Compared to the other 4 defensemen he's slow to turn and accelerate.
- Pres.cup

Ya that's not good. So Dobson is the better skater, Bouchard a bit better scorer?

If I'm the senators and I'm not 100% sure we can hang on to Karlsson I'm taking Boqvist
- NorthNuck

I think Montreal or Ottawa take him.

I see:

Dahlin
Svech
Boq
Zadina
Tkachuck
Wahlstrom (Holland is high on analytics and the numbers don't lie on this kid.)

The order migh shake up, but I think this is the top6. I think the top2 are locks, all the others could change. Svech on Carolina is scary.

Ya that's not good. So Dobson is a bit better skater, Bouchard the better scorer?
- neem55

fixed

Dahlin, Hughes, Boqvist and Dobson are considered elite skaters, which also what is trendy for building an NHL winner right now.

Bouchard is likely just as good as a skater as Sergachev, Ekblad, McAvoy, Werenski and many others that were drafted high recently and have had success in the NHL.

I think Montreal or Ottawa take him.

I see:

Dahlin
Svech
Boq
Zadina
Tkachuck
Wahlstrom (Holland is high on analytics and the numbers don't lie on this kid.)

The order migh shake up, but I think this is the top6. I think the top2 are locks, all the others could change. Svech on Carolina is scary.
- neem55

With that list who do we take, hughes? or trade down a few spots.

I think Montreal or Ottawa take him.

I see:

Dahlin
Svech
Boq
Zadina
Tkachuck
Wahlstrom (Holland is high on analytics and the numbers don't lie on this kid.)

The order migh shake up, but I think this is the top6. I think the top2 are locks, all the others could change. Svech on Carolina is scary.
- neem55

My best guess at the top 5 right now:
Dahlin
Svechnikov
Zadina
Boqvist
Wahlstrom

Who knows what the Red Wings will do if that's the top 5, I don't know if they're more hungry for fwds or dmen. What this would mean though is JB gets his pick of 3 out of 4 of Dobson, Bouchard, Hughes, Tkachuk

I said earlier I don't think Tkachuk will be taken in the top 7 but I kind of hope Detroit takes him so JB gets his pick of the Dmen

I hope we draft nothing but defense for the next 2 drafts unless we win the lottery next year.

who cares - hughes-petterson
who cares - Bo - brock

would be awfully nice
- mauryballstein

lol... for sure.

I could be wrong but I think the talk around EDM was taking a defender, namely Juolevi or Sergachev but couldn't pass on poolparty and the Canucks were looking at a Dubois.

I think there was a interview where Benning referenced CLB going against the grain and it changed their plans.
- belcherbd

Bang on. My Scout buddies here at Mem.Cup a few years back said EDM was looking hard at OJ and Benning wanted Dubois badly. When CLB pooched that draft a lot of teams were scrambling after that.

as long as it isnt tkachuk
- mauryballstein

Agree. Don't want Tckachuk either

I like Dobson but think he is 4th behind Bouchard, Hughes and Boqvist.

I think the draft ends up unraveling kind of like the Laine year when CLB took Dubois and peoples predictions are scrambled.
- belcherbd

Bold prediction. Boqvist falls big time. Possibly out of the top 10. Write this down Manvan

Bold prediction. Boqvist falls big time. Possibly out of the top 10. Write this down Manvan
- CanuckDon

Very Bold.

Bold prediction. Boqvist falls big time. Possibly out of the top 10. Write this down Manvan
- CanuckDon

Button has him at 10 for the Oil, sounds good to me. Can't see any scenario where he isn't grabbed by us if he's still on the board.

Bold prediction. Boqvist falls big time. Possibly out of the top 10. Write this down Manvan
- CanuckDon

I did... not my first choice because he skates in cement shoes, but he's a RHD who if he could pick up his skating could be a top 2.

Dobson is OJ , nothing wrong with that but he's safe and we need a home run pick.

Hughes is pure offense and LHD, I go forward or RHD, I don't think he's worth picking because of that.

Bodqvist is to good for the super elite but not quite good enough for the SHL. He's RHD and very creative with the puck, if he can grow an inch he could be a top 4pick.
- Pres.cup

Interesting that you think Bouchard is a horrific skater. Scouts certainly don't agree. Dobson is nothing like OJ.

