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A new RG Media study, published August 25, and which analyses how NHL teams drafted 1st-Round players between the years 2014 and 2020, rates the Edmonton Oilers as the 2nd-best among all NHL teams.
Ahead of the Oilers, and number 1, was the Toronto Maple Leafs, while the Colorado Avalanche was 3rd.
New study arrives at weighted-score to determine NHL teams’ ability to pick players in 1st-Round of draft
The study considers a player’s average points-per-game, hit rate, awards count, relative efficiency and playoff rate, giving an all-around and complete picture of a draftees ability and potential.
Weighted to arrive at a universal score, the report reflects a comprehensive and full understanding of what is considered when a team drafts a player.
Of the three remaining first-rounders still with Edmonton, Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, and Evan Bouchard are the team’s three top-players, and the core that drives its offense.
Given that the Oilers qualified for the playoffs only twice between 2014 and 2020 (2017, 2020), and had among the league’s worst records for most of that period, a high 1st-round pick was more likely.
However, this has not been the case since 2020, a testament to the Oilers’ ability to select top players. Since 2020, Edmonton has had a winning record in every year, and was among the NHL’s best teams in the playoffs – well, only Florida.
Of course, with a winning record comes less of a chance to pick high in the 1st round, a consequence of being successful, which the Oilers will take.
In the last four seasons, Edmonton had reached the Western Conference Finals in each year, and the Stanley Cup Finals the last two. After all, the objective of the draft is to improve the team. Edmonton seems to have done an excellent job of that.
Previously on Oilers Daily
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New study ranks the Edmonton Oilers among NHL teams by drafting talent
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