Edmonton Oilers Lose Top Prospect to Vegas Golden Knights on Waivers

24 year old forward Raphael Lavoie has been claimed to the Vegas Golden Knights, according to Elliotte Friedman.

Lavoie was a second round draft pick of the Oilers in 2019, and has recently been ranked as high as the team's 7th best prospect. Lavoie has played two seasons with the Oilers AHL team with great success, scoring 53 goals in his last 127 games. He had a great training camp with the Oilers as well, scoring a few goals before sustaining an injury. Lavoie is talented offensive player that likely wouldn't succeed in a checking role, so the Oilers just didn't have room for him. Many prospect experts believe he will become a quality contributor in the NHL.

Insiders had warned that Lavoie was unlikely to clear waivers earlier in training camp, and that the Oilers should potentially explore trading him. There was potential good news when Mark Spector reported that no Oilers would be claimed, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Lavoie could've been used as a trade chip later in the year if he cleared waivers, but it seems like they should've made a move earlier. Now, a bitter rival in Vegas will get Lavoie as he enters in the NHL.

The rest of the Oilers placed on waivers, Josh Brown, Drake Caggiula, and Olivier Rodrigue did clear. If anything, the Oilers may have been hoping that Josh Brown was claimed by another team to get out of his contract. Losing Lavoie will certainly be a big sting to the Oilers. Hopefully, a new prospect like Matt Savoie will be able to step up and serve as a potential call up this year in Lavoie's place.