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IS DRAKE CAGGIULA NHL-READY?
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Lowetide
Jul 17, 2016, 12:25 EDTUpdated:
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Among the players procured this spring and summer by the Edmonton Oilers, Drake Caggiula is unique. He played college hockey a year ago, is a winger who has played center, he is a substantial offensive player who also killed penalties at UND. Now that the big moves of free agency and the trades have subsided, we have time to look at a wild card option for Edmonton in 2016-17.

DRAKE CAGGIULA SCOUTING REPORT

Caggiula turned 22 in June, and is listed at 5.10, 185 (UND website). He played on a famous line in college, with Brock Boester (VAN) and Nick Schmaltz (CHI). He played the wing, but has some experience as a center. His college boxcars (39gp, 25-26-51) translate well in NHL equivalency (82gp, 22-22-44).
  • Chris Dilks about Caggiula: Caggiula is a
    smaller forward, but plays with tremendous effort and grit. He makes
    life miserable for the opposition on the forecheck and plays a strong
    two-way game. He’s having a sensational senior season as a linemate of
    first round NHL picks Brock Boeser and Nick Schmaltz. It’s unlikely he
    is the same type of scorer at the next level, but would make an
    outstanding bottom six energy player    . Source
  • Bob McKenzie: In spite of his size – barely 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds – Caggiula
    plays a hard game, looks for big hits and plays with a hard-edged focus
    that is the by-product of a lifetime of being told he’s too small to
    make the next level. Source

DRAKE CAGGIULA AND THE MONEY

Edmonton signed Caggiula to a contract for two years that (with bonuses included) maxes out at $1.35 million. That might be important, as cap issues could impact the bonus kids that now include Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Jesse Puljujarvi, Griffin Reinhart and (just a little) Darnell Nurse.
Because he is an older prospect, and can do more things (he did not play center last year, but has in the past), Caggiula can safely be regarded as a going concern in terms of the 2016-17 Oilers roster. I thought—and still do—that he is more likely a mid-season callup, but the signing of Puljuarvi to a substantial bonus contract may mean some creative accounting could be required and Caggiula may come into play for opening night.

TOO SOON TO KNOW

Of course, training camp will put many of these questions to rest, but observers of the Orientation camp last week were suitably impressed by the youngster. His ability to play multiple roles could loom large in the final days of TC—versatility is something coach Todd McLellan values.
The other thing is this: A team that has employed many opening night rookies in the recent past looks to have a fairly veteran roster. Rookies with a chance to make the final roster include Laurent Brossoit, Jesse Puljujarvi and Jujhar Khaira—along with Caggiula.
Miles to go.
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