Prospect Info: Round 1, 22nd overall: Oliver Bonk, RHD, London (OHL)

[dragonoffrost]

Nhl network radio is saying he's a 3 or 4.... not sure how to feel

 

[Curufinwe]

This feels like a prototypical bottom third first round Flyers' draft pick... a guy whose floor is higher than his ceiling.

These are their recent 20-something picks

Laughton
Konecny
Rubtsov
Frost
Foerster
Bonk

 

[Prongo]

I’m not going to act like I know anything about Bonk or more of these kids but I’m gonna give him and this front office a chance before crushing the pick.

But bet you little dumb ass, if the pick fails and the players around him thrive, I’ll crush these f***s like they deserve.

 

[Tripod]

Chris Peters - Flo Hockey - June 7th: "Bonk is a solid defender who hounds opposing forwards. He has some two-way value, but is still establishing his offensive game. He has top-four potential and could be a good matchups defenseman, too."

Scott Wheeler - The Athletic - June 5th: "He’s a pro-built defenceman who plays a firm game, possesses good overall skill, has solid edgework and directional changes, and escapes pressure well. He influences the game through his effectiveness and the consistency of his habits."

Chris Peters - Flo Hockey - June 1st: "He skates well enough, has good enough size and is a right-shot. His offensive skillset may not portend to a high level of production at the NHL level, but his ability to take care of his own end, engage physically and break up plays to get pucks up ice is certainly attractive."

Corey Pronman - The Athletic - May 30th: "Bonk's toolkit looks like an NHL defenseman. He's a 6-foot-2 right shot with strong mobility and offensive touch. Bonk is able to skate pucks up ice, make some skilled plays, and shows good poise from the blue line."

Steven Ellis - Daily Faceoff - May 29th: "The son of former NHLer Radek Bonk, Oliver played a ton of minutes this year thanks to his strong own-zone play. He’s capable of creating damage in the O-zone, too."

Jason Bukala - Sportsnet - May 5th: "Big body. Coveted right shot defenceman. Two-way defender who does not project to run a first unit NHL power play, but can match up against top opponents and provide some push back physically.

 

[Maurice of Orange]

Like this pick Bonk definitely needs at least a few more seasons to add to his frame and develop.

 

[Prongo]

I’m seeing shades of Shea Weber. Tell me I’m wrong.

 

[Curufinwe]

I’m seeing shades of Shea Weber. Tell me I’m wrong.

They’re both a shade of white

 

[flyershockey]

These are their recent 20-something picks

Laughton
Konecny
Rubtsov
Frost
Foerster
Bonk

Yeah, I guess I'm just harping on the Laughton, Rubstov, Sbisa types and not Konecny, Frost, etc., but it just feels like a low upside pick for where they were. And that's certainly something the Flyers are a bit prone to do at times.

 

[Tripod]

I guess I'll actually have to watch him.

On paper, this screams fit pick and not BPA. Or if it's BPA, which just so happens to be a 6'2 RH defensive defenseman, then maybe it's not a shocker the same folks pump Risto's tires.

Don'tcha know, you need a guy to cya for the LH skill guys.

 

[Appleyard]

If I was betting I would bet he most likely becomes a solid 2-way #4 Dman.

But yeh, if everything goes perfectly then maaaaybe there is just a #2 in there. But that is absolute ceiling I think.

 

[tictactoe]

Provorov for Bonk.. who won the trade?

 

[Striiker]

Torts and Jones suck

 

[deadhead]

We'll see. I think a guy like Bonk can be underestimated b/c there's nothing flashy there, but he's not the prototypical physical RHD either.
In a sense, seems like a RHD version of York with a little more size, more efficient and reliable than catch your eye.
Also sets them up to potentially move Risto next summer with Bonk, Attard and Grans in the system, along with Samson.

 

[FlyerNutter]

Lol at Bonk apparently having skating concerns.

A Flyers draft pick? Man count me as downright shocked

 

[Adam Warlock]

Sounds like a fringe NHLer who Torts will play on his top pair....joining the Therian, Randy Jones, MacDonald, Hagg, Mandog club.

Ginning-Bonk will be the death of us.

Hate this.

 

[FLYguy3911]

I thought Button would have been the high man the way he talked about him at games. He had him 48th.

Also wasn't great defensively in the sample lol.

 

[Rich Nixon]

Hell yeah Baby Bonk.

I like it.

 

[CutOnDime97]

Would be a lot easier to swallow had they taken Perrault/Gulyayev/Brindley here then used St. Louis's pick for Bonk

 

[wankstifier]

Who was the pick here? Cristall?

 

[DrinkFightFlyers]

Don't love it or hate it. I would have preferred Perrault or Stenberg but I thought Bonk was in the mix for a while. I do like the name. One of the better from this draft, probably the best in the first round AINEC. Bonk's Adventure begins!

 

[Appleyard]

Who was the pick here? Cristall?

I think any of Gulyayev, Cristall, Perreault or Musty would have been "upside" picks.

 

[Striiker]

Awful pick for this reason alone

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Oliver Bonk Scouting Report: 2023 NHL Draft #37

Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day our LWOS Prospects Writers will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2023 NHL Draft.

www.yardbarker.com

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Projection and Comparison​

As a right-handed defenceman with size, offensive ability and a strong defensive game, Bonk should be highly sought after on draft day. However, he is a couple of years away from making an NHL impact. Bonk needs some work on his skating. He can also add muscle to his frame in order to play his style of game at the pro level. Playing in London certainly helps. One can already see the great strides he made in his first full year with the Knights. Two more years in the London system would only help. In terms of his style, Bonk’s game is reminiscent of Brett Pesce. This is a stylistic comparison only though and not one based on skill and ability.

 

[Mickey the mouse]

perrault would have beem my pick

hes going to be a top 5 in yhis draft

 

[dragonoffrost]

So they are playing the long game... probably 3 years out on each?