Fall’s early stirrings are in the air in Oil Country.
Speculation on the upcoming NHL season is beginning, roster possibilities are being thrown around, and recently, one idea is building momentum among some Oilers’ fans:
Kailer Yamamoto stands a good chance of making the team.
You can understand why the idea has its supporters. The 2017 1st rounder was flat-out dominant in the WHL last year, posting a sparkling 42-57-99 with the Spokane Chiefs. He looked very good at the World Juniors Showcase tournament earlier this summer, offering up a convincing demonstration of skill, speed, and tenacity. A surprising number of his goals and scoring chances come from near the blue paint and he shows a knack for getting into the tough places on the ice.
To many, he looks like a younger Jordan Eberle, but with a generous helping of grit and sandpaper. It’s impossible not to like what the scrappy Spokanite brings to the organization, and there is a gap on the right wing.
But he doesn’t have a chance at making the Oilers this year.
Here’s why:
5’8. 150 lbs.
And I’m being generous with both measurements.
No, I’m not saying that small guys can’t make it in the NHL – that would be demonstrably false. Some of the best players in the NHL are in Yamamoto’s size bracket.
But no one – and I mean no one – as small as Yamamoto has made the jump to the NHL in his draft +1 season.
It just isn’t done.
Yeah, but what about…
Johnny Gaudreau? Tyler Johnson? Brad Marchand? Martin St. Louis?
Nope, nope, nope, and nope.
The league is moving towards speed and skill, which has enabled the emergence of players like Brayden Point and Torey Krug, but in their cases too, GMs and coaches elected to put them through a maturation process first.
Kailer Yamamoto will be no exception.
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