These past two Drafts Anaheim takes the player with higher elite hockey sense/IQ over the guy who gets drafted right after him. Sennecke's hockey sense is noticeably higher than Lindstrom as is Carlsson's over Fantilli. This is something GM Pat Verbeek values over just pure tool set.
They were so confident Sennecke was the guy they didn't do anymore interviews with him lol.
Both past two picks were seen as less NHL ready than the guy who went after them as well, Fantilli was seen as more NHL ready while Carlsson as the guy with higher ceiling will take longer.
Anyone who says Sennecke has better hockey sense than Lindstrom has not watched both players. Lindstrom produced assists at basically the same rate as Sennecke, but he’s a much, much better goal scorer - he posted the same amount of goals in half the games played.
Lindstrom is also better defensively, better along the boards, in front of the net, and on the forecheck, and is a better possession player/play driver - he’s way better at zone entries thanks to his elite puck protection. He’s meaner and more physical, and competes harder. He’s grittier and plays his game in the dirty areas, and he excels there. Hands are about the same, but Lindstrom’s shot is way better. He’s faster, stronger, and more explosive.
Lindstrom is basically what you hope Sennecke turns into if he puts it all together. I’ll take the guy who already there over the guy you hope gets there.
FWIW, I’m a Habs fan who would’ve taken Lindstrom over Demidov, even with the injury concern.