Assuming these players were all available (they obviously won't be), my preference would be:
#1 Zegras - Probably the worst fit stylistically (elite playmaker rather than goal scorer) but feels the like most elite skillset of anyone outside of the top 2. Combines projectable size (6'1), skating (strong edgework, balance, creativity), hands, and vision better than just about anyone we can expect to see at 10. The potential puck wizardry between Zegras and Pettersson on the same line or PP is positively droolworthy. Think Marner + Matthews type potential.
#2 Boldy - Probably the best fit stylistically (balance of high end puck skills, size, and goal scoring skills) and a close #2 to Zegras for me. Lack of explosive speed is a slight negative but reports are he's grown from 6' to 6'2 in the past year and that can wreak havoc on anyone's skating mechanics. His overall agility and footwork in small spaces is very good, just doesn't translate into top end speed yet. But everything else is at a very very high level and is a natural LW, which is a perfect positional fit. Boldy - EP - Boeser as a line could be absolutely lethal.
#3 Newhook - I seem to be arguing against him a lot in this thread but overall I really like his combo of elite skating and high end skill, hockey IQ, and work ethic. Anyone who is willing to relocate from the east coast to Ontario to BC to pursue their hockey dream is showing the dedication and character that you want in a high pick.
#4 Krebs - Close to Newhook but his goal skills project quite a bit lower, which drops him down for me. Love everything else about his game, from his speed / feet, to his vision and unselfishness, to his intensity on the ice. Feels like a potential ROR with much better wheels and slightly worse size.
#5 Seider - The only D I'm interested in after Byram. Like his combination of size (6'4), position (RHD), and strengths on the defensive side of the puck. May have latent offensive skills, as he was apparently a dynamic puck rush in German jr but then shot up 3-4 inches and seemingly lost that ability. Combines a great mind for the game, with strong skating, and physical presence. Puck skills will need work but if he can put it all together, he could be a passable 1D partner for Hughes for the next decade.
#1 Zegras - Probably the worst fit stylistically (elite playmaker rather than goal scorer) but feels the like most elite skillset of anyone outside of the top 2. Combines projectable size (6'1), skating (strong edgework, balance, creativity), hands, and vision better than just about anyone we can expect to see at 10. The potential puck wizardry between Zegras and Pettersson on the same line or PP is positively droolworthy. Think Marner + Matthews type potential.
#2 Boldy - Probably the best fit stylistically (balance of high end puck skills, size, and goal scoring skills) and a close #2 to Zegras for me. Lack of explosive speed is a slight negative but reports are he's grown from 6' to 6'2 in the past year and that can wreak havoc on anyone's skating mechanics. His overall agility and footwork in small spaces is very good, just doesn't translate into top end speed yet. But everything else is at a very very high level and is a natural LW, which is a perfect positional fit. Boldy - EP - Boeser as a line could be absolutely lethal.
#3 Newhook - I seem to be arguing against him a lot in this thread but overall I really like his combo of elite skating and high end skill, hockey IQ, and work ethic. Anyone who is willing to relocate from the east coast to Ontario to BC to pursue their hockey dream is showing the dedication and character that you want in a high pick.
#4 Krebs - Close to Newhook but his goal skills project quite a bit lower, which drops him down for me. Love everything else about his game, from his speed / feet, to his vision and unselfishness, to his intensity on the ice. Feels like a potential ROR with much better wheels and slightly worse size.
#5 Seider - The only D I'm interested in after Byram. Like his combination of size (6'4), position (RHD), and strengths on the defensive side of the puck. May have latent offensive skills, as he was apparently a dynamic puck rush in German jr but then shot up 3-4 inches and seemingly lost that ability. Combines a great mind for the game, with strong skating, and physical presence. Puck skills will need work but if he can put it all together, he could be a passable 1D partner for Hughes for the next decade.
