My best way of not continuing to think of where the Blackhawks will draft I have just pencilled them in at #4.

Now the tougher part is figuring who is still on the board by then.

If the hawks won Celebrini it would bring up all the same BS about Kyle beach, unfair and rigged.
Hey and if we don't win it, we can prequalify in 2025 in a really nice top end of players already looking equals to some of our 2025 gems.

a nice top three forwards and more.

https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts/2025
- wiz1901

Wow Wiz, you have Catton going 3rd overall???????? Wow....... If the Hawks do draft 4th they're gonna come out of it with a damn fine player. I'm all for drafting the BPA but hope the Hawks have Lindstrom as theirs when they do draft but am ok with anyone they choose at #4. ..... No Russians though with their first 1st rd pick.

And as far as the Minnesota game and Rinzel for what it's worth he took the biggest jump of the Hawk prospects this yr. Kid could look like a mess at times in the USHL despite his size, skating and skilled hands. I really believe the WJC helped him a ton and it carried over. In a word the kid looks poised and really never did to my eye until this yr.

Now it's time to build on that and his skating/size...... Moore will come. Kid works too hard and is too fast not to make the Bigs. Just a question of what kinda impact he makes. A top or middle 6? A TJ Oshie?

Nazar ties the game 1-1.

Savoie - Rouyn Noranda - did not score

Lardis - Brantford - 2G, 1A

Misiak - DNP for Erie, not sure why

Lindstrom playing tonight for Medicine Hat - 1 A in 1st, on goal by Basha

Savoie - Rouyn Noranda - did not score

Lardis - Brantford - 2G, 1A

Misiak - DNP for Erie, not sure why

Lindstrom playing tonight for Medicine Hat - 1 A in 1st, on goal by Basha
- totem

Glad to see Lardis back. He's been out since mid January with a wrist injury. Scoring wise, looks like he picked up where he left off.

Why would Ottawa do it?
- paulr

Doubt they would but what does new management want to do? Also Norris might be an option but seems to have severe shoulder problems

My best way of not continuing to think of where the Blackhawks will draft I have just pencilled them in at #4.

Now the tougher part is figuring who is still on the board by then.

If the hawks won Celebrini it would bring up all the same BS about Kyle beach, unfair and rigged.
Hey and if we don't win it, we can prequalify in 2025 in a really nice top end of players already looking equals to some of our 2025 gems.

a nice top three forwards and more.

https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts/2025
- wiz1901

Other than Celebrini, watching these guys still rising up and down the rankings is surprising, if not a bit dizzying. If Saginaw can get through the OHL playoffs to the Memorial cup I predict Zayne Parekh will wind up being ranked number 2 or 3 by season’s end. He had a dominant three assist game last night and was playing solid “D” as well. I won’t be surprised if he’s the first defenseman off the board in June. His offensive game is just too developed and his defensive game while needing work, isn’t all that bad.

Savoie - Rouyn Noranda - did not score

Lardis - Brantford - 2G, 1A

Misiak - DNP for Erie, not sure why

Lindstrom playing tonight for Medicine Hat - 1 A in 1st, on goal by Basha
- totem

Thank you, totem! Love the news that Lindstrom is playing. ...... All the Lardis kid ever does it hit the scoresheet.

On the CHL streaming I saw the Prince George vs. Spokane first round opening game. Prince George is the top team in the WHL West and is loaded with talent including Riley Heidt and Koehn Zeimmer who were drafted last year. Spokane has Berkly Catton and also Connor Roulette has had a good year with 108 points. This game was wide-open, end-to-end action and fun to watch. Prince George won 6-1, kind of overwhelming Spokane as the game went on.

Player Notes:

Terik Paraczak, RW, 5-11, 174 Prince George (CS #14, Wiz #19) - Had a hat trick in the first 2 periods. Really like this player as I have mentioned several times this year. Always around the net on offense and does well carrying, passing and receiving on the rush. Plays in front of the net and 2 of his goals were tip-ins. Good in all areas but not a standout in any except scoring. Would be a steal in round 2 but unsure if he will last to the Tampa pick. Regular season 68 GP, 43-62-105, +49. Average size so not sure how he will do at higher levels scoring in close.

Ondrej Becher. C, 6-1, 184 Prince George (CS #84, Wiz NR?) - Didn't know much about Becher but he was flying tonight, was showing speed carrying puck into zone, had several shots on goal. 1G and 2A on the night, and was a constant threat on offense. Good size and plenty of speed. Searched Wiz's draft board but did not find him. Seems worthy of consideration in the 3rd round where Central Scouting has him.

