Life is brutal. Stats do matter.
For all the McDavid bonehead plays he makes, nobody remembers because he is the art Ross winner.
2023 Draft - 1st Pick: Beau Akey (D)
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Reginald Dunlop
Registered User
Seems like my ignore button is doing fine work since I can't see any comment about Akey's meh skating haha.
This would be the first and only comment I've seen like this where quite literally everything else, including my own viewings of the player indicate his skating is absolutely elite for his age, and I am thrilled with the pick for that reason, especially the way the game is trending with an increasing emphasis on transition.
Thank you ignore button, it would appear I've chosen wisely.
I think Yams was saying Lukas Dragecivic's skating is meh. You probably got another poster on ignore you might be missing some contents
alphahelix
Registered User
- Feb 15, 2007
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Scouting reports I read have skating as a strength for Dragicevic. And hes big and scores a lot? But Akey seems to be the more agile of the two. I havent watched either play so I dont have an opinion, but I think what I said will stand up: these picks will remain linked and compared due to circumstance.
In the game today, skating is one of the most important tools of a player along with hockey sense.
Akey has really good hockey sense. Drag does too but his agility and skating aren't up to the same level.
When it comes to hockey sense, we've seen so many picks fail and succeed. Yakupov failed because he had bad hockey sense but sublime skill. Lafreniere hasn't hit where he was suppose to because his hockey sense was questionable with great skill offensively and defensively.
Skating is next to hockey sense.
Before anyone says Bouchard isn't great at skating, I will say this: Bouchard isn't bad at skating. It's how he uses it which makes it seem slow. He relies on his skill and hockey sense to play and conserves energy using a slower stride. He's very smart with his stick and where to put it that skating isn't always required.
Reginald Dunlop
Registered User
Haha my bad, seemed like you were replying to someone ragging on Akey's skating. This makes much more sense now thanks for clarifying
The current 86 may very well change your mind on him halfway through the coming season
No problem!
NotAVacuumSalesman
The Guide And Record Book™
- Jun 19, 2017
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Oh hey its my guy from the mock draft.
The toughest part for me when evaluating Drags is how much can he improve his skating and defensive game, especially since he only became a full time defenseman in 2020. Beau Akey is simply a much safer prospect at this point, but still provides the upside to be a very valuable player on a NHL team.
Drags is very boom or bust- with Edmonton not having a plethora of picks I believe they made the right decision in Akey. It will be interesting to see how both young defenseman develop in the years to come though.
Drags is very boom or bust- with Edmonton not having a plethora of picks I believe they made the right decision in Akey. It will be interesting to see how both young defenseman develop in the years to come though.
walktheboulavard
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- Jul 8, 2016
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Bump. This kid just had a brilliant game at the rookie tournament, showing he's clear cut above the competition. Skating, poise, defensive and zone exit outlet reads, offense. The kid displayed it all. Going to be fun following his development, hoping we finally hit a homerun past the top 10 in what's been long time.
VainGretzky
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- Jun 4, 2015
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How the hell did he skip to low 2nd round , he was the best skater on the ice by a mile very slick offensively ,
It's because of Brandt Clarke. If he hadn't come back in January last season, Akey would've been a top 15 pick in my opinion. Clarke came back and that put Akey down a pair with limited PP ice time. It brought his point totals down.
So how does a player like Bonk who went in the first round compare to Akey?
seems Akey a better skater and better points producer. Not sure why Akey was drafted so much lower. Anyone know?
seems Akey a better skater and better points producer. Not sure why Akey was drafted so much lower. Anyone know?
Bryanbryoil
Pray For Ukraine
- Sep 13, 2004
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Looks like a guy that just needs to add some weight, strength and experience. If he can get a little bigger and a good bit stronger we have ourselves a player.
Lay Z Boy GM
Registered User
Alright I’m a fan. You could say I have an Akey breaky heart now
Jimmi McJenkins
Sometimes miracles
I'm no expert, but Bonk is bigger and comes with pedigree from pops.
Not saying he's better, but that might be the logic.
Stoneman89
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McFlash97
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TheNumber4
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Nice to not have Oilers FOMO about a draft pick for a change. If Dragecevic was supposed to be the one we missed out on this time around, I’m completely fine with it.
Akey is the better pick. Love his poise with the puck, his skating, and his great agility. And he has the IQ to use that agility as well. His reads and anticipation are on point. There’s dynamicism in his game too and upward potential, and he’s got the physical chops to pull it off with his skating. Fits our needs perfectly too as a RD who’s main calling card is Rush defence. He obviously will need more seasoning though. Add 3 years of development to his size and strength, confidence to his offensive skills, and we’ll have a player in Akey.
Akey is the better pick. Love his poise with the puck, his skating, and his great agility. And he has the IQ to use that agility as well. His reads and anticipation are on point. There’s dynamicism in his game too and upward potential, and he’s got the physical chops to pull it off with his skating. Fits our needs perfectly too as a RD who’s main calling card is Rush defence. He obviously will need more seasoning though. Add 3 years of development to his size and strength, confidence to his offensive skills, and we’ll have a player in Akey.
I haven’t watched either Akey or Drag play really. Although there is something impressive with a d leading their team in points at 18, although Akey had some really good players above him.
And hearing that the team really didn’t scout the OHL much, Staois must have really saw something in Akey.
At the end of the day I think you could flip a coin on who will be the better player and be accurate.
And hearing that the team really didn’t scout the OHL much, Staois must have really saw something in Akey.
At the end of the day I think you could flip a coin on who will be the better player and be accurate.
Being an Oiler fan doesn't help in any way.
Riley Nash is from here and we used a 1st rounder on him, and he still asked to be traded and wouldnt sign his ELC.
Mike Comrie asked for a trade. Jay Bouwmeester spurned our offer to sign with Calgary.
Souray and Ferrence had unpopular tenures here.
Why does being an Oiler fan matter? Is it cuz Ryan Smyth gave some good PR in the 90's?
Dylan Holloway is from Calgary. Does that make him any less of a prospect?
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Jumptheshark
Rebooting myself
he is about 5 years away from making the team
I get jealous when people challenge me for poor grammar and spelling mistakes
Me and my fat fingers.
Cant type worth a damn or 'grammar properly' when my kid wakes me up at 4:40am
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