Oilers 7th round draft pick expected to battle for roster spot at training camp
It's always incredibly unlikely to draft an NHL player with a seventh round draft pick, but the Edmonton Oilers seem to have found a formula for success as yet another long shot will be competing for a roster spot this year at training camp.
According to a recent roster projection from the Athletic, Oilers prospect Maximus Wanner could be making his case to become an NHLer.
Some Oilers prospect watchers are describing Wanner as the �next Vincent Desharnais', who was also a long shot defence prospect. Wanner is a towering 6'3» right shot defenceman that had a fantastic season last year with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors. Wanner didn't light up the score sheet, only scoring 17 points in 68 games, but was praised for his reliable defensive ability - something that contending teams can't get enough of.
Wanner will be competing against a litany of depth veteran defenceman for a bottom-pairing spot on the Oilers. Troy Stecher, Ty Emberson, Josh Brown, Connor Carrick, and potentially more will be battling for a roster spot, and only two will be able to make the team. Additionally, the Oilers have been linked to a trio of defenceman on tryout contracts for this preseason, making it even less likely Wanner makes the team unless he blows expectations out of the water in training camp.
Regardless if he doesn't make this team this year, it's extremely positive to see the Oilers get such good value from their recent 7th round draft picks. Drafting tall right shot defenceman with their final pick is proving to be a quality strategy.
Source for Wanner Stats: HockeyDB
| POLL | ||
Do you think Max Wanner will play games for the Edmonton Oilers this year? | ||
| Yes | 39 | 21.7 % |
| No | 60 | 33.3 % |
| Sure, in preseason | 70 | 38.9 % |
| See Results | 11 | 6.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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