I’d pass on guys like Wright and Hayton whose development has either stalled or been very uneven in favour of guys who have had an upward development trajectory like Firkus or Geekie. No sense paying extra for sunk cost fallacy.
On a guy like Wright, have you even paid attention to what he did last year, or???
15 points in his last 16 AHL games, 5 points in 8 NHL games?
The perception issue on Wright, is that he was long thought of as the #1 OA player in his draft. So people compare him to that expectation, which he's never going to live up to. But, he's likely going to be a decent 2C in the NHL, and the last half of the year, his play really picked up.
We could really use a future 2C... and Seattle absolutely needs an elite winger.
You trade for Wright, and their 2024 1st... likely pick up Sam Dickinson 6'3" LD from London.
You've got two very good cost controlled assets, for a decade.. Wright steps in next year. Dickinson within a year or two. You've cleared cap room, and can address other areas of the roster.
Dickinson already excels with his strong defensive game and IQ without the puck. He defends extremely well against the rush and within his own zone, something that other defenders are inconsistent with this early on in their development. That aspect to his game is near pro ready...
While he’s great at reading the play when attacking players enter the zone, he isn’t afraid to engage physically and lay the body. Whether it’s an open ice hit or along the boards, Dickinson imposes his will and makes life difficult for the opposition.
The foundation of Dickinson’s game is his mobility. It’s rare to find a defender who moves as well as Dickinson does at 6’3. It was no surprise to see him dominate the on-ice testing at the CHL Top Prospect’s Game; he’s a spectacular athlete. Thanks to his effortless skating stride, Dickinson is an impactful player at both ends of the ice and is able to play aggressively, with and without the puck.
London, Drummondville, Moose Jaw and host Saginaw will compete at the Memorial Cup beginning on Friday. Scout Jason Bukala will be there, and writes about a few prospects he's most interested in viewing.
www.sportsnet.ca
Sam Dickinson, D, 6-foot-3, 199 pounds
Draft Eligible: 68GP-18G-52A | Playoffs: 18GP-4G-9A
Dickinson is one of the top ranked defencemen for the 2024 NHL Draft. He's a player who doesn't look like is moving quickly, but it's due to his effortless stride. He brings a combination of size, skill, and open ice transitional pace.
Dickinson logged a ton of ice time for the London Knights in regular season play and the playoffs. He's deployed in all situations. Despite his stature he isn't overly physical. He's more of a "bumper" than a "punisher". He can be elusive walking the offensive blue line and directing pucks on net or joining the rush as an extra layer.
NHL Projection: Top pairing defenceman
