Good analysis, if he becomes Spurgeon level player would be more than happy. So hard to get excited about smaller offensive defensman generally these days specially when guys like Vatanen cant even make it in NHL.
RD Julius Honka (2014, 14th, DAL)
- Thread starter Eyelanders
- Start date
Vatanen never was a late boomer in my eyes at least. Maybe it's the finnish hype or success in SM-Liiga and WJC.
I think Vatanen only went so late in his draft because he was only like 175cm tall at the time the draft took place.
Sundinisagod
****
7even
Offered and lost
Sundinisagod
****
R S
Registered User
- Sep 18, 2006
- 25,468
- 10
Highly doubt he goes top 15. For me, he's a poor man's Erik Karlsson. Very good skater, quick and agile with a GREAT shot and vision. Size should hold him outside top 15, though.
Circulartheory
Registered User
Interesting. Even with the lack of high quality defenseman (and PMDs) in the draft?
R S
Registered User
- Sep 18, 2006
- 25,468
- 10
Yeah, but I guess you never know. For me, I definitely think some teams have him as a top 15 talent, but that doesn't mean they'll have a chance to pick him there.
On my own board, he's my 8th ranked WHL guy and not even the top player on his own team.
Sundinisagod
****
His numbers are similar to Seth Jones rookie season in the dub. A good combine showing might help get him into the top 15, if he has decent physical strength or a frame that will allow him to add some muscle mass.
Circulartheory
Registered User
I haven't seen Honka play but have seen Pouliot and Rielly play when they were in the WHL in 2013. How does Honka compare?
I'd be more likely to choose him if he has weak physical strength. It means he can improve his game a lot more.
Why do you like Martin more? I've found Martin underwhelming this season in my viewings. Obviously a sasky guy like yourself would have better and live viewings.
R S
Registered User
- Sep 18, 2006
- 25,468
- 10
Similar styles and statures, for the most part, but Honka is definitely a step below. Skating is pretty equal when comparing them. Pouliot has much better vision. Rielly is smarter.
Just a big fan of his overall game. Skates well for his size, good instincts, moves the puck well, much better in his own zone. Obviously doesn't have near the dynamic abilities and offensive skill, but I often prefer prospects who are more well rounded.
Before Chad see's this post.
Ewww to Martin. Looks like a great skating Nick Holden with a softer mind frame and even worst on defense. Way too raw for me to be a top 60 prospect.
Circulartheory
Registered User
With the U18 and playoffs all underway/completed, the lists are starting to look like what you said. While I think a few people like Honka more than you, with guys like Fiala, Milano, Kempe all having excellent U18 performances, Honka may fall farther than most HF posters envision; around the 20ish area.
Anthony Mauro
DraftBuzz Hockey
Have to agree. Sucks, but the extra action for those other players are putting them in the forefront, and more in sight to finish/extend the year.
LastWordArmy
Registered User
Has definitely put up great numbers for Swift Current. Here is the full scouting report from Last Word On Sports who consider him to be the #13 player in the draft.
Full Scouting Report: http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/04/14/2014-nhl-draft-profile-13-julius-honka/
Full Scouting Report: http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/04/14/2014-nhl-draft-profile-13-julius-honka/
JMO but I think R S is underrating Honka. To me he is the second best d-man in this draft after Ekblad. This is a draft bereft of defensemen and if Honka slides out of the top 30 someway somehow, years from now people are going to be wondering how they let such a valuable puck-moving offensive d-man slip right through their fingers.
To me, he exhibits the highest hockey IQ of the rest of the defenders. He is calm in defending, calm moving the puck. Very high panic threshold and excellent instincts in split-second decision-making. Yes he is small, sometimes he can get beat physically but he is always challenging entries at the blue-line and he just gets the puck out of his zone and up the ice. Uses his stick and skating well in defending and uses the little leverage he has in his body to the most of its ability. Sometimes he can be a little casual holding on to the puck in his own zone but he improved this as the year went on I thought. Exhibits a calm, game-controlling ability at the WHL level where he can poke pucks away, close gaps on guys and jump up in the rush or even lead it. When he passes in transition or moves the puck up, seems like there is always an open guy and the pass just looks easy. The game calms down when he is around the puck. I think he improved throughout the year adapting to the NA game and coaching style. This is a smart defender with offensive and puck moving ability, not an offensive defenseman - to me there is a difference. He still looks tiny to me, not sure I believe those height measurements but I am sold either way.
To me, he exhibits the highest hockey IQ of the rest of the defenders. He is calm in defending, calm moving the puck. Very high panic threshold and excellent instincts in split-second decision-making. Yes he is small, sometimes he can get beat physically but he is always challenging entries at the blue-line and he just gets the puck out of his zone and up the ice. Uses his stick and skating well in defending and uses the little leverage he has in his body to the most of its ability. Sometimes he can be a little casual holding on to the puck in his own zone but he improved this as the year went on I thought. Exhibits a calm, game-controlling ability at the WHL level where he can poke pucks away, close gaps on guys and jump up in the rush or even lead it. When he passes in transition or moves the puck up, seems like there is always an open guy and the pass just looks easy. The game calms down when he is around the puck. I think he improved throughout the year adapting to the NA game and coaching style. This is a smart defender with offensive and puck moving ability, not an offensive defenseman - to me there is a difference. He still looks tiny to me, not sure I believe those height measurements but I am sold either way.
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I saw Honka only play in the U-20 tournament, and every time he got the puck in our own zone it always found our players stick or he got it out, can't say the same thing about our other defenders. Would've like to see him get more PP time, but can't complain too much, we won the gold.
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