MUSIL!
By Lowetide
11 years ago
David Musil has played in Edmonton colors before, and will play for the Oilers soon. For now, he’s trading in his Giants uniform for an Oil King set. David Musil is a huge upgrade for the OK Blue.
If you’re not familiar with Musil as a player, he has some similiarities in style and presentation to current Oiler Ladislav Smid. Redline Report’s scouting report on each proves the point:
- RLR on Musil: David has excellent size and strength and plays a rugged brand of hockey with a bit of a mean streak. He reads developing plays well and uses anticipation to break up plays before they become dangerous. He’s got good hockey sense in all three zones, but his offensive upside is limited due to his mediocre point shot.
- RLR on Smid:Maintains great gap control and always squares up to the puckhandler. Has good poise, plays solid, mistake-free game in own zone and is excellent positionally. Reads and anticipates developing plays well. Good laterally, but 1st step and straightaway speed are average. Is not good as either a PP quarterback or trigger-man— has weak shot and makes poor decisions in puck distribution.
That has tremendous value. Musil is an impact player in the WHL–an exceptional shut down defenseman. For a team like the Oil Kings that has lost Mark Pysyk to the pro’s and Martin Gernat to injury, this is a quality acquisition. The pricetag is a young defender with similar skills (although not at the Musil level) and a first round pick next summer.
A fine deal.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR OILER FANS?
Musil joins fellow Oiler prospects Mitchell Moroz, Travis Ewanyk and the injured Martin Gernat on the Oil Kings roster. For Oiler fans its a chance to see part of the future up close and personal, and in Musil’s case a future that is very likely much closer to fruition than the other OK Oiler kids.
Musil may lack offensive potential, but he’s a mature player in the discipline NHL teams value him for: defensive coverage and winning one on one battles. The Oilers are clearly high on Musil, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him in a top 6 role in OKC next summer with a cup of coffee in the show also on the table.
There’s no need to fast track with Klefbom on the horizon, but if he earns the opportunity there’s no need to hold him back either.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
Once Martin Gernat gets back into action, with Musil added to Griffin Reinhart, Keegan Lowe, Cody Corbett and Ashton Sautner the Oil Kings will have strength on the blue. That was a major part of their championship team of a year ago.
This is a very good day for Oil Kings and Oiler fans.
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