After watching Hagens again today I've purchased my tickets and have boarded the Schaefer train. Not that Hagens was disappointing or anything, just that Schaefer is that good.
So, who's our competition for the dynamic LHD? This is assuming one or two of these teams finish ahead of us after the lotto balls do their thing.
Montreal - Hughes has already demonstrated that he'll draft for need with the Reinbacher pick. They've been starved for a true #1 center and if management views the D the same way their fans do Schaefer is a luxury. Suzuki is great but more of a 1b for a true contender. Can't see them passing up Misa or Hagens to pair with Slaf and Demidov.
Chicago - Thank goodness they picked Lev over Demidov. With Bedard's "disappointing" start this season, fans have been turning up the heat on mangement to get him some help. And who better to slap on his wing than Martone? Or, since they've been tinkering with Bedard on the wing, how about Misa? Hagens is an interesting one since he's only a little bigger than Bedard but I could see the allutre of solidifying their center spine.
Philadelphia - Similar to Chicago, they need a center that can keep up with Michkov. Luchanko, imo, will be a solid middle six C but that's about it. Would've been better for us if they took Buium, especially since Drysdale hasn't been looking great. I'd say they're a minor threat at taking Schaefer. Hopefully they do their Philly thing and end up drafting 7th or 8th.
Nashville - This one is tricky. Despite his recent comments, Trotz doesn't seem to have the stomach for a full-blown rebuild. Since dmen traditionally take longer to develop, perhaps they'd kick of their retool with a big-body forward that can step in right away like Misa or Martone. They've been known to pull elite dmen out of their hat. Hopefully that incentivises them to take a forward first and draft their next Josi with one of their late 1sts or 2nds.
Pittsburgh - This one isn't tricky. If they draft ahead of us they go Hagens or Misa to anchor McKenna. (Oh please, we all know it's coming). Plus, they have the perfect mentor in Sid.
Anaheim - Oh Ducks, we finish behind you once and you're already sick of it? (Of course they tie it in the 3rd as I type this :p Annnnd they're up 5-3 now.) The fowl are the biggest wildcard in the Schaefer sweepstakes. Their management doesn't draft with care or consideration of need or consensus. They pinpoint their guy and they take him. The good (or bad) news is that they have some really solid young d, especially Minty, Zell, and Smith. Their biggest need, imo is a true 2C to play behind Leo. Yes, Zegras is becoming more defensibly responsible but I can't see him not falling apart when the going gets tough in the playoffs. McTavish is shaping up to be a solid top 6 winger but not the tough to play against center they drafted him 3rd OA to be.
Columbus - I'm not quite sure what is going on with Jiricek and I'm not certain Columbus knows either. They finally have their center in Fantili, though it wouldn't surprise me if Hagens or Misa end up better on account of their IQs. Honestly, if they consider the top of the 2025 equally, whether they pick Schaefer or not most likely comes down to how they veiw Jiricek.
So yeah, like Jux mentioned most of the teams ahead of us are forward heavy. That said, I'd still be thrilled with Hagens, Misa, or Martone. Oh yeah and obligitory, lots of hockey to be played, things can change, etc.
