very interesting topic, that I somehow missed!!!
I am going to throw a third in here, and his name is Steve Santini.
It is kind of unfair to compare Ebert against DeAngelo as Ebert is a 2012 draft pick, and DeAngelo is a 2014 draft pick. That is a big difference when it comes to time in development for these kids. Steve Santini is a 2013 pick, so thats why I added him in here to bridge that gap.
Nick Ebert:
Probably the most smooth and polished young American defender that I have seen in a long long time (maybe back to Ryan Suter days). Ebert plays the game on both sides of the puck at an above average level. His vision, skating, and playmaking are all on par with what Cam Fowler was like last year. His shot, grit, willingness to hit, defensive play, and strength are all above what Fowler had last year. So he is pretty much a more well rounded version of Cam Fowler. If Fowler had Ebert's all around game, he would have gone #2 or #3 last year.
Ebert is just one of those kids that sees the game differently then the rest. He is the top defensive player for the 2012 draft currently, and is making a case for the top player overall for this draft (depending on the dreaded Russian factor). He should easily make the US WJC squad next season, and that might open more eyes to him that havent had the pleasure of watching him. He is a franchise defenseman at this point.
Steve Santini:
I am not sure there is a more tantilizing young defensive prospect out there that I have had more high hopes for this early on then Santini. The kid just simply has it. At 6'3 220lb he is a rushing, offensive minded puck moving dman. Thats right, this manchild isnt a shutdown defendor, he actually attacks and attacks and attacks. There just simply isnt many like him. Santini just has a monster shot that very few goalies seem to be able to stop; ever. Every single scout is drooling in puddles over this kid right now, and his overall size, strength, vision, shot, skating, and hands are all well above anything that is currently out there for his age.
He is a franchise dman in the making, and as long as he continues to work on his game and not let the hype get to his head, he will have a wonderful future in the NHL soon.
Anthony DeAngelo:
On the smaller side compared to the above mentioned players, DeAngelo seems to have quite the buzz following him around as well. Being a 15 year old playing in the USHL can do that for you (see Nick Ebert as well). But it is the way he has handled the league that is making a name for himself. Though on the smaller side, roughly 5'10 and 170lbs, I havent seen DeAngelo get outmuscled or outplayed all that much. In fact, he has a fearless edge to his game that really makes it exciting to see him play against such older competition.
There is no doubt his bread and butter is his offensive game, and the world could be his soon enough to do that, but there are certainly glimpses of his vision and skating each night so far. He is going to get bigger and stronger, and when he does he has the chance to be the next great American offensive defensemen (think Brian Leetch mold), but obvioulsy that is a ways to go. He has star power written all over him, and though many are just gitty watching him play, I think he has the highest upside/downside out of the three because of the style he plays.
For the next three drafts, USA Hockey as it stands could possibly have three franchise dmen drafted in a row...(include Trouba and Seth Jones to the group, and that is an impressive 5 kids in 3 years). Plenty of time for these kids to fall or get even better, but if I had to rank them on pure potential and overall talent I would have them as follows.
#1. Steve Santini - just simply to amazing of a player to not be the best this country has to offer in the next few years
#2. Nick Ebert - his all around game is so far ahead that it just boggles the mind how quickly he will become a pro
#3. Anthony DeAngelo - kid has such sick offensive skills that he could be the best of the buch, but he needs to shore up his all around game and get bigger, but that will come over the next 3 years.
