Kootney Ice- Games 34 Goals 18 Assists 35 Points 53
Canada U20- Games 7 Goals 2 Assists 3 Points 5
Aaron Ekblad
6'4, 216 lbs
Barrie Colts- Games 31 Goals 14 Assists 17 Points 31
Canada U18- Games 5 Goals 2 Assists 2 Points 4
Canada U20- Games 7 Goals 1 Assists 1 Points 2
William Nylander
5'10, 170 lbs
MODO J20- Games 1 Goals 0 Assists 0 Points 0
MODO- Games 11 Goals 0 Assists 2 Points 2
Rögle- Games 18 Goals 4 Assists 4 Points 8
Södertälje- Games 6 Goals 5 Assists 3 Points 8
Sweden U18- Games 4 Goals 4 Assists 2 Points 6
Roland McKeown
6'1, 195 lbs
Kingston Frontenacs- Games 39 Goals 8 Assists 23 Points 31
Canada U18- Games 5 Goals 0 Assists 1 Points 1
The player I listed in August at #5.
Jake Virtanen
6'1, 210 lbs
Games 43 Goals 26 Assists 16 Points 42
Jake is a player who does not mind getting his nose dirty and has the size and strength to back it up. He thinks the game with a above average hockey IQ and has slick hands as some scouts have said. Has a dynamic shot that can catch goalies unexpectedly but even better is his strong stride with the combination of size , skill and speed. Jake can be rather dominating at times on the ice. Is in the mold of a power forward but like many others before him (including the NHL) can get a bad rap that they are not working hard enough at various times.
If the Oilers were to have a shot at Jake (as of right now in the NHL standings the Oilers are sitting 29th) he easily could be that power forward with a blend of size, grit, speed and skill this team has longed for. I have heard rumblings that Jake is a player the Oilers are very interested in and are watching him closely. It will all depend on where they finish the season in their draft ranking order. Should the Oilers pick anywhere other then top 3, Jake could be their likely pick. His season has started to slow down boxcars wise but is a player nonetheless that they do not have coming up in the system.
Kootney Ice- Games 33 Goals 16 Assists 34 Points 50
Canada U20- Games 7 Goals 2 Assists 3 Points 5
Aaron Ekblad
6'4, 216 lbs
Barrie Colts- Games 31 Goals 14 Assists 17 Points 31
Canada U18- Games 5 Goals 2 Assists 2 Points 4
Canada U20- Games 7 Goals 1 Assists 1 Points 2
William Nylander
5'10, 170 lbs
MODO J20- Games 1 Goals 0 Assists 0 Points 0
MODO- Games 11 Goals 0 Assists 2 Points 2
Rögle- Games 18 Goals 4 Assists 4 Points 8
Södertälje- Games 6 Goals 5 Assists 3 Points 8
Sweden U18- Games 4 Goals 4 Assists 2 Points 6
The player I listed in August at #4.
Roland McKeown
6'1, 185 lbs
Games 37 Goals 7 Assists 22 Points 29
One writer says "Total package on the blueline; IQ on both sides of puck. Impressive +16 in 11 GP in Oct". That's pretty bold words on this young man. Is a solid plus player and while can push the puck up the ice offensively he can provide a shutdown presence on the blue line that has some teams anticipating this draft rather eagerly. Has proven to be a good leader in the jr ranks.
Has won some nice trophies to brag about. Won a U18 championship, Ivan Hlinka Gold medal, made all-rookie team. Has outstanding skating skills and can skate east/west or north/south with relative ease. His top end acceleration and speed make him a difficult player to stop at top speed coming into the offensive zone. Can execute crisp one time passes well but most often likes to lead the rush with his puck on the stick. A extremely smart defender with good positioning and good instincts.
Should the Oilers make a push up in the standings in the later half they stand a good chance of landing a player like Roland who could only be another solid player brought into the stable for the future years ahead. Not exactly what Edmonton fans want to hear ( future) but Roland could be a top end 2 d-man , likely will settle more into a 3-4 d-man role if he continues this trend in a upward arrow.
