Whats his playing style like? I see the ducks moving to 5th or 6th and he seems great from his numbers and if you could compare him to an nhl player who would he be.He seems like a perfect partner for Cam right handed shot and physical
I certainly see him enough, and actually saw him several times before the OHL.
The best word to describe him is steady and safe. He does not seem to have many up or down games. He also tends to play it quite safely, which is why I think he shies away from hitting players.
Now its not entirely correct to say he does not play physical. He uses his size to a huge advantage, but not to lay out a hit. He will squeeze rushing players into the boards, he will push you in front of the net, and he uses his size in the corners to pin players and take the puck. In that way he someways reminds me of how Neidermeyer played D. The best word I can conjure up is "effective".
His skating is underrated IMO, his top end speed can probably match just about any D mans in this draft, it looks slow because of his stride. I've seen multiple instances of him starting two strides behind a breaking forward and catching him before the guy can get a shot off, did that at the U18's (was too physical though, awarded a penalty shot). His first step, however, is a touch slow. Lateral movement is good, but something he will need to work at for the NHL. I've seen him have no issue with Yakapov getting around him, but if there was one weakness this would be it.
Offensively, he'll not likely crack top 10 NHL scoring for dmen, but he is certainly capable. Great first pass, pretty strong, accurate shot, good instincts. Likes to move in when in the offensive zone. I'd not call him a highly creative guy though as far as passing would go, he tends to play that safe. And he's not really a PP quarterback type of guy as he does not control the play, but more a guy who moves around the ice from the D spot, creeps in, gets lots of chances in the slot, will carry the puck behind the net.
Comparisons? Maybe a Pilip Kuba type, with more consistency and better D awareness. I see him more as a 2/3 D man at the next level. Not your first unit PP on a good team, but competent enough to play it on bad teams, second unit on good teams, or serve as a solid replacement in case of injury. Defensively, will not dish out big hits, or lots of them, but can be called upon to play against a top pairing. He also has the tools to be a great PK guy as he seems most natural in front of the net.
Other things? His size is an asset, will probably top out 6'3, 230 range I would think. He certainly is well experienced with three years CHL, but not that much older than a number of the other guys due to a really late bday. Reinhart for example is only 4 weeks younger while Ceci is 4 months younger than Murray. And he seems like a good kid, never any trouble, great marks. Saw an interview with his family, they seem well grounded and father was a pro athlete who seems to have passed on a good understanding to the kid of how lucky is his, as opposed to many kids in this situation having a sense of entitlement.
He's not going to be the best D man taken in this draft, but in my mind, he'll be one of the safer picks available. There may not be the upside of a Dumba here, but there is not also the downside of a Dumba either