This is Dylan McIlrath of the Moose Jaw Warriors. Should the Edmonton Oilers solve one mystery at the top of the draft (either a first-shot-scorer or that elusive complete-center) it might be wise to move up and grab a second first rounder: the kid who plays the blue for the Warriors.In Bob McKenzie's mid-season look at the NHL's top 30 draft eligible prospects (2010), McIlrath ranked #23. McKenzie wrote "has no problems mixing it up" and at 6-5, 215 already the kid is probably going to win most of his battles.
His skating is rated as good, and Mike Remmerde recently remarked that he "exhibits very good gap control and is an outstanding open ice hitter". His 09-10 boxcars were 65gp, 7-17-24, 169pims with a +20 (only Dman over +6) so the Oilers won't be getting any PP help with this player.
Having said that, the club would be addressing a weakness with a player rated pretty high across the board. Here's what Redline report says about him:
- Big monster is legit tough and loves to get involved. Willing and always looking to hit. Puck skills are basic and need to work on first pass. Skating needs work, especially pivots and lateral.
- Theo Peckham has a mean streak and willingness to hit and drop the gloves that is seldom seen among Oiler picks who can actually play.
- Jeff Petry has a wide range of skills and a reputation for being able to skate, handle the puck well and won't shy away from the physical game.
- Taylor Chorney is King Minus so far in pro hockey and is never going to be a physical player.
- Johan Motin is a stay-at-home prospect with a scouting report that lists size, strength and a mean streak as his strengths. Motin hasn't showed too much of it in the AHL so far but does appear to have some ability at the position.
- Alex Plante's stats imply he's a physical defender (122 pims) and he has been more impressive than we were led to believe based on scouting report.
So, what so you? Worth a late first round pick for the Oil?
Depends on what the Oil are giving up in order to get that extra 1st. What do you have in mind as a reasonable exchange?
ReplyDeleteYes, but I will admit to being biased as a Warriors fan. I would be willing to trade the 31st and the nashville pick to move up for him. Or the 31st and a spare part like Nilsson. While having as many bullets as possible is a sound strategy the Oilers are now one of the youngest teams in the league with lots of talent bubbling up. Ok to sacrifice some picks if you believe in the player.
ReplyDeleteOf note. He was the 2nd star the other night on a Warrior team that is giving Calgary everything they can handle and more.
It seems like you could trade for similar type players. I'm not too sure the Oilers need to use a good pick on a big stay at home d-man who might not make it to the nhl. You could sign Jurcina a nhl roster player in the off season. I'd rather take a chance on some skill.
ReplyDeleteI like the way Mcilrath plays the game. He is "man" tough already at 18 and is only going to get meaner and stronger. Of all the D men in the draft, he probably brings the most intimidation, to go along with the fact he defends well. The oilers need a healthy stock of this type of Dman.
ReplyDeleteAll of that being said, they could use some waterbug Dmen as well, Chorney by himself isn't going to be enough. I see a healthy pile of Dmen being drafted by the Oilers this go around, and I'm guessing at least one goaltender.
How is he in the faceoff circle ?
ReplyDeleteI think McIlrath has fallen a bit in the rankings since McKenzie's January list, so he might be available at 31. However if we're looking at a defender in that range I'd take a look at Alex Petrovic from the Red Deer Rebels. I think he has equal toughness but plays a more well-rounded game with better skating and offensive upside. He's been a bit of a revelation this year so more improvement in his game is possible.
ReplyDelete---
As a side note I think it's dangerous labelling Seguin as a well-rounded centre. He's certainly good at faceoffs but he doesn't PK, he shies away from physical games and to be honest I think his numbers are inflated from playing full 2 minutes PPs and being the only offensive weapon on his team.
All else equal, I would like to see the Oilers select 3 F's with their three picks in the first two roundss. I wouldn't pass on a clearly superior prospect to do so, but ideally that's what I'd be looking for.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Boukeboom?
ReplyDeletehe is something like that too.
What about Boukeboom?
ReplyDeletehe is something like that too.
You would rather pass on the Edmonton kid Petrovic who apparently plays fairly aggressive as well?
ReplyDeleteon the draft note, Seguin with a 4 point night in the playoffs.
ReplyDeletegiving him 9 points in 4 games. Hall has 8 points in 3. Just when you think Hall might be edging slightly ahead, Seguin comes up with a beauty of a game
So his upside is a much bigger, faster version of Jason Smith? Then yes please.
