Draft Thoughts (McCheese Edition):
LHD Eric Burger finished 11th overall in the J20 league for scoring by defensemen, with 26 points in 46 games for Orebro, and added 51 penalty-minutes, which tells you something about the kind of player he is. The 6'0",181lb rearguard sees a ton of ice in all situations, and plays a rugged, hard-nosed game. He seems to make a positive impact for his team whenever he takes to the ice. Burger is difficult to play against, with a hard-nosed style, and constantly contributes with his physical play. He is competitive and determined to win puck battles- he separates man from puck, then steals possession. He has excellent puck-skill, and it's hard to rob him of possession. He's strong on the puck, and handles smoothly. Most of the time, he's calm and composed when it comes to his decision-making, but he can sometimes be pressured into making mistakes. With regards to his playmaking, he keeps things simple and risk-free, and takes the same approach to his first-pass. His shot is fairly hard and heavy, and he uses it as another playmaking tool to facilitate second-chance opportunities for teammates, and uses screens effectively. His numbers are strong, but some say he is a benefactor of the team he plays for, and the quality of teammates around him.
Burger thrives in his own zone, and he is always in the right position to be disruptive. He exerts tight gap control, with the ability to match footwork with attackers, and neutralizes opponents along the wall with physicality. He keeps opponents at bay with an active stick, that he also uses to block lanes. He could stand to be meaner in front of his net though, as he's not afraid to rough up opponents in other areas of the ice. Though he could use more explosiveness and an extra gear, he's a good skater with mobility in all directions. He owns a powerful stride, and keeps a low center of gravity for better balance, and to make himself hard to knock off the puck. He employs good edges for extra manoverability, and quickness in turns, with smooth transitions to be able to switch from offense to defense seamlessly. With work on his decision-making, strength, and speed, he could make it as a bottom-pairing defenseman in the NHL. Look for him in the later rounds.
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