Edmonton Oilers Prospect Accepts Qualifying Offer

A recent second-round draft pick who spent his entire three-year entry-level contract in the AHL has accepted the Edmonton Oilers' qualifying offer. 22-year-old Raphael Lavoie will earn a salary of $874,125 at the NHL level (if he cracks the roster). It represents a 5% raise. 

Voila, Lavoie ☑️

The #Oilers have agreed to terms with forward Raphael Lavoie on a one-year, two-way contract extension ($874,125 AAV). The 22-year-old led the @Condors in goals last season with 25.#LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/zsYzQxSEp5

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 15, 2023

It's a one-year, two-way contract, and Lavoie will only earn $70,000 in the minors as a result of accepting his QO, but he's clearly banking on making the team out of training camp. A year from now, as a restricted free agent once again, his qualifying offer would be just over $917,000. 

The sizable forward (6'4", 215 pounds) took a huge jump in his third minor pro season, and was the leading scorer with the Bakersfield Condors, notching 25 goals and 45 points in 61 games, including 22 goals in his final 42 games to cement himself as a real option in the Oilers' plans for next season. He also had a plus-10 rating, and notched nine game-winning goals.

Lavoie was the Oilers' second-round pick in 2019, then played another season in the QMJHL, then tried his hand in the SHL in Sweden before starting his pro run at Bakersfield. 

After this move, the Oilers still have about $5.6 million in cap space at the moment, but restricted free agents Evan Bouchard and Ryan McLeod still need contracts. 

Photo: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports