Edmonton Oilers Give Away Top Prospect on Waivers Again

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Liam McCormick
October 10, 2024 (12:21)

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The Edmonton Oilers have been caught in a tough position with prospect Raphael Lavoie, and may now be giving him away for free.

The Oilers lost Lavoie on waivers to the Vegas Golden Knights a few days ago, but then were fortunate enough to claim him back on waivers the next day. Now, according to Jason Gregor, the Oilers have placed Lavoie on waivers again.

Lavoie was claimed by the Golden Knights already, and even though the Oilers got him back yesterday, another NHL team did place a waiver claim on him. There's clearly interest in Lavoie around the league, and placing him on waivers again on a day with less players being waived makes it very likely he'll be claimed again.

Oilers insiders have been warning that the team should have considered trading Lavoie weeks ago, knowing that he would be blocked by the veteran wingers on the NHL roster. Lavoie is now 24 years old and the Oilers have fully developed him since drafting him in 2019, but he's an offensive player that needs real ice time. He simply wouldn't be used properly on the fourth line with Derek Ryan. However, with concerns about the scoring ability of the Oilers bottom six, perhaps Lavoie is the right fit for the team right now.

If the Oilers lose Lavoie for nothing on waivers after getting the incredible strike of luck to get him back, it'll be an egregious mistake. The team has spent years of resources developing him into an NHL level talent, just to throw it away and not get anything in return. The best case scenario is that Lavoie will be able to clear waivers and report to the AHL's Bakersfield Condors, but that's feels incredibly unlikely. Oilers insider Jim Matheson has even suggested that Lavoie may want a fresh start after being blocked by veterans in Edmonton.

Waivers News will be released tomorrow at 2:00, and the Oilers will likely have their final answer if Lavoie is staying within the organization.