Joshua Ravensberger, G, 6-4, 180, Prince George (2025 Eligible) - Young goalie that catches right-handed; has good size, and was calm in net in a wide-open game. Many nice stops. Will be interesting to track over the next year.

Berkly Catton, C, 5-10, 170, Spokane (CS #9, Wiz #3) - Catton still looks like a top-ten pick, very smooth carry, excellent passing, quick hard shot. My favorite player in the top ten (still want Celebrini #1 though) but I think he is probably not destined for Chicago.

William McIsaac, RD, 6-3, 192, Spokane (CS #98, Wiz #140) - Not too noticeable tonight - big player, had some hits, took a frustration penalty late in the game. Hard to tell about d-men in such a wide open game.

Dawson Cowan, G, 6-2, 186, Spokane (CS #5G, Wiz #139) - Thought he was OK despite giving up 6 goals. He was under siege all night and made a number of really good saves. Left a few big rebounds but had to scramble. Wouldn't be a bad gamble to take with a 5th or 6th rounder this year.

Trade him now while the Hawks can still get some value. KD might be able to recover a 4th or 5th round pick if he acts quickly.


- DarthKane

In spite of your sarcasm, he looks slow right now.

On the CHL streaming I saw the Prince George vs. Spokane first round opening game. Prince George is the top team in the WHL West and is loaded with talent including Riley Heidt and Koehn Zeimmer who were drafted last year. Spokane has Berkly Catton and also Connor Roulette has had a good year with 108 points. This game was wide-open, end-to-end action and fun to watch. Prince George won 6-1, kind of overwhelming Spokane as the game went on.

Player Notes:

Terik Paraczak, RW, 5-11, 174 Prince George (CS #14, Wiz #19) - Had a hat trick in the first 2 periods. Really like this player as I have mentioned several times this year. Always around the net on offense and does well carrying, passing and receiving on the rush. Plays in front of the net and 2 of his goals were tip-ins. Good in all areas but not a standout in any except scoring. Would be a steal in round 2 but unsure if he will last to the Tampa pick. Regular season 68 GP, 43-62-105, +49. Average size so not sure how he will do at higher levels scoring in close.

Ondrej Becher. C, 6-1, 184 Prince George (CS #84, Wiz NR?) - Didn't know much about Becher but he was flying tonight, was showing speed carrying puck into zone, had several shots on goal. 1G and 2A on the night, and was a constant threat on offense. Good size and plenty of speed. Searched Wiz's draft board but did not find him. Seems worthy of consideration in the 3rd round where Central Scouting has him.

Joshua Ravensberger, G, 6-4, 180, Prince George (2025 Eligible) - Young goalie that catches right-handed; has good size, and was calm in net in a wide-open game. Many nice stops. Will be interesting to track over the next year.

Berkly Catton, C, 5-10, 170, Spokane (CS #9, Wiz #3) - Catton still looks like a top-ten pick, very smooth carry, excellent passing, quick hard shot. My favorite player in the top ten (still want Celebrini #1 though) but I think he is probably not destined for Chicago.

William McIsaac, RD, 6-3, 192, Spokane (CS #98, Wiz #140) - Not too noticeable tonight - big player, had some hits, took a frustration penalty late in the game. Hard to tell about d-men in such a wide open game.

Dawson Cowan, G, 6-2, 186, Spokane (CS #5G, Wiz #139) - Thought he was OK despite giving up 6 goals. He was under siege all night and made a number of really good saves. Left a few big rebounds but had to scramble. Wouldn't be a bad gamble to take with a 5th or 6th rounder this year.
- totem

Appreciate the hockey updates Totem. As far as McIsaac goes, sometimes not too noticeable for a Dman is not a bad thing, maybe another gamble worth taking in a later round.

Wiz said that our top drafted prospects aren’t ready - too green - but they are progressing and look to become NHL players. Not sure though what their ceiling could be.

I believe him

I believe therefore that the most likely prospect to make our team next year is not going to be our first selection unless it is only one of only a few players

Obviously Celebrini would start in the NHL. After that it is a slight possibility for the others to be on an opening night roster. They really would benefit with development elsewhere before gracing NHL ponds

Oh maybe you think Catton or Eiserman ir a couple dmen suit up. Well maybe but I wouldn’t rush anyone

Wiz said that our top drafted prospects aren’t ready - too green - but they are progressing and look to become NHL players. Not sure though what their ceiling could be.

