2010 NHL Entry Draft

Edmonton Oilers News (June 23rd 2010) "NHL Draft Day"

Armed with a plethora of draft picks, 12 in all, the Edmonton Oilers aimed to draft from a position of supreme strength. The Boston Bruins were first out, taking speedy winger Taylor Hall 1st overall.

The Oilers made no fuss and opted to draft (D) Cam Fowler with their 2nd overall pick, passing over such players as Tyler Seguin and Maxim Kitsyn. The Oilers went with another defenseman at 15th overall, namely Jon Merrill.

The Oilers went on to pick 10 other players, including Finn Joonas Donskoi and Russian Roman Savchenko.




Edmonton Oilers Draft Summary:

1st Round (2nd overall) (D) CAM FOWLER (189cm, 89kg) 18 yrs
Fowler is a big, mobile defenseman with talent in both ends of the ice. Touted to be a #1-2 defenseman by most scouts.

1st Round (15th overall) (D) JON MERRILL (191cm, 93kg) 18 yrs
Merrill is a solid all-round defenseman with decent wheels for his size, though he has a way to go in terms of becoming a offensive threat. Projected to be a #3-4 defenseman at least.

2nd Round (32nd overall) (W) AUSTIN WATSON (193 cm, 81kg) 18 yrs
Watson is a hard working and big winger. He has room for development offensively and must fill out his frame, but has the potential to be a solid 2nd line winger.

2nd Round (39th overall) (C) BRIAN FERLIN (185cm, 89kg) 18yrs
Ferlin is a quick skater and a two-way center who works hard for the team, plays physical and blocks shots. He is likely to be nothing more than a 3rd line center, however.

3rd Round (62nd overall) (D) STEPHEN JONES (191cm, 100kg) 18yrs
Jones is a big, strong defensive defenseman, who lacks mobility and skill to be an offensive threat. Projected to be a #5-6 defenseman.

3rd Round (64th overall) (D) ROMAN SAVCHENKO (186cm, 72kg) 21yrs
Savchenko is a mobile two-way defenseman with a strong competitive streak. He is capable of doing decently well offensively, but lacks strength to impose himself in his own zone. Long-shot #4 defenseman.

4th Round (92nd overall) (W) JONATHAN BRUNELLE (185cm, 97kg) 18yrs
Brunelle is a hard-working winger with well-rounded ability - though he lacks top-end qualities in most areas. Possible checking winger.

4th Round (112th overall) (C) BEN O'QUINN (185cm, 88kg) 19yrs
O'Quinn is a defensively minded centreman with decent speed. He lacks the mentality to challenge physically, however, and isn't always the most positionally sound. 4th line checking center/13th forward.

5th Round (122nd overall) (C) JOONAS DONSKOI (182cm, 78kg) 18yrs
Donskoi is a fairly skilled forward, who unfortunately lacks edge to become a top end forward. Likely a 4th line center/role player.

6th Round (152nd overall) (D) DANNY BIEGA (181cm, 85kg) 18yrs
Biega is a very quick defenseman of some authority. He's lacks aggression to be dominant physically, but makes up for it with a solid work ethic. 7th defenseman in the making.

6th Round (159th overall) (C/W) BOBBY MIGNARDI (182cm, 78kg) 19yrs
Mignardi is a well rounded centreman who skates fairly well, possesses some offensive flair and can move well with the puck. Lacks defensively, however, to be a reliable NHL centreman. 3rd line centreman/winger at best.

7th Round (182nd overall) (W) MICKY SARTORETOO (185cm, 87kg) 19yrs
Sartoretto is a very fast winger with a limited skillset, but a big heart. 4th line winger at best.


Comments from GM Morgan Kowalski
"We aim to build from the back end, hence we chose to focus on defense in the early rounds. I expect Fowler to be a solid addition to our organisation some years from now. Having arrived just weeks ago we had our work cut out for us, but I feel we have drafted fairly well, the circumstances considered."