StevenToddIves
Registered User
First second round pick Wallinder trying to play in second swedish league. Mukha play in Salavat on the regular basis and was one of defensive leaders of Russia in tournament against adults with biggest ice time in team.
Anyway he is not safe pick. Devils made 2 safe and good picks. And after Holtz and Mercer puts on Devils hat, Devils had 2 RW in first round. There were no need to pick Perreault or Bourque. Between Shakir and Lapierre I prefer questionable defensman with speed, size, shot and positioning abillity in his 18-19 years in 2nd best league, than super talanted but very soft center without shot but with tonn of different scary injuries.
But we can certainly debate whether the devils need a top - 6 center-playmaker or a top-4 defenseman. In the moment of the draft I wanted Marat or Greig, but they are both questionable at the time. And now Devils have what they have, and I hope and watching how things goes.
The Wallinder comparison is certainly a smart comparison for @Guadana to be making. I read a few writers who were endorsing Wallinder to the Devils with the #20 pick prior to the draft. Though Wallinder is an exceptional skater, he lacks anything resembling a shot, has mediocre hands and vision, struggles with decision making and defensive play. Mukhamadullin's upside is far higher, and -- as we've seen in recent play -- Mukhamadullin is the far superior player right now.
Like @Guadana , I was extremely high on players like Khusnutdinov and Greig, and probably would have preferred either at #20 to Mukhamadullin (or Lapierre). But that does not mean I think it was a bad pick -- although I would have liked the Devils to trade down a few spots, since they were going off the board a bit. Either way, I'm not too upset about it because Mukhamadullin has seriously impressive upside and looks to be hitting his stride in his draft +1 campaign.