Oilers analyst calls prospect trade with Ottawa Senators a slam dunk win
completed a sneaky good trade this offseason with the Ottawa Senators to acquire forward Roby Jarventie, and even though he's only played two games, it's being called a slam dunk win.
The Oilers acquired Jarventie this offseason while rehabbing from injury, but after playing just two games this year, he was injured and underwent season ending surgery.
Oilers analyst calls prospect trade with Ottawa Senators a slam dunk win despite playing 2 games
Despite playing just 2 games with the Oilers organization this season, prospect analyst Bruce Curlock is still confident enough in this trade to call it a slam dunk win for the Oilers.
In reality, it has more to do with how badly former Oiler first round pick Xavier Bourgault has performed in the AHL, and his noticeable decline since this trade.
The Oilers drafted Bourgault 22nd overall in the 2021 draft, and the smaller right shot centreman joined the Bakersfield Condors in the 2022-23 season - and shockingly, it was the best of his professional career. Bourgault scored 34 points in 62 games his rookie year, then dropped to 20 points the year after.
Now with the Belleville Senators AHL team, Bourgault is on pace for his worst year yet and may be headed back down to the ECHL if he can't correct his game. In 40 contests, Bourgault has just 13 points - a major disappointment for a former first round pick.
Roby Jarventie looking like a more promising prospect despite not even playing
While Jarventie hasn't played pretty juch at all yet with the Oilers organization, at least he's not plummeting down the depth chart like Bourgault is.
Jarventie is just one year older than Bourgault, and was drafted in the second round of 2020. Last season for the Senators AHL team, Jarventie scored 9 goals and 20 points in 22 games, impressing enough with his offence to earn a call up to the NHL for one game.
With more time and medical attention, Jarventie hopefully can get back into the lineup next season and continue his promising development path. On the other hand, the prospect the Oilers gave up - one with higher pedigree too - looks to be falling by the wayside.
If Jarventie even becomes a productive AHLer, it's a win for the Oilers. It could be a slam dunk if Jarventie plays NHL games next year, which is a possibility.
