I understand your point as well but having seen those players they just don't. Hughes are Boqvist are superior stick checkers, have superior balance (esp Hughes) in physical confrontations and better at taking the puck away and transitioning. If they weren't good defensively as smaller Dmen they wouldn't be so highly rated anyway no matter how talented offensively they are, as many past examples have shown.
Smith and Dobson both cough up the puck too much under heavy forecheck. They can lose coverage in zone defense. They also aren't aggressive enough defensively. Not saying they are bad overall but they need work like everyone. Wilde is aggressive but makes bad reads. Of course it's nice to have more size and strength and Wilde certainly has that, among other qualities.
You're saying two things here:
1. That Hughes and Boqvist are good defensively as smaller dmen.
2. That Hughes and Boqvist have shown to be better defensively when compared to Dobson and Smith.
#1 can be debated, and #2 is incorrect. The primary reason that Dobson and Smith even get rated in the same class as Hughes and Boqvist is that disparity in defensive ability. Hughes and Boqvist are more skilled offensively. If they were more more competent defensively too, then it would a no contest. But it very much is a contest. The reason for that is the Dzone play of Smith and Dobson.
- Superior balance in physical confrontations -> Yet both Boqvist and Hughes are recognized to have defensive issues in many write ups and in league play.
- Superior stick checkers -> While having shorter length sticks and while being weaker than the alternative dmen. Ok? I disagree, but I won't argue it too ardently.
- Better at taking the puck away -> This I disagree with flat out. If Boqvist or Hughes do not use their intelligence to leverage their position in battles, they don't take the puck away. They are overly reliant on stick checking and reads to be effective in the Dzone. Smith and Dobson can read, position, body, stick check and skate in the Dzone. They are not limited in the way Boqvist and Hughes are.
Doc, your read on Hughes and Boqvist makes them the runaway favourites after Dahlin and maybe Svechnikov. This is not how the draft is being interpreted. It could shake out that way, but it's definitely not a widespread opinion.
