Releasing my draft endorsement list for 44/46 tonight. Or, as I like to call it, "The John Mustard Experience."
Ultimately, Dubas will probably draft Ben Danford and I'll want to drink bleach.
I'll see your Alfons Freij and raise you Henry Mews. If you have time, everyone should stop what they're doing and go watch Henry Mews highlights. Then ask yourself, "Do I care if he actually plays any defense." I predict the answer will be, "No, I do not care."
Stiga is unreal, but his stock is rising in a superhuman manner. I'd be shocked if he made it to the 44th.
I like Henry Mews; Decent size, obviously a fantastic skater with good offensive instincts, but I think his point totals are a bit inflated from being able to defer a lot of his offensive looks to Luca Pinelli.
He makes good instinctual plays and obviously has good o-zone awareness, but makes a lot of high risk plays on dishes from the wall to high or vice-versa. Nice thing is, even if his plays are higher risk than reward often enough, he makes his decisions quickly in every zone.
I also find his defense is better than people give him credit for. Not saying he's a pro level defender by any means, but he is head up enough with more than enough lateral agility to relieve himself from pressure to clean up and break out. Does definitely leave a bit to be desired positionally in his own zone on a press.
He also has played entire games at forward this season for Ottawa, which is sure to jank up a few things here and there.
Stiga would be a dream to fall to us but Mews is definitely and interesting pick that I wouldn't be disappointed with.