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The Oilers have selected defenceman Dmitri Samorukov with their 84th pick.
Samorukov spent 2016-17 with the Guelph Storm in the OHL. He was named to Russia’s U-18 team in 2016. A left handed shot, he was the second pick in the 2016 CHL Import Draft.
Samorukov is listed at 6’2 and 181 pounds. He finished third in scoring among Storm defencemen.
THE BOOK
Has a bomb from the point and good size to go with offensive instincts. Loves the big hit in the middle of the ice and is business like in his approach to development. Major upside potential here
I’m a little perplexed with this pick. Samorukov obviously has talent, but this team has now drafted a goaltender followed by a left defenceman. Samorukov has a crowded left side to break into. By the time he’s ready to step in, that Russell contract ought to be about expired. Maybe he arrives sooner than expected.