Who will fit the Edmonton Oilers draft plans in 2023?

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Joshua Deeds
May 30, 2023 (10:25)

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Ken Holland boldly traded Mattias Ekholm and prospects to the Nashville Predators to strengthen the Edmonton Oilers' defense. To sweeten the deal, the team also gave up this year's first-round pick and a fourth-round pick in 2024, along with Tyson Barrie.

With Reid Schafer gone, the team is left with a hole in Bakersfield and Edmonton that needs to be filled by an enforcer or rat type of player. If Raphael Lavoie is also promoted soon, the team will need a right winger to keep their prospect pool full.

Despite not picking until the second round with the 56th pick, plenty of talented prospects are still available in this deep draft. One promising option is Adam Gajan, a skilled young goalie from the Chippewa Steel team. Gajan performed exceptionally well at the 2023 World Juniors, making 33 saves and helping the Slovakian team to a 6-3 victory over Team Canada. He is known for his athleticism and is regarded as one of the top goalies in the tournament.

With the 56th pick in the draft, the Edmonton Oilers confidently select Adam Gajan, the impressive goalie from the Chippewa Steel team!

With the Edmonton Oilers 5th, 6th and 7th round picks available

If they're available, it would be wise for them to prioritize stocking up on their blueline and wings. One promising prospect for the Edmonton Oilers is Cole Knuble, who has the potential to be a versatile player for the team. He possesses offensive skills, is effective on the penalty kill, and during his time with the Fox Motors 16 UAAA, he had the highest number of assists in the 2020-2021 season with 16.

For the defensive position, one possible addition could be Aaron Pionk. He scored 12 goals and 14 assists in 59 games while playing for the Waterloo Blackhawks. Pionk is among the top 10 defensemen in the USHL based on his impressive stats, which include 12 goals, 36 points, a plus/minus rating of 20+, and 135 shots. Aside from his well-rounded skills as a defenseman, he can also play on his off-side, providing the team that chooses him with more flexibility on the blue line.

Lastly, it would be beneficial for the Oilers to consider selecting Yegor Rimashevsky from the MHL Dynamo Moskva, if he remains available during the draft. Rimashevsky is a center player with admirable size and strength, who fearlessly engages in battles for the puck. Additionally, he possesses excellent skating abilities and remarkable vision.