Dang, you really put in the hours this year, great job ! What's the gap between the top 3-4 forward group and the top 3-4 defense group in your opinion ? The latter is obviously a lot better ranked and most of the forwards are not all that well known outside of the west of the country. Thanks a bunch !
The defense is definitely way ahead. I'd say the gap goes something like this.
Smith - #5 to #8
Addison - #10 to #20
Woo - #10 to #20
Fonstad - #20 to #60
Topping - #30 to #70
Burzan - #30 to #50
Fonstad and Burzan are the only really potentially "elite" forward talents I'd say. Topping looks like a safe Kole Lind type pick. Very streaky player though.
As for the rest of the forwards, Brodi Stuart stood out to me because of his ability to produce on a mediocre Kamloops team but also the 3 times I've seen him live he seemed to me to be the best forward in each of the games. He creates a lot of chances. Not really sure where I'd slot him in the draft, anywhere from late 2nd to 5th. He's the biggest wild card for me.
Wouters and Kemp were both pretty highly regarded prospects who have fallen victim to playing on abysmal teams (Saskatoon and Edmonton) Wouters reminds me a little bit of Lehkonen. An average-sized offensive buzzsaw with a nice shot. Kemp also has a nice release but also passing skills. Probably 4th round guys.
Riley Sutter is like a poor man's Michael Rasmussen. Big forward. Plays center and wing. Wins a lot of faceoffs, one of the best guys on the dot. Scores his goals by sitting in front of the net and banging home dirty rebounds. I'd take him in the late 2nd/early 3rd.
Milos Roman hasn't been producing as much as expected but he has been playing some very solid hockey. He's a very consistent player, usually finds his way on the scoresheet somehow. I think 2 games is the most he's gone pointless in a row. 3rd rounder for me.
Chyzowski has had somewhat limited ice time but has made the most of it. Has a nose for the net, scores some dirty goals. Works hard for his points. 3rd - 4th rounder.
Florchuk and Oliver are also stuck with limited ice time. They both play on Victoria who is the oldest team in the WHL. They both recently exploded in a game against Kootenay, with Florchuk picking up 5 points (1 G, 4 A) and Oliver 4 points (2G, 2A). Florchuk is definitely the better of the two, and was hovering around PPG for most of the year until Victoria ran into a pretty bad slump. Both took a huge leap forward in development this season though. 3rd-5th round guys.
A few D that surprised me were Wylie and Onyebuchi on Everett. Wylie also took a huge step in development. I noticed his play has improved defensively a lot but I didn't even realize until recently that he's averaging 0.33 PPG which on Everett is a solid feat. Makes some smart passes. Great hockey IQ. I'd take a shot on him in the 5th-7th. Onyebuchi is like your typical enforcer D-man, big, tough, hits everything in sight. Great fighter too. Plays like Emelin or Weber. I've noticed Onyebuchi limit quality shots by forcing opposing forwards to the boards a lot. Definitely hard to play against. He was +5 in Everett's last game. Something good always seems to happen when he's on the ice. Has a hell of a shot too. Always seems to hit the net and generate a quality rebound. He's also made some pretty impressive passes. 6 points and +10 in his last 8 games. I'd also take him 5th - 7th.