Edmonton Oilers to claim player on waivers this afternoon per reports
Vegas Golden Knights forward Raphael Lavoie appears to be heading back to the Edmonton Oilers after being placed on waivers for the second time per reports.
The Oilers made a major slash this off season with key signings like Jeff Skinner & Victor Arvidsson which makes their forward groups arguiebly one of the best in the NHL. But it's not just the veterans who have fans excited as the team has promising young players like Raphael Lavoie, Noah Philp and Sam O'Reilly who are seen as key to the Oilers future.
The Oilers lost Lavoie on waivers when the Vegas Golden Knights claimed him, along with Calgary Flames forward Cole Schwindt. In a surprising move Vegas placed Lavoie back on waivers just before the start of the regular season creating the possibility of him returning to Edmonton.
Speculation quickly grew that the Oilers would reclaim Lavoie, and it has since been confirmed that the team plans to bring him back and assign him to their AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors.
Last season Lavoie scored 28 goals and earned 50 points in 66 AHL games. Many expected him to make the Oilers NHL roster this off season but he fell just short before being placed on waivers. At 24, his development has been slower than the team hoped, but he's made significant strides since being drafted in 2019, and he could still get a chance at the NHL this season.
With most teams already setting their rosters, it's unlikely Lavoie will be claimed again making a reunion with the Oilers the most probable outcome.
