Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
1) I recently wrote a post explaining why I prefer Nico Hischier to Nolan Patrick and would select the former if given the opportunity.
I received a lot of comments to the tune of 'Hischier's season was impressive but Patrick has been ranked No. 1 for years.'
That may be true but, quite frankly, I don't think that means a damn thing.
It was almost unanimously deemed Aaron Ekblad was the cream of the 2014 draft crop the second he was granted exceptional status into the OHL as a 15-year-old.
Ekblad is a promising defenseman but if the 2014 class was redrafted, a case can be made Leon Draisaitl, William Nylander, David Pastrnak and perhaps even Nikolaj Ehlers should or would be taken higher than Ekblad. The latter is a good player but all of those forwards have already had 60+ point seasons and shown the ability to drive play.
I'm not trying to knock Ekblad as, again, he is a solid player. I'm making the point that just because a player has been ranked No. 1 in his draft class for more than a year doesn't mean it's a forgone conclusion he will be the best player. Nail Yakupov is another example of that, although much more extreme.
2) Another point I want to make on Patrick: I think some put too much stock into his numbers last year. He was playing for a team loaded with high-end players in John Quenneville (NJD), Jayce Hawerluk (FLA), Ivan Provorov (PHI), Reid Duke (VGK), and Kale Clague (LAK), among others. Patrick was also a week away from being a part of the 2016 draft class as opposed to this one. You have to be very good to put up the numbers he did, but the circumstances were certainly ideal.
Without most of those guys this season, his production naturally dipped. I'm sure injuries played a role as well but Brandon's team featured six other 40+ point players, four 60+ point players, and three drafted players. Halifax's roster featured four other 40+ point players, one player with 42+ points and one drafted player. You could definitely argue Patrick had a better supporting cast yet Hischier still put up better numbers and was more efficient in doing so (3.04 points per 60 at evens for Hischier, 2.29 points per 60 for Patrick).
3) Over the last few weeks, I've talked to a lot of people working in hockey (scouts, agents, data analysts, etc.) about the two players and the majority prefer Hischier. Just something to think about.
Recent Posts
On Kovalchuk and rumored landing spots
On Da Costa and Auvitu
Could the Devils and Oilers link up again?
On Shattenkirk, McLeod and Bastian
Devils Q&A: On Severson's next deal, defense targets, Hischier and more
Let the Kovalchuk sweepstakes begin
Why I have Nico Hischier ranked above Nolan Patrick
Beau Bennett quietly effective in debut season with the Devils
The Hall - Zajac - Palmieri line was one of the NHL's best in 2016-17 
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»