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Draft Thoughts

July 24, 2021, 12:30 PM ET [24 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Unsurpringly it was a mostly uneventful day 1 of the Draft for the Edmonton Oilers but a couple things have come down the pipes so let's get right into it.

TRADE DOWN FOR BOURGAULT

As Edmonton sat there with the 19th overall pick, two goalies were looking like they were going to be available for Edmonton. The big Oil Kings netminder Sebastian Cossa or the talented Swede jesper Wallstedt. Detroit ended up trading up to 15 to select Cossa and Wallstedt was on the board when Edmonton stepped up. Instead Holland traded and moved down two spots while adding another third round pick from Minnesota who took Wallstedt instead. Edmonton selected a scoring right winger/centre in Xavier Bourgault.

Bourgault scored 33 goals in 63 games two seasons ago in the QMJHL. This season he improved on that pace with 20 goals in 29 games. He is an elite sniper and talented scorer who unlike some offensive players doesn't get discounted much for bad defensive play. He thinks the game very well. From his own mouth he wants to model his game on the likes of David Pastrnak and TJ Oshie.

Some were unreasonably angry that Edmonton passed on the goalie. Edmonton has a couple players already in the system in Skinner and Konavalov who are currently tracking for an NHL career. Wallstedt isn't a sure thing and is at least five years away from making an NHL start. Instead Holland gets back a third round pick and another skilled forward who could play centre or wing within the next couple seasons.

LIKELY NO 8TH YEAR FOR HYMAN

It's looking like a Hyman signing will have to wait until next Wednesday. The Leafs were pushing hard for a higher pick for Hyman's rights, an odd move considering the rights to a player never cost more than a 6rh or 7th round pick. Instead Toronto gets nothing and Edmonton may have a slightly higher cap hit for Hyman on a 7 year deal.

SMITH SIGNING OFFICIAL

2 years with a cap hit at 2.2 million a year for Smith. The team is hoping Smith can be as good as he was last season but the team needs a real starter to bring in this season as well.

Enjoy the rest of the draft!
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