MikeyD

Danielson has the tools but has unpolished IQ similar to Barlow. Often times he's throwing low chance wristers on net from poor spots on the ice rather than having any patience. Lots to like in his game but I question his offensive upside.

Yzerman was laughed at for how bad he was in this draft. We shall see if he got another Moritz Seider or completely whiffed on this one.

The thing is that in 2 years we may have different needs. Had Benson been off the board I would have been 100% okay with this pick. Benson will be this draft's Caufield.

I was singularly commenting on the rush you asked me to watch.

There's lots of guys in this year's draft capable of doing that rush. Good speed generation and motor, but he's also not really deceiving or adjusting speed to open up room to set up angles or open up passing lanes. Do you like to see it? Yes. But at the NHL level most of the times going 1v5 or 1v4 with you solo ahead of the play without those aspects of change in pace or deception just end up being dead end rushes. There's potential there though for sure. But those kind of rushes are a dime a dozen at junior level. He had no business gaining the line on that rush because he lacked support. Only reason he gained it is because junior and team Germany lol. Edit: you should check out Tanner Molendyk. You may find him exciting.

It'd be amazing if he turned out like Brodin for the defensive aspect. Could grow into it with proper development. He's definitely well above average defensively for somebody his age. His engagement is probably my favourite aspect. I found him, Reinbacher and Simashev all had upper echelon defensive work. And like you said, if he was more dynamic with his offense he would have been selected even higher than Reinbacher. Reinbacher is more polished (the most out of this draft in my opinion) and then Simashev and Willander are in a tier below that but all have unique aspects of what makes them good. All 3 have spots of brilliance, but need a lot more consistency in their offensive games.

Where did I say I don't expect him to compliment Hughes well? I'm just saying let's stop comparing this kid to Hughes because you look moronic doing it.

To get a 10 you have to be in the upper echelon of each tier. McDavid's skating is a 10. Ovi's shot is a 10. Datsyuk's puck handling is a 10. 5 is average. Don't get so triggered, it's a subjective rating system. He doesn't have a bomb like Edler did. I'd give that a 9. He isn't dangling through players consistently. He's still a prospect with lots of room to grow. If he was 8's and 9's in everything he would be in the NHL next year. You act as if this kid who put up 25 points in J20 is the second coming of Quinn Hughes. Temper your expectations after watching a single highlight video.

If you don't watch highlight videos and actually scout the kid you'd understand why he lacks dynamic ability. Just because he does something the odd time and then goes games without doing again doesn't mean he is as dynamic as Quinn Hughes, who does it literally every game.

I'm not entirely sure Reinbacher's offense is that good either. It's definitely a tier or two above Willander's but Reinbacher doesn't scream 1st line PP QB either. He'd have to be on a weak team to get 2nd line PP minutes in my opinion but I suppose that's subjective. He's definitely more of a defensive two way guy than an offensive one, similar to Willander.

Depends on the player and their tendencies. He literally plays like a center already. First man back, has a stick like Petey defensively, probably the best motor for defense in the draft, can literally defend like a defensive defenseman against rushes. The only thing that's limiting him would be net front battles. His anticipation is elite (Petey levels of anticipation) and he will be ahead of the play before his skating even becomes a hindrance.

