DRAFT: Size a common attribute in Oilers 2022 draft class

MONTREAL, QC - Without a lot of ammunition in the 2022 NHL Draft, the Oilers still were able to load up on a particular trait -- size.
With the aid and direction of Director of Amateur Scouting Tyler Wright and his scouting staff, General Manager & President of Hockey Operations Ken Holland made four selections this week in Montreal and all four are expected to weigh in at 6-foot-2 or higher.
Edmonton kicked off their draft with the final pick in the first round selecting Seattle Thunderbirds forward Reid Schaefer. The 32nd-overall selection pairs solid offensive skills with a hardy frame and is currently listed at 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds with room for growth.
"Big body, almost 6-foot-4 and 215-to-218 (pounds) right now," Wright said. "He's a young man and a little bit of a late bloomer, but he had a tremendous year. At the end of the day, it's not all about toughness. He can play with the puck, he's got a really good shot and release, he puts himself in good positions, and he goes to the hard areas and stays there."

After having to wait another 125 picks for their next selection, the Oilers picked goaltender Samuel Jonsson, who is expected to come into Oilers Development Camp next week at a rangy 6-foot-4 and 204 pounds.
"He's a big goalie who had a really good year in Brynas and is going to move to play in Rogle for the following year," Wright said. "We had him kind of targeted there. Another goaltender we get in the system and try to develop. He was obviously one of our targets and I think that we lucked out with him getting him where we did. Time will tell."
Next up for the Oilers was defenceman Nikita Yevseyev from Bars Kazan of the VHL -- Russia's second tier of hockey. The defender came in highly recommended by Amateur Scout Alexander Naurov, who was pivotal in the eventual selection of Yevseyev.
The 18-year-old joins a group of Oilers blueline prospects in Philip Broberg, Dmitri Samorukov, Vincent Desharnais, and Markus Niemelainen who are all listed at 6-foot-3 or above.
"He's bigger than he's listed," Wright said about Yevseyev, who was touted at 6-foot-1 heading into the draft. "He's another big, competitive guy on the back end and we're trying to add to the pool and see if someone can grab a spot."

Edmonton wrapped up the draft by selecting overage forward Joel Määttä with the 222nd pick. There is already some family familiarity with the 6-foot-2 centre, who played under Head Coach Jay Woodcroft's brother Todd at the University of Vermont and alongside Oilers prospect Luca Munzenberger.
The Helsinki, Finland native impressed Oilers scouts with his defensive acumen and his willingness to engage in the dirty areas. Määttä fit the common theme of this year's draft class, which was larger players who show an eagerness to compete.
"We were kind of hoping, not in a negative way, that he would be pushed back since we didn't have a ton of picks," Wright said. "He's another 6-foot-2 body, who is good on face-offs and penalty kill. He goes to the net, we're happy with him for sure.".
Size isn't all that matters when it comes to having success at the pro level, but it can certainly help. The Oilers additions of Evander Kane and Zach Hyman played a big role in driving the team to the Western Conference Final last season.
Over the previous two drafts, Edmonton has added several offensively inclined players in Xavier Bourgault, Carter Savoie, and Tyler Tullio who sit at the 6-foot and under threshold. This year the Oilers used the 2022 NHL Draft to add just a bit more 'beef' to their prospect cupboard.