Here's the last thing I'll say on Lindgren/the defensemen and then I'll let it go, since I'm in the minority and not changing any minds.
In the summer, Lindgren was ranked 10th in our system. Pionk has graduated, so you can consider it ninth for the sake of argument. We're picking our 5th prospect, with 5 more up there, so adding prospect 11. It's going to be Keane (prev. 24th). Then, it sounds like we'll add Tarmo (unranked) and I've also seen mentions for Gettinger (27th) and Barron (18th). So it looks like, at best, Lindgren will be the 14th prospect added, which doesn't even guarantee he's the 14th prospect chosen. He could end up 15th or 16th.
For him to fall multiple spots seems pretty unreasonable, to me. We voted him 10th for a reason; he was a very good college defenseman, he was very good on the international stage, he played well in his cup of coffee with Hartford last year, and he profiles anywhere from a 4-6D who is tough, a solid skater, and capable of carrying the puck and moving it around a little. And to add to that, he's having at least a decent rookie campaign, if not a good one, depending on whose opinion you want to trust (and I trust mine, LOL). He was 10th and has continued to do what was asked and expected of him.
Now, he's going to get jumped by Tarmo. Tarmo has great tools, no doubt, but this is literally the first time he has ever come close to putting it together. He deserves a lot of credit for doing what he is doing, but I can't take him from being unranked and have him jump a guy who also has second pair upside and has
always performed as expected. Rykov--playing well in the KHL gets you a lot of credit, I get that. Playing well in the KHL is also hardly a guarantee for success in North America, as we know. Bereglazov was supposed to be a
great UFA signing who would transition seamlessly to North America, and we know how that went. I'm not comparing Rykov and Bereglazov; just the idea that it's tough to transition.
And then Keane. Keane was really good in the WJSS. He's having a solid season. He's again moving to a juggernaut. What's his upside? Second pair, two-way guy? I like him, I really do. I think the hype train is a little out of control. What has he done to jump from 24 into the top 11 or so? I don't think anything, really. He should move up on the strength of meeting expectations and some other guys falling off, but I wouldn't jump him ahead of a guy I think has similar value and is further along.
I just feel like since Lindgren doesn't yet contribute any offense, he's seen as a lesser prospect, and he's going to fall in the rankings multiple spots despite the fact that he's the same guy we really liked in the summer and hasn't done anything to drop his stock. I mean when I see "Add Gross" before we're adding Lindgren, it's kind of maddening to me.