I believe him

I believe therefore that the most likely prospect to make our team next year is not going to be our first selection unless it is only one of only a few players

Obviously Celebrini would start in the NHL. After that it is a slight possibility for the others to be on an opening night roster. They really would benefit with development elsewhere before gracing NHL ponds

Oh maybe you think Catton or Eiserman ir a couple dmen suit up. Well maybe but I wouldn’t rush anyone
- jhawk59

Adding muscle and physically maturing is what all the prospects including Bedard need, but the rest are not hockey mature to throw out there until there are enough sparks in higher competition to warrant graduation.

The pleasant surprise in the current #84 (who none of us envision as a top liner) isn't as young as any early Hawk pick, being part of the Reichel, Kaiser, Commesso draft.
But it is no accident after four years of weight room, and a father as a hockey coach.

Maybe before he played a Blackhawk game the management had reservations of how the demand of a long season wears on your newbies, and that becomes a large concern on the first rounders Nazar, O. Moore, Rinzel, but we have seen how Korchinski has managed and been managed.
It really becomes a matter of able to make a difference AND handle the high rigorous pro season.
All around speed will be one of the strengths in their pro games that will determine "where they are" in the process AND the same goes with the current 2024 kids...
if you look a cross the NHL and the young prospects that have been elevated to NHL games, you see that 2020 are emerging (although some have been playing in the NHL for a bit already) and expect more of 2021 to start their acceleration, so 2022 prospects Nazar Rinzel Greene. would be ahead of schedule if they played next year as pros.

Adding muscle and physically maturing is what all the prospects including Bedard need, but the rest are not hockey mature to throw out there until there are enough sparks in higher competition to warrant graduation.

The pleasant surprise in the current #84 (who none of us envision as a top liner) isn't as young as any early Hawk pick, being part of the Reichel, Kaiser, Commesso draft.
But it is no accident after four years of weight room, and a father as a hockey coach.

Maybe before he played a Blackhawk game the management had reservations of how the demand of a long season wears on your newbies, and that becomes a large concern on the first rounders Nazar, O. Moore, Rinzel, but we have seen how Korchinski has managed and been managed.
It really becomes a matter of able to make a difference AND handle the high rigorous pro season.
All around speed will be one of the strengths in their pro games that will determine "where they are" in the process AND the same goes with the current 2024 kids...
if you look a cross the NHL and the young prospects that have been elevated to NHL games, you see that 2020 are emerging (although some have been playing in the NHL for a bit already) and expect more of 2021 to start their acceleration, so 2022 prospects Nazar Rinzel Greene. would be ahead of schedule if they played next year as pros.
- wiz1901

I expect that at some point - and maybe more than one recall - goes for Dach and both Allen and especially Del Mastro. These players Davidson will want to get a look in the NHL and I am certain Richardson and staff will help them, instruct them as they see what it takes to play at the highest level of hockey.

I would hesitate to bring in either goaltender unless it is as Injury replacement. If they are playing well I don't really want to them up in the NHL for a serious audition- let them.matinate in the AHL.

Adding muscle and physically maturing is what all the prospects including Bedard need, but the rest are not hockey mature to throw out there until there are enough sparks in higher competition to warrant graduation.

The pleasant surprise in the current #84 (who none of us envision as a top liner) isn't as young as any early Hawk pick, being part of the Reichel, Kaiser, Commesso draft.
But it is no accident after four years of weight room, and a father as a hockey coach.

Maybe before he played a Blackhawk game the management had reservations of how the demand of a long season wears on your newbies, and that becomes a large concern on the first rounders Nazar, O. Moore, Rinzel, but we have seen how Korchinski has managed and been managed.
It really becomes a matter of able to make a difference AND handle the high rigorous pro season.
All around speed will be one of the strengths in their pro games that will determine "where they are" in the process AND the same goes with the current 2024 kids...
if you look a cross the NHL and the young prospects that have been elevated to NHL games, you see that 2020 are emerging (although some have been playing in the NHL for a bit already) and expect more of 2021 to start their acceleration, so 2022 prospects Nazar Rinzel Greene. would be ahead of schedule if they played next year as pros.
- wiz1901

Slaggert has been a pleasant surprise.

I can see him, KK, Vlasic, Bedard, Kurashev and Di ckinson being part of a winning team, even Raddysh since he's gotten much better defensively. I think his offense will be better next year.

