It’s officially college signing season in the hockey world. Outside of two tryouts in Bakersfield, the Oilers have been awfully quiet in this regard so far. Edmonton doesn’t always dip into this pool, but when they do the players usually find their way to the NHL. Jordan Oesterle came to Edmonton in the spring of 2014 and has developed into a real prospect of note.
Justin Schultz didn’t work out in Edmonton, but he played four seasons for the Oilers and has fit in nicely with the playoff bound Penguins. Ty Conklin, looking way back now, was another successful college signing by the Edmonton Oilers.
Is Edmonton poised to dip back into that area of player procurement? So far, they have not, but it isn’t for a lack of trying.
Hearing UMass-Lowell senior goalie Kevin Boyle will be heading to ANA on one-year entry level deal (for next year). EDM also had interest.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 29, 2016
I’ve had the advantage of watching a lot of college hockey thanks to living in Boston, and I’m a fan of Boyle’s. I’m not sure he’ll ever be a starter in the NHL, but he’s got some real potential and was a key player on a ULowell team that had a nice little postseason run this year. He’s a prospect that is more than ready for AHL time in the fall.
Edmonton losing out on this player is not the end of the world. What it is, however, is a telling sign that Edmonton is looking at young goalies that may be able to help down on the farm.
Cam Talbot is set as the NHL starter for the foreseeable future thanks to his recent extension and strong play. Laurent Brossoit is young, developing and at worst a number three goalie for next year. Eetu Laurikainen hasn’t lit the world on fire, but he’s had an interesting season (loaned to Finland and then recalled) and has shown some signs in the AHL.
That said, past Brossoit, the Oilers lack any goaltending prospects of substance. Laurikainen’s .902 SV% isn’t terrible, but it also doesn’t scream big time prospect to me. I’d like to see him get more time in the AHL next season, but he hasn’t exactly forced the issue as much as we would have liked to see this season.
Ty Rimmer was a nice story, but he seems destined to be a career farm hand, while prospects Zach Nagelvoort (NCAA) and Keven Bouchard (QMJHL) have both struggled to the point where they aren’t prospects of note any longer. Nagelvoort, in fact, lost his starting job at Michigan prior to the NCAA tournament in March.
The Oilers simply have nothing in the system in net past Talbot and Brossoit. Laurikainen is a maybe, but that’s it, folks. It’s a barren part of this organization.
Yale junior G Alex Lyon, sought after UFA (12+ teams with interest/offers), not likely to make a decision until next week.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 28, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Lyon and advisor(s) want to reduce list to more manageable size, drill down on final few possibilities and then decide whether to turn pro.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 28, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Given level of interest, more likely than not the goalie turns pro but no decisions have been made yet. In any case, nothing imminent.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 28, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsAlex Lyon, the junior starter at Yale, is a highly sought after UFA and the Oilers are rumored to be in pursuit of him. McKenzie also mentioned the Oilers were interested in Lyon on TSN’s Insider Trading last week. Zach Laing touched on the topic over at Beer League Heroes and transcribed the quote here.
Alex Lyon:Lyon has started the past three seasons for Yale, dating back to 2013-14. Since taking the job, he’s posted SV%’s of .918 (13-14), .939 (14-15), and .936 (15-16). After an adjustment from the USHL in his first season, Lyon has been a dominating presence in the ECAC.
Now, it must be mentioned, the ECAC is a more defensive brand of college hockey and as a result, save percentages for goaltenders get a little inflated. That being said, having a mark of over .930 for two consecutive seasons is simply impressive, there really isn’t another way to spin it.
Lyon isn’t an overly big goalie, only 6’1” and 200 pounds, but he’s good at stopping pucks and he’s a smart netminder. Yale produces smart hockey players who might not be the most talented, but they know how to play the game. A couple of guys named Arcobello and Miller taught this organization that over the last few years.
Final Thoughts:Alex Lyon is a substantial goaltending prospect who holds some leverage here. While multiple teams (12 according to McKenzie) have shown interest, he has the ability to return to Yale for his senior season and potentially garner more interest. That said, Lyon has dominated the ECAC the last two seasons and appears ready to jump to the pro level next year.
He isn’t NHL ready, but as an AHL’er he could produce next season for a lot of organizations, including Edmonton.
More importantly, however, he would represent a pro ready prospect in an area of significant need for the Edmonton Oilers. If Alex Lyon does in fact turn pro, then the Oilers should be doing everything in their power to make sure it is with them.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
