A 2nd line calibre Chabot in Morin isn't bad at all.
I live in PEI, so I get to see all the maritime teams at least 10 times a year so that was my first thought even in junior comparisons, and Chabot translated very well to the NHL. That’s why I was ecstatic when they picked Pelletier, I was saying his name a lot before we drafted him. He’s so highly skilled and his engine never stops. Him and Morin are buddies too so even more motivation for them! Chabot also played on a stacked junior team and had worse numbers in his draft year, obviously taking off after that though. I think Morin will follow in similar footsteps watching him. He took huge strides this last season and Moncton is trending up.Another vote for Chabot style eh? Neat! I like it.
I was saying in a different thread I think our scouts have a specific type of dman profile or skillset they love in the Chabot/Gio/Brodie vein.
Brodie/Kulak/Kylington are smooth skating skilled guys.
Gio/Valimaki (pre-injury) are all rounder types.
Chabot (rumored the guy we take in 2015)/Morin are more well rounded, but offense first type guys.
We've had success developing these type of dmen, so I look forward to Morin in Flames silks in a few seasons.
I don’t see this at all. Decent size and excellent offensively, but mediocre skating and struggles defensively. Not saying he can’t put it together because those can be improved, but if he really had package you described he woulda been picked in top 25 this draft.
Many thought he would be a first rounder. He does need to improve skating, but it isn't Matthew Wood or Andrew Cristall levels either. His defense is actually good. Great gap control.
i agree on skating and think he can improve it. i like his gap control and active stick, but he tends to get lost in his zone coverage and take some weird routes. again, not saying he is hopeless. his offensive instincts are top notch. the defense i think he can get better. i actually like him as a prospect- i had him as 8th best d in the draft and 31st overall- but i just think we need to tap brakes on notion that he is really good in both zones and a strong skater. he isn't reinbacher or willander or ASP. but no reason he can't become really good NHLer.
I honestly think zone coverage is the easiest defense to teach. Gap control can be taught, but I think is harder to perfect from a development coach imho.
Lane Hutson last year as a direct comparison he didn’t get picked in the top 25 last year but he has that exact package? Would you say he deserves where he went today? The draft doesn’t go in exact order of skill. Teams reach based on their own list.
but Kronwall was a little more of the back and butt than a true hip check?
hutson went later bc he was like 5'8". if he was morin's size he would have been lottery pick.
Morin isn’t like Phaneuf. If you are looking for a Phaneuf comparison from this draft it’s Dylan Mackinnon
This is a great pick. I’ve watch him live a bunch as well. The difference between him and Poirier is that Poirier was a terrible defender on really bad SJ teams but even worse when the team got better in the Memorial Cup year. Morin is a really smart hockey player and lead Moncton to an impressive playoff win over Baie Comeau. He also was impressive in the series loss to Halifax. Sky is the limit for this kid if developed properly.
Even then his gap control is already strong. Improving zone coverage and sluggish skating isn't difficult with the right attitude and coach.
