The discourse about Willander vs ASP from this tournament is going to make me rip my hair out. I don’t necessarily mean here but there’s a lot of people who have only ever watched either play in these tournaments making grand proclamations.
What gets to me, the vast majority of people have no idea how to properly evaluate NHL traits in defensive prospects. Hell, I have long argued that very few actually understand what makes an NHL defenceman effective.
No one knows what makes an NHL dman effective. That goes for people employees by NHL teams, amateur scouts and anyone who follows hockey.
That’s because it’s entirely based on variables, differentiating factors, situational dependent and sometimes just darn luck.
It’s why a dman can look utter lost with one team and fantastic with another. Or not get a minute of playing time because they “don’t fit the team structure/style” but fit in like a glove elsewhere.
Regarding ASP vs Willander, offense was, is and always will be typically “more valued” than defense. Same goes with forwards. It’s not say that two-way play and defens is not valued. It’s just goals win games so most people put more of an emphasis on it.
Both teams should be happy with their picks but anyone outright dismissing drafting ASP over Willander because of Hughes when Hronek is the only other capable dman we have and the fact neither ASP or Willander could conceivably play a role on either team for awhile needs to give their head a shake.
