Why would we want Svech to play with McDavid? I think he's a perfect fit for Drai. Having Svech with Drai will maximize both of there potential (kind of like when Hall played with Drai). It would also provide the Oilers the two scoring lines we should have had if Chia wouldn't have made some trade he completed that may or may not have been talked about a little bit on HF.
McDavid is going to produce regardless of who he plays with.
And Svechnikov is way better than Pulj. Svech stacks up historically well to some of the best players to come out of the OHL:
Now I agree he doesn't solve all the problems. We still need to address the PMD but don't underestimate how good Svechnikov is.
Pulju's FEL stats also stacked up against the best of them. Not to speak of his stats in the U20. There he blows Svech out of the water.
Great prospect Svechnikov, but in my book OHL stats aren't so valuable as to proclaim him as the better prospect than many 2-5 OA picks in general. Nothing is certain and honestly I very much prefer a highly touted Swedish D prospect vs a highly touted Russian winger.
The latest top Swe D in the draft have been Lindholm, Larsson, Hedman and OEL. That's it. Russian wingers have been some good ones but also Yak, Filatov, Zherdev, Nischkushin.
I think it has to do with that Swe D are, or have been, underestimated, due to the fact that SEL is a tough league for young D. These kids will be and are judged on their raw qualities and not their production. Russian skilled wingers are not really overestimated, but as all wingers I think it is easier to get a great pts/goals season and it is easier for people to get blown away by it.
Edit: I feel the same about Zadina as I do about Svech. 5+ OA, no problem, but 2-4 (for EDM) I have Boqvist, Bouchard and Hughes.
