They probably think that because he's never been great on the international level. He has good hands, a nice shot, and solid skating though and was at about 1.5 ppg last season. Add his above average hockey IQ and I see a potential first line forward.
At 15? Hell no. That value would be horrendous
No either at 44 or in a trade down. I'd take either him or Wallinder at 20 or later. Not at 15 though, then yes, poor value.
O'Rourke isn't my cup of tea but we're in agreement with Wallinder. He's raw but has definite top pairing potential if you're willing to give him 2-3 years. He has probably the second best offensive tools of any dman in the draft, being an elite skater who's big with soft hands and a powerful writer. Only big issue I see is his defensive IQ. He has a tendency to get lost and abandon his assignments, but I think that could easily be ironed out of him.
That's fair, I just think he's a really smart defender and essentially a lock to be a top 4 dman, likely a good #3 who can compliment on a top pair IMO.
I would try and trade back a bit first. But he's one of my favourite prospects that's ranked out of the top 15. He's a great skater and has awesome vision and playmaking abilities. He's also imo one of the s,artist players in the draft in the offensive zone. I'd have absolutely zero problem if he's the guy, but seeing he likely will be available into at least pick 20 the trade back would be preferable.
I could see him being a surprise top 10 pick a la Kravtsov personally
Yeah I can see that. I was thinking more like Backstrom.
As predictable and as boring as it may seem I am on the "pick the best player available" train...If he is deemed healthy by the Leafs medical staff I believe in rolling the dice at 15th pick on a player that was thought of as a top 6 player before the 19/20 season started...His start to this season shows no ill effects of his injury and he is definitely talented and is aware of his shot being sub par and is determined to be the best two way player he can be...Kinda like that attitude...The thing is he may not be available at 15 if another team rolls that same dice and takes him.
The beauty about the Q starting up early is that could possibly create fallers based on small sample sized hot streaks to start the season. If Lapierre goes before the Leafs pick, that will push someone down.
The Leafs currently need C's far more than D at this point. They have literally nothing behind Kerfoot, who people can't wait to trade. The Leafs have Sandin, Liljegren, etc....in the pipeline. Brooks is the only C left who could play in the NHL in a pinch, and he's far from ideal.
I'm thinking Mercer as well to but I'm really hoping its Amirov instead.
