Boris Valibik

[#7]

Boris Valabik is a 6'6" 220 pound defenceman that plays for Kitchener. What team will likely draft this guy? I'm hoping the sabres will take him with the 13th pick. Will he be gone by then?

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[KH1]

No way he's gone at the #13 pick. The scoop on Valabik (keep in mind I've never actually see him play) is that he's huge and is an intense player, great hitter but isn't developed enough. If I was ranking defensemen I would have him behind Barker, Thelen, O'Neill and Green in that order.

I would expect him to wind up around #20; if he goes higher then it will be to St. Louis or Montreal.

 

[rupispupis]

Boris Valabik is a 6'6" 220 pound defenceman that plays for Kitchener. What team will likely draft this guy? I'm hoping the sabres will take him with the 13th pick. Will he be gone by then?

I think there will be better D-man available at #13 like Green, O'Neill and Smid.

 

[montreal]

Boris Valabik is a 6'6" 220 pound defenceman that plays for Kitchener. What team will likely draft this guy? I'm hoping the sabres will take him with the 13th pick. Will he be gone by then?

With this draft anything is possible from #3 on after. I don't buy into any clear cut #1 defensemen, but if I had to put them in order, Thelen, Barker, Valabik would be my top 3. Valabik could go in the top 10 but if not top 20 for sure, imo. How many gms will pass up on a 6'6 18 year old who hits everything and skates well. He should get bigger which is a scary thought. If the Habs can get him at 18th, I'd be happy.

 

[Chimaera]

I hope he drops to the Capitals... His upside, with the right development is immense.





I don't think he's as ready as Barker/Thelen/O'Neil, but with some work, he could be as good as any one of the bunch. His physical tools are just that imposing.

Or he could be a crazy bust.

 

[#7]

I'm hoping the sabres get this kid. We need to improve our defence. We're weak after Z, Mckee, Kalinin and Brown.

 

[Seachd]

Valabik is one guy in the first round I see going a lot earlier than maybe he should. Teams see a huge, mean d-man, and it might be too much to pass up. I think he could go top-15 if a team just has to have him, which could be very possible.

 

[Potted Plant]

I agree with Seachd. Players like Valabik tend to be fast risers come draft time. Think back to Mathieu Biron, Branislav Mezei, and Dion Phaneuf. When it comes to draft time, GMs see a 6'6" mean defenseman "project" and salivate all over the upside. I bet he's a top 10 pick.

 

[BabyBennettov]

I hope not but Dudley should be crazy over that huge european defenseman... I can see Dudley picking that guy !

 

[cheesymc]

I think hes a lock on the top 20 and could get into the top 15, hes just too big with "potential"

Hopefully the team that drafts him gets a Chara and not a Kudroc....

 

[Mats_Hallin]

Since he is a big gritty d-man, can he actually fight or does he turn down the heavyweights?

 

[PSUhockey34]

CSS rankings have him listed at 6'7, when was the last time a player that tall was drafted in the first round?

 

[Hossa]

CSS rankings have him listed at 6'7, when was the last time a player that tall was drafted in the first round?

Brian Boyle was listed as 6'7 last year I believe.

 

[Devo-2]

No way he's gone at the #13 pick. The scoop on Valabik (keep in mind I've never actually see him play) is that he's huge and is an intense player, great hitter but isn't developed enough. If I was ranking defensemen I would have him behind Barker, Thelen, O'Neill and Green in that order.

I would expect him to wind up around #20; if he goes higher then it will be to St. Louis or Montreal.

I think the CSS final rankings no have Valabik at 6th NA skater and 2nd NA defenseman behind Barker. O'Neill on the other had has slipped into the 20s I believe.

 

[Epsilon]

I have been anticipating Valabik blasting up draft lists for a while now. I think he will go in the top 15 and might make it up to the top 10. He's the kind of prospect that NHL scouts are going to drool over.

 

[ZombieMatt]

I'd tend to agree with you Epsilon.

Not many people are going to want to pass up on a 6'6 guy with a mean streak and seemingly decent potential to evolve a bit more of an offensive flair.

I would not be surprised to see him be the #3 d-man picked after Cam Barker and AJ Thelen.