Right now I'd not be too happy about Lundell. I've seen too many people say solid 3C, nothing more, nothing less, and there doesn't seem to be a consistent line on what his attacking skillset is in the profiles that do talk it up. Skating issues too, although frankly I've now seen most of the likely top 15 described as needing work there so maybe not too bothered.
Reichel's interesting.
It always has to be BPA. If Askarov is there and he’s their BPA that’s who they should take. They really need an impact player whoever they pick. I’m hoping they package that pick with a player and move up.
Nobody's moved up from their pick to another pick in the top 10 in the last 10 years. The worst players to get top 10 picks traded for them were Schneider and Stepan, and they're about the worst by some distance.
Hoping to move up seems to be really hoping in vain.
Outside of the top 5 or so, this draft doesn’t seem as amazing as a lot of people make it out to be.
I think the super exciting players probably do down as deep as 10 or so. Like, this is all profile reading and clip watching so pinch of salt, but Laf/Byfield/Stutzle is a real deal top 3, then there's a super tight knot of forwards in Perfetti/Raymond/Holtz/Rossi/Quinn who all have real game changing NHL potential. Drysdale/Sanderson are highly ranked D prospects on the same level although if I'm honest, neither sounds like they've got the high end flash or the definite all round package to be a really likely 1D. Throw in Askarov and that's 10-11 great prospects.
After that you get a tier of Jarvis/Mercer/Lundell/Holloway/Perreault/Zary/Lapierre/Reichel/Gunler all kinda mixed together, with Schneider/Guhle as dmen that might get taken there... and given how high NHL scouts like to take dmen, I think there'd be more than I think and some forwards gonna fall, which right now is my prayer. I don't think we're dealing with super exciting players here - sure, maybe some do go top 10 some years, but they mostly seem to be the sort of guys who lack the skill blend or one outstanding speed to rise above the average.
But I do think this is at least an average, probably strong, class available at 15. And I think there's a strong possibility we see a guy fall. I really hope it's Quinn as a high motor high compete sniper sounds just dandy.
And tbh, without a faller, I wouldn't mind trading down if it's there.