Oilers' Draft Type of Defender the Organization Needs Right Now

The Oilers 56th overall pick has a skill profile that can help the Oilers.

The Edmonton Oilers don't have any problems scoring goals. With the likes of Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm and Darnell Nurse the defence doesn't have issues contributing offensively. The larger concern for the Oilers' defence corps is preventing goals.

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The Oilers were the 16th worst team at preventing goals against with 256 goals against. The Florida Panthers were the only other playoff team to have more goals scored against them during the regular season (272). They also allowed the 14th most shots with 31.4 shots against per game. 

While it can be fun to envision new prospects rushing up the ice like an extra forward to score goals with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, preventing goals is just as important. 

Enter Beau Akey. Akey is a right-handed mobile defenceman. He has great two-way ability and great skating. In today's NHL, you need your defencemen to be great skaters. There are too many elite opposing forwards who attack with speed and your defence needs to combat that. 

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The Colorado Avalanche have defenders like that with Cale Makar and Devon Toews. They use their hockey sense to anticipate plays and then move their feet to cut off angles and eliminate chances. They use their agility to stick to opposing players like glue and make life difficult for them to generate offence. 

One scout told The Hockey News, "He can skate, and he's got skill, but I wouldn't call him hyper offensive. He relies on his foot speed and quickness to defend." To me, the current Oiler this sounds most like is Brett Kulak. Kulak is the best skater on the Oilers blue line and makes great plays with the puck without being flashy.

Kulak took five years to become a full-time NHLer. The Oilers could expect Akey to follow a similar trajectory - even if they could use a blue liner with his skills on the team right now.

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