Lavoie was the Oilers #1 ranked prospect last year by Oilersnation. While falling to #4 may seem like a demotion and one that is based on poor play, that is not the case for Lavoie. Instead, Lavoie is the victim of the Oilers acquiring young prospects that grade out better than Lavoie. Now, that doesn’t mean that Lavoie is finished. If there were a year for Lavoie to make his case for the Oilers, it is this one. The Oilers are trying to get through the early part of the season within the salary cap’s confines and don’t have a plentitude of scoring in their bottom six forward group.

Lavoie is cheaper ($775,000) than any bottom-six forward the Oilers have and also happened to score the 10th most goals last year in the AHL with 28. There is a chance Connor Brown can see a resurgence, and Vasily Podkolzin could turn his scoring potential into reality, but I believe that to be very uncertain. What is certain is that Derek Ryan, Corey Perry, and Mattias Janmark are strong bets for low goal totals.

This is where Raphael Lavoie can make his case. He is a shooter. No question about it. He has averaged almost three shots per game in his AHL career. He has a .35 goals-per-game average in the AHL as well. He can score. Have a look right here.

There is no doubt in my mind that Raphael Lavoie’s release can beat NHL goalies. It will all be about his ability to get his chances.

However, Lavoie has worked hard to make himself a complete bottom-six NHL player and I think he can use that to separate himself from the competition in camp. Watch this work by him last season. His focus on working hard to get back up ice was really good last season. Then watch his discipline in-zone until he makes a nice play to transition the puck up ice to Seth Griffith.

Here is another example. I think his skating, while not stylish, will get him where he needs to be in the NHL.

There is also one other skill Lavoie has that is useful to have given the current Oilers NHL roster.

I have a bet with an Oilers media person that Lavoie will get into two fights in the pre-season. I think it isn’t a skill that is necessary for the majority of the season, but when you are trying to differentiate yourself from other players trying to make the roster, this helps.

This is it for Raphael Lavoie with the Oilers. He has done most everything the organization has asked to make himself a NHL player. Now it is time for him to show his wares the minute he hits the ice in September.