He's a 1st round talent to me. I don't know why he doesn't get the attention others get. I like someone like POJ, but what does he have on Brook? Or Vaakanainen, or Foote? Don't know why he's not up there with them, and they're consensus 1st rounders. Not like they're dynamic offensive players either, and he has individual advantages on all of them to me. I like him over some other consensus guys too.
Maybe it is because he doesn't have the giant numbers or a standout skill in some people's eyes. But he's above average (often well above average) in just about everything. He's got good size and he uses it. He's a fantastic skater (that's the standout trait to me, along with the IQ) who really can transition play with it, and he's a very crisp passer too, so he gets it done that way. I think he's so smart and poised in all 3-zones. I consistently watched him execute play in his own end or the NZ so efficiently and get play going the other way. His 1-on-1 defending and zero panic in his own end is clinical. In the o-zone, he's really good with the pinches, but he plays a more simple cycle game, so I'm not thinking he'll be the best PP option on a strong NHL team, but he's so good at other strengths, he doesn't need those minutes to make him successful. He's a 2-way, top 4 potential, smooth skating RHD with a summer birthday, who plays a strong, projectable puck possession style.......and the buzz is not there. I have a hunch he'll be someone who will surprise in the years to come.