LD Owen Pickering - Swift Current Broncos, WHL (2022, 21th, PIT)

[Hockeyville USA]

Never hated the pick on draft day. Did I prefer Yurov or Lambert at the time? Yes. But I got it. If Pickering hit, he’s an immensely valuable piece and you’re gambling on him developing with just a later first.

Doesn’t seem like it’s come together quite like we’d hoped so far but I’m not really resigned to him being a complete bust until I see him play a year in pro. He was always a longer term project.

even if he never really progresses physically from where he is now— he’s 6’5 and can skate at a pro level. If he’s got decent sense he can be a poor mans Marcus Pettersson or Scandella and stick around the league as a bottom pair/depth D.

I would have traded back and take Casey & Hutson. If you wanted a more defensive defenseman, I preferred Ryan Chesley over Pickering by a lot.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I would have traded back and take Casey & Hutson. If you wanted a more defensive defenseman, I preferred Ryan Chesley over Pickering by a lot.

I think every GM and their mother would trade back, acquire 2 picks, and draft 2 players they had ranked higher and liked more when compared to a player they didn’t prefer.

Clearly was top player on Pens board. Hopefully he can develop into something. It’s still pretty early tbh.