For Oiler and Baron news and 2013/14 NHL draft watch
At 5'10, 170 lbs, William is a rather smaller player of size and will likely have a difficult time adjusting his game at the NHL pro level. Craig Button in late September quoted the following... "William exudes confidence when he plays. Exceptional poise with the puck and is always looking to make threatening plays in the offensive zone. Excellent skater who is very difficult to check because of his agility and because he is always changing pace. Can make pinpoint passes in traffic and if you are his line mate, best be ready, as he will provide opportunities. Top line type player."
Will be interesting to see if he can pick up his game in the second half.With 18 Games played and only 4 Goals and 4 Assists for 8 Points in the swedish jr league, William is likely to drop quite far back unless he can suddenly start putting up some points. He currently has played 10 games with 2 assists only in the SHL and that has got some scouts really concerned. Currently in my rankings , I have droped Nylander to the bottom double digits. Another scout has stated "He still needs some time to transition to the pro game to learn that he won't have as much time as he once did, but Nylander's offensive upside will be worth waiting for."
If he lacks scoring at this level, he isn't bringing much to the table anymore and this could see him drop back some spots from the beginning of the season.
For Oiler and Baron news and 2013/14 NHL draft watch
Twas the night before Christmas and all throughout Oil Country, not a creature was caring, not even a spouse. The banners were hung by the rafters with care, in hope that a new Stanley Cup would soon be there.
The fans were stressed, all snuggled in their beds, while visions of playoffs danced in their heads. And Lowe in his office and MacT in his, had just sat back for another long winter's nap.
When out on the ice, there arose such a clatter, a fan sprang from his bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window, he flew like a flash, tore open the curtain and saw such trash.
The shine from below, of freshly shaved ice, gave the impression of a team about to grow. When, what to my wondering thoughts should appear but a NHL team and eight little players.
With a little elite player, so sly and so slick, I knew that moment it must be the Nuge. More rapid fire, then ever did I see, he buzzed through the players like a saw cutting a tree.
Now Hall! now Perron! Now Eberle and Yakupov! On Gagner! On Petry! On Justin who's sticking! To the top of the standings! To the top of the heap! Now play on! Play on! Play on all!
As the fog begins to lift from the Rexall Ice, When they meet their opponent, all big and all proud. So to centre ice the players, they go. With their sticks squeezing tight and their heads too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the ice, the screaming and shouting, a fight on the ice! As i watch closely from my seat, eagerly awaiting a new found treat, down the ice Hall flies, stride after stride.
He was dressed in Oiler orange and blue, from his helmet to his skate, And his jersey was torn by skates and with blood. A bundle of hope he flung on his back, and he looked like a soldier, leading the pack.
His stare- how it pierced! His face how serious! His drive was like a tornado, his alertness like a Tsunami! His look was simple all wrapped up in one face and the dreams of a Stanley nestled beyond.
The vision of a goal he held tight to his sight and the fog from the ice encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a real tight belly, that appealed to the girls like nice fine pearls.
He was cute and adorning, definitely a stud. And the girls squealed at his site, in spite of the gash on his head. A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, and the puck was in the net to the other team's dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to the bench. And filled up his water bottle then turned with a look. And pointing his finger toward the net, And giving a nod up the ice he choose!
He sprang to the goal, to his team he said, it's ok, and away they all skated, at the sound of a whistle. But I heard him exclaim, as he scored another goal, "Happy Christmas to all fans and to all fan's a good night"
In a time where there is much to cheer about, I thought taking a moment to reflect on something from a positive standpoint may be something to add some holiday cheer. Merry Christmas!
While this season seems to have been lost some time ago, we can at least take solace once again that the rebuild continues into the draft season once again. It is very highly likely we will enter this season's 2014 NHL Entry draft with a top 3 pick and at worst a top 5. That pick may be traded, we may keep it. Regardless , I think now is the time that we here at Oilers Jambalaya give a further look into the top 15 prospects around the world and what we could be looking at as our consolation prize. Let's call this our Oiler Christmas Gift all wrapped under the tree this christmas.
NEXT UP: #3 prospect of REVS Top 15 2014 Draft Prospects.
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Oilers Jambalaya is in no way, shape or form associated with the Edmonton Oilers or the Bakersfield Condors. This is a fans blog for fans. We happen to love those teams, so we write about them.
