Now that we know Ken Holland is Edmonton’s general manager, I thought it’d be fun to do a mock four-round draft for the Oilers based on the Red Wings’ recent draft patterns/habits.
In the first-round, Holland has a history of remaining incredibly patient on draft night. So, let’s pencil in that the Oilers won’t move up-or-down from the 8th-overall spot. I think he’s under the mindset that where you’re scheduled to pick there’s always a viable draft commodity available.
Over the last decade, Detroit has used all-but-one first-round pick on forwards (Dennis Cholowski [2016] being the lone defenseman). Before that, you’d have to go all the way back to 2007 (Brendan Smith).
Quickly, let’s try and hammer out a top-7 and see who might be available. Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko are gone, we know that. Likely: Bowen Byram, Kirby Dach, Alex Turcotte, Cole Caufield, and Dylan Cozens, as well. That would leave: Trevor Zegras, Matthew Boldy, and Peyton Krebs, to name a few of the more notable players remaining. Knowing, again, that Holland likes drafting highly-skilled forwards, he definitely has options.
Krebs would be seen as a guaranteed top-5 pick, potentially a top-3 pick, if he had some help around him, this season. For a team like the Oilers who are hot-and-cold when it comes to offensive production, he would be a blessing and bring some sense of stability.
First-Round Pick: Peyton Krebs – C – WHL – Kootenay Ice
Krebs takes creative lines to dangerous areas of the ice. He’s the type of player that sees plays develop before those around him and uses that to exploit the opposition. He’s a playmaker who can impact the game on any shift. He’s also capable of playing all three forward positions but likely ends up on the wing in the NHL. Cam Robinson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMJjAj3v8ks
Detroit’s recent second-round picks: Filip Hronek (2016), Gustav Lindstrom (2017), and Jonatan Berggren (2018), all look like they’ll be regulars in the NHL. Based on those three players, I suspect Holland may go with a defenseman, here.
Lassi Thomson impressed me in my early viewings and, like the gentlemen I mentioned above, has the potential to be an everyday NHLer, in the future. A Finnish-born prospect who made the jump to the WHL, his quick transition to North American rinks hasn’t been ignored by scouts who have had more positives than negatives to report.
Second-Round Pick: Lassi Thomson – D – WHL – Kelowna Rockets
Lassi Thomson could become a top defenceman at the next level, however, it is more likely that with his defensive issues, he is more of a second pair player. He can be a real threat on the power play though and should be able to put up points if he properly develops. In terms of style, Thomson’s game is reminiscent of Brent Burns. This is a style comparison only, not one based on talent level. Ben Kerr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7C7HApLQwk
Holland has used his third-round pick heavily on defenseman – specifically, Finnish defensemen – and I don’t see that changing. Anttoni Honka and Mikko Kokkonen have fallen on most boards and could be available with this pick. Both started the season as some of Finland’s noteworthy prospects, with the former being touted as a potential top-10 pick.
I have a feeling Honka will be gone by now, but Kokkonen would be a steal if he’s still available. He did a very good job hanging with adults in the Finnish Liiga, this season, tallying 19 points (3Gs|16As) in 56 games played.
Third-Round Pick: Mikko Kokkonen – D – Liiga – Jukurit
“Kokkonen moves effortlessly in all four directions, closes gaps quickly, rarely gets exposed and is sneaky-strong in puck battles. He looks exactly like what you’d want a modern NHL defenceman to look like.” Scott Wheeler
Since selecting Petr Mrazek in 2010, Holland, on average, drafts a goaltender in the fourth-round. While the Oilers have both Stuart Skinner and Olivier Rodrigue in their system, Holland may utter the old adage, “you can never have too many good goaltenders.”
Hugo Alnefelt has been Sweden’s go-to netminder for several international tournaments, in recent years. He’s got ideal size at 6’3” – 194. Reliable, competitive, and poised, NHL Central Scouting has him ranked as the second-best European goaltender, in this draft.
Fourth-Round Pick: Hugo Alnefelt – G – SuperElit – HV71 J20
Swedish net minder with nice size, glove and blacker. Tracks shots well and uses his pads to direct those pucks to his defenseman. Even uses his skates to kick them past those attackers lurking near the blue paint. Absorbs shots with his frame, and reacts well on rebound attempts. Still developing his reads and improving his play. Bill Placzek
Hugo Alnefelt räddar. #U18Worlds #2019NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/5OeQdwHOtz
— Anton (@bolaniii9) April 28, 2019
That’s it for me, this week. Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @BeerLeagueHeroe for all your Oilers news and updates.
