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Raphael Lavoie’s Journey to the NHL Begins Tonight |
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I’ve been blogging for a number of years now and while my opinions do change on a variety of players, teams, and topics, one thing has remained constant. Pre-season doesn’t matter… except for those who it does.
McDavid or Draisaitl having a good or bad pre-season? Doesn’t mean anything. Raphael Lavoie having a good or bad pre-season is a much bigger concern for his NHL chances.
Jay Woodcroft started Lavoie on a line with Erne and Malone. The message was clear that he will need to earn a spot with active NHLers. Tonight Lavoie will play on a line with Malone and Erne that will essentially be the Oilers top line against a Winnipeg Jets team with a large number of active NHL players (again… gotta love preseason). Lavoie needs to show something tonight that shows the coaching staff that he can be a regular NHLer. Whether it’s score a goal, set up a few good plays, make solid defensive moves against tough competition…
A year ago Dylan Holloway had a great preseason with the highlight being scoring a hat-trick playing next to Leon Draisaitl. It earned him a spot in the lineup though he quickly fell out of the top six and into the bottom six.
The goal post for Lavoie will be constantly moving. Having a great game tonight would be good but it would only be the first step. Having a mediocre game will be a much larger setback for a player trying to crack the roster.
The Oilers have a lack of volume shooters on the right side and a lack of prospects currently ready to make the NHL jump. Lavoie has an opportunity to be both for this club and provide a team trying to compete for a Cup with another meaningful asset.
In addition to simply watching Lavoie play I will be curious to see how Jay Woodcroft utilizes the forward and the types of situations he is out for.
We have seven more of these games to get through. Finding little moments to get excited about is the best way to get through these next couple weeks.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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