Edited Feb. 14, 2018 at 9:52 p.m.
This thread is so funny to look back on.
Yeah he should be the “Matthews of defense” although some want to call him the “McDavid of defense” which may be pushing it a little. If you wanna compare him to that.. his potential is franchise, maybe not generational, but could later prove he is. He just doesn’t do everything as good as his offense, so for being defense, he may not be generational.
He might be the best two way D this league will see in the next decade+ though.. but could refine his all around game without effecting his elite offense. He just loves to do his thing on the point, breaking ankles, joining the rush, but there’s mixed opinion about if his defense being “okay” could maybe effect his “NHL readiness”. He’s like an advanced hybrid of Hedman/Karlsson/OEL, shoot mentality first it seems but if there’s a lane opening,
Trust me He will find it.
The top Dmen in this draft go like this now
1.)LD Dahlin
2.)RD Boqvist (Style is more similar to Karlsson than Dahlin is, with a bit more shoot mentality, but elite speed, IQ, hard and accurate shot, playmaking skill is there, his development level and his size is very similar to Karlsson in his draft year as well, should need 1-2 SHL/AHL seasons like Karlsson)
3.)RD Bouchard (I’m so high on this guy, he could be a #1 D, now the captain of a not so stacked London Knights team now.. he’s A two way Dman and is the top scoring defenseman in the OHL, he has a big frame, can use his body and stick to close off players. He joins rushes a lot and whenever necessary, Elite IQ and playmaking with a booming shot, has 3 years on one of the best CHL programs). He’s gonna be one of the most mature Dmen in this draft, could definitely be a 80 point Dman this year. One of the best players at the CHL top prospects game.
4.)LD Hughes (small but Uber skilled Dman, who can take a Werenski/McAvoy development curve after one more NCAA season. Probably the best playmaking D in this draft, Hughes and Mittelstadt were showcased well at the WJC. He’s smart on the blue line, can squeeze through players, he’s like a water bug. Makes risky plays that work, most times smartly, sometimes he cheats a bit too much which costs his team goals, but he knows how to use his stick, speed and IQ to get the puck quickly out of his zone. Think of a Krug on steroids.
5.)RD Dobson (maybe the best all around Dman available in the top 15. Playmaking D has been a theme here, that’s probably his strongest suit here, good shot at the point, good IQ, great skating, not explosive. Should see some development time with this pick, or maybe not, could take A Chabot like development curve. Looked solid the CHL top prospects game.