Best D from 2004?

[firefighter7796]

Aside from Barker who will be the best offensive defenceman in the 2004 draft?

Click to read more...

 

[Kevin Forbes]

Offense?
Either Meszaros, Thelen or Smid...

 

[monster_bertuzzi]

Slava Smid may very well end up being the best defenceman from 04'.

 

[Russian_fanatic]

Slava Smid may very well end up being the best defenceman from 04'.

Ohlund type defenseman if I'm wrong? I like this Smid guy, but lets see if he can live up to potential.

 

[Puckhead]

I really think that what a player becomes in the NHL has a lot to do with the team he is playing on. Looking at the big four D men with offensive upside I would rate it this way...

Barker
Meszaros
Thelen
Smid

I think all four will make it, but given their situations, they may be able to accomplish more, and in a quicker time.

Meszaros will be playing with very skilled players, especially if he sees PP time.
Thelen will be the QB that Minny has been waiting for.
Smid has all the tools but won't have the supporting cast to put him up with the rest of these guys.

 

[Kevin Forbes]

Smid has all the tools but won't have the supporting cast to put him up with the rest of these guys.

Ottawa maybe has an edge over Anaheim's D system and future at that position
but I disagree if you think Minnesota is terribly better in terms of blueline skill in the future. Even if you're talking overall organizational depth, I disagree. Anaheim's future is bright.
Smid will have a good supporting cast- Vishnevski and Skoula will still be there, Popovic, Rome, O'Brien, Saunders, Rogers and Smith are all players who could be moving up.

 

[monster_bertuzzi]

Ohlund type defenseman if I'm wrong? I like this Smid guy, but lets see if he can live up to potential.

Smid definatly reminded me of Ohlund but more so a left-handed version of Kubina. Big, strong, and skilled.

 

[Mizral]

I like Smid, and despite my concerns about Thelen's overall game, he has for sure the best offensive talent of the lot. I think at least.

However, perhaps a sleeper might be Johan Fransson out of Sweden. Early second round selection with a metric ton of puck skills.

 

[Ajacied]

Johan Fransson is pegged by elite prospects as a #1 defenseman for a reason, his PP QB skills. Offensively, he fits in with any of these guys mentioned here.

 

[Fighter]

In terms of offensive potential alone I would rate Barker, Thelen, Meszaros and Smid in order.

 

[monster_bertuzzi]

Johan Fransson is pegged by elite prospects as a #1 defenseman for a reason, his PP QB skills. Offensively, he fits in with any of these guys mentioned here.

But is he defensively sound in his own end as Meszaros, Smid Barker, etc. are? No doubt Fransson is a good offensive defenceman, thats no secret - but if he got overlooked theres a reason, he needs improvement in his own end. Perhaps thats why they went with Fistric before em' M=D.

 

[Ajacied]

But is he defensively sound in his own end as Meszaros, Smid Barker, etc. are? No doubt Fransson is a good offensive defenceman, thats no secret - but if he got overlooked theres a reason, he needs improvement in his own end. Perhaps thats why they went with Fistric before em' M=D.

Well this thread is about offensive defensemen taking in this draft year. Meaning that would be irrelevant.

 

[Paxon]

Well this thread is about offensive defensemen taking in this draft year. Meaning that would be irrelevant.

True, but the title probably had him jump the gun on his post. We're all guilty of that from time to time, people should make their topics more specific.