There is no rush to bring these prospects up, watching that Ottawa game Stutzle was a pain in the ass to defend, i know many want size but if you have a bunch of Stutzles skating on the ice, sure not his offensive skill set but skating, compete and at least some stick handling things over time will become very frustrating for the opponent.

If we have a pick at 2-5 and Lindstrom is there they better be damn sure they don't fall in love with his size and really focus on his skill or the lack there of. Some say he doesn't have the hockey IQ? The thing is, is this one analyst saying this and others just trust this analyst or is this something many evaluators are seeing.

I guess it wouldn't be terrible if he became a Jordan Staal type of player but drafting that high i would prefer another top 6 forward or top 4 dman.

Slaggert has been a pleasant surprise.

I can see him, KK, Vlasic, Bedard, Kurashev and Di ckinson being part of a winning team, even Raddysh since he's gotten much better defensively. I think his offense will be better next year.

There is no rush to bring these prospects up, watching that Ottawa game Stutzle was a pain in the ass to defend, i know many want size but if you have a bunch of Stutzles skating on the ice, sure not his offensive skill set but skating, compete and at least some stick handling things over time will become very frustrating for the opponent.

If we have a pick at 2-5 and Lindstrom is there they better be damn sure they don't fall in love with his size and really focus on his skill or the lack there of. Some say he doesn't have the hockey IQ? The thing is, is this one analyst saying this and others just trust this analyst or is this something many evaluators are seeing.

I guess it wouldn't be terrible if he became a Jordan Staal type of player but drafting that high i would prefer another top 6 forward or top 4 dman.
- BetweenTheDots

Stitzle is 6’ 195, he is not small.

Slaggert has been a pleasant surprise.

I can see him, KK, Vlasic, Bedard, Kurashev and Di ckinson being part of a winning team, even Raddysh since he's gotten much better defensively. I think his offense will be better next year.

There is no rush to bring these prospects up, watching that Ottawa game Stutzle was a pain in the ass to defend, i know many want size but if you have a bunch of Stutzles skating on the ice, sure not his offensive skill set but skating, compete and at least some stick handling things over time will become very frustrating for the opponent.

If we have a pick at 2-5 and Lindstrom is there they better be damn sure they don't fall in love with his size and really focus on his skill or the lack there of. Some say he doesn't have the hockey IQ? The thing is, is this one analyst saying this and others just trust this analyst or is this something many evaluators are seeing.

I guess it wouldn't be terrible if he became a Jordan Staal type of player but drafting that high i would prefer another top 6 forward or top 4 dman.
- BetweenTheDots

Quennville, Haydn, Strome, Perlini, McNeil and Beech had size. It makes me nervous only drafting size. Have to get it right with this high a pick. Strome was 3rd overall, yikes!

Stitzle is 6’ 195, he is not small.
- LAHawk

I’ll take him on my team any day of the week, Stutzle is a stud. Maybe he would bring out the best in his countryman Reichel. Unless the Hawks win the draft lottery, I’d trade the #1 and then some for him.

Why would Ottawa do it?
- paulr

Otto probably wouldn't move TheChuck, Stutzle or Sanderson.

A lot of complaints on their fan boards are RHD and goaltending. At the other end of the spectrum its mental fragility from being perpetually bad and having the wrong coaching staff.

Stuff like xGF% and high danger shots for as a % they're a middling team. PDO is pretty low. Even strength save % is bad. Probably a bubble team with decent goaltending or in that mix anyway.

I think they would move Norris or someone else for a veteran on the right side. Depending on how impatient the owner is they would probably be willing to move another top 10 pick. They don't need to wait 3 years for someone they have pieces there now to start winning theoretically.

Probably why they called about Seth Jones last year. There's been buzz about Karlsson going there but not sure that is a better option @ 33. Probably not going to be a lot of other players that would be realistic there since most of the better RHD are on teams that are winning currently.

Does that ultimately make the hawks worse off long term because as disappointing as Jones can be (not bad just disappointing) he still eats a lotta minutes and is fine most of the time mostly. Not like they have an immediate solution there especially with Murphy not capable of playing +18 at this stage his career.

This is where we figure out how good\lucky Kyle from Chicago is.

