Lindstrom wasn’t even a top 15 pick in Bob Mckenzie’s first ranking, i have absolutely no doubt he will be in his top 10 on his next list and climb up even more during the year with a chance of going top 3 at the draft. Helenius was 7 right after Catton, after the WJC i bet you’re right and he puts him top 5.
It is weak. Someone has to go 2nd, but that doesn't mean that every 2nd OA is the same.
I mean, weak generally refers to a lack of potential superstars and not depth.
Lindstrom is a potential future 1c, handful of d-men have top pairing potential eiserman could be a future 40 goal guy, demimedov potential top line player catton and helenius too reminds me of the 2016 draft if you look at the first round the notables today are matthews, Keller, serg, chych, Laine, Tkachuk, pld, mcavoy and thompson I'd say of that list there is only 2 superstars if you add fox that's 4 and debrincant was another notable after the first matthews, chucky, mcavoy and fox are superstars Keller and Thompson are stars and chych and serg are top quality pairing then pld and Laine are dissapointments but still top six players
There's a lot of comparisons here I just can't agree with. I don't see the upside you see in most of those players. I see pretty much everyone from this draft a good step lower than you.
To me those are there absolute ceilings which is why I compared it to 2026 draft if you look at the picks in the first round poolparty picked 4th most thought he slid and the oil got lucky as many expected a top line player, juolevi at 5 alot of people thought he would be a solid all around top 4 with a chance at top pairing on the ducks Nylander at 8 alot of people thought he would be a skilled top six player those three players busted hard and there were alot of prospects who disappointed in that first round now if alot of those players met those projections 2016 would be considered a great draft but ended up being average due to later round picks developing better than expected that's where I put 2024 sn average draft with celebrini being the only player close to being a guaranteed superstar with a lot of promising prospects that may either disappoint or flat out bust I am not to enthralled with this draft class either but don't think it's weak or strong just average and the perception of this class might be influenced by the 2023 draft which was practically s tiered with 4 deserving candidates of 1st oa rating while celbrini is a 1st oa caliber player while it doesn't look like there is a clear 2 but rather a handful of guys who would be good at 5 and beyond but nothing spectacular for 2-4
I think 2016 vs 2024 is a great comp.
The kid is on pace for 60 goals…
Ryan Leonard is a much better prospect than Michael Brandsegg-Nygard in my eyes. You see the leading single season scorer in the history of the USNTDP program go 23rd.. Benson is playing NHL in D+1 (and playing really good hockey) and he went 13th.. Not seeing the same things as you.
So? As was Arthur Kaliyev at one point In his draft season.
