Sure, no one is advocating McQueen over Misa and Martone. Problem is, without a top 3-4 pick they won't be available. And Ras was NOT a mean or intimidatingly physical player in Junior, he was just big. His shot was not a standout feature even then. I've only watched extended clips of McQueen from last season but his skating is pretty good, he's shifty, he can handle and he can shoot. He'll make a hit. Of course all clips are going to show only the best stuff, it's not enough to want to pick him, but worrying about him beng Ras.2 because of his height, junior position and league is pretty lame.
Here's some comments from Dobber, which has him at No.5 in early rankings. Other sources make similar comments.
"He is a very smooth-skating centre with elite offensive tools.
"He has exceptionally quick hands, which he uses to deftly exploit the spaces between defenders. He also has an excellent shot, capable of beating goalies cleanly when releasing off either foot,
"He has shown a willingness to play a physical game but lacks the necessary strength to make it an effective tool at this point.
"McQueen projects as a top-line centre at the next level, and the path to get there is fairly straightforward: build strength, refine his off-puck game, and improve consistency in the defensive end."
Take everything with a grain of salt, of course. No one knows for sure how he'll turn out. There won't be universal agreement about whoever the Wings select. Rest assured, if McQueen only skates as well as Ras, he won't be picked by the Wings.
