Edmonton Oilers invite undrafted Brady Burns to training camp
By Zach Laing
2 years agoA minor, albeit interesting Oilers news note that got caught in the fray of a hectic few weeks: the team has invited undrafted forward Brady Burns to training camp.
Standing at 5’9, 159 lbs., the 19-year-old Burns has spent his junior career with the St. John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL.
Last year, he scored at an impressive clip with 18 goals and 38 points in 32 games and over his 161 game career in the Q, he’s scored 56 goals and 124 points.
Burns was ranked 229th by FC Hockey and was also passed over in the 2020 draft.
Here’s what some scouts have to say:
In the offensive zone, he has a keen eye for open spaces. Most of his goals come from darting in and out of the low-slot and jumping on rebounds. He beats defenders inside the most well-defended area of the ice as he reads the puck’s movement better than them. With the puck on his stick, he is aware of all his options and uses head/body fakes to misdirect defenders. – EliteProspects—Burns is a tremendously skilled offensive forward who showcases his incredible puck skills and offensive talent every shift. Although not the fastest skater, he is a smooth skating winger who has excellent agility, control and shiftiness. He owns an amazing footspeed that helps him stay very brisk and unpredictable, which, among other things, allows him to escape pressure and beat his man with quick cuts along the boards. His smooth edges and slick mitts allow him to stay in control in traffic and tight space. He has difficulties to shield the puck from opponents due to his relatively poor strength, but his puck skills are helping him keep possession of the disk through stick-lifts and poke-checks. In fact, he possesses some highlight-reel stick-handling abilities, which not only makes him a fan favorite, but a very tough player to contain….Burns has a few red flags that will keep him away from many scouts draft list. His top speed is a concern, especially for a player of his size, and his physical game and defensive play are far bellow average. High risk, but a great potential for a late round selection. Although he most likely won’t hear his name called at the draft, he’s one of my favorite sleepers on my list. – Andy Lehoux, FC Hockey
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Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.
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