I’m really trying to wrap my mind around the almost universal hate among fans for Eiserman. I mean, I respect other people’s opinions but man..It’s seems a bit overblown. Eiserman is the type of boom bust prospect you take a chance on.
At ~14-20 I agree. At 11, it's less clear.
I didn't want him at 14, but understand it- he's competing with Helenius (high value position, complete, close to NHL ready)- my #13, Chernychov/Nygard (higher floor, much lower ceiling, competitive), Jiricek (position of need, injury risk), Solberg (Grier player, position of need), Connelly (equally talented, but other issues), and Hage (higher floor, lower ceiling).
Eiserman's upside is probably the highest of anyone in the 13-20 range with the possible exception of Connelly. I do think he has 30-goal upside. Aside from Celebrini, not sure we have another guy at that level. However, I'm really concerned that even with butter-soft minutes next to Smith or playing with franchise player and besty Celebrini he's going to struggle to deliver. I feel similar about Yakemchuk, could be a 20 goal scorer, top pairing PMD, but he's got some warts. Yakemchuk plays the position we need the most, and he's 3 inches taller than Eiserman. I'm not sized obsessed but when mitigating risk it's meaningful.
I love this for two reasons: 1) I think Grier will have 3-5 meaningful options that weren't quite as robust at 14. Media consensus centered around 13 guys (with Eiserman as the 14). 2) I think it's much more likely we can move up to 8/9 for Dickinson, Buium, Silayev.
