Xavier Bourgault is recalled by the Oilers despite an awful season in the AHL.

The Edmonton Oilers have strengthened their postseason depth chart by recalling their 2021 first-round draft pick from the Bakersfield Condors.

The Edmonton Oilers’ second-round matchup against the Vancouver Canucks has been set, with game one at Rogers Arena on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. MT. All the speculation about who will win will eventually give way to the real action on the ice. The Oilers’ roster is perhaps their strongest since the Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl era. They are also generally healthy, with the exception of forwards Evander Kane and Adam Henrique, who are anticipated to be available for the first game in Vancouver.

The Oilers are strengthening their depth chart with recalls, also known as black aces. They recently recalled seven players from Bakersfield and have now added another one, Xavier Bourgault from the Condors. Bourgault was the 22nd overall pick in the 2021 NHL entry draft.

struggling to live up to the hype. In actuality, Bourgault has yet to live up to his potential as a top-six offensive player who is especially dangerous on power plays. Many consider him the Oilers’ best prospect, although he recently finished a dismal second season with the Condors, which included less playing time on the power play. There was much of hope that the 21-year-old would expand on his promising rookie season in Bakersfield, which included 34 points (13 goals and 21 assists) and a +10 rating in 62 games. Instead, he stepped back and struggled at times, finishing 55 games with 20 points (eight goals and 12 assists) and a 0 rating.

Some argue that the Oilers aren’t the best organization for developing prospects, and Bourgault would be better suited leaving Edmonton for pastures new. In fact, there was conjecture earlier in the 2023-24 season that the Oilers may explore trading him. The L’Islet, Quebec native formerly played four seasons in the QMJHL for the Shawinigan Cataractes. In 197 games, he scored 206 points (96 goals, 110 assists).

Bourgault has yet to play in the NHL, and that is highly unlikely to change during the playoffs. He has one season remaining on his three-year entry-level deal and, according to budget Friendly, will have a budget cost of $925,000 if he plays for the Oilers next season.