He made the right call to move up in competition. Draft position matters very little. Won't impact him financially unlike the NFL where it is millions of dollars difference to go from #3 to like #7 Overall. He'd get the same ELC as #3 or #7 pick.
Given the lack of development this year imo I'd say he didn't. McKenna yes but Verhoeff no
Beat me to it. In all reality I don't expect Islanders will win but it can be fun imagining they do till the lottery happens. lol
How can you possibly make that statement and say he didn’t develop lol, he likely developed a lot more than the guys who played it nice and easy in Juniors. He was literally one of the youngest players in the NCAA.
I’m curious where you think he stalled in his development?
To me he didn't improve any of his skillsets even with the supposed extra time to focus on it. Skating didn't become more explosive, footwork stayed the same, shot didn't tick up, puck skills the same. Defensively he played more structured but was that him or just the NCAA. Now unlike the other top dmen he had to adjust to a new league so give him some credit there but if he took another step like all the other top dmen did he'd be challenging, if not the favourite to go #1 this year. Hopefully next year he can take that step. He's still in the top 8 players in this class and a safe bet to be a great top 4 dman he has just put doubts in my head if he has true #1 d upside. Super safe just might not have the all around impact as the others.
He should, unless Canada takes offense that he left and took the NCAA route, though it seems like most are these days.
If he looks dominant at U18s, his stock is going back up. I know it's 1 tournament, but he had a poor season. If the decision making and ability to drive a power play look good, it will give teams more comfort he can do it later in his development.
The big negaive hes got heavy boots- first couple steps might be big trouble top 4 dmen.
it's not eye popping and the 2 forwards both played half a year. Noah Hanifin produced at a slightly better rate his draft year in college
Yes, you are taking crazy pills if you think that he is one of the top 10 D in the past 15 drafts, unless I am misunderstanding what you are saying.
Although ekblad isn’t Cale Makar with the scoring he’s a very good top pairing d man for most teams when he’s healthy. I think this is his best potential outcome and Verhoeff is one of the safest picks in the draft. Won’t be surprised if he goes as high as #3. Guys like Reid, Carels, Smits may have a higher ceiling but not sure any of them are as safe of a pick as Verhoeff
