Tonight is the NHL Awards in Vegas. On Friday, Peter Chiarelli and Co. will be at the draft table in Dallas, Texas, taking part in the 2018 NHL entry draft. The Oilers currently have 6 picks to be used in this year's draft. A first (10th overall), second (40th overall), third (71st overall), fifth (133rd overall), sixth (164th overall), and a seventh (195th overall). As with every draft year, some crazy trade goes down and I'm expecting nothing less from this year's draft. However my focus is on the Oilers selecting 10th overall and using that pick on a good prospect.
Going into this draft, I was of the opinion that the Oilers should draft either Adam Boqvist or Noah Dobson. At this time, both were equally rated, both could easily help Edmonton, and both were opposites. When the draft rankings first came out, the scouting report on Adam Boqvist was that he was a good puck mover, offensively minded, could quarterback a powerplay, though his defensive game needed work. Noah Dobson was rated as a guy who was a good puck mover, defensively minded, could quarterback a powerplay, though his offensive game needed work. Then the memorial cup happened and Dobson's performance caused his stock to rise. All of a sudden, a guy who could go 10th overall to Edmonton, is now seen as a guy who WILL be gone by the time Edmonton gets to podium.
Alas, all hope is not lost. There are still some great players to be had. Now Oilers fans are in a tizzy about who Edmonton should draft. Some want Boqvist, some want Bode Wilde, others want Ty Smith, other want Oliver Walhstrom. Point is, there are tons of prospects fans want the Oilers to pick. Of course, the question now is, who is Edmonton going to pick? Who's name do they call when it's their turn to select? Or do they package the 10th pick in a deal?
Let me start by saying, I don't think Edmonton should trade the 10th pick and I don't think they're even considering it. When the draft lottery results came out, I'm sure Chiarelli had a plan in mind to package their pick in a deal to get an immediate roster player. However with the way the market is right now, combined with the highly ranked defencemen, I feel Peter will keep the pick, unless some kind of slam-dunk deal falls into his lap. So that partially eliminates the trade theory (I say that because lots can change between 1123 ET on June 20th to 2000 ET on Friday June 22). So that leaves the drafting option.
Mock drafts have been put out over the past week and most of them have the Oilers drafting Adam Boqvist at 10th overall. This makes sense to me. Boqvist is a right-handed shot defenceman who is offensively minded, can move the puck well, and can quarterback a powerplay. The Oilers sorely need a guy who is a right-handed shot defenceman, who can move the puck well, and one who can quarterback a powerply. Boqvist checks off all of the boxes for Edmonton. Yes his defensive game needs work, but that's why you develop a player in the AHL. And with Boqvist being a 10th overall selection, there is no pressure on him or Edmonton to have him in the opening night lineup.
I did read somewhere that Boqvist is dyslexic and therefore Edmonton shouldn't draft him, due to Edmonton not being able to competently accommodate Jesse Puljujarvi. To which I say...I can't comment. I don't know if this was a lazy rumour or not, but if Boqvist fills a need for Edmonton, then they should draft him. Unless one of Erik Karlsson, John Carlson, or PK Subban are somehow coming to Edmonton in a deal, I don't see how Edmonton doesn't pick Adam Boqvist on Friday.
So to conclude, I expect to hear "With the 10th overall pick in the 2018 entry draft, the Oilers are happy to select, Adam Boqvist" on Friday night.
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