The Edmonton Oilers announced they have signed forward Raphael Lavoie to a three-year, entry-level contract. The 19-year-old, who was the team’s second-round pick in 2019, should give the Oilers another solid prospect for the future. The deal with a $70K AHL salary breaks down as follows:
2020-21: $700K salary, $92.5K signing bonus, $133K GP bonus
2021-22: $800K salary, $92.5K signing bonus, $33K GP bonus
2022-23: $833K salary, $92.5K signing bonus
There were scouts who thought that Lavoie could easily go late in the first round before last year’s draft. The 6-foot-4 winger had shown flashes of brilliance in his draft year playing for the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL, but inconsistent play is what held him back to the second round even though Lavoie dominated in last year’s playoffs where he scored 20 goals and 32 points in 23 games.
Regardless, he returned to Halifax this season after going in the second round, scoring 18 goals and 44 points in 30 games before joining Team Canada for the World Junior Championships in December where he had two assists in seven games in a limited role, but helping his team capture a gold medal. Halifax then traded him to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens where he has tallied 20 goals and 38 points in 25 games with them.
Considering that Lavoie will be turning 20 in September, it’s likely that Lavoie will turn pro and join the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL next season in hopes of taking his career to the next level. The Oilers hope that Lavoie can fast track to the NHL sooner than later as Edmonton is always on the lookout for top-six wingers with speed who can help complement Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. If Lavoie can put it all together in the AHL in the next couple of years, he could be a key part to their future.