“Bērzkalns is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here – I like him enough to consider him a future bottom-six NHLer. I know he didn’t produce much, but many players considered him an absolute pain in the you-know-what to go up against. Gästrin is a long shot, but a decent, hard-working forward. Andrew Robinson was a bit off the board, so it’ll be interesting to see what they do with his development.” – Steven Ellis

At first, we saw Rūdolfs Bērzkalns mostly as a high-floor prospect, a future fourth-line centre, but the sequences where he mixed physical and playmaking skills made us believe in a higher role for the centre. A couple of years in the NCAA to continue honing his skills and he could become a prized third-line NHL centre, a worthy selection at 58th overall.

Malcom Gästrin, at 84, was also solid value as a playmaking off-the-wall, crafty open-ice finisher, and physical runway. Two of their late-round picks, Windsor Spitfires Caden Harvey and Andrew Robinson, are also exciting. The former is a well-rounded skill player with high-end flashes and a fallback game, while Robinson is a slick playmaker off the point.

Of course, there’s a chance the Oilers don’t get anything out of this class, but we’re optimistic about Bērzkalns and the process, picking mostly upside and development swings, is a sound one. – David St. Louis

Forward Rudolfs Berzkalns is fine. He plays with pace and is very responsible defensively. He has an okay touch on the puck and hockey IQ. At 58th overall, I think the Oilers passed on upside, but he has relative certainty as an NHLer.

Malcom Gastrin (84th) lacks standout traits, and his junior production in Sweden is nondescript, but he is on the younger side and has a diverse skill set. You let him marinate in Sweden for three or four years, and maybe at the end, you have a bottom-six forward who can kill penalties and chip in the occasional goal.

Caden Harvey is a decent option in round six. He is a high-motor forward, and while 24 points in 68 games isn’t the typical stat line for a credible NHL draft pick, he was buried on Windsor’s depth chart last season, but the decks will clear when Liam Greentree turns pro and Jack Nesbitt and Ethan Belchetz head to the NCAA. He is a candidate for a post-draft breakout. – Adam Herman

“Edmonton picked Rūdolfs Bērzkalns with its first pick. I like him, but he’s no sure thing. Other than him, there’s no other prospect in this class I’m excited about.” – Corey Pronman

“Bērzkalns featured for Latvia at the last two world juniors and projects as a big center with bottom-six upside. Gästrin climbed the ranks in Sweden this year but remains a long shot. Overall, it’s a small draft class with limited potential for Edmonton.” – Kyle Cushman