I think you're overrating Kalynuk because like a lot of people here, you overrate offensive skills in defense.
Kalynuk's USHL stats at 19 aren't very impressive, which makes a one year jump in college at 20 more suspect.
60g 6-25 31 +3
Friedman was more impressive in his last USHL season. 51g 10-30 40 +22 at 18 years old.
Friedman pretty much flatlined after a solid freshman year, so let's see what Kalynuk does.
Kalynuk freshman season: 37g 3-22 25 -11 v Friedman's sophomore year: 42g 6-17 23 +8
The difference in +/- could be a fluke, or a reflection of different roles, Kalynuk scoring more b/c he was being more aggressive.
Or because most of Kalynuk's scoring is assists, generous scorers, what were his P1 numbers?
Ginning is not going to put up big numbers, but at 18 he was starting 28 SHL and 7 SHL PO games, a level well above the NCAA.
If Kalynuk builds on his freshman year, I'll take him more seriously. But right now I see him more as a flash in the pan.