Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch must be really happy to see third-round pick Tommy Lafreniere shining in the WHL right now.
The Edmonton team took a smart chance when they selected the tough player 83rd overall in 2025. That daring choice is looking better every day.
Lafreniere scored again last night when his team, the Kamloops Blazers, played against the Victoria Royals. His skill in scoring goals is catching everyone’s attention in the league.
With 69 points already after just 60 games, he is the main reason for the scoring success of his team. He is a real powerhouse on the ice.
He plays at a speed of more than a point each game while handling significant minutes on the top line. His skill in bringing the puck into the offensive zone makes it really tough for the defenders trying to keep up.
Last year, scouts doubted his offensive potential and thought he would only be a safe pick for a lower line. They completely missed how hard he works and his exciting playmaking talents.
He knows how to use his size to win tough battles for the puck along the boards. The kid pushes through tough hits and creates big turnovers every time he’s on the ice.
A Real Bargain For Edmonton
Getting good players in the middle of the draft is crucial for a team that aims to win the Stanley Cup. The Oilers really need inexpensive, home-grown talent to energize their roster of prospects.
Lafreniere matches this need perfectly. He plays responsibly on both ends of the ice but also brings enough skill to score regularly.
His sharp passing helps create dangerous situations out of nowhere. He often anticipates the flow of the game way ahead of the other team.
Kamloops relies on him a lot during crucial moments. He works hard on the penalty kill, leads the top power play unit, and takes on the toughest faceoffs in the defensive zone.
Hey @EdmontonOilers, check out your guy! 🤩@blazerhockey pic.twitter.com/GRNB8B2YHy
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) March 7, 2026
His shooting skills have improved a lot this season. He can release the puck really quickly in tight spots and scores easily over the shoulders of junior goalies.
Moving up to professional hockey is challenging. However, his strong defensive skills give him a good base to make this change to the pro level.
Edmonton doesn’t have many top young players in their system right now. So, having an 18-year-old player excel like this changes how their scouting team sees things.
He needs to build more muscle before he can make a permanent move to the big league. For now, he is fully focused on making life difficult for WHL goalies as the playoffs get closer.
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