Oilers seventh round draft pick now ranked as top five prospect

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Ryan Hall
September 7, 2024 (8:34 PM)

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According to the Edmonton Journal, the Edmonton Oilers have created a top five prospect defenseman in Maximus Wanner who was selected in 2021 in the seventh round.

Great teams can manufacture draft picks who can blossom into roster players which the Oilers have done over the last few years. These players include John Marino who was traded to Pittsburgh, Vincent Desharnais in 2016, Philip Kemp and Michael Kesselring,

Allan «Lowetide» Mitchell of the Athletic had a strong case for Wanner and why he has been ranked 4th in the Oilers prospect rankings.

At 6'3, 185 pounds, Wanner is a two-way defender with good speed and excellent passing ability. He didn't get much exposure (22 games, 17 in 2020-21) due to the pandemic and should be regarded as a sleeper pick with great potential.

According to eliteprospects.com, Wanner was drafted in the seventh round of 2021, 212 overall. He is a right shot defenseman which is coveted amongst the rest of the league it had a great year with the Bakersfield Condors.

He played 68 games with Bakersfield, scoring seven goals with 10 assists for 17 points along with 37 penalty minutes and was a + 13. The year prior playing for the Moose Jaw Warriors, he had 44 games played, with eight goals in 22 assists for 30 points with 45 penalty minutes an it was a + 23.

Wanner hopes that he can make a strong impression to the Oilers coaching staff during training camp and hopes to see some preseason game action. Even though it's every player's dream to make the NHL as soon as possible, it's likely the Oilers will send him back to Bakersfield for another season of conditioning and development.

It's safe to say the Oilers do not want to rush this player as he appears to be one of the better picks in the past couple of years.

Source: Edmonton Journal

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