RD Jamie Drysdale (2020, 6th, ANA)

[Artorius Horus T]

Said he was a top 5 player going into the year, and still feel that way.

Same here.

 

[snipes]

Said he was a top 5 player going into the year, and still feel that way.

Yup. Same for me as well. In terms of just pure talent not where I think they’ll be drafted, this is my top 5 right now:

Lafreniere
Byfield
Askarov
Drysdale
Raymond

HM: Perfetti, Holtz, Schneider, Barron, Lapierre, Lundell

 

[Rorschach]

Yup. Same for me as well. In terms of just pure talent not where I think they’ll be drafted, this is my top 5 right now:

Lafreniere
Byfield
Askarov
Drysdale
Raymond

HM: Perfetti, Holtz, Schneider, Barron, Lapierre, Lundell

That's a sick top 10.
It would be interesting to see where Hughes and Kaako would fall in there. Would they be top 3 or even top 5?

 

[snipes]

That's a sick top 10.
It would be interesting to see where Hughes and Kaako would fall in there. Would they be top 3 or even top 5?

I think the general consensus is Lafreniere > Hughes even with Laf being a winger he’s that special. At least from what I’ve seen and in my opinion I’d take Laf all day

Even Byfield, if he keeps producing the way he is he easily goes #1. You just don’t see that height/weight/speed/skill combo.

2020 is legit the best draft since 2015. Scouts and armchair scouts have been looking forward to this draft for a couple years now.

It’s in that same tier of drafts as 2003 and 2015 in my opinion.

 

[Rorschach]

I think the general consensus is Lafreniere > Hughes even with Laf being a winger he’s that special. At least from what I’ve seen and in my opinion I’d take Laf all day

Even Byfield, if he keeps producing the way he is he easily goes #1. You just don’t see that height/weight/speed/skill combo.

2020 is legit the best draft since 2015. Scouts and armchair scouts have been looking forward to this draft for a couple years now.

It’s in that same tier of drafts as 2003 and 2015 in my opinion.

That's what I heard too, regarding the draft depth. I was wondering if this draft is somewhat close to 2003 depth, in terms of quality, what is the top end like? If I go by your statement, you're saying that at least the two guys at the top are even better than last years top. In 2003, we have franchise players galore but no Ovechkin/Malkin/Crosby types. I'm guessing 2020 top end will be between Malkin (below) and above Hughes.

 

[snipes]

That's what I heard too, regarding the draft depth. I was wondering if this draft is somewhat close to 2003 depth, in terms of quality, what is the top end like? If I go by your statement, you're saying that at least the two guys at the top are even better than last years top. In 2003, we have franchise players galore but no Ovechkin/Malkin/Crosby types. I'm guessing 2020 top end will be between Malkin (below) and above Hughes.

And that’s not even discussing Askarov who is a generational goaltending prospect.

He’s phenomenal, I don’t know if you saw him at the Hlinka but he was just stupidly good.

He’ll enter the draft as the most decorated international goaltending prospect. This guy racks up medals like no ones business.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Said he was a top 5 player going into the year, and still feel that way.

I think he's the best alternative to Lafreniere for 1OA.

The knock on him is supposedly that he's only 5'11, but everyone is crowning (and they should) Makar as a future 1D at 5'11 with a similar type of skill-set.

 

[Daximus]

I think he's the best alternative to Lafreniere for 1OA.

The knock on him is supposedly that he's only 5'11, but everyone is crowning (and they should) Makar as a future 1D at 5'11 with a similar type of skill-set.

He's a great player but he doesn't have anywhere near the skating that Makar had at the same age. I see Drysdale as more of a solid #2 at the NHL level. A great player who is dynamic in his own right but not nearly as dynamic as Makar.

 

[Killerjas]

And that’s not even discussing Askarov who is a generational goaltending prospect.

He’s phenomenal, I don’t know if you saw him at the Hlinka but he was just stupidly good.

He’ll enter the draft as the most decorated international goaltending prospect. This guy racks up medals like no ones business.

Generational is a bit of a stretch, but he is very, very good. Some people are saying that Wallstedt is generational though.

 

[kyle44]

He's a great player but he doesn't have anywhere near the skating that Makar had at the same age. I see Drysdale as more of a solid #2 at the NHL level. A great player who is dynamic in his own right but not nearly as dynamic as Makar.

Have you watched Drysdale play? His skating is incredible. I’ve been following the NHL draft since 1997 and I can’t recall many 17 year old dmen that can skate like him. I can’t agree that he “doesn’t have anywhere near” the skating of Makar at the same age.

Very small sample of his edge work:

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He's a great player but he doesn't have anywhere near the skating that Makar had at the same age. I see Drysdale as more of a solid #2 at the NHL level. A great player who is dynamic in his own right but not nearly as dynamic as Makar.

