HOW WOULD A MATURE NHL TEAM HANDLE DRAKE CAGGUILA?
By Lowetide
7 years agoEarly this month, the Edmonton Oilers made a substantial addition to their prospect list by signing Drake Cagguila. Or at least that is what I choose to believe. The cynical observer might argue that Peter Chiarelli hired another youngster to insert directly onto the NHL roster. Which one is it?
The first thing we all do after a new signing is check out the vitals, the boxcars and the scouting report. Here goes:
- Cagguila is 21 (turns 22 in June) and is a small forward by modern NHL standards (5.10, 185 via Elite Prospects).
- He went 39gp, 25-26-51 at UND a year ago, the NHLE is 82gp, 22-22-44. That is a strong number, even for a player who is a little older prospect entering pro.
- NHLE via Christian Roatis magic toy.
- Scouting Report from Elite Prospects: A smart, skilled, and gritty buzzsaw of a winger that gets up and down
the ice with focused drive. His mobility is elite, and his first three
steps propel him to top speed quickly. Defensively, he is very active
and can contain the opposition by limiting their chances in the slot.
Offensively, he can be uncontainable, consistently displaying excellent
vision and individual puck skills; can act as both the passer or the
shooter in any given situation. - Source
There is more to the scouting report, please click through and read it when you have a minute.
WAYS FOR CAGGUILA TO MAKE THE OILERS ROSTER THIS FALL
The NHL equivalency and the fact he is 22 suggests to me we will see a competitive player at NHL training camp this fall. The following items could contribute to Cagguila’s spending extended time with Edmonton in 2016-17:
- The Oilers trade Benoit Pouliot for defensive help.
- Cagguila develops exceptional chemistry with one of the three centers (McDavid, Nuge, Leon) who will pivot the skill lines.
- The coach takes a liking to him.
- He fills the net in camp.
- Injuries hit.
- He fills the net in Bakersfield.
Any of those things (or any combination) could conspire against the Oilers wishes to send Cagguila down (should that be their approach to this player) and keeping him there. A mature NHL team—say the Detroit Red Wings—would place Cagguila in a position to succeed and keep him there until they are sure of him.
IS HE LIKELY TO MAKE THE TEAM?
Peter Chiarelli and Todd McLellan tried, they really did. Opening night in the AHL, you see Darnell Nurse and Leon Draisaitl front and center. Lack of depth and balance conspired against the two men at the head of Edmonton’s decision making, but the smart bet is that Cagguila will start in the minors and work his way to the show. If this happens, Oilers Nation should regard that development as a very good sign for the future.
How long will he be there? We may know this summer—if Pouliot is dealt and no other winger is added, then Lauri Korpikoski will be the veteran the young man needs to beat in order to play on a significant line. Based on this young man’s resume, that does not appear to be a high bar.
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