Wanted to add a couple of thoughts regarding the Lindholm/Monahan picks. First and foremost, the experts were widely split on Monahan's offensive capabilities. What they were not split on was his defensive acumen.
(From Hockey's Future)
Monahan assumed the captain's role for Ottawa in his third season. With several veterans gone, the 67's slid to the bottom of the OHL, winning just 16 games in and finishing last in the East Division. Monahan led Ottawa with 78 points; scoring 31 goals and 47 assists in 58 games and had 24 penalty minutes.
Note that 67's team was downright horrible and more than once I read that it was even a bigger feat given that he was likely the focus of opponents defensive game planning. Here's another take on his skillset:
(Bleacher Report)
Of all the top prospects who could go in the top 10, Monahan is the best two-way forward. Monahan has tremendous vision, a lethal shot and offensive skills. In addition to his offensive proficiency, Monahan also has strengths on the defensive side of the puck.
The key point is that "two-way" doesn't mean offensively challenged. He was projected to be solid with offensive upside. Add to that he was a bit older when drafted so he was a bit more physically developed.
Compare that to Elias's clippings:
(Bleacher Report)
Lindholm possesses excellent speed and quickness, but his biggest strength is his vision. A creative player who is patient with the puck, Lindholm projects to be a playmaker rather than a sniper. He has a decent shot, but it needs work if he is going to score at the next level.
(Hockey Prospect)
Offensively, Lindholm is a very skilled playmaker. He sees the ice extremely well, and seems to be very aware of everything around him. He is very patient and allows the play to develop before he makes a play with the puck, and he is able to do so because of his good stickhandling abilities and his quickness out in open ice. In terms of his passing ability, he can make tape to tape saucer passes in traffic if necessary, or quickly send a backhand pass to a teammate in the slot from behind the net through a few sticks. He really makes his linemates look better because he is able to find them anywhere out on the ice and give them a chance to score.
(Hockey Prospect)...again
Defensively, Lindholm is a very polished player without the puck. Not only does he play with a lot of intensity, but he also possesses a high level of hockey sense. He seems to be able to pick off passes easily as he puts himself in good position, and anticipates the play quite well. He will block shots fearlessly, and displays his high level of competitiveness again and again during battles for loose pucks.
Seems to me that these guys are almost the same player - Monahan's a little bigger, Elias is faster. Monahan's got a little better shot, Elias is a better playmaker. Both seem to be highly regarded defensively.
My take always was that either of these guys would be a great pick, and while young, both probably could jump into the NHL this year. The key difference is that Lindholm got hurt this summer during camp and Monahan didn't. That meant he missed 3-4 weeks of training and development that was critical. He's getting eased in to the system and to game speed. From what I've seen he's improved every game. He's gonna be fine and likely will take Nash's role in short order. In the tiny sample size that I saw on Tuesday, those shifts he played on the 3rd line late in the game testified to very good things to come.