Former Edmonton Oilers prospect Shane Lachance is expected to sign an entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported Monday.
Lachance, 21, was selected by the Oilers in the sixth round of the 2021 draft, but found himself on the move last week, sent to the Devils in the deal that landed Edmonton Trent Frederic and Max Jones.
Now in his second season with Boston University wearing the ‘C,’ he’s scored 10 goals and 27 points in 34 games this year. But reports indicated that Lachance, who needs to sign an entry-level contract by August or he would become a free agent, wasn’t planning on doing so in Edmonton.
He’ll now look to join the Devils organization where his father, Scott Lachance, is the head of US scouting.
Here’s what Seravalli had to say about Lachance in Monday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE:
By the way, expected to sign, sources indicate, after his season is over at BU.Two little fun things about Lachance: One, after he was drafted, he went on to play two more years of junior before going to college, which gives you an indication of sort of how off the radar he was. That almost never happens, but it started the four-year counter, which is why the Oilers ended up moving on from him because that expires in August, he becomes a free agent. Two, he’s the first sophomore captain in Boston University history since his grandfather, Jack Parker.
The 6’5″, 218 lb. Lachance, who was Oilersnation’s 12th ranked prospect heading into the season, landed in New Jersey as the Devils agreed to retain what was 25 percent of Frederic’s contract. Some have scrutinized the Oilers giving up Lachance as an asset to do so, given the team didn’t end up using the retained salary as part of another deal, leaving deadline day with roughly $1-million in cap space left over.
Given that Lachance didn’t plan on signing with the Oilers, and the fact Stan Bowman and his staff were looking at a big move — trading for and extending Mikko Rantanen — it makes sense as to why the team was looking to accumulate as much cap space as they could.
Daily Faceoff’s prospect guru Steven Ellis opined he could see Lachance having an NHL career.
Lachance became the Devils’ property for their role in facilitating the Trent Frederic deal. And, realistically, there’s quite a bit to like about Lachance as a potential fourth-liner. Lachance is a 6-foot-5 winger in the midst of a strong season at Boston University. Taken 186th overall in 2021, the BU captain has never been an explosive offensive threat, but he’s going to finish with about 30 points this season. You can always count on him to get a couple good looks a game and has become more dangerous as a shot generator. He’s physically dominant, great around the net, and can play alongside just about anyone. I can see him having an NHL career.
You can watch the full episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE below.
Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on Twitter, currently known as X, at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.
