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Big 20 year old is ready for his first full year of professional hockey. Here's how he ranked among our staff.
| Rank | Player | DOB | Drafted | Year | Alan | Ben | Bruce | Curtis | DB | Derek | Jeff | Jon | Michael | Ryan | Scott | Zsolt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 |
Jujhar Khaira |
94/08/13 | 63 | 2012 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
Previous Rank - 14
This year ends Khaira's second season since being drafted by the Oilers. A third round selection, Khaira spent his 2012-13 season as a member of Michigan Tech (WCHA) His rights were dealt to Everett (WHL) from Prince George, and Khaira finished fourth in scoring with the Silvertips 16-27-43). Khaira spent six games with Oklahoma City (AHL), but failed to register a point.
Jujhar Khaira is going to be given every chance to succeed on the Edmonton Oilers. He's everything that the heads love - he's got plenty of size (6'4", 210+), and he loves to muck it up with the opposition. Khaira can play both centre and wing, which will only further his chances. There's a crap shoot (albeit small) that he could make the big squad in 2014-15 if he shows well in preseason. I'd place a bet that it's 2015-16 before his first big chance with the Oilers.
Here's Kady Hobbins from Hockey's Future on Jujhar Khaira
On paper, 21-year-old Jujhar Khaira looks like a solid, but perhaps not overly impressive left wing prospect. Respectable point production, good two-way play, and decent skating and puck-moving ability seems to be the common descriptors, but he's the classic case of the player that you need to see in person to truly appreciate.
His on-ice vision is apparent from shift beginning to end, and his time spent in the WHL after an early exit from his NCAA career seems to have served him well. Let's not forget that Khaira also stands at a staggering 6'4 and 215 pounds, making him a valuable commodity for a relatively small Oilers team. If he can continue to trend upwards, the Oilers may have a strong contender for an NHL future in Khaira.
If I could wave my magic wand, Khaira would be your dream-scenario 3C. Big and tough, but talented. He's already shown that he can do this, but a scoring touch that can translate to the pro level is what I'm angling for.
There's a handful of centres that will look to make waves over the next few years. At the moment, Leon Draisaitl is all but guaranteed to make this team's roster, but guys like Bogdan Yakimov (6'4, 201 lbs - you'll see him a little later in the countdown) and Jujhar Khaira will ensure that there is plenty of size (hopefully paired with some skill!) coming down the middle sooner than later.