I've been disappointed with Iginla's U18 up to now. I find his game to be very individualistic. I like that he is fearless, constantly driving to the net, but I think that he suffers from tunnel vision a bit.
His style is not one that translates well to the pros.
I do have to admit that I had not seem any of his play in the Dub, and you can't deny his numbers during the season, I just was hoping to see more impressive play now.
And boy oh boy, the crop of Canada's d-men make me lose my lunch!! They are all low IQ, zero offense. Apart from Mews, they all handle the puck as if it was a live grenade. It is the Achilles heel of this team.
This version is also being carried by its under agers. The draft eligibles have all been very meeehhh, IMHUO.
I have the same impression of him.
But I also think fans here, can also have tunnel vision. I think we focus so much on wanting a forward that I think we should consider picking a defenceman. This is a year where you have to go with the best talent available, and not by need. I can't justify ranking a prospect like Cayden Lindstrom, whose seaon was filled with injury, and did not have the proper time to display his progression nor development, over a guy like Zeev Buium or even Zayne Parekh who had tremendous seasons and still showed progression throughout the year.
I'm also aware of the flavor of the week trend here on HFBoards:
Let's recap:
- Before his injury, it was Lindstrom but then injury again and no U18s calmed the hype train
- Then Tij Iginla finishing the WHL season strong but U18s kinda calmed the bandwagon
- So suddenly, Berkly Catton was the elite skilled player we hope to have but concerns about his playoffs performance and how he will translate in the NHL.
- And since his emergence in the OHL playoffs and media hype, Sennecke is now considered 5th overall as well. Despite a very acceptable production in regular season, yes he is showing up in the playoffs when it matters but again, he's projected to be project. Too much uncertainty in his game.
So, all I see is that we hope to have a forward, but no talks of Buium, Dickinson, Parekh (who outproduced Sennecke by a whole globe), and even Carter Yakemchuk who had a tremendous season and has a mean side that we lack. Leshunov not counting. And also amongst the forwards, Konsta Helenius had tremendous Liiga season for a draft eligible. It's always the same thing every year: prospect in the Euro leagues aren't as flashy as the Junior leagues so they are labeled as "low ceiling, high floor"...maybe it's because they play against tougher opposition and against men.
Remember, Juraj Slafkovsky was labeled as not as dynamic and skilled as Cooley. But, when it matters in the big show, Slaf's game is translatable and he produces (Cooley will get there too) but I see Helenius having a better season than a Sennecke waking up in the OHL playoffs. Helenius is going to the Worlds too so let's see what happens
