Oilers at the World Juniors
6 years ago
There is no stage bigger than the World Junior Championships for a prospect to make an impact. Whether they’re looking to boost their draft stock or looking to make a positive impression on the NHL team that has invested in them, there’s a lot on the line for the teenagers that will be competing at this year’s tournament in Buffalo.
For fans and hockey observers, it’s similar. While most will be rooting for their country, they’ll almost certainly have one eye on the players who belong to their NHL teams.
The Oilers will have four players from four different countries taking part in this year’s World Juniors. There’s the long shot sixth-round pick from Finland, a 6’4 fourth-rounder from the Czech Republic and d-man from Russia. But let’s start with the undersized winger from the USA.
KAILER YAMAMOTO – USA
When training camp opened Kailer Yamamoto was an undersized, late first round pick who most had pencilled in to be one of the first cuts. He stuck around for a nine-game trial and by the end of it, he had rocketed to the top of almost every Oilers prospect ranking.
Since returning to Spokane (WHL) Yamamoto hasn’t exactly been lighting the world on fire. While 12 points in 13 games is still solid production, that’s significantly less than what’s expected of him given that last year he had 99 in 65 games.
Perhaps going to the World Juniors and playing with some elite linemates could spark the small, speedy forward. He’ll play a big role with Team USA and during the pre-tournament games showed some chemistry with Sabres prospect Casey Mittelstadt and Senators first-rounder Logan Brown. Those three helped spark an offense that outscored their opponents 17-1 during their two pre-tournament games.
Expect Yamamoto to get a ton of offensive zone starts at 5v5 and a heavy dose of action on the powerplay.
OSTAP SAFIN – Czech Republic
Selected by the Oilers in the fourth round of the 2017 draft, Safin will be partaking in his first World Juniors.
The 6’4 right-winger is currently in his first North American season with the Saint Johns Sea Dogs and is finding immediate success with 32 points in 33 games.
Safin skates well for a big man and also possess what some scouts describe as a “big league shot” and he isn’t afraid to use that shot either. I think his size and knack for scoring goals could lead to some success at this year’s tournament. Similar to Yamamoto, expect him to play a big role in the Czech offense and to see some powerplay time.
AAPELI RASANEN – FINLAND
A sixth-round pick in the 2016 draft, Rasanen is a long shot to become an NHLer, but he is enjoying a decent season with Boston College.
The 19-year-old centerman has a pass first mentality and if paired with the right linemate can make an impact offensively, he had some success numbers wise with Sioux City of the USHL last year, but I would expect Finland to be using him in more of a bottom-six role with some time on the penalty kill.
DMITRY SAMORUKOV – RUSSIA
The 6’2 d-man was taken in the 3rd round of this past summers draft and is enjoying a nice season with the Guelph Storm (OHL).
In his pre-draft year, Samorukov posted 20 points from the back end, but this year he’s been showing a little more offensive flair, and already has 15 points through the first half of the season. I think we’re starting to see him round into more of a complete player.
While I don’t think he’ll have a big role with Russia at this year’s tournament, the experience of playing on a big stage will do nothing but good for the 18-year-old, who should be back at next years World Juniors in Vancouver.
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