Here's my synopsis of watching about 8 games of the kid. I like this player, just not when Benson was on the board. Regardless, here is why I like him as a player: Pros: Great skating. Has good acceleration and agility and tends to use it well. One of the better skaters in the draft. Active defenseman. Engaged. This is extremely important on defense. Likes to battle a lot and will challenge along the wall often. He is not a fan of giving up the blue line easily. Will tie up sticks and compete in front of the net. Size. Uses his size well and will throw hits. Not afraid to engage in these types of scenarios. Has poise with the puck. Defensively responsible. Anticipates when transitions are about to occur on turnovers. This is where his defensive IQ shines. Elects to be safer than too risky. Decent along the walls defensively. Seems to have a knack for shooting around screens. Cons: His offense is nothing spectacular. Very very simple game. Has great edgework but has yet to incorporate it into his offense. He should have a much higher ceiling considering his skating ability but he isn't a huge roamer, doesn't like to be super deceptive. Sometimes overcommits. Because he's a physical defenseman he likes to engage quite a bit with the body but sometimes doesn't lead with his stick the way he needs to in certain situations. I'm sure this will get ironed out under good coaching. Against a team who excels in give and go's he will need to adapt accordingly. Overall his defensive IQ is certainly above par for his age though. Has poise, but sometimes too much poise. It's not super often, but he is prone to holding onto the puck too long and on zone exits does some silly things like instead of breaking out he turns back in his own zone despite ample opportunity to wheel outwards. Just sometimes looks as if he doesn't know what to do with the puck. This is pretty rare but certainly does show up from time to time. Not super dynamic. Ratings: Skating: 8/10 Defensive IQ: 8/10 Offensive IQ: 6/10 Tenacity: 7.5/10 Motor: 8/10 Shot: 6/10 Puck Handling: 5/10 Vision: 5/10 Passing Ability: 6.5/10 Creativity: 4/10 Offensive Processing Speed: 5/10 Defensive Processing Speed: 7/10 Anticipation: 8.5/10 Decision Making on Offense: 6/10 Decision Making on Defense: 8/10 NHL Readiness: 7/10 Personal Projection: Ceiling: Top 3 Defenseman Ceiling chance: 60% Floor: Depth defenseman Floor chance: 10% (I don't think he will end up a depth defenseman unless he can't figure out timing and the speed of play at the NHL level but I think he will be alright with this in a few years) Will need a couple years before transitioning to the NHL. Where I expect him to end up: Top 3 - Top 4 Defenseman depending on the quality of team. Comparable: an upgraded version of Elias Petterson the Defenseman He significantly improved from the start of the season to the end of the season but I still have concerns about the timing of his aggression and his decision making with the puck. I don't believe he's a franchise changer by any means but he should be steady as long as he cleans up some of his decision making on breakouts. He showed growth in this area so hopefully that continues. I personally would have waited until later in the draft but I don't hate the player or think he has a high bust potential. I think we are gonna really like this kid when he's playing for us if he pans out. My only gripe is when he was taken, that's all. At pick 11 I prefer bigger game changing players but that's just preference.

Caufield syndrome. I called it then too.

What a horrific analysis. "This defender didn't produce points. Let's not analyze why and assume he just sucks." Brilliant.

That's not what he said. He said at the moment he's a winger but he said he was open to it if the team wanted him to transition. Which is logical. Edit: it's around 18:20 on the podcast. He also stated with his 200 foot game it made sense and that a lot of teams wondered if he'd move to C because it's already established.

Not if they are incredibly smart players like he is. The kid is incredible off the walls and very rarely runs himself into trouble. He also doesn't cheat for his breakaways like most players in this draft. This is what makes him special: https://youtu.be/YGwSdlbAD6c

Yeah I changed my original comparison to Point. Much better comparison and yes Point is a better skater. Benson isn't slow though. He's just not fast but incredible edgework. He's very very evasive.

It's a fair comparison. I'll be stoked if he turns into Ohlund. Ohlund was an incredibly smart defender.

Brayden Point.

Sounds like they tried. They were making calls during their pick and when asked about it to Alvin he chuckled. I have no doubt it my mind they tried to move down.

He doesn't skate like Hughes. He's agile and has good edges but he's not nearly as evasive and shifty.

Your needs are gonna change in a few years anyways.

The draft's best playmaker for our sniper. Redundant. Shoot me.

I'm gutted. I knew this shit would happen.

Just so people know, Benson has the best high danger passes completed in the CHL since Connor McDavid. That's how good at passing this kid is. And he hasn't been selected yet.