ReplyDeleteWhen Smith was in his prime, and the Oilers needed to cling to a lead he was always on the ice, and you felt calmer when seeing him because you knew he would do anything to win.
You can't have enough of that type of Dman and at their peak they are still not too expensive as compared to Dmen who put points up.
It seems like you could trade for similar type players.
ReplyDeleteReally?
6'5" with a mean streak and can skate?
I'm not sure about that.
I hate drafting for need at any point in the draft and the first round has to be BPA, no matter what. If you like a guy that could be had later on, then every effort should be made to move down otherwise...pick the BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE.
ReplyDeleteIf this kid is the best player available when it's time to pick, whether they trade up or stay put, then I'm fine with it.
I haven't watched a CHL game all year but I believe the two names mentioned here (McIlrath and Petrovic) fought in the Orr/Cherry game, did they not? And if I recall, the commentators felt Petrovic was way, way out of his league.
ReplyDeleteFrom my one-game viewing, I liken him to Darth Vader himself, Derian Hatcher, and as any Oil fan over 30 can attest, that's a guy you want on your side of the ice cause he was NO fun to play against.
I'd question trying to move up to get him right now. Giving up assets for lottery tickets is a risky proposition at best, and a complete disaster at worst.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have a 6'5" mobile pain platform on the Oilers as much as the next guy, but if he isn't the whole package (i.e. Prongeresque) I don't pick him in the first round, and I definitely don't give up draft picks in a deep draft to get him. Much more value in extra bullets in case of injury, character problems, contract disputes, etc...
The only way the Oilers get a second pick in the first round this year is if the price does not include a draft pick. Right now, that doesn't seem too likely.
With the success Tyler Myers is having this season, I wouldn't be surprised to see this guy go early.
ReplyDeleteShould we take him? I don't know. It depends on how well he can skate I suppose. He finished 7th in his league in penalty minutes. Whether those are productive penalty minutes or not would aslo be a concern.
I wouldn't want to see us trade two high picks to get one (ala Riley Nash).
ReplyDeleteIf some organization is willing to take a surplus prospect of ours (someone from the Cody Wild tree, before he was traded) plus a pick to move up, then fine. Or POS.
Otherwise I'd be content to pick at #31.
I'd be down for that. He's a hell of a hockey player. Kind of a "rich man's" Matt Greene. :)
ReplyDeleteHypothetical question:
ReplyDeleteJon Merrill and Dylan Mcllarth are both available at 31,
which do you take?
Saw him good. Caught him in Eberle's return post World Juniors. He stood out to me as the best d-man on the ice. Great vision and is good with his stick. Definitely worth an earlier pick.
ReplyDeleteIf you plan long term it's perfect. Will pop up as a steady defenseman in 3-4 years.
ReplyDeleteKnight: Well in the new NHL he was a bit screwed. And he was a bit weird mentally.
ReplyDeleteI mean when he boarded Bouillon in the playoffs, he said ''If i knew i would have gotten suspended, i would have punched him to finish the job''
But yeah, you do NOT want to have that against you. Say a bit like Volchenkov?
I agree with Jon K here. I'll be taking a looooong look at Alex Petrovic at 31 or higher
ReplyDeleteBrad Ross
ReplyDelete6'2
WHL 71 27 41 68 203
Beau Bennett
6'1
BCHL 56 41 79 120 20
Dylan McIlrath
6'5
WHL 65 7 17 24 169
I think any of these guys would be great value at 31. I'm not sure if you trade up for one though if you think one of them will be around at 31.
Jeff Skinner is pretty interesting as well. He scored more goals (50) than Hall or Seguin this year.
Another awful night for the Flames. The Wings win and Colorado beats LA in a shootout so the Kings get a Bettman point. Now 4 back of Detroit and 6 back of 7th with 9 games left...
ReplyDeleteAt least it's a with the warm spring in Alberta the golf courses should be good to go in 3 weeks.
Traktor: Skinner would be great at 31. Problem is that he'll be gone before 20 I think. Pretty underrated player.
ReplyDeleteNothing like local players for the Oilers PR staff... :-D
ReplyDeletePersonally I'm wondering how far players like Kabanov will fall. Risky but that's why you have a scouting staff do in depth research.
ReplyDeleteI don't think he's around at 31, but if he is, I wouldn't be adverse to the Oilers snatching him up...as long as they've done their due diligence.
Grab a Russian fwd if you jump up into the late first round.
ReplyDeleteI'm weary of defencemen whose main prospect point comes down to "plays tough".
Speaking of McIlrath and Petrovic.
ReplyDelete