With all these highlights videos, it sure has offensive talent. But, how is he in the defensive zone? I read the Subban comparison, Subban had a very poor defensive coverage in the Juniors.
Watched him early last season. He really didn't impress me in his own zone, but this was one of the first games of the year. The Phaneuf comparison is right on, but I think he lacks the shot that Dion has. Not the biggest of kids, but he is amazingly strong for his size.
We've got the Murray vs. Ebert thing going on.
The other is Trouba vs. Dumba. How does he compare to Trouba?
I agree with the Phaneuf comparison. Like Dion he runs around a bit too much to make the big hit, gets caught out of postion, and like most rookie dmen needs to work on his defence. He has a great tool box and if he puts it together could be the second best dman to come from the WHL in 2012. Very hi upside but still very raw.
“It’s pretty cool to see how Hoppy handled himself throughout the year,†Dumba said. “He’s so humble. There’s not much he does wrong. He handles the media with so much humility. He’s a great person all around.â€
That’s not the only place Dumba got to observe Nugent-Hopkins.
Dumba, set to represent Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in Slovakia next week, also got a first class lesson on the ice from the Burnaby, BC. native as well. Dumba, a defenseman, had to line up against Nugent-Hopkins, a centre, often in practice.
It’s made Dumba a better defenseman, he admitted.
“Being in practice with him every day, you sure get a workout,†said Dumba, a Calgary, AB. native. “He’ll have you chasing the puck. You got to try to read him as much as you can. It’s pretty hard.â€
He can push to be the top defenseman in the draft class.
And he's benefited greatly by having Nugent-Hopkins on his club.
http://futureconsiderationsdotca.wordpress.com/2011/08/05/dumba-has-great-mentor-in-rnh/
Right now, I think you can talk about Dumba being with Murray and Ebert.
Watched him early last season. He really didn't impress me in his own zone, but this was one of the first games of the year. The Phaneuf comparison is right on, but I think he lacks the shot that Dion has. Not the biggest of kids, but he is amazingly strong for his size.
Well consider this I guess;
1. He is the Captain of Team Canada U18
2. He was part of a defence corps that only let in 6 goals(+ 1 empty net) in 6 games(1 exhibition) against the best U18 national teams from around the world.
3. +23 as a 16 yr old in the WHL
4. 15 goals as a 16 yr old D-man in the WHL
5. Led the U17 in scoring last Xmas as a D-man, in a tourney that included Trouba and Jones.
6. Is as physical as they come, hi-lite reel hits and is a very very capable fighter.
I would guess the only concern would be;
1. Might be a bit small at only 6'0 but is built solid.
80%+ of those hits are illegal in the NHL. He takes a run at a star with those head shots and somebody will kill him out there.
I like the aggression but he has to hit shoulder to shoulder/chest, and the leaving the feet is a big no no.