[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Crumpy-Gunt

I think the most interesting debate at 6 could be between Tkachuk if he falls and Nylander - and both of them VS the 3 defencemen. There is a lot to like in Juolevi, Sergachev and Chychrun. I can see even one of them being off the board by 6.

Sergachev is extremely underrated by many people on here it seems. He was named the OHL defencemen of the year. He is the youngest player ever to win that award in the history of the OHL and only the second rookie to ever win it (first was Bryan Berard in 94). He finished 3rd in points for d-men in the OHL as a rookie. Very big, very talented, good on the PP, physical, calm, composed player.

Juolevi is a great prospect as well. I have a feeling the Oilers will take him which makes me a bit scared tbh. He is fantastic, good skating, good vision, passing etc. He isnt as physical and he is also on the best junior team so he benefits from his teammates and they benefit from him as well. I think he would be better suited to the eastern conference on a high flying offensive team rather than in our divison as a d-man.

Chychrun is the most intriguing player in the draft IMO. He's so strange. He has literally everything you could ever want in a young defenceman except for his IQ and decision making. I think its overblown and he's simply trying to do too much or be too cute, kind of like Kylington. The more I think of it - the more I see him at the top D-man in the draft. He is probably the best skater in the whole draft, if there is better - I'd love to see who that is. Everytime I see him I'm stuck between thinking hes going to be the next best Dman in the NHL and thinking he would be a dangerous pick because of his brain and how he thinks the game. But I think he's not been challenged enough at his current level and he will think the game better once he needs to grow. I think if he learns when to play simple and how to do the easiest, most obvious plays - he will be an absolute stud in the NHL. I really really hope Edmonton doesnt take him.

I think Tkachuk is the scariest player for me. He isnt a good skater and he wont be able to play his physical game he does in junior in the NHL. He reminds me of a worse skating Virtanen. I think he's the only player in the top 8 i'd be truly scared of taking. He is the 3rd best player on his line and I believe he is the 4th best player on his team. I think he has awesome vision, good shot, goes to the net alot and plays a smart game. But as far as skill and skating I think on another team without Marner, Dvorak and Juolevi + Max Jones, Pu etc he would have less production and be ranked outside the top 10. I dont think he could be the offensive force or generator on a line with 2 other random OHL players not named Marner or Dvorak.

At the top of the draft, you have to go for skill and potential. If Nylander falls to 6 the scouts will be thrilled. You dont pass on a player of that skill level with a 6'1 frame, excellent skating and who is still growing in height and weight to add some gritty physical type forward with worse skating and not as much skill. Another interesting thing is that Nylander is a hair under 6'1 and Tkachuk is about 5'11. The latter weighs more and is more physical in junior but we're evaluating kids who are barely legal and in 2 years their bodies will be much different. Its not unlikely that Nylander gets to 200lbs in the next 2 seasons.

I am very much on the Nylander train simply due to raw skill, skating and the fact he projects to have a higher ceiling. His hands are elite. His vision and hockey IQ is shockingly good. He thinks the game lighting fast. I think if you put Nylander on Marner and Dvorak's line he would be ranked higher and be WAY more impressive + probably have a ton more points. If you put Tkachuk on McLeod's line, on a much less talented team I think he would be ranked lower and have less points.

I don't think Tkachuk is 5'11. NHL.com has him at 6'1, 195.