Jeff Jackson continues to shake up the Oilers prospect pool, trading former 1st round pick Xavier Bourgault and Jake Chiasson to the Senators in exchange for Roby Jarventie and a 4th round pick in 2025.
Bourgault was selected 22nd overall in 2021. The Oilers originally held the 20th overall pick which they traded down to select Bourgault. The 20th overall pick that they traded was used to take Jesper Wallstedt, a highly touted goalie prospect at a time when the Oilers did not have a legit goalie prospect in the system (Skinner remained an unknown). One pick after Bourgault was used to take Wyatt Johnston who has 106 points in 164 games with the Stars.
While that is all pretty damning, it is important to remember Bourgault wasn't a bad pick at the time. The forward had 40 points in 29 games in a shortened QMJHL season due to COVID anmd the following year put up 75 points in 43 games. His first AHL season went fine if unspectacular with 34 points in 62 games.
Last season however the forward struggled to produce and was pushed down the depth chart in Bakersfield with 8 goals in 55 games. It just did not seem like Bourgault was going to get a chance to become an impact player or have a chance to even crack an NHL lineup.
Jake Chiasson was a 4th round pick by the Oilers in 2021. He played 68 games last season in the ECHL.
I won't pretend to know anything about Roby Jarventie at this time. He is 21, was drafted 33rd overall in 2020 and has played 3 seasons in the AHL. Last season he had 9 goals and 20 points in 22 games and played 7 games for the Senators, registering 1 assist. When he was drafted, he was described as a goal scoring winger with decent speed and can use his size to protect the puck.
One extra detail noted by Bob Stauffer is he is waiver exempt for one more season, giving the Oilers a bit more flexibility to use him as a recall option.
I think this is a fine trade for the Oilers. Bourgault clearly needed a change in scenery and a chance to prove himself somewhere else. The Oilers get a prospect in a similar boat who could get some NHL playing time as a recall option as well as a 4th round pick when the team is starved for picks next season. This is two teams trading what were both essentially first round prospects that haven't panned out and 4th round picks (Chiasson and a 4th).
Thanks for reading.
Seattle Kraken Blogger • 
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