Site Editor Caleb Kerney discusses Connor Brown's potential impact on the Edmonton Oilers this coming season. Edmonton Oilers [https://puckpedia.com/team/edmonton-oilers] top prospect Xavier Bourgault [https://puckpedia.com/player/xavier-bourgault] was one of 18 players at the 2023 NHLPA Rookie Showcase asked by ESPN's Greg Wyshynski [https://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/story/_/id/38378622/nhl-rookie-prospects-idols-connor-bedard-logan-cooley] which NHL player most inspired them growing up. Bourgault's answer was recent retiree [https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38076975/retired-bruins-star-patrice-bergeron-wanted-leave-top-my-game] and future Hall of Famer Patrice Bergeron [https://puckpedia.com/player/patrice-bergeron]. Bourgault said this to Wyshynski about Bergeron. "A great leader and a great guy. I was watching him a lot when I was growing up. I think he had a hell of a career." Related: Oilers' Best Prospect is the Next Mattias Ekholm [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/oilers-best-prospect-is-the-next-mattias-ekholm] Hearing Bergeron being a player whom Bourgault looked up to is not particularly surprising. Besides being one of the best forwards of his generation, he also is a Quebec native, just like Bourgault. Xavier Bourgault [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk5MjcwMTQ1Mjg0MTIyNTc0/usatsi_19137720_168401874_lowres.jpg] Xavier Bourgault Bourgault also noted that Bergeron's excellent two-way play is another reason why he respected his game so much. "Bourgault also said to Wyshynski, "I'm a very offensive guy. He's very good in his own zone. So I've tried to take a bit of his game on the defensive side." Related: Oilers Could Have Had Maple Leafs Top Goalie Prospect [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/oilers-could-have-had-maple-leafs-top-goalie-prospect] There is no question that Bourgault's offensive skill is a primary reason why the Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/] selected him in the first round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. However, with the team [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/news/former-gritty-red-wing-forward-signs-with-the-oilers] already having so many skilled forwards in their top six, it would be excellent for him to become a more complete, two-way player. It would only help his chances to land a bottom-six role on the Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/oilers-sniper-has-the-best-chance-to-beat-mcdavid-for-the-maurice-richard-trophy] sooner rather than later. Related: Oilers Invite Towering Defender Prospect to Rookie Camp [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/news/oilers-invite-towering-defender-prospect-to-rookie-camp] Nevertheless, we will need to wait and see if Bergeron's impact on Bourgault helps him blossom into a strong two-way forward in the NHL in the future. Related: Oilers Projected Defensive Pairings Based on Captain's Skate [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/news/oilers-projected-defensive-pairings-based-on-captains-skate] Related: Oilers Projected Forward Lines Based on Captain's Skate [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/analysis/oilers-projected-forward-lines-based-on-captains-skate] Related: Newly Acquired Oiler Could Be the Final Piece Needed For a Stanley Cup [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/opinion/newly-acquired-oiler-could-be-the-final-piece-needed-for-a-stanley-cup]
