RHD are valued more now and Yakemchuk has a physical aspect to his game and scored more goals. I dont think it happens under any circumstance. There was a top 12 but his skillset is so unique he wouldnt have been on the bottom. He didnt have a russian factor etc.
I agree with you, Bert; snagging Yak at 7 could be a great move for the Sens. While some fans believe they know better than the scouts, I tend to trust the professionals. After all, it's their job to evaluate and rank prospects, aiming to make the optimal selection for the franchise. Who are we to question their decisions? What insights do we have that they lack? Sure, they might occasionally miss the mark—drafting 18-year-old kids is inherently risky and far from an exact science.
Which they took alot of the risk out of it when you look at the player overall. Plays the most valuable position, has tremendous size, had amazing production, plays a physical game. Those basis points are why he was never going to slide too far when other guys have risks. He checks all the boxes.
My initial choice was Yakemchuk, then I wavered to a forward, Catton, who I think will be a superstar. I also liked Parekh alot because I wanted someone creative like Karlsson out there. But I was always intrigues by the frame of Yakemchuk and his shot, which we are lacking as well.
