It’s time to start looking ahead to the NHL entry draft.

The Edmonton Oilers will hold at least four picks in the 2020 draft, the first and most important being their 1st round pick. Beyond that, the Oilers won’t pick again until the fifth round.

The Oilers traded their 2020 second-round pick to the Detroit Red Wings in the trade for Andreas Athanasiou, while their third-round pick may go to the Calgary Flames in the James Neal trade. Edmonton has until the start of the third round to decide.

Edmonton’s fourth-round pick in this draft will also be used by the Red Wings, who the Oilers acquired Mike Green from in exchange for that pick.

At 14th overall, the Oilers will have plenty of great options. TSN’s Bob McKenzie has Prince Albert defenceman Kaiden Guhle ranked at 14, while Future Considerations has Russian LW Rodion Amirov ranked there. Dylan Holloway is already rumoured to be of interest to the Oilers.

Who I like: I’m a fan of Portland Winterhawks forward Seth Jarvis, who scored 42 goals and 98 points in 58 games this year, at this spot. McKenzie has him ranked 18th, but might even be off the board before he gets to 14.

If the Oilers hold onto their spot at 76 overall, they may have a chance at taking a local product. McKenzie has London Knights LW Antonio Stranges ranked there, but he also has Sherwood Park Crusaders forward Carter Savoie ranked 84th. Savoie scored an impressive 53 goals and 99 points in 54 AJHL games this year. He’s off to play at the University of Denver next season. FC Hockey has Russian RW Bogdan Trineyev ranked 76 and Savoie ranked 60th.

Who I like: If Savoie is available heading into the third round, Edmonton would be wise to hold onto the pick and select Savoie there.

In the fifth round, FC Hockey has Swedish defenceman Lucas Ramberg ranked there. The 6’0, 190 lb defenceman played for Lulea HF in the SuperElit league last year scoring three goals and 15 points in 30 games.

Ranked 169th overall by FC Hockey is the OHL Flint Firebirds’ forward Eric Uba, who scored 29 goals and 58 points in 63 games last season.

Who I like: If available here, I’d love to see the Oilers take Alex Young from the AJHL’s Canmore Eagles, who FC Hockey has ranked 176th. I had a lot of viewings of Young with the Eagles in his early AJHL days and he is an incredible offensive talent who has gotten better with time. He scored 36 goals and 82 points in 53 games this year and is off to the NCAA’s Colgate University.

At 200 overall, FC Hockey has QMJHL Victoriaville Tigres goalie Fabio Iacobo ranked. He posted a 13-11-2 record with a .905 save percentage this year.

On Twitter: @zjlaing