Other than Celebrini, watching these guys still rising up and down the rankings is surprising, if not a bit dizzying. If Saginaw can get through the OHL playoffs to the Memorial cup I predict Zayne Parekh will wind up being ranked number 2 or 3 by season’s end. He had a dominant three assist game last night and was playing solid “D” as well. I won’t be surprised if he’s the first defenseman off the board in June. His offensive game is just too developed and his defensive game while needing work, isn’t all that bad.
- paulr

Which is why I think he makes plenty of sense for the Hawks. Take a look at the top-10 teams in the league and their lead d-man in points:

1. Rangers | Fox - 63P in 63G (1.00 ppg)
2. Stars | Heiskanen - 48P in 63G (.76 ppg)
3. Hurricanes | Skjei - 42P in 74G (.57 ppg)
4. Bruins | McAvoy - 44P in 66G (.67 ppg)
5. Canucks | Hughes - 81P in 73G (1.11 ppg)
6. Avalanche | Makar - 78P in 68G (1.15 ppg)
7. Panthers | Montour - 31P in 57G (.54 ppg)
8. Jets | Morrissey - 58P in 73G (.79 ppg)
9. Oilers | Bouchard - 74P in 71G (1.04 ppg)
10. Leafs | Rielly - 51P in 65G (.78 ppg)

Now contrast that with the bottom-5 teams and their leader in d-man points:

1. San Jose | Ferraro - 19P in 65G (.29 ppg)
2. Chicago | Jones - 29P in 58G (.50 ppg)
3. Anaheim | Fowler - 32P in 72G (.44 ppg)
4. Columbus | Werenski - 46P in 61G (.75 ppg)
5. Arizona | Durzi - 36P in 67G (.54 ppg)


It's evident that you need guys to produce on the backend to be able to win. Korchinski can be a pretty darn good defense-man, but does he have the upside to be a 70+ point d-man that's required of contending teams? If the team think he's more 1B than 1A, then the team absolutely needs to prioritize an offensive d-man like Parekh.

Which is why I think he makes plenty of sense for the Hawks. Take a look at the top-10 teams in the league and their lead d-man in points:

1. Rangers | Fox - 63P in 63G (1.00 ppg)
2. Stars | Heiskanen - 48P in 63G (.76 ppg)
3. Hurricanes | Skjei - 42P in 74G (.57 ppg)
4. Bruins | McAvoy - 44P in 66G (.67 ppg)
5. Canucks | Hughes - 81P in 73G (1.11 ppg)
6. Avalanche | Makar - 78P in 68G (1.15 ppg)
7. Panthers | Montour - 31P in 57G (.54 ppg)
8. Jets | Morrissey - 58P in 73G (.79 ppg)
9. Oilers | Bouchard - 74P in 71G (1.04 ppg)
10. Leafs | Rielly - 51P in 65G (.78 ppg)

Now contrast that with the bottom-5 teams and their leader in d-man points:

1. San Jose | Ferraro - 19P in 65G (.29 ppg)
2. Chicago | Jones - 29P in 58G (.50 ppg)
3. Anaheim | Fowler - 32P in 72G (.44 ppg)
4. Columbus | Werenski - 46P in 61G (.75 ppg)
5. Arizona | Durzi - 36P in 67G (.54 ppg)


It's evident that you need guys to produce on the backend to be able to win. Korchinski can be a pretty darn good defense-man, but does he have the upside to be a 70+ point d-man that's required of contending teams? If the team think he's more 1B than 1A, then the team absolutely needs to prioritize an offensive d-man like Parekh.
- TommyHawk

Yeah, and most of these guys can’t play defense Tommy, therefore no cup. Only Makar has won a cup and he’s probably the most complete dman of the bunch. Keith averaged about 0.50 PPG, his high was 69 in 2009, then 61 in 2014. Seabrook put up about 0.45 PPG, his high point mark was 49 points. Give me two all around Dmen that put up 45-60 points and two other shutdown defensemen and I’ll go to war with that top four. The other factor is that if your team doesn’t score, a top offensive defenseman is not putting up mega points either. I can only think of two defensemen that were high scoring that won multiple cups, one played for arguably the best team ever(Coffey), the other is arguably the best NHL player of all time(Orr).

Stitzle is 6’ 195, he is not small.
- LAHawk

One of my favorite players in the league. Stutzle is a quick twitch athlete with multiple gears, makes plays at top speed, has some super nifty hands and a motor/compete to play both ways that shows up every night.

