This week was a big one for the 1990 Edmonton Oilers’ draft. Why? With the NHL debuts of Leon Draisaitl, Darnell Nurse and Bogdan Yakimov, every Oilers draft has at least one player who has made the show—save 1990. More draft trivia after the break.

TAYLOR VERSUS TYLER

The ongoing discussion still sees Hall ahead on points and points-per-game (.916 ppg for Hall, .727 for Seguin), Seguin ahead on Stanley Cup rings. I’m still onside with Hall as the better player, but there’s certainly room for arguments either way.

OHL PROSPECTS

Brock Otten does a fabulous job updating hockey fans about prospects in the Ontario League, and his verbal on the young man McDavid is sparkling:
1. Connor McDavid – Forward – Erie Otters
Nearly everything he brings to the table
offensively is off the charts good. Skating. Hockey sense. Puck
handling. Shot. He’s just an incredible talent. Obviously, we’ll look
for him to continue to evolve as a two-way player, and for him to get
stronger along the boards. But with his hockey sense and work ethic,
that will come. The real question will be, what’s in store for him this
year in Erie? If Burakovsky doesn’t return, McDavid is going to have to
make 30 goal scorers out of the likes of Nick Betz and Joel Wigle.
There’s going to be a ton of pressure on him this year, with it being
his draft year. If he’s not getting the offensive support, yet still
performs well, it will be a testament to his talent. Of course, the
Otters could obviously cash in and deal him too. Let’s not forget, John
Tavares was dealt in his draft year.
I doubt (honestly) Edmonton gets near McDavid on draft day, the chances he’ll be heading east are exceptional (16 teams in the east and some very poor clubs). Having said that, any club lucky enough to get this fellow would be very fortunate.
Trivia Question: The Oilers drafted one player from the Erie Otters in a past draft. Without googling or hockeydb’ing, can you name him? Answer at the end.

NASH RAMBLER

Back in 2010, the Oilers traded Riley Nash (a 2007 1st round selection) for the pick that would be used on Martin Marincin. That turned out to be a good trade for both teams, as Nash and Marincin appear to have bright futures in the NHL.
The first Nash trade—the one that got him into the organization—was less impressive. Edmonton acquired the No. 21 overall pick from the Coyotes for No. 30 and No. 36—that’s a massive price—and then spent it on a player whose draft profile screamed checker when there was still big time talent available:
I think the 2007 draft, led by the Alex Plante and Riley Nash selections, probably contributed to Kevin Prendergast getting bumped upstairs. Nice to see Nash emerging finally, it certainly took awhile.

BOGDAN BEATS THE RUSH

When he played in his first NHL game in Los Angeles, Bogdan Yakimov (No. 83 overall in 2013) passed a bunch of higher Oilers picks in getting to the show before them:
  • Marco Roy (No. 56 overall, 2013)
  • Mitchell Moroz (No. 32 overall, 2012)
  • Jujhar Khaira (No. 63 overall, 2012)
  • David Musil (No. 31 overall, 2011)
  • Travis Ewanyk (No. 74 overall, 2011)
  • Curtis Hamilton (No. 48 overall, 2011)
A few of those players are on track as prospects, but I’d guess that Yakimov’s quick route to NHL employment reflects a real gem available in the third round. He’s played a game in the NHL and one in the AHL so far this season.

TRIVIA ANSWER

In 1997, the Edmonton Oilers drafted goalie Patrick Dovigi in the second round of the draft. Quoting Dovigi “The Edmonton Oilers drafted me 41st overall, but I never really made it beyond the minors.” Dovigi did go on to a successful business career.