The Oilers won't shake up their draft strategy when they take forward Pierre-Luc Dubois

The 2016 NHL Entry Draft is 36 days away and the Wild are looking to find that NHL star to raise their franchise to the next level. Hockey Wilderness is counting down with a daily mock draft. We are at pick #4 today, and the Edmonton Oilers are on the clock.

Where do the Oilers stand?

Just like the last few years, the Oilers need defensemen a lot more than forwards. But like many of the years they've had a top pick, the defensemen available are not as high caliber as the forwards who will be available excepting 2012 when the defenseman were fantastic and the Oilers still took Yakopov instead of Ryan Murray, Griffin Reinhart (they've since corrected that mistake), Matt Dumba, Hampus Lindholm, or Derrick Pouliot. The Oilers would be better served trading back.

That being said, the draft is the one place the Oilers can't get the thing they need most: maturity. Perhaps picking a skilled but well-rounded and hardworking forward would be the right move for them. That's why the Oilers should pick Pierre-Luc Dubois.

What do the scouts say about Dubois?

Pierre-Luc Dubois is a hardworking, two-way forward with talent. He spent the 2015-16 season playing for the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL where they lost to the Saint John Sea Dogs in the quarterfinal. He can play either center or left wing, and excelled as a center as the season ended. Combining physicality with elite vision and playmaking, Dubois has a diverse skill set that will allow him to make a quick and effective transition to the NHL when he makes the leap.
Scouts like him, and he was ranked as the top North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. In addition to Dubois' physicality, Steve Kournianos of the Draft Analyst likes his shot as well as the way he thinks the game:

Corey Pronman likes his well-rounded and flexible skillset.

Pronman also speaks highly of his defensive abilities.

Craig Button on a TSN mock draft said this about the 6’2", 202 lbs. forward:

Basically, Pierre Luc Dubois is smart and puts forth effort, and the Oilers, who are often perceived as not trying as hard as possible, could certainly use a player who brings effort every shift.

Would the Wild like Pierre-Luc?

You bet they would! The Wild really like to draft players who have character and size, two attributes that define Dubois. However, the odds of this top ranked North American skater being available at the 15th pick are slim. He would be a really good fit on a team that wants to be a hard-working, responsible team. His skill wouldn’t hurt either.