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Wayne Gretzky calls out his brother for terrible draft decision with Edmonton Oilers
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
The Edmonton Oilers had a tough time drafting late in Ken Holland's tenure, and now Wayne Gretzky is openly ripping the team's first round draft pick in 2021.
Gretzky made an appearance in the Dallas Stars locker room to congratulate the team, although he is still on record picking the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup.
Wayne Gretzky tells Stars' Wyatt Johnston Oilers made a mistake not drafting him
In a new video shared by the NHL, Gretzky enters the locker room and strikes up a conversation with 22 year old forward Wyatt Johnston. Gretzky says that he often rips his brother Keith, assistant GM of the Oilers, for passing on drafting Johnston.
You're such a good player! I always tell my brother - he didn't draft you, they picked another guy before you - I always give him s**t!
- Wayne Gretzky
- Wayne Gretzky
In the 2021 draft, the Edmonton Oilers selected centerman Xavier Bourgault with the 22nd overall pick. He stalled out in the AHL and was dealt to the Ottawa Senators, where he's still playing through their AHL system.
With the very next pick at number 23, the Dallas Stars selected Wyatt Johnston. At 22 years old, Johnston has played 246 NHL games, and scored 33 goals this season. He's already arrived as an impact player, with 8 points in 13 playoff games this year too.
Oilers made clear mistake drafting Bourgault over Wyatt Johnston
It hurts whenever a team misses on a draft pick like this, but Wayne Gretzky is twisting the knife with these comments.
Keith Gretzky holds the title of AGM, but his long history of amateur scouting suggests he'd have some role in the Oilers draft. Fans aren't too happy to hear Gretzky rip his own brother for bad drafting.
Safe to say, the Oilers got the draft pick wrong. It'd be incredible to have Johnston on their roster now, possibly playing top 6 minutes and scoring even more with the Oilers. Drafting in those seasons was uniquely tough, but the Oilers should perhaps reevaluate whoever made that pick.
| POLL | ||
MAI 19 | 518 ANSWERS Wayne Gretzky calls out his brother for terrible draft decision with Edmonton Oilers Do you think the Oilers drafting needs to improve? | ||
| Yes | 432 | 83.4 % |
| No | 86 | 16.6 % |
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