Would like to know some perspective on the US NTDP defenders from those who have watched them this year. Two questions. a)How would you rank the defenders on the team eligible for the draft this year? and b)Approximately where you would expect them to be drafted.
Max Gildon
David Farrance
Nate Knoepke
Tommy Miller
Josh Maniscalco
Phil Kemp
Tyler Inamoto
Thanks in advance.
I'm not to good at projecting where they will be drafted as once you get past the 2nd round it's a crapshoot on when they will be taken. This U-18 squad is not as skilled as in years past but plays a good overall game. My ranking would be this:
I'd say is Quinn Hughes - Small but very mobile and his escapability is the best on the team. He has a tendency to try and skate the puck up to much but he can fly out there.
David Farrance - He could be in the middle but he has improved his game a lot. Defensively and contributing with chances offensively. Out of all the D men on this team he has the best ability from the blue line to get the puck through traffic
Tommy Miller - He is the most complete all around D man from this group. Steady in his own end and plays the game smartly. Has some work to do though.
Max Gildon - Everyone knows how hyped he was but he's been playing better since the year started. Has produced more offensively but defensively I think he needs a little improvement.
Tyler Inamoto - Has the defensive soundness of a Tommy Miller but more of an offensive punch to his game. Good active stick in the D zone and reliable offensively.
Nate Knoepke - Don't notice much of him when you watch this team but that's not for the wrong reasons. He's good, but imo not world junior good next year. He's just a good solid defensemen.
Josh Maniscalco - Could honestly have him higher but from Gildon on it's a toss up depending on the night you could be watching them. I like his game, does a little bit of everything and has improved his speed.
Phil Kemp - Don't really have much to say about him, he's obviously got leadership qualities with captaining the team but I think he needs work to play at the next level. I think he's still committed to Brown University. So we'll see how his game develops next year. Could be a late bloomer 19 yo in two years at the WJC. So there is solid potential but he's a defensive style D man.
Hope this helped a bit.