RD Zayne Parekh - Saginaw Spirit, OHL (2024, 9th, CGY)

[newmanager]

Here's a list of 19th overall picks from 2020 back to 2003. One could have a convincing argument that DeAngelo is weaker than the average 19th pick. Really not even in the same ballpark as 9th.

Braden Schneider - CAN
Lassi Thompson - FIN
Jay O'Brien - USA
Josh Norris - USA
Kieffer Bellows - USA
Yevgeni Svechnikov - RUS
Anthony DeAngelo - USA
Kerby Rychel - USA
Andrei Vasilevsky - RUS
Oscar Klefbom - SWE
Nick Bjugstad - USA
Kris Kreider - USA
Luca Sbisa - SWZ
Logan MacMillan - CAN
Mark Mitera - USA
Jacob Kindl - CZE
Laurie Korpikoski - FIN
Ryan Getzlaf - CAN

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Here's a list of 19th overall picks from 2020 back to 2003. One could have a convincing argument that DeAngelo is weaker than the average 19th pick. Really not even in the same ballpark as 9th.

Braden Schneider - CAN
Lassi Thompson - FIN
Jay O'Brien - USA
Josh Norris - USA
Kieffer Bellows - USA
Yevgeni Svechnikov - RUS
Anthony DeAngelo - USA
Kerby Rychel - USA
Andrei Vasilevsky - RUS
Oscar Klefbom - SWE
Nick Bjugstad - USA
Kris Kreider - USA
Luca Sbisa - SWZ
Logan MacMillan - CAN
Mark Mitera - USA
Jacob Kindl - CZE
Laurie Korpikoski - FIN
Ryan Getzlaf - CAN

What is the convincing argument?

3 Didn't Reach the NHL: Mitera, MacMillan, O'Brien
4 Barely Reached the NHL (Less than 200 Games): Rychel, Bellows, Thompson, Svechnikov

Those are 7 no doubters that are probably the 7 worst. I'd hope you wouldn't argue that.

Of the other 11, DeAngelo has the fourth highest points total of that group (and he's a defenseman, mind you). Obviously someone like Vasilevskiy isn't going to score points. Of course I'm not suggesting he's ahead of him because he had more points, but I would say objectively he's on the edge of the top 5 or just outside of it. Saying he's weaker than the average 19th OA (which would amount to 10th) is just not an argument I understand where it's coming from.

 

[Slurpeelover27]

Not sure why anyone is even arguing about this whole 9OA thing? Who cares? I am only concerned with how good he can possibly become. To me he has incredibly high upside and could be a game changer. All the worry about the defensive play I am pretty sure is overblown. It's pretty obvious he has the kind of high end skills that should translate to the NHL. Is there any worry that he can't get physically stronger?

Lane Hutson should be the floor. Lane is only 5'9" 162 lbs. Zayne appears to have better skills from what I can see and is 6' 185 lbs and is 2 years younger. Lane was picked 62nd overall in 2022. Who cares where anyone is picked? What matters is how they are looking now and how much better they can become.

 

[Finster8]

Parekh played as I have said before like I’m here but at 75% mentally and physically to start the season. His offensive talent will speak for itself as he develops and gets stronger.
Comparing him is hard not to many guys get back to back 30 goal seasons with the chance of hitting 100Pts.
Even if he puts in his 9 NHL games next year then management will have a big decision to make stay if it helps him get better or playD+2 in the O. That’s why they have GMs.

 

[Muffin]

Not sure why anyone is even arguing about this whole 9OA thing? Who cares? I am only concerned with how good he can possibly become. To me he has incredibly high upside and could be a game changer. All the worry about the defensive play I am pretty sure is overblown. It's pretty obvious he has the kind of high end skills that should translate to the NHL. Is there any worry that he can't get physically stronger?

Lane Hutson should be the floor. Lane is only 5'9" 162 lbs. Zayne appears to have better skills from what I can see and is 6' 185 lbs and is 2 years younger. Lane was picked 62nd overall in 2022. Who cares where anyone is picked? What matters is how they are looking now and how much better they can become.

Lane Hutson is the floor? The floor is he never makes the NHL. Far from a sure thing. I don't think you understand what a "floor" is.