Oilers Lose Promising Forward To Bitter Rival
The waiver wire comes for us all.
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It came for Edmonton on Monday morning, with the news that forward Raphael Lavoie was claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights. Lavoie was among the four players waived by the Oilers, along with Josh Brown, Drake Caggiula, and Olivier Rodrigue, who all cleared.
Lavoie was drafted by the Oilers in the second round, 38th overall, in 2019. The 24-year-old right winger has spent most of the past four seasons with the Bakersfield Condors, notching 71 goals and 131 points in 202 games. His 28 goals last season led the team, despite also drawing into seven games with the Oilers.
Lavoie's best attribute has always been his shot, a hard and heavy wrister that he can get off from almost any angle. He's long had skating issues that have kept him from winning a spot with the Oilers, but he looked much faster during the pre-season. At 6'4" and 215 pounds, Lavoie could be a real problem if that increased mobility sticks.
He'll get a great opportunity with the Golden Knights, who lost Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson, William Carrier, Anthony Mantha, and Paul Cotter from their forward corps this offseason.
Lavoie fits right in with the rest of Vegas' forward additions. He'll join Alexander Holtz, Victor Olofsson, Pavel Dorefeyev, and Tanner Pearson as flawed players with great shots, all fighting for a spot next to Jack Eichel, Tomas Hertl, or William Karlsson. Whoever can force their way into regular minutes in the top six could very well become part of the next generation of Vegas "misfits".
It'll be a tough pill to swallow for the Oilers if Lavoie can become a legit NHL scorer for their biggest competition, but at least they might not be alone. Vegas was clearly shopping in the Alberta aisle on Monday, also claiming forward Cole Schwindt from the Calgary Flames.
The Oilers will get their first look at the Golden Knights, and possibly Lavoie, on November 6th when they welcome their division rivals to Rogers Place.
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