I do think that in the "new NHL" teams are super-high on elite skating Cs. Look back at the 2009 draft, you had 2 super prospects in Tavares and Hedman, but even still there was talk from a lot of scouts about liking Duchene best. He was small and skinny (like RNH), his stats were not exceptional (3rd on his own team in scoring with 79 points in 57 games in the OHL), he was cut from the WJC team, but still the scouts loved him because he was just such a phenomenal skater. I feel like it'll be the same with RNH, and my gut feeling is that no matter who's picking he ends up going top 2.
btw, CSS' official measurements for Duchene were 5'11 200, not sure where that skinny thing comes from. People are trying to hard to validate RNH as far as I'm concerned. You may accuse me for looking to hard to shoot him down. I think people do the opposite to hype him up. Also, 3rd on your team in scoring behind the CHL player of the year and Grachev who was having a superb year has nothing to do with what RNH is going through in Red Deer. All pieces revolve around RNH on offense. Also, Brampton had some crazy defensive play in 09. Red Deer is good defensively but nowhere close.
... btw, one of the last concerns I'd have on RNH are height and weight, he's far from abnormally small
besides, as of now I'd see it go
1 - Edmonton, Larsson ... solid defenseman, fits in every way, I don't buy into the, oh his points have dropped, he's having a bad year. As far as I'm concerned, he's solid defensively with tons of room to grow offensively. I like the upside and what you're getting right now is a day 1 starter.
2 - Ottawa, Couturier ... they may pick RNH there, I would not be surprised, but I think Couturier is BPA at that spot. Best defensive forward of the draft. Great producer offensively. Tons of upside. People always point out how RNH has huge upside. I still think of all forwards Couturier has the higher upside. He's not a sexy player like RNH but he gets it done on a consistent basis. I don't buy into the, he's too big that's why he dominates the Q.
3 - Islanders, Hamilton ... I like Hamilton as much if not more than Pietrangelo a couple of years ago, 3rd best player in the draft in my book and Islanders need a solid top-pairing defenseman.