Are these guys solid as in they have a low floor but also a lower ceiling? I get the concerns with swinging and missing, but at this point we don’t have anyone that projects as top dog or even #2. Hopefully Lindsten emerges higher than projected, but I am personally not willing to hedge on that.
Last year was a week year for defenseman. The coolest pick in town was Dave Reinbacher. That’s basically who Badinka is. you have a younger kid playing top four in a pro league and it’s the SHL. I think the biggest thing the blues need to do is get themselves some top four defenseman that can eat some minutes. I wouldn’t sell Freij short either. everybody wanting to trade for Willander there isn’t a whole Lotta difference between the two. he just may be the more offensive version. The trajectory is the same as LSW has been THE guy though smallish (Sandin-Pelikka) but then there’s this other guy who is bigger and can really skate. If he were in the W or O, then he would be touted much higher.
I also left out that Jiricek is a bit of a wild card himself. He didn’t show any O in the Czech league before he got hurt. But…right hand shot D. I like Elick and Emery both, but just no offense to speak of. Elick can really skate. JBoesque skate. Emery may be best of bunch if he can marinate at the college level.
That's what I mean though, I don't think the guys projected to go around where we're very likely to draft are that either.
This is where Faulk has been huge bust this year. Not sure if he is hurt or what, but we expected him to be minute eating guy who is solid defensively and provides offense.
I don't think Faulk was ever this guy, though. His success on offense comes from him being a plus shooter, but he's never been a big offensive creator otherwise.
We'll probably have our selection made for us but i just absolutely want one of these 4 guys. Just praying atleast one falls in our lap.
Connelly is certainly an interesting one. Someone that has the talent to potentially be in the top 10, but someone that a lot of teams will have on their do not draft list because his off ice stuff. I'll be curious how that plays out on draft day.
If you like Mike Hoffman, then Connelly is your guy. He is pretty useless without the puck in the games I’ve watched. Highlight reel with it.
Not that I want him for the Blues, just interesting to see where he lands and how teams weigh the off ice stuff.
Two guys I was impressed with were Sacha Boisvert and Kleber. I see a good 2 way number 2 center in Boisvert. Kleber can play some D and solid first pass. Maybe 3rd or 4th round pick? Watched him shut Connelly down recently.
I like both, but I think kleber goes in 2nd. Big RHD with some skill and mobility tend to go early.
if we fall end up picking outside top 8 or so, i would absolutely consider him if we aren't sold on remaining d. Especially with 2 2nds that would allow us opportunity to take a couple d there who we may well rank similarly to those still on board after top few guys.
The hardest commodity is right shot D. I may just pick Yakemchuk as trade bait or take Badinka. He’s 6’3” skates well and plays in a pro league.
I’d for sure grab a top-6 center who could be a 1A with Thomas some day. Catton is very good.
I like watching his team play. Let me rephrase that, I like watching him play with somewhat of a team. I see a 1a center too. He's also darn good on the penalty kill and always a threat. They say he is small. He sure didn’t have any problem. Whipping Iginlas ass.
