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Oh yikes, I missed his being taken...was it spelled weird?

Carolina takes Martin Gernat with our make up pick

finalsgame7-gernat.jpg

Edmonton Oilers Prospects: #4 Martin Gernat

gernat.jpg?w=229&h=338Of the top seven players on this list of Edmonton Oilers prospects, six were drafted in either the first or second round. Martin Gernat, the 122nd overall selection the summer before last, is the lone exception to the rule.

2011-12 was Gernat’s first season in North America. The Slovakian defenceman entered the WHL with modest expectations, given that he a) was drafted deep, deep in 2011 where quality prospects are few and far between and B) was bound to go through the same culture shock that has given many an excellent prospect a difficult time in year one.

Gernat blew expectations out of the water.

Let’s start with the statistical. The Edmonton Oil Kings were an excellent WHL team last year, but even so Gernat’s plus-41 rating stands out – it was the best mark on the team. He recorded nine goals and 55 points in 60 games, the best offensive totals on the Oil Kings’ blue line. Those totals were so good, in fact, that of the WHL defenders selected before him in 2011 only first round pick Joe Morrow (64 points in 62 games) posted better numbers – and not by a lot. Beyond that, the majority of Gernat’s offence came at even-strength – he wasn’t just riding a power play to pretty totals.

Then there’s Gernat’s skill set and physical attributes. He’s not some Marc-Andre Bergeron-clone; while Gernat’s still on the slender side at 191 lbs, he stands 6’5” and by any reasonable definition size would need to be considered a plus. Beyond that, he also skates well – not just well for a big man, but well. He accelerates well, has good top speed and doesn’t turn like he’s hauling a wide load in the defensive zone.

Beyond that, if the offensive numbers didn’t make it plain, he’s good with the puck. That extends beyond offence too – he’s good at making a play with the puck under pressure in his own end, has an excellent outlet pass, and beyond his high comfort level while in possession he also has pretty good vision.

So: he’s big, he can skate, and he’s not only is he comfortable with the puck but he’s also very capable of knowing what do with it. There’s a lot to like in that. Prior to the acquisition of Justin Schultz, Gernat was easily the Oilers’ most promising offensive defender.

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Weird Sidenote, as I was looking up Kristians Pelss to see if he may be draftable in the 34th round..it seems he drowned back home in Latvia...an edmonton prospect he had 50 points in 63 games and was plus 34 on the Edmonton Oil Kings two seasons ago...rest in peace, we won't be picking Mr. Pelss.

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Weird Sidenote, as I was looking up Kristians Pelss to see if he may be draftable in the 34th round..it seems he drowned back home in Latvia...an edmonton prospect he had 50 points in 63 games and was plus 34 on the Edmonton Oil Kings two seasons ago...rest in peace, we won't be picking Mr. Pelss.

Am I a horrible person for laughing at his last name? In all seriousness, R.I.P.

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