Oilers top prospect potentially missing significant time with injury after fight

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Liam McCormick
January 29, 2024 (9:23 PM)

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Earlier today, some disappointing news came to light about one of the Oilers top prospects with the Bakersfield Condors. According to Daniel Nugent-Bowman of the Athletic, forward Raphael Lavoie had to get X-Rays today for his hand after taking multiple hits in the game, including a fight. If a break is confirmed, Lavoie will miss at least 6 weeks.

In the first period of their game against the Canucks' farm team, Lavoie surprisingly fought Vasily Podkolzin. Lavoie had the size advantage and landed some quality blows himself, but the Canucks young gun stuck in the fight despite not being known for his physical play.

Lavoie remained in the game afterwards, but reports of his hand injury surfaced after the game. According to other reports from fans who watched the game, Lavoie also took a puck to the hand when blocking a shot.

A second round selection of the Oilers in the 2019 Draft, Lavoie has come into his own and has shot up the prospect depth chart in recent years with his production in the AHL. This season he's taken off more so, now scoring 13 goals and 21 points in 29 games this year.

Later on, Nugent-Bowman provided another update indicating that the initial beliefs around Lavoie's injury was positive, and that he may have escaped a break to the hand.