Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Brock Otten has released his list of OHL draft eligibles.
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2. Alex Nylander - Forward - Mississauga Steelheads
"Nylander is an absolutely dynamic offensive player. Quite frankly, I don't think there is a major weakness in his game in the offensive end. He has the potential to be a 40/40 guy in the NHL, and we know how rare those are. The hands are elite. One of the best puck handlers in the league. He creates so much time and space for himself and he really opens up the ice for his linemates. The shot is elite. He's used on the point of the powerplay in Mississauga because of how heavy his shot is. He's also dangerous off the rush though, as his quick release catches defenders off guard as they try to negate his quickness and creativity. The skating is elite. The playmaking ability and vision are elite. He'll make some passes that really make your jaw drop, and it's another reason why he plays the point on the powerplay. So where are the weaknesses? Everywhere else. I'll give him credit, his ability to play through traffic and his engagement level without the puck really improved over the course of the season. By the end of the year, he had become active along the wall and had begun to use his speed to win loose puck battles too. Where he really struggles is in the defensive end. That part of his game will require a lot of work before he reaches the next level. If you're going to play a high risk game, and take chances with the puck, you have to maintain energy and effort if you give the puck up (which will happen). His overall awareness level in his own end needs to improve too. But there may not be a player in this draft outside of the big three, who possesses as much potential as Nylander. While I've got Tkachuk ranked ahead of him (barely), I wouldn't be surprised if he went first among OHL players"
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That really makes me want Nylander. I don't have a big preference between the three 2nd tier forwards (Dubois by a nose over Tkachuk by a nose over Nylander)... but that description... Geez. If that's not hyperbole then Nylander at least draws even with Tkachuk.