It’s nice to take a break from writing for a bit and just enjoy watching the game. I think a lot of value can be had for a blogger or a writer by simply stepping back from the team you cover and returning to the roots if you will.
But after a while, the itch starts to nag and it must be scratched!
What better way to scratch that itch than to throw out a new Oilers rumor, right?
If you’ve been listening to Oilers Now in the last five days or so, you might’ve heard player agent Allain Roy’s interview. Bob Stauffer spoke to him about two highly skilled players, Taro Hirose out of Michigan State and Luke Philp from the University of Alberta.
NCAA/USports Free Agent storyline:
Taro Hirose, 22, a 5’10 quick skilled left shot, W for MSU (15-35-50/34GP/+15) interest from multiple NHL teams.
Luke Philp, 23, a 5’ 10 quick skilled right shot C for Alberta (24-21-45/24GP/+21..smart teams in on him
— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) March 6, 2019
I’m not going to speak to those players today, but that we’re starting to hear about potential college players signing out of the NCAA should be an indicator to you as a fan that it’s time to get familiar with some of this season’s collegiate free agent class.
I finally got in touch with one of my sources today and I was told that the Oilers have been scouting two forwards who play for the Princeton Tigers, Max Veronneau and Ryan Kuffner.
Frankly, I don’t know a ruddy thing about these gents but their names are ones that keep popping up in articles about this year’s standout NCAA free agents. So I’ll do my best to give you the heads up as to who might possibly be signing in Edmonton before the season is out.
MAX VERONNEAU
SBNcollegehockey.com has Veronneau ranked second behind Tarose on their top-10 NCAA free agents list. In 129 games, the 6’0″ 181lb Ottawa native has 52 goals and 91 assists. He had 55pts in 36 games in 2017/18 (36 games) but this campaign has only managed to throw up 36pts in 30 games. So the production has plateaued a bit but I don’t know if that’s due to player usage/deployment or quality of team/opponents either. So we won’t read into that too much.
This is what they had to say about the playmaking forward,
Veronneau is a speedy skater with excellent first-step acceleration that allows him to beat defenders one-on-one and cause defensive zone breakdowns. That creates space for teammates and Veronneau possesses the vision to get his teammates the puck in good scoring positions.
Given his age, it’s probably unlikely he continues to be a big scorer at the NHL level, but given his ability to skate and make plays at speed, he has the tools to stick as a solid winger at the NHL level.
GOAL! Max Véronneau from Alex Riche and Ryan Kuffner, just 15 seconds into that power play, and makes it 2-0https://t.co/14YE1JVRCg pic.twitter.com/C21FBsfxkb
— Princeton Men's Ice Hockey (@princetonhockey) March 3, 2019
“He’s someone where you have confidence as a coach when he’s on the ice that things are going to be done well because he’s very consistent in his habits, does things extremely well and repeats that over and over again,” Princeton coach Ron Fogarty said. “That’s why he’s going to be a pro hockey player.” (source)
RYAN KUFFNER
To my understanding, Kuffner is the Hull to Veronneau’s Oates. Standing at 6’1″ 194lbs, he’s definitely got pro size and he’s the all-time leading goal scorer for Princeton with 73 ginos in 131 games. He’s also racked up 75 assists in that time,
Here’s what SBNcollegehockey.com’s report on him,
There’s not a lot that separates Kuffner from his linemate Veronneau in terms of quality of prospect. The difference mostly comes down to personal preference, and organizational need.
While Veronneau is more of the set-up guy, using his speed to create space, Kuffner is a pure finisher. He’s one of the most effective goal scorers in the NCAA, especially at even strength. His size and strength make him effective working along the walls or behind the net.
The interesting thing about these two players is that not only are they candidates for the Hobey Baker Award as NCAA player of the year, but they’ve played together on various hockey teams since 2011/12. Starting with the Ottawa 67’s minor midget AAA program, through to Gloucester Rangers in the CCHL, and finally to Princeton.
It almost seems like they should be signed up as a pair and given they’re both from Ottawa, you’d have to think that the Sens have the inside track.
But IF what I’ve been told is true and the Oilers are looking into signing these players, one has to wonder how much of a boost they’d be to an Oilers team that was right in the thick of things for a wildcard spot in the playoffs? Are these players better than Ty Rattie, Brad Malone, or Josh Currie?
Conversely, how much better would they make the Bakersfield Condors in their bid to win the Calder Cup?
What are your thoughts? Leave them in the comments below!
