Suffice it to say, he had an impressive visit. Waddell is barely hiding it at this point.
Due to position and how transferable his game is, I think he's the closest thing in this draft to be a lock as a perennial All-star. I'd still take Dahlin, but Svechnikov probably has the lowest bust factor in the draft.He’s pretty close to a lock to be a 1st liner, with a great shot at becoming a star. A total natural/pure goal scorer, not just the shot but also the instincts, and is a total bull going to the net. Excellent physical tools, great skater, great hands, very good hockey IQ, what’s not to like?
Reminds me a fair bit of Kovy. Not quite as talented, but very few are, and I think he has a more well rounded, 2-way team game than young Kovy. No brainer pick at 2 IMO.
He’s pretty close to a lock to be a 1st liner, with a great shot at becoming a star. A total natural/pure goal scorer, not just the shot but also the instincts, and is a total bull going to the net. Excellent physical tools, great skater, great hands, very good hockey IQ, what’s not to like?
Reminds me a fair bit of Kovy. Not quite as talented, but very few are, and I think he has a more well rounded, 2-way team game than young Kovy. No brainer pick at 2 IMO.
Due to position and how transferable his game is, I think he's the closest thing in this draft to be a lock as a perennial All-star. I'd still take Dahlin, but Svechnikov probably has the lowest bust factor in the draft.
He really doesn't give me the typical elite insanely strong and will fly down the winger and snipe an unstoppable shot like Ovi, Kovalchuk, and Tarasenko. He has tools to do that, but he seems much more methodical in his approach and tends to find himself in the right spots to score in a multitude of ways. His way of scoring goals reminds me more of players like Matthews and Jamie Benn. They have elite shots, but they tend to get their best results by driving center ice, good positioning on rebounds near the net and reading quick incisive give and go passing.
Due to position and how transferable his game is, I think he's the closest thing in this draft to be a lock as a perennial All-star. I'd still take Dahlin, but Svechnikov probably has the lowest bust factor in the draft.
He really doesn't give me the typical elite insanely strong and will fly down the winger and snipe an unstoppable shot like Ovi, Kovalchuk, and Tarasenko. He has tools to do that, but he seems much more methodical in his approach and tends to find himself in the right spots to score in a multitude of ways. His way of scoring goals reminds me more of players like Matthews and Jamie Benn. They have elite shots, but they tend to get their best results by driving center ice, good positioning on rebounds near the net and reading quick incisive give and go passing.
We were 1 pick away from getting a potential franchise player
How they operate in the offensive zone is quite similar. Matthews uses quick hands and strength to cut in off the boards and drive center ice more (similar to someone like Tavares). But, they have a similar knack for finding soft spots on the ice and racking up goals in a diverse fashion. They both have great shots, but they tend to score from in-close more than traditional snipers.That's the same vibe I've been getting watching the video of him. I'm not saying he's on the same level as Matthews, just stylistically.
That's the same vibe I've been getting watching the video of him. I'm not saying he's on the same level as Matthews, just stylistically.
He's on the same level as well.
Matthews clearly would have went above him in the same draft. It wouldn't have been close.He's on the same level as well.
Matthews clearly would have went above him in the same draft. It wouldn't have been close.
Matthews is a tier above as a prospect, and likely as a player. Svechnikov is still great, but Matthews is the more impactful player and was a better prospect. Centers are more important and drive play more than wingers. A bias towards elite centers isn't irrational.Probably because of the hard on everyone has for centers. But hockey wise they will have the same impact on the ice. Svechnikov is a franchise forward.
Yeah, Matthews scored 40 goals as a rookie. I'll be quite happy if Svechnikov even hits 25.
I'd be surprised if Svechnikov is as impactful as Matthews was in his first 2 years. He's closer to Taylor Hall or Seguin as a prospect, who took their time to reach the level Matthews is currently at.