David Rundblad or Stefan Elliott?
 

These two young D-man headed into last season as two of the most highly regarded prospect D-men. Both were coming off amazing seasons. Rundblad was ripping up SEL and Elliott was doing the same in juniors. Expectations were sky high for them (Rundblad was #1 in Dobber's prospect D-man rankings, Elliott #6) and they were in Calder talks before the season (especially Rundblad).

It was quickly noticed, however, that Rundblad's defensive game wasn't at NHL-level and he needed seasoning in the minors which he got, once he was traded to Phoenix. As the promise of Karlsson-Rundblad duo running Ottawa's PP turned into Rundblad having to fight with OEL, Yandle, Gormley and other Coyotes' young D-men, so did the hype stop. Rundblad became quickly the forgotten fantasy stud D-man prospect.

Meanwhile Elliott continued to raise to the top prospect D-men according to many. But was his rookie season really that much more impressive than Rundblad's? The expectations were just a lot less higher and it was known that his game needed more seasoning. Elliott's NHL-career started impressive but as the season went on he struggled and found himself in back in the minors. Still his season is being looked at more impressive than Rundblad's - but was it really that?

Rundblad had 7 points in 30 NHL-games between Ottawa and Phoenix and 16 points 30 games in AHL. Elliott had 13 points in 39 NHL-games with Colorado and 14 points in 30 games in AHL. Points wise their rookie seasons were more or less identical. What separates them is +/- (Rundblad was -30 compined in NHL and AHL, Elliott was +7). But that can be a deceiving statistic and is very team related.

This year Rundblad has started with 7 assists in 7 games in AHL while Elliott is pointless in 7 games.

Elliott has raised to being the top D-man in Dobber's rankings while Rundblad has fallen all the way to 16th place.

They're only 4 months apart in age and were drafted in the same draft class. They also have similar size and both struggle at the defensive end while having top-end offensive skills. So to me they're fairly comparable D-men.

So my question is, which of these two young prospects would you rather own in your keeper league? Has Rundblad really deserved the fall in ranking and in hype (seems like a lot of people already consider him as bust) after his rookie year and was Elliott's rookie year really that good to put him the best prospect D-man?

So, Rundblad or Elliott?

I would take Elliott for his talent/potential, but also for two other primary reasons, team and competition for opportunity.

Colorado IMV is a team on the rise, has some good offensive talent and, besides EJ whose own future is up in the air, Elliott has the best chance to sieze the main offensive D-man spot on their roster.

Runblad, on the other hand, is on Phoenix whose future is unknown, is offensively challenged and he has to compete with Yandle & OEL not to mention Gormley et al.

in their draft year i drafted rundblad 7th overall and elliot went 8th in our pool. i now own both. i think elliot is less risk but i like rundblads top end more.

I think these two guys are goind to be good NHLers but I gave the nod to Elliott because he doesnt have the stiff compettion for playing time that Rundblad does.

Elliott is the safer bet IMO but personally, I'll gladly take Rundblad.

Elliott was overhyped (not saying Rundblad wasn't) to the extreme because based on his age/supporting cast/league he was playing in, his stats weren't all that impressive.

I prefer Elliott for a few reasons:

1. Competition - If Elliott is capable of putting it all together, he will be the top offensive D on an emerging Avs team. Rundblad will be behind Yandle and OEL and has some other nice competition to contend with.

2. Skills - While Rundblad is a silky smooth offensive player, there were a handful of times last year where Elliott showed ELITE offensive play (not good, but elite). Neither player were capable of holding a full-time job in the NHL last year but Elliott showed flashes of brilliance.

3. Shooting - Elliott has an amazing wrist shot and loves to join the rush with speed and fire the biscuit. Rundblad reminds me more of a Tomas Kaberle type who excels at the transition game and loves to pass.

Predicting young d-men is the hardest thing to do in FANTASY HOCKEY.. To pick between these two is such a crap shoot, but I guess if I had to choose I would probably choose Elliott just because he seems to be the future PPQB of the Av's.. Rundblad seems to have too much competition ahead of him right now, so I would go with Elliott..

Based on potential alone, Rundblad would be the winner here...

but factor in everything else, like opportunity, two-way game etc. and Elliot is the safer, more realistic bet at this point...and his potential is pretty high too.

Both good options. Elliott seems to be the safe choice, so so I'll cast my lot in with him. I'd love to own Rundblad, though.

Incidentally, when I first joined my main keeper league, Runblad was on my main roster, and not being aware of our farm teams when first joining, I dropped him for some depth player.

Pretty bone-headed move, and sort of a "welcome to the league" moment for me. I plan on staying with this league for a long time, and regardless of the guy's future NHL success (or lack thereof), I will always remember David Rundblad and that fateful lesson.

Elliott over Rundblad for me, but it's close.