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Originally Posted by ComixZone
The 3rd and the 15th is not worth the 1st. The 1st overall this year is a clear cut choice. Your dismissiveness towards the difference between the Finns and Matthews is not common place. Matthews is the clear cut #1 chocie. Laine and Puljujarvi are the next grouping, and the order in which they get picked will likely be decided on team needs.
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The gap between Mathews and the two Fins - especially Laine - isn't as big as you make it seem. McKeens's just recently flip-flopped ranking Laine ahead of Mathews, and then they went back to Mathews being on top.
I have read stuff claiming that Laine is the most skilled player in the draft. Silly comparisons to Mario Lemieux with his skating and puck control, coupled with his size. Lots of stuff out there right now, actually.
I myself won't be so dismissive about the potential for Mathews being selected 2nd. My money is still on Mathews to go first overall, but I wouldn't bat an eye to him going 2nd.
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“He’s the first prospect that reminds me of Mario (Lemieux) since Mario,” noted one senior NHL scout who was blown away by Laine’s performance at the WJC over the holidays, where the 6-4 left winger compiled seven goals and six assists in seven games while leading Finland to a Gold Medal victory at home.
“It’s ballsy to have him rated number one, but can’t say I disagree… he could be a home run.”
Laine is six months younger, three inches taller, and has outscored Matthews 29 goals to 19 in international play over the past three years. Up until now, Matthews had been considered the better prospect, but that wasn’t the case at the WJC, where Laine quite simply was the dominant offensive force from tournament start to finish along with linemate and fellow draft prospect Jesse Puljujarvi (ranked third overall).
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1 Patrik Laine RW Tappara (Fin) 6-4/210 19-Apr-98 26-8-9-17 2 Auston Matthews C ZSC Zurich (Sui) 6-1/195 17-Sep-97 25-18-12-30 3 Jesse Puljujarvi RW Karpat Oulu (Fin) 6-4/205 7-May-98 34-6-8-14
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http://www.mckeenshockey.com/prospec...ings-jan-2016/