Another NHL team claims Lavoie, pressuring Oilers to act

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Finnegan Frost
October 9, 2024 (2:48 PM)

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The drama continues to intensify regarding Edmonton Oilers prospect Raphael Lavoie as another NHL team is trying to claim Raphael Lavoie on waivers.

Just when things seemed to have settled down, another wrench has just been thrown at the Edmonton Oilers.

According to Liam McCormick of Oilers Daily, another NHL team higher up in the standings also placed a claim on Raphael Lavoie. The Oilers still have Lavoie, but the other team making a claim means the Oilers can't immediately send him to the AHL. For now, he will be on the NHL roster.

The team that placed a claim on Lavoie was one of only eight teams that finished higher in the standings than Edmonton last year. It could be Colorado, Boston, Vancouver, Florida, Winnipeg, Carolina, Dallas, or the New York Rangers.

It was previously announced on Oilers Insider that Raphael Lavoie and Cole Schwindt were picked up off waivers by the Las Vegas Golden Knights from Edmonton, sending shockwaves down the NHL. Sources indicate that the Golden Knights were rather surprised they managed to scoop up two elite prospect off waivers, and the team had to make a strategic choice between Schwindt and Lavoie.

In a split decision, the Golden Knights favoured Cole Schwindt, resulting in Raphael Lavoie being placed back on the waiver wire. With that being said, the Oilers reclaimed Lavoie, but now another team is making things difficult by trying to steal him from the Oilers, again!

As per McCormick if the Oilers decide to waive Lavoie again, it's a certainty that he'll be claimed by another team. Now Lavoie will be stuck on the NHL roster and not playing any games, blocked by the Oilers veteran top six wingers. Edmonton should have considered trading Lavoie before waiving him in the first place, but it now might be the most probable outcome.

Raphael is currently on the Oilers roster, but theres absolutely no room for him. As it stands, the Oilers should have definitely traded Lavoie when they has the chance. If the Oilers decide to put him back on waivers, they will ultimately lose out on one of their top prospects for nothing in return. It's a tough situation right now, and continues to get even more complex.

It's safe to say that there's another GM out there making life extremely difficult for Stan Bowman, and the Oilers general manager must act quickly before the situation worsens.