I think he's a better skater than you are crediting him as being. Makar might be the better skater of the two though. I wouldn't have a huge objection to that opinion, but I also think Drysdale defends better than Makar. They might not be exactly the same player, but I think there are enough similarities that you can point to Makar, and say thats what Drysdale will be in a few years.

 

[snipes]

I think he's a better skater than you are crediting him as being. Makar might be the better skater of the two though. I wouldn't have a huge objection to that opinion, but I also think Drysdale defends better than Makar. They might not be exactly the same player, but I think there are enough similarities that you can point to Makar, and say thats what Drysdale will be in a few years.

Yeah, Drysdale is a fantastic skater.

He’s as dynamic of a skater as Heiskanen was in his draft year.

Maybe Makar is ahead but there’s only 2-3 guys in the entire NHL that can skate like Makar.

 

[Garyboy]

He's a great player but he doesn't have anywhere near the skating that Makar had at the same age. I see Drysdale as more of a solid #2 at the NHL level. A great player who is dynamic in his own right but not nearly as dynamic as Makar.

Have you seen The Dry Guy play in person? To say he doesn’t have anywhere near the skating ability as Makar is laughable.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I would take a serious look at taking him as the 7th D for Canada this year. Maybe more as the right side does seem like it should have more openings then the left side will.

 

[scoutman1]

Generational is a bit of a stretch, but he is very, very good. Some people are saying that Wallstedt is generational though.

at the u17s last year Askarov was probably in the same level as Luongo and Vaslivsky at that age...IMO he is going to be a generational goalie that does not come around often.

 

[scoutman1]

He's a great player but he doesn't have anywhere near the skating that Makar had at the same age. I see Drysdale as more of a solid #2 at the NHL level. A great player who is dynamic in his own right but not nearly as dynamic as Makar.

I have to disagree...Drysdale has as much talent as any defender right now that I have seen at that age...a lot more talent than Bowen Byram IMO and I like Byram lol.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

2+1, +1, 6 SOG so far in the game vs IceDogs

 

[Artorius Horus T]

the highlights Ontario Hockey League – Official Site of the Ontario Hockey League

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Really should shoot more often (like in his last game), that is a great shot he haves there.

 

[Daximus]

I have to disagree...Drysdale has as much talent as any defender right now that I have seen at that age...a lot more talent than Bowen Byram IMO and I like Byram lol.

Byram did some amazing things in his draft year in the WHL so it's going to be hard to compare. I'm not saying Drysdale isn't a great player, he's the first defencemen on my list. I do think Drysdale's game is a lot more offence oriented and is ahead in that regard but Byram's defensive and physical game is ahead IMO.

 

[Daximus]

Have you watched Drysdale play? His skating is incredible. I’ve been following the NHL draft since 1997 and I can’t recall many 17 year old dmen that can skate like him. I can’t agree that he “doesn’t have anywhere near” the skating of Makar at the same age.

Very small sample of his edge work:

He has great edgework but if anyone thinks he is close in terms of top end speed and acceleration they are fooling themselves. Makar could create separation from literally any player in the NCAA last year. He was that far ahead of the entire league that no one could contain him.

 

[Daximus]

I think he's a better skater than you are crediting him as being. Makar might be the better skater of the two though. I wouldn't have a huge objection to that opinion, but I also think Drysdale defends better than Makar. They might not be exactly the same player, but I think there are enough similarities that you can point to Makar, and say thats what Drysdale will be in a few years.

Never said he isn't a great skater and Makar's two-way and physical game is actually really underrated. You don't have to defend much when you are always pushing the pace of play. Kid was an absolute force of nature in the NCAA last year. That being said Drysdale looks like the obvious choice for first dman off the board, given who will likely be picking in the top end of the draft I think he could easily fall out of the top 5. Should go top 10 at this rate though you really never know with the draft lottery.

 

[kyle44]

He has great edgework but if anyone thinks he is close in terms of top end speed and acceleration they are fooling themselves. Makar could create separation from literally any player in the NCAA last year. He was that far ahead of the entire league that no one could contain him.

Certainly not trying to downplay Makar's skating ability, but I absolutely feel like Drysdale will be in this tier in terms of skating as he develops. Makar was in his D+2 last year afterall; your original post referenced their abilities at the same age. There is time for Drysdale to add strength and further refine his skating in the next two years.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

1+1, +3, 3 SOG so far.

 

[Boonk]

He has great edgework but if anyone thinks he is close in terms of top end speed and acceleration they are fooling themselves. Makar could create separation from literally any player in the NCAA last year. He was that far ahead of the entire league that no one could contain him.

Dont know what games youre watching, but if you think Drysdales skating isnt in the same or similar tier as Makars, youre clearly not watching the same games.