GREEN DAY
By Lowetide
9 years ago
The Edmonton Oilers announced Bob Green as Director of Player Personnel yesterday, a subtle but important change in the way the club will do business. It sounds like Green will oversee both pro and amateur departments and instantly becomes one of the real point men in the organization. What would success look like for Bob Green?
HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
Photo courtesy D. Sharon Pruitt
Mr. Green can help this team improve long before the draft by acquiring college talent this spring. We’ve already heard about the team’s interest in goaltender Matt O’Connor who is having a fine season in college.
- Elliotte Friedman: “The
other thing too is they are really in on a goalie by the name of Matt
O’Connor, who is an NCAA player who is having a great year. He’s got a
goals against average, last time I checked, below 2.00. There’s about
five or six teams, at least – probably even more – that are really high
on him, including a number of the Canadian teams. I know Edmonton really
wants to bring him in.” Source
If the Oilers find a quality G prospect in college that’s one item off the list this summer at the draft. The DRAFT is pivotal every year and this season—considered the best since 2003—having success in the top 100 selections is absolutely job one.
THE 2015 DRAFT
Photo courtesy D. Sharon Pruitt
From all reports, this draft is the strongest since 2003. You remember 2003, right? The draft that gave the world Marc Pouliot?
If you spend a few minutes looking at those 30 names, especially the ones after No. 16 (Edmonton was slated to pick at 17) it’ll drive a sane man insane. The Oilers traded out of that spot to No. 22 in order to add the pick that would bring J.F. Jacques to the Oilers organization. The last time Eastern Canada did that much harm to Alberta they called it the National Energy Program.
If the 2015 draft is that good, and Edmonton has two picks (currently No. 2 and No. 23), then Mr. Green needs to make absolutely certain the Oilers pick the best possible players available.
LOWETIDE’S TOP 30
I’m no expert but like to dabble in these things. My list is heavy on offense and forwards, with an absolute preference for high end potential.
- (1) C Connor McDavid, Erie Otters (OHL) 22gp, 19-38-57 (2.59)
- (2) C Jack Eichel, Boston U (NCAA) 19gp, 10-22-32 (1.68)
- (5) R Mitch Marner, London Knights (OHL) 41gp, 33-53-86 (2.10)
- (4) C Dylan Strome, Erie Otters (OHL) 42gp, 28-49-77 (1.83)
- (3) D Noah Hanifin, Boston College (NCAA) 21gp, 3-9-12 (0.57)
- (10) D Oliver Kylington, Farjestad (SHL) 13gp, 3-3-6 (0.46)
- (6) D Zach Werenski, Michigan (NCAA). 18gp, 3-12-15 (0.83)
- (9) R Mikko Rantanen, TPS Turku (SML). 35gp, 3-11-14 (0.40)
- (11) D Ivan Provorov, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) 39gp, 11-40-51 (1.31)
- (17) Evgeni Svechnikov, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL). 32gp, 16-30-46 (1.44)
- (7) C Nick Merkley, Kelowna (WHL). 45gp, 14-50-64 (1.42)
- (16) C Jansen Harkins, Prince George Cougars (WHL) 43gp, 13-37-50 (1.16)
- (13) C Mathew Barzal, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) 16gp, 7-11-18 (1.13)
- (8) C Pavel Zacha, Sarnia Sting (OHL) 26gp, 11-12-23 (0.88)
- (18) D Jeremy Roy, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL) 38gp, 5-33-38 (1.00)
- (25) C Filip Chlapik, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL). 40gp, 19-28-47 (1.18)
- (23) C Anthony Beauvillier, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL). 44gp, 30-34-64 (1.45)
- (12) R Nikita Korostelev, Sarnia Sting (OHL). 34gp, 16-20-36 (1.06)
- (15) R Daniel Sprong, Charlettown Islanders (QMJHL) 44gp, 22-26-48 (1.09)
- (26) L Jake Debrusk, Swift Current (WHL). 45gp, 24-21-45 (1.00)
- (NR) D Mitchell Vande Sompel, Oshawa (OHL) 36gp, 6-34-40 (1.11)
- (14) L Lawson Crouse, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL). 28gp, 14-7-21 (0.75)
- (28) R Jens Looke, Brynas (SHL). 31gp, 2-4-6 (0.19)
- (20) C Travis Konecny, Ottawa 67’s (OHL). 41gp, 19-22-41 (1.00)
- (24) D Jakub Zboril, Saint John Seadogs (QMJHL). 33gp, 8-14-22 (0.67)
- (19) C Jeremy Bracco, USND (USHL). 9gp, 5-7-12 (1.33)
- (21) L Dennis Yan, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL). 35gp, 19-21-40 (1.14)
- (29) C Kyle Connor, Youngstown (USHL). 28gp, 12-22-34 (1.21)
- (27) L Ryan Gropp, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL). 39gp, 16-18-34 (0.87)
- (30) R Brock Boeser, Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL). 29gp, 19-17-36 (1.24)
The numbers are their league totals as of Saturday, with points-per-game in brackets. If the Oilers came out of this draft with Jack Eichel and Jens Looke, how happy should we be? Very happy according to every scout and service who have spoken on the subject.
Mr. Green may prefer Jake DeBrusk, who is Louie DeBrusk’s son and absolutely a trending player. Green may hope that Mathew Barzal falls and perhaps the club can trade up. The Oilers also have an early second round selection so they can make a move as required.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
I understand that for some of you the idea of talking draft and college signings is noxious, but it’s important to point out the opportunities are there for an organization that plays its cards right. Is Bob Green the right man to lead the Oilers scouting department?
He’ll be familiar with the WHL kids and has been spending his year pursuing kids like Matt O’Connor. If the Oilers exit day one with Eichel and DeBrusk, plus the college goalie, that could be three major pieces for the future.
Question: Is that enough? Or do you want one or more of those picks traded for immediate help?
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