Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
I appreciate your enthusiasm for the defenders, I just don't see them that way. I looked at guys like Ekblad and Hanafin and saw top end talent. They controlled the game at both ends of the ice and were noticeable every time they stepped on the ice. They controlled both ends and owned the front of their net. I don't see that from any of the top four defensemen in this draft, not in the slightest. I see some good offensive skills but I think they are sorely lacking in the defensive zone. That's my opinion of them anyways. I think this is a pretty thin draft for defensemen.
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Since I watched Sergachev 50+ times this year I'll offer my opinion of him versus other draft-eligible defencemen I watched extensively.
Cam Fowler- At the beginning of his draft year it was him and Taylor Hall ranked 1-2(Before Seguin took off). He ended up dropping on draft day but ended up developing into a top pairing guy. He should of been taken in the top 5 that year. His skating his ahead of Sergachev's but Mikhail is ahead in all other categories IMO. (at the same age of course)
Ryan Ellis- He has an amazing JR career but you could tellall of his skills wouldn't translate to pro's. Still he has turned into one of the best 2nd pairing defencemen in the league and is still developing, perhaps even into a top pairing guy. He is quite underrated presently IMO. Ryan had better PP "awareness" at the same age but Sergachev has superior skills everywhere else IMO.
The only JR defenceman out of Windsor who I'd rate above Mikhail is Ed Jovanovski. Jovo had agood career but under achieved based on his potential. He went 1st overall for a reason. Florida rushed him to the NHL a bit early I think. Plus he was coached by Doug Maclean his first 3 years. If he enters the league in a better situation he is HOF'er IMO.
Anyways I'm rambling, but I'm starting to just think the Flames should draft Sergachev if Tkachuk and Dubois are gone. It could give us potentially 4 #1 defenceman and we can ride the NHL's best defense corps into long playoff runs annually. It also opens the door to trading a guy like Dougie Hamilton for a #1 RW in the future. I just think the Serfgachev's extremely high ceiling/ relatively high floor is too much to pass up.