SEDAN DELIVERY
By Lowetide
7 years agoIn a recent conversation with our own Jason Gregor, Edmonton Oilers head scout Bob Green talked about making later picks count. Although Green is relatively new on the job, we have some track to observe—and the results are solid to very good.
- Bob Green to Jason Gregor: “We’ve really put an importance on making better picks later, or trying to get more players later (who end up playing pro). And
in order to do that we have to know those kids better. We have to
uncover more on them because a lot of the kids that are picked later,
really, there is a reason why.” Source
Everyone says that, but how often does that happen? Most of the success in late rounds seems terribly random and teams rarely enjoy clusters of strong drafting after selection No. 100 overall.
I believe in waiting five years after a draft to get a good view, but the 2014 Oilers draft (as a for instance) had some real issues out of the gate. Draft +1 on that draft saw some wobbly performances and two years later I believe you can make a case that the 2014 draft is Leon Draisaitl, William Lagesson and four trivia answers.
If Bob Green (who was not the scouting director for the 2014 draft) and Peter Chiarelli have a plan, we should be able to see some results even after one season. Fair? Using the brilliant Prospect-Stats site (I gathered numbers for Bear, Jones and Marino) let’s have a look at the 2015 draft and four defensemen taken after the third round.
This is sorted by points-per-game, and I would be remiss in not pointing out that Paigin was playing in a pretty good pro league while posting these numbers. Also:
- Bear’s offense comes from a lot of power-play work, and his shot is regarded as being excellent. It is very rare for any drafted defenseman to get major pp time upon NHL arrival, but he is effective in junior so may get a chance when he hits pro hockey.
- Caleb Jones delivered some dandy even-strength totals and that is interesting, too. Is this a player who can help at even strength? Something to follow in the years to come.
- Paigin is 21 now, possibly coming over fall 2017. He is a lefty, he spiked in a big way year over year and one hopes he can do it again.
- John Marino had a nice year, easy to get lost in this group but he stepped up to the USHL and posted some good offensive numbers.
- Paigin numbers
- Prospect-Stats
When Bob Green talked about making good picks later in the draft, he might have been talking about his own 2015 selections. We cannot say that now—we are one year into the process. What we can say is that most of his 2015 draft made progress in year one and are building toward a pro career that could result in an NHL career.
This is early days in the Bob Green era. There are good signs based on the first draft. Now the scouts have to do it again in a draft that has far fewer gems available. This draft could be a very difficult one for any team to extract value and yet that is the challenge for the Oilers.
This organization has a lot of catching up to do, because of drafts like 2014 and trades that have been sending away second and third-round selections in the past few seasons. Drake Caggiula and Patrick Russell give the organization a little time, but the coming draft has to deliver quality prospects who will become value contracts in the Connor McDavid era.
It is a big month to come.
THE CONNORVERSARY PARTY
There are few certainties in life – we can always count on the sun coming up in the morning, Edmonton winters being dreadful, and the Oilers missing the playoffs. As such, we present the annual OilersNation Draft Party! It’s time to honour the the anniversary of drafting our beloved Connor, celebrate the rewards of another failed season, and raise some money for charity.
Here’s what you need to know…
The party is happening at the Pint Downtown on Friday, June 24th. The goal is to raise as much money as possible for the Red Cross and their efforts to bring normalcy back to Fort McMurray, and have a little bit of fun while we’re at it. For $30 you get a Draft Party t-shirt, a $10 Pint GC, a $10 Oodle Noodle GC, a draft party collectors cup, and a chance for prizes and eternal glory.
All proceeds from tickets sold will be donated directly to the Red Cross so bring your friends, get involved, and help us support a community in need. Tickets are still available here.
One day, the Oilers will be a good hockey team and we’ll all be able to laugh about this. Until then, we party.
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