Raphael Lavoie Teeters on the Edge of NHL Breakthrough

Raphael Lavoie, a promising player for the Edmonton Oilers, finds himself poised at a crucial juncture in his career as he turns 24. With an impressive record of 50 goals across 127 games with the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL, he is recognized as having significant potential. However, translating that success to the NHL remains elusive.

Lavoie is among the players striving to balance their AHL achievements with NHL ambitions. Despite his ability to generate points in the minors (95 points in 127 games), he struggles to secure a regular spot on the Oilers’ right wing. “It’s a Stanley Cup contending team, there’s so many good pieces,” Lavoie commented before the Oilers’ preseason game against the Winnipeg Jets at Rogers Place.

The Oilers, the oldest team in the NHL, are in ‘win-now’ mode after a near-miss in the Stanley Cup finals, which compounds Lavoie’s challenge. With minimal cap space available, the team may face tough decisions regarding their roster composition, especially with a limited open forward spot due to Evander Kane’s long-term absence following surgery.

Lavoie remains non-waiver exempt. Last October, despite performing admirably in the preseason, he cleared waivers and returned to the AHL — potentially a risk the Oilers might face again. Speculation lingers about whether the Oilers could trade him for a draft pick, similar to the recent deal involving Vasily Podkolzin.

Lavoie openly acknowledges the difficulty of breaking into the Oilers’ lineup. “It’s hard to make the NHL,” he said. He has focused on enhancing aspects of his game like his defensive skills and physicality, crucial for NHL success, as noted by Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch. “Raffi’s a strong hockey player, it’s very difficult to take the puck off of him,” Knoblauch stated, emphasizing areas for improvement such as speed and forechecking.

The transition from an AHL standout to a full-time NHL player is notably challenging. Historical comparisons, such as forward Terry Purcell, illustrate the complex path from potential to established prowess. Despite limited playing time last season, Lavoie’s NHL experience, derived from a second-round draft pick in 2019, offers insight but also underlines the gap he still needs to bridge.

Lavoie maintains a pragmatic perspective, understanding the necessity of proving his worth continuously. “You keep pushing… eventually you deserve more (NHL) minutes,” he reflected. Such perseverance underlines the ongoing quest faced by many players vying for permanent roles in the NHL.

In another narrative of professional development, former Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft recently observed practices at the Philadelphia Flyers‘ training camp. Invited by Flyers’ coach John Tortorella, Woodcroft utilized this opportunity for growth post his tenure with the Oilers. “This is a young man who has no job right now, trying to use his time correctly to try and be better,” Tortorella mentioned to The Athletic.