My younger brother in BC has played high level minor hockey his whole life, and this would be his draft year. My Dad has been involved with his hockey career as either a coach or team doctor for almost all that time. As a result, they know this WHL draft class really, really well. Here's a very basic summary of some big name WHL kids they like and don't like, relative to their rankings and NHL potential:
Barzal- has been a prodigy for a decade, and things have always come easy to him. Lacks fire and intensity. But really smart, and makes his linemates better. Some bust potential.
Harkins- way overrated, not even the best draft eligible guy on his own team (they like Brad Morrison, C, from Prince George a lot as a mid round pick with offensive upside)
Bittner- their pick for who the Flames should select. Blazes up and down the ice. Tenacious. Smart. Big.
Merkley- they live in Kelowna so they've seen him a lot. Has a lot of skill but is not a great skater, and his numbers are sometimes a product of playing with such a strong team, rather than being indicative of his offensive talents. We have all seen similar junior players with 90+ points flame out in the pros, and they worry he is of that ilk. I for one hope the Flames pick somebody else.
That's all I can recall of the top of my head, I'll ask them in more detail about later round kids and post it here if anyone is interested.
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