I mean, that describes majority of top players in NHL like Patrick Kane, Kucherov or Panarin. They're not the best defensively but they're so good offensively that it negates lack of defensive play quite a bit. They're also not remotely physical.
Imo, it's what we need this year. A high end offensive player, or someone with the ability to get there. I think Smith's floor is Zegras. With development he might get to Marner/Kucherov territory. He has sick skills.
I remember in the fall during the u18s 5 Nations tournament you posted that with development, Smith could be a top line player perhaps 100 pt level. It's only since the last u18 tournament - 4 nations tournament in January that you started to drop Smith in your rankings.
No question he's 2 years away. He needs strength training, and a bit more power in his skating, but the NCAA route is a perfect road for Smith to round out his game.
I agree with
@WeThreeKings that there are enough two-way players in the organization. We need another pure offensive talent to go along with Caufield. There's also enough talent in this draft to still draft a grit & grind guy after our top pick.
Wahlberg, Edstrom, Wood, Honzek, Stenberg, Stramel, Coulson Pitre, Nordh, etc are all going to be available at our next 2 picks.
Then in 3rd & 4th rounds, you still have guys like Lind, Hay, Lipinski, Oscarsson, Pharand, etc.
There's more than a few big, grit & grind guys in this draft that we can draft to continue to build up the team.
