September 23, 2024 by Eric Friesen

Raphael Lavoie has been one of the top prospects in the Edmonton Oilers system since he was selected 38th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. Now, about to turn 24 this week, Lavoie appears ready to finally graduate from being a prospect to a full-time NHL player.

Lavoie scored a power-play goal and was plus-one in a 3-2 overtime victory for the Oilers in a pre-season contest against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday. The Chambly, Quebec native was an offensive player throughout his major junior career, but has evolved into a solid two-way player as a pro.

“I feel like I’m more of a complete player,” Lavoie told Oilers TV following the win on Sunday. “When I got drafted I was pretty offensive. You learn in the American league to round out your game, play without the puck, be reliable out there, and that’s been a point of emphasis since I’ve been in the American league.”

The former second-round pick had a taste of NHL action last season, going pointless in seven games. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound winger will get a real chance to make the Oilers out of camp thanks to his combination of size, physicality and scoring ability. Still, he isn’t taking anything for granted.

“I feel it’s an earn-it factor,” said Lavoie. “Even if you’ve played some games [in the NHL], you have to earn it every time you come back to camp, so it’s pretty much the same mindset. You just want it even more.”

Related: Deep Dive: 2024 Oilers Training Camp Preview

The 23-year-old scored a career-high 28 goals with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors last season, including 14 on the power-play. Lavoie possesses an NHL-calibre wrist shot and one-timer that can often allow him to beat goalies from range. However, Lavoie knows he won’t be stealing anyone’s job on the Oilers’ historically-good top power-play unit, so he will need to do more than bury chances on the man-advantage to stick with the big club in 2024-25.

“You try to bring [different things to the table],” said Lavoie. “I was trying to be more physical out there on the forecheck. You finish your hits, you’re more reliable along the wall, you break pucks out, and when you have the chance to contribute offensively, you do it, as well.”

His ability to finish plays has always been the hallmark of his game. He arguably has more pure goal-scoring upside most of Edmonton’s projected bottom-six forwards. If Lavoie makes the team out of camp, he could end up being a effective even-strength scorer lower in the lineup, similar to Klim Kostin in 2022-23. But with seven exhibition games remaining, Lavoie understands what Head Coach Kris Knoblauch and his staff want to see from him.

“They want me to be physical, they want me to contribute, they want me to do the little things right” said Lavoie. “They know I can shoot the puck, can shoot it offensively, but you have to do everything else that comes with it.”

Despite his deadly release and impressive physical attributes, Lavoie isn’t a lock to be in the Oilers’ opening-night lineup on October 9. The Oilers have arguably the league’s deepest group of forwards. The top-nine is virtually set in stone, but there might be one available roster up front for him to steal.

Corey Perry, who turned 39 this past May, likely isn’t going to play all 82 games this season, so there could be an opportunity for him to slot in as the fourth line right winger. Injuries are also bound to happen, which could open up an opportunity for Lavoie to move up the lineup. However, he will need to find a way to contribute in limited minutes when this team has a fully healthy roster.

Top prospect Matt Savoie, who will also likely break into the league on the right side, isn’t far away from the NHL. So, this fall might be Lavoie’s best chance to ever make the Oilers, or he could be looking for an opportunity with a new club a year from now.

Still, the Oilers have invested more than five years into his development, and they won’t want to move on from one of their top prospects until they fully know what they have in Lavoie at the NHL level.