Button has him at 10 for the Oil, sounds good to me. Can't see any scenario where he isn't grabbed by us if he's still on the board.
- Beergu

He would be worth a gamble at 10. I'd be shocked if we took him at 7. People thinking he my may go top 5 are insane Although that would be awesome because it would mean a much better prospect would fall

Edit. Boqvist has a good shot and he is aggressive offensively. But, imo, he has a low IQ. He is constantly out of position and leaving his D partner in a bind. He gets away with it in tier 2 but not in the SHL. Throw in a pair of concussions and he has way too many red flags.

i agree with this take. realistically they need a home run on this pick for an offensive defenseman but i think if all 4 are on the board (unlikely) the pick will reflect how benning feels about how hot his seat is. pick to keep his job or pick the guy who will be best in 3 or 4 years
- johnnykarate

He was extended at the end of the season.

He was extended at the end of the season.
- Marwood

Yes, it would be a bit strange if he was fired after making his pick in the first round

With that list who do we take, hughes? or trade down a few spots.
- Bettmanhatesus

I personally started off loving Hughes. But the more I think on it, it really erks me he doesn't have a shot, full credit to Manfanvan for bringing it up. I'm very open to trading down, but I really like Bouchard and to a lesser extent Dobson. Bouchard tape reminds me of Brent Burns a bit, his wrister and slapshot are that good. Skaiting and agility on skates are the issue, he plays 30 minutes a game in London and seems to play pretty darn well on a not very good team. 5 points in 4 playoff games, clearly has leadership qualities as he lead what most considered on non-playoff team post TDL to the playoffs. Hughes is fun to watch because his stickhandling/skating are just ridiculous. Almost like watching P.Kane ridiculous. But from what I've seen he doesn't have much finish.

Yes, it would be a bit strange if he was fired after making his pick in the first round
- CanuckDon

Do some of these posters actually follow the team?

My best guess at the top 5 right now:
Dahlin
Svechnikov
Zadina
Boqvist
Wahlstrom

Who knows what the Red Wings will do if that's the top 5, I don't know if they're more hungry for fwds or dmen. What this would mean though is JB gets his pick of 3 out of 4 of Dobson, Bouchard, Hughes, Tkachuk

I said earlier I don't think Tkachuk will be taken in the top 7 but I kind of hope Detroit takes him so JB gets his pick of the Dmen
- NorthNuck

Like I said, the order could flip a bit, but I think the top6 are locked. 7 will be interesting! Some are predicting Boquist or Tkachuk slips, I don't think we will be that lucky.

Did horvat just get injured, looked like it.

Ya that's not good. So Dobson is the better skater, Bouchard a bit better scorer?
- neem55

I'd say that'sa fair assessment.
Dobson is good at everything, not really great at anything.
Bouchard is great at running a pp and is ok defensively. If he was above to a great skater he'd be a top 3pick.
Bodqvist is a Karlsson clone, very good offensive instincts and questionable defense. Great skater though, same as Hughes.

He was extended at the end of the season.
- Marwood

short extension doesnt mean his seat isnt a little warm. he hasnt addressed a major issue facing this team and his one good swing at it has (juolevi) has stalled. there was plenty of talk before the extension of reasons to move on from benning with juolevi and virtanen as examples. this draft will become another one of those talking point down the road if it doesnt help the team progress from its rebuild

Bold prediction. Boqvist falls big time. Possibly out of the top 10. Write this down Manvan
- CanuckDon

6 detroit at the lowest. I'd be suprised if he drops out of the top5 .

I'd say that'sa fair assessment.
Dobson is good at everything, not really great at anything.
Bouchard is great at running a pp and is ok defensively. If he was above to a great skater he'd be a top 3pick.
Bodqvist is a Karlsson clone, very good offensive instincts and questionable defense. Great skater though, same as Hughes.
- Pres.cup

Except Boqist can shoot like the wind, Hughes not so much.

I personally started off loving Hughes. But the more I think on it, it really erks me he doesn't have a shot, full credit to Manfanvan for bringing it up. I'm very open to trading down, but I really like Bouchard and to a lesser extent Dobson. Bouchard tape reminds me of Brent Burns a bit, his wrister and slapshot are that good. Skaiting and agility on skates are the issue, he plays 30 minutes a game in London and seems to play pretty darn well on a not very good team. 5 points in 4 playoff games, clearly has leadership qualities as he lead what most considered on non-playoff team post TDL to the playoffs. Hughes is fun to watch because his stickhandling/skating are just ridiculous. Almost like watching P.Kane ridiculous. But from what I've seen he doesn't have much finish.
- neem55

trading down might be an option, get an extra pick.