Say this about the league-worst Edmonton Oilers: they’re going to have quite the stable-full of young prospects. Last year, they chose Taylor Hall first overall. Hall was rated the top North American skater in multiple prospect rankings, and he did not disappoint. Before the premature end of the season (he injured himself in a fight) Hall had 22 goals and 20 assists in 63 games. If he would have played the final 19 games of the season, his name easily would be in contention for the Calder Trophy.
You can’t forget Magnus Paajarvi, either. He was Edmonton’s first round pick (10th overall) in 2009. In his first full NHL season, Paajarvi netted 15 goals and 19 assists in 80 games. Toss in a goalie like their 2002 second rounder Jeff Deslauriers, and you have a pretty strong core set for eventual success.
To say hat the Oilers are happy with another first overall pick is an understatement. Their official site’s top headline is a remind er for the draft drawing, and right after that is a player profile on forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who is ranked first overall by Central Scouting for North American skaters. While not nearly as obviously telegraphed as their decision to choose Hall over Tyler Seguin at last year’s draft, it appears that the Oilers are looking at adding a forward to their ranks instead of a defenseman.
The top European ranked skater is defenseman Adam Larsson. Larsson, while being the top ranked European, is also one of just four defensemen in the top ten worldwide as determined by International Scouting Services.