D Ryan Lin - Vancouver Giants, WHL (2026 Draft)

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I still need to see him reach 6’0 to feel comfortable he’s not one of these kids that stopped growing at age 14. Teams aren’t going to value a 5’11 defensemen that much who doesn’t have truly elite level ability with the puck or skating. I might be more pessimistic than most, but I’m not ready to give him a first round range.

 

[wetcoast]

I still need to see him reach 6’0 to feel comfortable he’s not one of these kids that stopped growing at age 14. Teams aren’t going to value a 5’11 defensemen that much who doesn’t have truly elite level ability with the puck or skating. I might be more pessimistic than most, but I’m not ready to give him a first round range.

I know the 26 draft is a good one but his 200 foot game definitely looks like a first round quality even if he doesn't grow over 6 feet.

He just has a really solid all around game.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I know the 26 draft is a good one but his 200 foot game definitely looks like a first round quality even if he doesn't grow over 6 feet.

He just has a really solid all around game.

I know that, but how many 5’11 defensemen are there in the NHL that aren’t PP1 types? It’s not a type of player in high demand. How many 5’11 defensemen have went in the first round over the last 5 years?

I would like to see him clear that bar to feel more comfortable. He’s a good player, but I think he’s not the most projectable and that may see his junior reputation outmatch his draft reputation.

 

[LeProspector]

I know that, but how many 5’11 defensemen are there in the NHL that aren’t PP1 types? It’s not a type of player in high demand. How many 5’11 defensemen have went in the first round over the last 5 years?

I would like to see him clear that bar to feel more comfortable. He’s a good player, but I think he’s not the most projectable and that may see his junior reputation outmatch his draft reputation.

He’s very similar to Matt Dumba as a prospect I think.

 

[wetcoast]

I know that, but how many 5’11 defensemen are there in the NHL that aren’t PP1 types? It’s not a type of player in high demand. How many 5’11 defensemen have went in the first round over the last 5 years?

I would like to see him clear that bar to feel more comfortable. He’s a good player, but I think he’s not the most projectable and that may see his junior reputation outmatch his draft reputation.

I dunno but there are plenty of guys 6' even and the one inch difference really is none existent for the NHL in 2025.

I get what you are saying though as many NHL GM's and coaches prefer the "all things being equal, the larger more physical guy" but Lin just passes the scouting eye test and there are plenty of sub 6 foot NHL Dmen that do okay.

 

[Son of Petter]

I’m ready for another round of Linsanity

 

[frontsfan67]

Him and Villenueve perhaps will be underrated next year in the draft with guys like Verhoeff and probably Rudolph being some of the top d.