The Oilers had to wait quite awhile this past entry draft following the selection of Leon Draisaitl. Edmonton watched the entire second and third rounds pass by without making a selection. The team finally got to use a bullet with the first pick in the fourth round, number 91 overall. The pick? Swedish defender William Lagesson.
The Means Of Entry:
The Oilers selected the Swedish defender with the first pick of the fourth round, the 91st overall selection which was acquired via trade. The Oilers dealt goalie Ilya Bryzgalov to the Minnesota Wild for the pick back at the deadline, who had previously acquired the pick in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres.
Lagesson played the 2013-14 hockey season in the Frolunda organization, playing four games for their U18 squad and 44 games for their U20 team. Lagesson also represented his country at the Under-18 level this past winter.
The Boxcars:
William Lagesson’s boxcars are pretty average, but when we consider that he is a defender and that his skill set is more of a shut-down style, these numbers tend to look pretty good. In his four game stint with the Junior Under-18 squad for Frolunda, he posted just one point, an assist, but showed better offensively for the Junior Under-20 squad.
In 44 games for that team, Lagesson posted a very solid 20 points, with eight of those being goals, a very good amount for a defender. Lagesson also posted solid overall boxcars on the international stage, posting nine points in 19 total games for the Swedish team.
The Player:
Lagesson is a solid defender with some skill in his game. He’s a bigger guy for his age, already standing in at 6’2” and 200 pounds, with some room to grow. He’ll provide the Oilers with some size on the back-end in a few seasons, which fills a pretty big hole.
In terms of style of play, Lagesson’s scouting report fits in with what the Oilers are looking for from the back-end. Some scouts describe him as strong guy with some real physical ability, and a player who is tough to go up against. Phrases like ‘nasty to play against’ are used here, indicating a physical player that uses his size to his advantage, something Edmonton lacks and loves.
He’s mainly described as a tough defender with stay-at-home ability and is more of a shut-down guy, but Lagesson is not a one-dimensional player. In addition to being a solid defensive-defender, Lagesson can provide some offense and can move the puck in the right direction.
His 20 points in 44 games at the Under-20 level for Frolunda indicate that he isn’t an offensive black-hole, and his eight goals indicate a player with a knack for getting the puck on net. His scouting report would agree, as Lagesson is described as a guy with a very good first pass and a solid shot.
Lagesson is also praised for his hockey IQ, something very underrated in these parts when it comes to shut-down defenders. His ability to react quickly is talked about as well, as is his overall two-way game from the back-end.
William Lagesson possesses a solid skill-set and some real size. He’s what Edmonton loves, a shut-down defender that is big and physical, but he can also make a pass and take a pass, something that Edmonton has ignored for years with this player type.
He’s certainly a project, but William Lagesson’s scouting report gives some reason for optimism for this player moving forward.
The 2014-15 Outlook:
Lagesson was a first round pick in the USHL draft by the Dubuque Fighting Saints, and will likely play for them this coming season. Oilers head scout Stu MacGregor hinted that Lagesson could also be college bound after playing for the Fighting Saints, so he may be five years away from pro duty.
For the upcoming season, expectations should be tempered a little bit. Lagesson will be making a huge adjustment going from Europe to North America. In addition to the change in lifestyle, he’ll have to adapt to the North American style of play, something easier said than done.
Oiler fans should expect Lagesson to make the adjustment to the smaller ice this season and to have a feature role in the USHL, playing solid minutes for the Fighting Saints. On top of that, we should also learn about the long-term future for Lagesson during the year, regarding whether or not he will attend college and play in the NCAA.
An adjustment year is ahead for the big Swede, and it should be treated as such by fans.
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