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 | Gagner's finally gone and I'm speechless as to why the Oilers amateur scouting staff is still employed after the latest draft. I am not happy with the Stu MacGregor and his staff right now. They blew a perfectly good chance to add to an ever growing number of prospects. | | Edmonton - June 30, 2014 -
The Gagner saga is over. Hallelujah! We can all move on to the mess that was the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
I am not happy with the Stu MacGregor and his staff right now. They blew a perfectly good chance to add to an ever growing number of prospects.
Out of the six picks Edmonton had they picked one player that will most likely turn out to be an NHL player for a long time. Leon Draisaitl at no.3 overall. Boy that took a lot of brains.
At 91st overall the Oilers selected William Lagesson. That pick is OK but they could've had:
Ville Husso -G- (HIFK, SM-Liiga) "Husso is a big size goaltender who covers his net very well due to his size but also because of his quickness. He’s very calm in his crease and doesn’t make unnecessary movement in his crease. He can tracks the puck very well even with traffics in front of him, has a strong glove. He control his rebound well using the classic butterfly technique." - Hockeyprospect.com
Stu MacGregor said the team was looking to add depth to the goaltending position... Big mistake passing on Husso.
At 111th selection they did in fact pick a goalie, Zachary Nagelvoort, a guy that was passed over in two previous drafts and more than likely was about to end up a free agent within a week. They could've had:
Dysin Mayo -RD- (Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL) "Mayo is a smooth-skating defenseman that has shown good progression this year after a surprisingly stellar 16 year-old season. Dysin is able to read and anticipate the play well. He is comfortable in his own end and his awareness and active stick make it tough to get pucks past him. He pinches at the right times and his good skating allows him to funnel forwards to the outside. He hits for purpose and is improving on the physical side of his game and has improved his strength." - Hockeyprospects.com
Are you kidding me?!! The Oilers are stacked with left sided blue chippers! They could've added to the right side! Mayo was on their porch all year long. Instead, an overage goalie... Facepalm!
In the 5th round and the 130th pick they took a big winger by the name of Liam Coughlin out of the BCHL. An overage power forward that had been passed over in previous drafts. They could've had:
Edgars Kulda -LW- (Edmonton Oil Kings,WHL) "Edgars thinks the game at a high level and is often able to make quick decisions that create space for his linemates. He is able to make plays at high speed and in traffic. He has a good wrist shot and is an above average passer. His skating is pretty good and he is definitely quicker than last season." - Hockeyprospects.com
It would be something to be able to boast that the Oilers have two Memorial Cup MVPs on their roster someday. A helluva show he put on in the post-season for the Oil Kings. Some have said Kulda reminds them of Hemsky and getting a Hemsky-like player in the 5th round has to be considered a steal.
With the 153rd pick Tyler Vesel was chosen. A small skilled... you guessed it! Overage forward playing out of the USHL. They could've had:
Reid Duke -C- (Lethbridge Hurricanes, WHL) "Duke is a player I've been able to see in international competition/camps and I was very impressed by his ability to play so many different roles providing energy, finishing checks, winning face-offs and chipping in offensively."
- Hockeyprospects.com Scout Ryan Yessie
Reid Duke could've been this year's Greg Chase. A big energy player in his draft year that scores high on the Grit Chart. He centered the Hurricanes' 2nd line this past season and no doubt as a returnee next year he'll return to that role or graduate to 1st line duties.
With the final pick at 183rd, a pick Stu MacGregor fought Craig MacTavish to use on goaltender Keven Bouchard out of the QMJHL. Most of the prognosticators and local draft gurus were stunned by this pick. Bouchard must know someone in the MacGregor camp, there was no reason to pick him here. They could've had:
Ondrej Kase -RW- Chomutov (CZE) "Kase has shown us flashes of having great skills and excellent speed. Liked his ability to change speeds quickly, delaying and doing turn-ups. We have seen him burn defenders with his quick bursts. Skated some pucks into trouble causing needless turnovers when he had options. Showed some faceoff prowess in our viewings winning some draws clean. Flashed a good wrister and some stick handling abilities." - Hockeyprospects.com
If you're going to take a flyer on a highly skilled but smaller player, the 7th round is the place to do it. He was trending upwards as the draft got nearer but in the end Anaheim's scouts liked him at #205.
So if I had ran the draft table this year, it would've looked like this:
3 - Leon Draisaitl (6’02” 209lbs) - C
91 - Ville Husso (6’3” 205lbs) - G
111 - Dysin Mayo (6’1” 180lbs) - RD
130 - Edgars Kulda (6’0” 178) - LW
153 - Reid Duke (6’0” 188lbs) - C
183 - Ondrej Kase (6’0” 165lbs) - RW
We would've added some skill, goaltending, defense, and bottom six energy. None of these players would have to be rushed into the league giving them time to develop properly. I would've been much happier with this haul than the one we got. Definitely Kulda Approved!
Thanks for reading! Get in touch with me on Twitter @beerleagueheroe.
Take Care!
- BLH
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