Which is why I think he makes plenty of sense for the Hawks. Take a look at the top-10 teams in the league and their lead d-man in points:

1. Rangers | Fox - 63P in 63G (1.00 ppg)
2. Stars | Heiskanen - 48P in 63G (.76 ppg)
3. Hurricanes | Skjei - 42P in 74G (.57 ppg)
4. Bruins | McAvoy - 44P in 66G (.67 ppg)
5. Canucks | Hughes - 81P in 73G (1.11 ppg)
6. Avalanche | Makar - 78P in 68G (1.15 ppg)
7. Panthers | Montour - 31P in 57G (.54 ppg)
8. Jets | Morrissey - 58P in 73G (.79 ppg)
9. Oilers | Bouchard - 74P in 71G (1.04 ppg)
10. Leafs | Rielly - 51P in 65G (.78 ppg)

Now contrast that with the bottom-5 teams and their leader in d-man points:

1. San Jose | Ferraro - 19P in 65G (.29 ppg)
2. Chicago | Jones - 29P in 58G (.50 ppg)
3. Anaheim | Fowler - 32P in 72G (.44 ppg)
4. Columbus | Werenski - 46P in 61G (.75 ppg)
5. Arizona | Durzi - 36P in 67G (.54 ppg)


It's evident that you need guys to produce on the backend to be able to win. Korchinski can be a pretty darn good defense-man, but does he have the upside to be a 70+ point d-man that's required of contending teams? If the team think he's more 1B than 1A, then the team absolutely needs to prioritize an offensive d-man like Parekh.
- TommyHawk

New blog up.......... Tommy, thanks for your effort. Been saying this since I saw the kid, Parekh is gonna keep GM's up at night until he's off the board. He has NHL pt per game in him and that's rare.

Stitzle is 6’ 195, he is not small.
- LAHawk

Sure but he didn't have to battle anyone for the puck since he was the first one to it and skating circles around all the Blackhawks

I hope Nazar, Moore and other Blackhawks fit this mold.

Which is why I think he makes plenty of sense for the Hawks. Take a look at the top-10 teams in the league and their lead d-man in points:

1. Rangers | Fox - 63P in 63G (1.00 ppg)
2. Stars | Heiskanen - 48P in 63G (.76 ppg)
3. Hurricanes | Skjei - 42P in 74G (.57 ppg)
4. Bruins | McAvoy - 44P in 66G (.67 ppg)
5. Canucks | Hughes - 81P in 73G (1.11 ppg)
6. Avalanche | Makar - 78P in 68G (1.15 ppg)
7. Panthers | Montour - 31P in 57G (.54 ppg)
8. Jets | Morrissey - 58P in 73G (.79 ppg)
9. Oilers | Bouchard - 74P in 71G (1.04 ppg)
10. Leafs | Rielly - 51P in 65G (.78 ppg)

Now contrast that with the bottom-5 teams and their leader in d-man points:

1. San Jose | Ferraro - 19P in 65G (.29 ppg)
2. Chicago | Jones - 29P in 58G (.50 ppg)
3. Anaheim | Fowler - 32P in 72G (.44 ppg)
4. Columbus | Werenski - 46P in 61G (.75 ppg)
5. Arizona | Durzi - 36P in 67G (.54 ppg)


It's evident that you need guys to produce on the backend to be able to win. Korchinski can be a pretty darn good defense-man, but does he have the upside to be a 70+ point d-man that's required of contending teams? If the team think he's more 1B than 1A, then the team absolutely needs to prioritize an offensive d-man like Parekh.
- TommyHawk

This is kind of an interesting look.

https://smahtscouting.com...-report-kevin-korchinski/

Basically - huge raw canvas, they predicted struggles in AHL first 2 years and then if he figures out how to adjust to the NHL he could be a very effective player.

You'd think once he gets comfortable and starts attacking the zone the way he is described as in the article above then he could be a very special player. He doesn't look incompetent focusing on playing simple and making adjustments the coaching staff is asking for. And he's done well continuing to improve while also having to deal with losing a parent unexpectedly which certainly takes a mental and emotional toll.

In some cases you'd want to see a kid swing his pecker a bit but I think overall for a very young player in that type of position, understanding that he needs to learn the game then he can make an imposition (I'm assuming thats what's happening because its the only logical explanation for him not skating the puck around like a maniac) it shows a pretty good level of maturity and in a year or two maybe something more dynamic manifests itself. Also playing with Megna wtf is he realistically gonna be able to do.

He's got the right frame, the physical tools and seems like a good attitude. He just needs minutes and confidence and he's trending in the right direction.

That being said I think you draft best overall. If you have two dynamic guys on the left side dunno what you do with Jones but like myself and many others here have said they can do nothing with him and not really be impacted or you can flip one of those younger guys for a big scoring winger or whatever they need to help complete the roster.

Who they pick is irrelevant as long as that pick turns into an impactful NHL player.