At the 5 spot, if you are down the list of F that far with Helenius, you’re leaving grade A defenseman on the board.
Not really. Because two of them are injury prone and too much uncertainty. I don't get the hype and love for Lindstrom. He seems to me like a lesser level prospect than Quintoin Byfield.
Since when does getting injured in only one season make you “injury prone”?
they may just pick a D as well. would not surprise me at all
Could still end up picking 7th mind you.
He's not Paul Byron on a straight line, but he's a very good skater all around. Excellent agility and edges. good stride and technique. No issues there at all IMO, it's a legit weapon in his arsenal.
Three shortcomings you often find on these boards....
I guarantee it will happen.
Yep He likely ends up third or 4th best foward on Bobby Mac final list. I wouldnt be surprised if he gets some votes over Demidov and Lindstrom.Three shortcomings you often find on these boards....
1) Many don't have a strong enough appreciation for how difficult it is to put up points in the top Euro men's leagues, how veterans normally get top 6 minutes, PP time etc.
2) Many don't realize how hard it is for a kid to produce at the WJC in their draft season. Fantilli got crucified in this forum during the 2022-23 WJC even though he was having one of the best NCAA true freshman seasons of all-time.
3) Many get hypnotized by CHL and USA-NTDP stats. I can't wait to see posters thinking they're getting a W for comparing Eiserman's WU18 tournament stats to Helenius' WC stats in a few weeks.
Helenius was #8 on Bobby Mac's mid-term poll of NHL scouts rankings. With the upward trajectory his game has taken, the consistent production, the huge playoffs and now with him on the verge of making Team Finland at the Worlds...I see him going up a few spots in that same year-end poll.
This isn't related to Helenius, but still to an European prospect. I don't know if you've posted it already, but where would you have Nygard ranked? I feel like with the package he brings, if he were in the CHL, he would be ranked higher, no?
I see him and Hemming as very good mid 1st round picks. 10-15 range.
Helenius is the type of forward NHL scouts love (compete hard, good motor, very smart, playstyle very translatable to the NHL, good skating), but he's not a sexy pick so fans and armchair scouts kinda brush him off.Three shortcomings you often find on these boards....
1) Many don't have a strong enough appreciation for how difficult it is to put up points in the top Euro men's leagues, how veterans normally get top 6 minutes, PP time etc.
2) Many don't realize how hard it is for a kid to produce at the WJC in their draft season. Fantilli got crucified in this forum during the 2022-23 WJC even though he was having one of the best NCAA true freshman seasons of all-time.
3) Many get hypnotized by CHL and USA-NTDP stats. I can't wait to see posters thinking they're getting a W for comparing Eiserman's WU18 tournament stats to Helenius' WC stats in a few weeks.
Helenius was #8 on Bobby Mac's mid-term poll of NHL scouts rankings. With the upward trajectory his game has taken, the consistent production, the huge playoffs and now with him on the verge of making Team Finland at the Worlds...I see him going up a few spots in that same year-end poll.
Many times "safe and/or predictable" players move up because franchises and staff know what they are going to get. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that and something I actually kind of like. I'm at the point now with our team and where we sit, I think we can afford to maybe reach a little and go for the higher upside on a top 6 guy rather than know what we're pretty much going to get as a finished product.
