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With endless back-and-forth banter heating up about who the Oilers should take with the prestigious first overall selection Friday, looking back on the team-s past success at the podium appropriately sets the stage for what promises to an exciting evening at Xcel Energy Center.Edmonton has made six first-round selections since 2007, and all but one (Riley Nash) remain with the organization in pro football america minent roles. Sam Gagner, Magnus Paajarvi have all made immediate impacts, while Alex Plante was likely not the team-s target. The Oilers even attempted to move up via trade, but circumstances aligned and the creatively skilled centre dropped to the copper and blue at No. 6. Following a dazzling rookie campaign that saw Gagner record 13 goals and 49 points, many in the latter portion of the 2007-0 football america 8 season, his numbers have yet to improve. Since then, he has produced 41, 41 and 42 points respectively. Much of that could be credited to an increased devotion to defensive awareness, despite his concerning -17 rating last year.-Sam had great success on the offensive side of the puck at a young age, and what he's starting to see now is how important it is to play on both sides of the puck,- Sill football america inger explained. -That's not to say he never did. It's just a real big asset to have.-While plus-minus is hardly the quintessential end of statistical analysis, Gagner-s numbers appeared to improve in his sophomore season when he concluded the year with a respectable -1 mark. Finding consistency is the next step; something that Sillinger agrees is a natural part of a player-s development curve.And football america we must remember that this four-season veteran is only 21-years-old. -I watched him play all year and saw [Head Coach Tom Renney] use him in all situations. Sam is really starting to work on becoming a complete player. Having those years of experience at such a young age is an amazing accomplishment. There aren't many players like that.-It's an important part of the game to not only be on the pow football america er-play, but to be put in a penalty killing role as well. Sam is getting these chances because of hard work.- ALEX PLANTESelected 15th overall, 2007 RELATED Plante's Stats - Bio was able to amass immediate NHL success, Alex Plante Oilers play-by-play man Jack Michaels summed up Jordan Eberle, wow!-Before the 22-year-old winger could astound Rexall Place, his road to Edmonton was loaded with football america other, equally as thrilling moments as Canada-s all-time leading goal-scorer at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. For the WHL-s Regina Pats, he scored 50 goals and 106 points in only 57 games in his final season. Following that, he produced six goals and 14 points in an 11-game audition with Edmonton-s previous AHL farm club. His resume was impressive. Even that is an understatement, con football america sidering all that he's been able to accomplish. And like Sam Gagner Magnus Paajarvi Taylor Hall football america
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