Who is the best defender in this year's draft NOT named Jiricek or Nemec?

[Bigshow747]

I think it's safe to say Nemec and Jiricek have a case to both be top 5 (maybe even top 3) talents. But I'm curious where the rest of the field stands. Most people would probably say Mateychuck, Mintyukov, or Korchinski, but are there other names that could rise before the draft?

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[BondraTime]

Korchinsko or Mintyukov, either or should be top 10 picks.

After that I'd go Luneau

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I'm really high on Casey, but I know that's a bit of a minority opinion. He defends better than a lot of the top offensive dmen in the draft, and has more offensive upside than a lot of the "two way" defenders.

 

[pgfan66]

I'm really high on Casey, but I know that's a bit of a minority opinion. He defends better than a lot of the top offensive dmen in the draft, and has more offensive upside than a lot of the "two way" defenders.

I agree. Wouldn’t be shocked if Casey goes top 15 (or ends up a top 15 pick in this draft). He’s the type of dynamic offensive player Colorado is having so much success with.

 

[SimGrindcore]

I'm really high on Pickering.

 

[Realgud]

Koromyslov

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Korchinski

He is going to put up a ridiculous amount of points next season and people will get extremely pumped on him

 

[LJ7]

Mintyukov and Mateychuk are both top 10 for me, and I may end up with Mintyukov over Nemec

 

[Stewie Griffin]

I flip flop between Mintyukov and Korchinski depending on the day,

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

Mintyukov

 

[tomd]

Does the player I pick actually have to any idea how to play defense? If he does, that limits the field dramatically.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think it’s close between the top three, but best defender in this draft is Chesley.

 

[Kcoyote3]

Hutson probably scores like 60 points in the NHL in 5 years and people will be like man I wish my team drafted him #35 overall instead of a nobody.

 

[Frk It]

Mateychuk for me.

Even though I like Mintyukov and Korchinski a lot as well.

I think one of Duda/Grudinin/Hamara will become a good player down the line.

 

[scallionjj11]

I flip flop between Mintyukov and Korchinski depending on the day,

same here. really a toss up between the two.

 

[bossram]

After the clear top-two, I'd lean Mateychuk and Mintyukov, with a slight lean to Mateychuk.

I'm not really sold on Korchinski honestly. Some serious defensive issues, and I'm not sure his pattern of offensive creation is repeatable at the NHL level.

 

[Frk It]

Wouldn’t be shocked if Casey goes top 15 (or ends up a top 15 pick in this draft). He’s the type of dynamic offensive player Colorado is having so much success with.

I would be very shocked if he did.

 

[SlafySZN]

Lane Hutson for sure.

 

[Flames Fanatic]

I would be very shocked if he did.

Honestly there's so many D in this draft that to me could go top 15/20 and I wouldn't bat an eye too hard. Really boils down to the team preference.

I think I like Mintyukov best, but Korchinski is right there. Then you've got a mess of Bischel, Pickering, Casey, Luneau, Matechyuk, Ostlund, Chesley that could all go decently high.

Few absolute wildcards like Tourigny, Huston, Nelson, Odelius in there for good measure too.

 

[InfinityIggy]

I think Owen Pickering is getting a little overlooked, perhaps in large part to being on a relatively lousy Swift Current Broncos team.

 

[Tryamkin]

It’s gonna be Mintyukov or Hutson imo. Minty is a little safer but Hutson by all accounts can put up 50+ points in the NHL consistently.

 

[tomd]

The real question is how do these guys project as NHL players? Mintyukov and Korchinski have flashy numbers and highlights but they have a long long way to go as far as playing actual defense goes. Pickering and Bichsel might turn out to be the best D in that next group in 5 years.

 

[Mrb1p]

Mintyukov and the AINEC term applies.

Mateychuk, Pickering and a few others are very good but none have the dynamism of Minty.

 

[bsu]

In my opinion, Korchinski simply because he's already the best and he has the most to grow. He's 6'2 6'3 and if you watch any interview of him looks like he's 15 or 16 years old. He's gonna fill out and be damn good.

This was him 3 days ago, he has a lot of room to grow.



I also like Ryan Chelsey a lot.

 

[Mrb1p]

After the clear top-two, I'd lean Mateychuk and Mintyukov, with a slight lean to Mateychuk.

I'm not really sold on Korchinski honestly. Some serious defensive issues, and I'm not sure his pattern of offensive creation is repeatable at the NHL level.

Hes also not a super good skater aside from a few one tricks he does.

I see very little IQ IMO.

I wanna give a bit of light to three of my favorites though
Havelid
Bischel
Odellius