NHL Mock Draft Pick #19 – Edmonton Oilers

So I goofed yesterday and much like the LA Kings would probably like to, I forgot about the Dustin Penner trade that sent this pick to the Edmonton Oilers.  The Oilers are at the podium for the second time in this draft, having selected D Adam Larsson first overall.  The scouting report on the Oilers’ needs that I published before that pick remains the same, but you can refresh your memory by checking here.

Now taking his turn at the podium is Jeff,  Lead Writer of Oil On Whyte.

With the 19th overall pick in the draft, Oil On Whyte is proud to select Mark Scheifele – centre from the Barrie Colts of the OHL.

Jared’s Analysis – A pretty safe pick in this spot for the Oilers.  Schiefele is a big player who will fill out as he gets older.  Not a great skater, he sees the ice well and has good hockey sense, which makes up for a lack of foot speed.  He has a very good release but doesn’t use it enough.  I would compare him to a poor man’s Jason Spezza, which is a bargain at #19.  Good upside and will mesh well with the group Edmonton is assembling.

Jeff, the  Lead Writer of Oil On Whyte sent along his assessment of Mark Schiefele.

18 year old Canadian Mark Scheifele (pronounced “shy-fully”) brings with him a set of tools that will make him a valued asset in the NHL.  He’s a gifted scorer (22G-53A-75PTS in 66 games with the Colts), he has exceptional puck handling capabilities, and he’s got good hockey sense, something that’s rarely able to be taught.  Playing in Barrie this past season, he’s played under the tutelage of coach Dale Hawerchuk.  Scheifele is 6’3″ and at 175 lbs will look to put on some size as he continues to progress to the NHL level, but he’s got speed, puck handling ability, and a scorer’s touch that we’re very much interested in.  Mark is the best pick at 19th overall for the future of this franchise.  Welcome to Edmonton, Mark.

I encourage fans and followers of the Oilers to check out further information on the club and this pick in particular at Oil On Whyte.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Here are the Mock Draft results so far (click on the team name to go to the post about that pick):

Now on the clock for the #20 selection, is the Phoenix Coyotes.  As the Fansided site for Phoenix does not currently have a staff writer, the pick will be made by guest selector Steve, a writer for Fansided’s College Hockey Blog.

Anyone interested in writing for the Coyotes’ blog, Howlin’ Hockey can visit HERE for more details!

PREVIEWING THE COYOTES

2010-2011 Record: 43-26-13 (11th Overall)

League Rankings:
Goals for:  15th

Goals Against: 13th

Power Play: 23rd

Penalty Kill:  26th

TOP 5 Prospects in the system: Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D), Brett MacLean (LW), Brandon Gormley (D), Chris Summers (D), David Schlemko (D)

NEEDS: For a team that relied on its goaltender more than any other team, the potential loss of Ilya Bryzgalov is a scary thought.  However, there is nothing that the Coyotes can do about that with this pick.  The prospect list of the Coyotes is very defense-laden, so you would have to think that they would go for a forward with the #20 pick. A pair of players on the USA under 18 program would be the most likely candidates in the pint-sized Rocco Grimaldi and the much larger JT Miller.   

TOP 5 PLAYERS ON THE BOARD (per ISS):

1.  Oscar Klefbom, D, Farjestad (SWE ELITE)

2. Rocco Grimaldi, C, USA Under-18 (USHL)

3. JT Miller, LW, USA Under-18 (USHL)

4.  Connor Murphy, D, USA Under-18 (USHL)

5.  Jonas Brodin, D, Farjestad, (SWE ELITE)

Check back on TOO MANY MEN ON THE SITE  tomorrow evening to see who  guest GM Steve chooses to take for the Phoenix Coyotes, as the Fansided mock draft continues!