Variant
Registered User
- Jul 8, 2007
- 133
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IMHO the Oilers should take the following:
1st overall Couturier - If foot speed is the only concern, I'm not worried. He has all the other tools (size, smarts (defensive), skill (top PPG, top QMJHL player of the year, won scoring title as 17 year old)
19th McNeil || Scheifele || Puempel
31st Musil || Klefborn
GXL
Agreed. I'm genuinly surprised why RNH is considered the best prospect of this class? Considering he ranks behind Sean Couturier (in particular) in many statistical categories.
His PPG pace is worse, percentage of offense at even strength is worse, points from goals ratio is worse, percentage of total contribution to team offense is worse, Couturier kills penalties and defends leads in the last minute, Couturier is bigger, he's been dominant for two years as opposed to just one. Couturier isn't flashy but he's the type of player I want on my team any day, he's already a proficient two-way player who has more offensive talent than most give him credit for. He isn't a dynamic skater, but he can improve his stride and get faster like Jeff Carter did. I just don't see what makes Hopkins the best option at first overall. Throwing out Stats altogether (which I think is stupid, but I digress) he still comes out second best behind Couturier.
Couturier seems like some sort of hybrid between Eric Staal and Jordan Staal. He fits so many of the Oilers needs. He's big, he can win faceoffs, he can be a #1 center, he's defensively responsible and can free up Hall to focus on putting pucks in the net, and he can score himself. What's not to like?
Despite being the consensus pick by most of the scouts I just don't see any evidence of Hopkins being anything more than Gagner 2.0. I like Gagner a lot, but you'd want something more out of the first overall pick.