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2018 NHL Draft: Edmonton Oilers full seven-round mock draft

By Jeremy Lambert

KELOWNA, BC - MARCH 03: Ty Smith #24 of the Spokane Chiefs skates to the bench against the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place on March 3, 2018 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)
KELOWNA, BC - MARCH 03: Ty Smith #24 of the Spokane Chiefs skates to the bench against the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place on March 3, 2018 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images) /
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The Edmonton Oilers have had plenty of high draft picks over the years, but their prospect pipeline needs a lot of work at the 2018 NHL Draft.

The Edmonton Oilers have arguably the best player in hockey, but a weak supporting cast and poor goaltending kept them out of the playoffs in 2017-18. The Oilers are in a tough position. They don’t have much cap space to make a splash in free agency and their prospect pipeline is pretty bare. Connor McDavid solves a lot of problems on the ice, but he can’t fix the mess that is the front office.

The Oilers have six of their seven draft picks on Friday and Saturday. They traded their fourth round pick for Al Montoya.

They need players at all positions who can contribute now and long-term. Defensively, they are in decent shape with Ethan Bear, Caleb Jones, and Ryan Mantha in the system. All three are in the NHL and will likely push for a NHL roster spot in training camp. Kailer Yamamoto is their top forward prospect. He projects a top-six wing with the speed and scoring to keep pace with McDavid.

Aside from those four, there isn’t much help coming Edmonton’s way in the future. Picking 10th in the first round, the Oilers will be left with at least one high-end defenseman. I’d say it would be shocking if they didn’t draft the best defenseman available, but this is Edmonton we’re talking about.

KELOWNA, BC – MARCH 03: Ty Smith #24 of the Spokane Chiefs skates to the bench against the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place on March 3, 2018 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)
KELOWNA, BC – MARCH 03: Ty Smith #24 of the Spokane Chiefs skates to the bench against the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place on March 3, 2018 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images) /

First Round – No. 10: Ty Smith (D)

Depending on how the board falls, this could be Ty Smith, Noah Dobson, Adam Boqvist or Evan Bouchard. One of those four defensemen will be there at no. 10 for Edmonton. Smith has been their rumored target and of the four, he seems most likely to fall to them.

The 18-year-old blueliner stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 170 pounds. He had 73 points for the Spokane Chiefs in the WHL last season. The Oilers scouting department saw plenty of Smith in the WHL as they scouted their prospect Kailer Yamamoto on trips. Furthermore, the two were roommates during the season. I’m sure Yamamoto gave them more than a little info on the defender.

Smith can move the puck with the best of them. He’s quick to turn defense to offense, can carry the puck out and lead the rush on his own, and can spot the open man for a breakout pass.

Size is the concern for Smith. He didn’t register a point in the U18s and he’ll have trouble along the boards against bigger defenders in the NHL. But in the new era of hockey, a player with Smith’s ability to move the puck out of his own end and contribute in the offensive zone can compensate for a lack of size. 

The Oilers have undoubtedly done their homework on this kid, probably more so than any other player in the draft. If Dobson or Boqvist are there, they are safer picks with similar upside. But Smith has all the tools to help spark an Oilers attack alongside McDavid.

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