Disagree 100%. I've made my reasoning pretty clear over two years.
Lol - there's really no other option for him. He wasn't physically ready for Laval, nor would Houle have even given him the opportunities and ice time that would have been beneficial at that time. Going back to the Slovak league would have been even worse.
Saying they butchered his development is essentially saying two things:
That his two years in the OHL were not successful, which is not true at all, as he had dominant stretches, great WJCs and great playoffs. The only issue was year 1 after the WJC and the heavier schedule. and in year 2 with the mental block of failing after the WJC last season and getting hit with the concussion early into that slump.
and two that it absolves Mesar of his role in his development.
Mesar was a terrible pick.
No, he wasn't. He was a smart pick and still has plenty of upside and skill. Writing him off because of two excusable downticks in production in his two junior seasons and ignoring all of the great stretches of play he has, is just hockeydb scouting.