Just to address some of the Bouchard vs Broberg talk in the other thread.
I'll say this: despite having watched more of Broberg than Bouchard this year, I still couldn't tell you with any certainty what type of player Broberg will become while I think I can predict Bouchard's NHL career with a fair degree of accuracy. Bouchard strikes me as a guarantee to become a #4D and #1PP QB at the very least. If his skating and defensive game can continue to improve, he has the potential to be a John Carlson-lite defenseman if everything goes right.
I think there's a wider range of scenarios regarding how Broberg will turn out as an NHLer. I do still see some "bust" potential; if he doesn't put it together, he might top out as a 3rd pairing guy that wows you every so often. But I also think he has true #1D potential, whereas Bouchard's weaknesses (depending on how you classify a #1D) probably limit his ability to become a true do-it-all #1D. I think current Miro Heiskanen is a decent comparable for Broberg's ceiling, though I doubt he reaches that level defensively. The point totals don't jump off the stat page but he provides so much value in transition and can create offense single-handedly.
The two of them are neck-and-neck for me as prospects. It comes down to how you value upside vs certainty in my opinion.
One last thing: some posters have mentioned that Broberg and Bouchard could be ideal partners for each other in the future, I don't see it. Their opposite skillsets might seem to complement one another but I think they both need steadier partners to allow them to do their thing.
I think this is a reasonable post. There is no certainty for like 95% of hockey prospects, aka McDavid elite, to reach their potential. I agree with the assessment about Bouchard having a lower floor with elite shot and puck movement he looks pretty solid to play at minimum as a specialized NHL defenseman and one who could be 'protected' on a lower pairing. That said, I think he will become a solid second pairing defender with a solid all zone game helped by his hockey IQ - ability to read and react, move the puck efficiently out of his zone. Still developing the 'urgency' in his game which was maybe a bad habit overplayed at 25+ minutes in junior.
Broberg most definitely has more volatility in his early development and in a professional league against mature competition. His game is driven by elite speed and a natural/instinctive aggressive approach (aka risk taking) in how he plays - this being hockey IQ and decision making which is a big part of whether his floor is second pairing defenseman or possibly first pairing, maybe even a 1D if the brain and his ability to process the game in all situations - offensively and own zone play click in through the player's maturation. There is legitimate question that Broberg will not reach his offensive potential which might limit him to NHL second pairing. His own zone work needs to clean up into consistency. Personally, I think Broberg will develop into a first pairing d-man (2/3) with real world smarts to learn and grow through his mistakes. But there is no certainty.
One 'challenge' I see in today's world of projecting young prospect is the ability to 'see them' in real time and access to reams of highlight videos. Weird to say that but we are able to rise and fall with each amazing play that a prospect makes that affirms our belief in them or downgrade their future when we see a mistake in highlights (sometimes confirmation bias creeps in). This can lead to a bit of a reactive yo yo effect in our 'couch chair' assessment whereby the development process is a longer haul, slow cook. Not a criticism - I LOVE the access technology provides us all in everything - just feel it can lead us to quick, reactive conclusions on occasion that aren't necessarily accurate.
Like both Bouchard and Broberg who give the Oilers two top defense prospects after a decade of ineptitude at this vital position.
