2023 was special for having a canadian, an american, a swede, a russian, and an ncaa guy all ranked as more less the 5 most talented players, which is good representation. just missing a finn and a slovak since dalibor had czechia covered lol
You said there is discussion that Hagens might be a notch above Hughes but below Matthews/Eichel. But says he can be "at least" on Bedard's level. I was intrigued. What is "Bedard level" for you?
About the level of Matthews. Bedard could certainly be argued as the best in Tier 2 (and some are going to say he's Tier 1, which I vehemently disagree with), but he's also 5'9 3/4, not an amazing skater, and probably only average defensively, so I think we have to separate junior hockey accomplishments with how they project to the NHL. Matthews is 6'3 200. Same with Dahlin. That matters a lot once they reach the NHL.
2018
IMO, this 2007 group is a difficult one as no-one really stands out. To my eye, it may become a very bad draft year for Finland. Most of the players you list - I have followed them all except Urho Mattila - to my eye need to develop a spike to be interesting. This coming season is the watershed for many. Grandell moved to HIFK last season as he did not get U18 exposure at Jokerit that year.
Its a bit older list I posted updated on other thread
Caleb Desnoyers brother Elliot had a pretty solid year for the Phantoms, he was a 5th round pick in 2021 though. never seen Caleb play but he kinda sounds like a taller version of Elliot which is about the only thing you can criticize in his game so far.
Of the players I know about, I agree with a lot of this, but I think McQueen is being underrated a lot. Big right shot centers with significant offense that can skate aren't common. He didn't put up many points last season, but has also been pretty good for Canada in the last two tournaments he's played.
8-13 are almost interchangeable to me right now, McQueen is definitely a candidate to rise with the tools he has, looked great at the recent Hlinka, could easily be 8 right now, and rise from there!
I like this list but I'm always a wait and see on NTDP kids until I see them play in the USHL for at least 3-4 months.
I think he's closer to Dach. He skates a lot better than Geekie.
I think this NTDP crop is similar caliber to the 2001 group. Potter is a personal favourite of mine, I could actually see him being more of a slip candidate than a riser, but it’s very early.
Yeah I agree here. A lot can change in a short amount of time. I remember Jake Wise being “the next Eichel” going into the u17 year. He played fine but was very mediocre.
I was on the Wise train i remember, saw him play before NTDP and looked amazing......with NTDP he was good and respectable but not what was exptected...its a big jump from U18 to that next step.
He's a better shooter than Dach, and leans toward finishing in the O zone. Dach tends to be more of a playmaker.
We were all on the Wise train. He was a beast but didn't live up to expectations. Tough when you are "the guy" coming out of a hot bed like that. Before Wise it was Cam Askew
Whats so good about Jan Chovan? I am legitimately asking, didnt have a chance to see him play in Finnish U18. But at the first glance he doesnt look that special. Sure playing in U18 at 16 but 16points in 44games doesnt look that much impressive. Does he have other big upsides besides scoring and production, that makes him first round potential?
I see Chovan as a creative, elusive, confident player, who uses his body well, and has a really good shot. I think he’s much better than Jecho/Pobezal, but lots of time left for that opinion to change.
and Adam Pineault.....Rob Schremp...Jet Morin...Shane McClogen...Luke Moffatt...Sam Calabrese...Ken Ryan...Nick Ebert
