Another NHL Team Claims Raphael Lavoie on Waivers, Forcing Oilers Into Decision

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Liam McCormick
October 9, 2024 (2:22 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers just got Raphael Lavoie back, but the situation has become more complicated with another NHL team trying to claim him.

According to Jason Gregor, another NHL team higher up in the standings also placed a claim on Raphael Lavoie. The Oilers still have Lavoie, but the other team making a claim means the Oilers can't immediately send him to the AHL. For now, he will be on the NHL roster.

The team that placed a claim on Lavoie was one of only eight teams that finished higher in the standings than Edmonton last year. It could be Colorado, Boston, Vancouver, Florida, Winnipeg, Carolina, Dallas, or the New York Rangers.

If the Oilers decide to waive Lavoie again, it's a certainty that he'll be claimed by another team. Now Lavoie will be stuck on the NHL roster and not playing any games, blocked by the Oilers veteran top six wingers. Edmonton should have considered trading Lavoie before waiving him in the first place, but it now might be the most probable outcome.

According to Jim Matheson, Lavoie himself may actually want a change of scenery to get NHL playing time. Without the ability to send him back down to the AHL, the Oilers may be forced to let go of Lavoie in a trade.

The Edmonton Oilers drafted Raphael Lavoie in the second round of 2019, and he's developed into an NHL ready talent just waiting on the sidelines. He's scored over 25 goals in each of his last two seasons in the AHL, and proved this preseason that his offensive skills can translate to the NHL. The Oilers third line wingers only combined for 8 goals last year, so if they let Lavoie go in favour of an aging veteran, they may come to regret it very soon.

The Oilers likely won't be content with having to keep Lavoie on the NHL roster for salary cap concerns and the reality that there's no ice time for him currently. Lavoie's had a dramatic few days on waivers, and it doesn't look like it's over yet.