of skills, impressive resume save for being an awkward skater.
- #46–R Nick Sorenson: Tall, thin winger with a nice range of skills.
- #47–L Anton Slepshyev: Passed through last year’s draft, remains a quality prospect.
- #48–L Emile Poirer: Slightly older prospect, but a wonderful resume.
- #49–L Juuso Ikonen: Small, ridiculous skill and an elite passer.
- #50–R Jimmy Lodge: Skill winger who can impact the game.
- #51–C Greg Chase: Nice combination of skill and grit.
- #52–R Marko Dano: Skilled 2-way forward.
- #53–C John Hayden: Big center with some skill.
- #54–D Linus Arnesson: Defensive defender is an excellent skater.
- #55–L Peter Cehlarik: Skill W with size.
- #56–D Shea Theodore: Chaos D with real offensive talent. Extremely unlikely to be an Oiler.
- #57–D Robert Hagg: Has very good skating ability with quickness, agility & power.*
- #58–D Dillon Heatherington: Mobile defender can close gaps.
- #59–D Keaton Thompson: Consistent 2-way defender.
- #60–C Miro Aaltonen: 20 year old C with great skill. Undersized.
If they stay at 7, 37 and 56, I think the Oilers end up with:
- #7: Monahan, Nurse or Horvat
- #37: Dauphin, Jarry or McCarron
- #56: Chase, Arnesson or Heatherington
If they deal #7 and end up with #13 and #43, I think they end up with:
- #13: Horvat or Lazar
- #37: Dauphin, Jarry or McCarron
- #43: Bjorkstrand, Comrie or Santini
- #56: Chase, Arnesson or Heatherington
What say you? The better plan? I like both of them.
Photo of Tyler Pitlick courtesy Rob Ferguson. All rights reserved