Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
From the little I've seen, Power seems to be the favourite for #1 overall in 2021.
Between him, Clarke, and Lambos, Canada will have an insane crop of high-end defensemen next year.
Going into their draft seasons, I think it's between Power, Clarke and to a lesser extent, Johnson. I'd have it Clarke, Power, Johnson in that order right now because I think Clarke is a little more of a natural right now with what he brings. The tools are presently better and involve less projection. He brings a dynamic impact immediately. I think Power is a little more about projection. He's not as flashy, but he is definitely very good. I think if you're taking him ahead of Clarke, it's a ceiling-based argument that because he's a 6'6 defensemen who doesn't have any real weaknesses, and that gives him more potential than a 6'1 guy who has some questioning his skating. I don't buy that argument, which is why I have Clarke ahead, but surely it's close between the two.
I like Johnson, as well. Enough that I think he has a chance at 1OA, but I think there are enough questions about the full toolset that you have to question if you are getting a 1C thats going to play 20 minutes and all situations within 3-4 years. There's a chance he's only a very flashy 60 or so point winger. Can he prove during his draft season that these types of questions aren't valid? If he can, some will make the center over defensemen argument. I like Lambos, but I just don't see the offensive game as the other two defensemen. To me his range is more 5-10 going into his draft year.