Kailer Yamamoto
Kailer Yamamoto was the 2017 1st-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers. He had a small chance to make the Oilers roster this season, but a wrist injury forced him to miss the entirety of the preseason, and he’s been sent to Bakersfield to develop while he recovers. Yamamoto was insane in his draft year, scoring 99 points while playing for his hometown Spokane Chiefs. Then, he fell off the next season with 64 points after dealing with injuries.
Yamamoto spent most of last season in the AHL, and struggled to score when he was in Edmonton. In Bakersfield, he scored just 10 goals in 27 games. It’s clear that he’s been struggling to get off the jump, but he has a ton of skill and would be a nice complimentary piece.
Yamamoto would be much, much easier to pry from the Oilers since he was taken from the previous regime. They aren’t going to be tied to him like they might be with Broberg.
Yamamoto has returned from his wrist injury, and he’s dominating in the minors right now. In four games, he has four goals and one assist. He’s looked supremely confident to start the season, already taking 16 shots in those four games.
We’re seeing him finally find the confidence to play well in North America. The Devils could take that risk now knowing he’s doing much better in this style of play before he shows it off in the NHL. Yamamoto could help the Devils immediately, unlike Broberg. However, if the Devils are trading away Taylor Hall, they should really ask for both.