This gets back to the never-ending debate, of what you mean by ‘best’? Is it the player that will have the longest impact for the Oilers/in the NHL, or the player that could possibly play top 3 Dman or or the 1st Line. For Eberle and Pääjärvi-Svensson, it is simple because either could play on the top line and have a very good chance of succeeding in the NHL.

I and going to combine these two categories of the ‘best’ and have a tie: Linus Omark and Jeff Petry. Both players have the possibility to be above average player at their respective positions (not elite, but significantly above average). Omark could be a exceptional 2nd liner (eating up the soft minutes, if the coach decides to line match): like Nilsson but with more goal scoring ability, less play making, and hopefully more effort. Petry is big, a good skater (from my scouting reports, aka LT), and has the ability to be a two way 3/4 Dman: kinda like Gilbert.

Here is the rub: not only do the replicate player-types that the Oilers have a lot of, but they are not exceptional at these as well. The players we need to be the third best prospect (big goal scoring LW=Hartikainen, big defensive centres=Vande Velde, Lander, Horcoff-lite=Nash), do not have the chops in both categories of the ‘best’. Either they have a ceiling on what they can play in the NHL or have smaller chace of playing in the NHL.
 Can Hartikainen play on a 2nd line in the NHL? Will Vande Velde be able to get off the fourth line? Will Lander or Nash develop fully? These are big question marks.

But if I am betting on who will be the best prospect playing in the NHL next year, that is Peckham.

So I am not voting, ‘cause I really don’t know.

Right now, I’m googlee over Petry. I finally got to watch a Spartan’s game (televised, that is), so I got to see what the hype was all about.

Well, here’s my short assessment:

First off, he’s BIG (6’3, 200). Secondly, he uses his size better than Gilbert does (from what I hear). I didn’t get much opportunity to see that. He roughed a few guys up Smid-style, but didn’t get to see any big hits aside from a glancing hip check. As far as defensively, he bailed his goaltender out big time twice in a row on one shift. He seemed to stray from the smart defensive areas though when he wasn’t standing in front of the net though. He roved and applied pressure like a centreman, a few times. Offensively, I was very impressed. His slapshot is an absolute laser. He also has a very hard wrister that he can use from the point. He also really likes to jump in on the breakout/rush. I saw that a few times that game. He was very akin to Pitkanen, in that regard.

Anyways, I voted Petry, just because I’ve now seen him. Plus I know a lot of people are drooling over Omark, but I’m not at all convinced that he isn’t another youtube-sensation-bust. I’ll wait to see him in a game before I get excited. And as for Petry, the same goes for him too.. won’t get too excited until I see him in NHL action. Some of what he does may only work at the college level.

as well but I think they need to give Omark a shot. Nilsson is a bust, imo, and I think POS is at the tipping point as well. May as well get rid of them and see if Omark has the chops to make it. If he does not, fine, but they need to find out.

He got 3 votes for the #1 prospect, and none for the #3. I think the Sioux must be traveling today.

Lander has really caught up to Petry and Omark. Earlier in the day it seemed like a two horse race.

Closing in on Omark now.