Edmonton Oilers seventh round pick named as top 5 draft steal in NHL
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The Edmonton Oilers made a stretch of a draft selection last season with the 196th pick on William Nicholl, and now he's been named one of the top steals of the entire 2024 draft.
Nicholl has already been impressing Oilers analysts this season, and had worked up to being called a steal earlier this season too.
Edmonton Oilers got a diamond in the rough with William Nicholl in 7th round of draft
Daily Faceoff named Nicholl 5th on their list of late round draft steals from last season so far, citing his book in offensive production.
Given that he was one of the last picks in the draft, there's a lot to like, and I think he'll push his way up the Oilers' depth chart as time progresses. Once known more for his off-puck play, I'm glad Nicholl has taken control offensively, too.
- Daily Faceoff
- Daily Faceoff
In the season the Oilers drafted Nicholl, he had only scored 6 goals and 20 points in 65 games. He was playing bottom six minutes on a stacked London Knights team, not getting much ice time.
With increased opportunity this season and a noticeable improvement in his puck skills, Nicholl's scoring has shot up to 36 points in 40 games.
His defensive play and forechecking have remained a strength of his game, but the increase in scoring is most important.
If Nicholl can continue these positive developments in his game, he'll be a player to track for the next few years moving through the Oilers system. However, early returns look like Edmonton got a promising player very late in the draft.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 22 | 347 ANSWERS Edmonton Oilers seventh round pick named as top 5 draft steal in NHL Do you think William Nicholl could be an NHL player? | ||
| Yes | 130 | 37.5 % |
| No | 53 | 15.3 % |
| Don't know | 164 | 47.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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