Best offensive d-men next draft

[MZac]

If Edmonton picks a d man first I may lean towards that one. All other things being equal Hughes is my pick.

[Jouko-Pouko]

If Edmonton picks a d man first I may lean towards that one. All other things being equal Hughes is my pick.

This is very true. The top 10 this year has 5 or 6 defenseman who can fill that #1PP spot on Edmonton's blue line, and that's a great spot for any of them. I'd still want Hughes and Boqvist ahead of the next three (Bouchard, Dobson and Smith) but if one of those three get drafted by Edmonton, I definitely want that guy from the group. And I wouldn't blame anyone for taking that player ahead of Hughes and Boqvist - they're all very good players and a good situation could really push them very high for fantasy hockey purposes.

[fungchen3]

If Edmonton picks a d man first I may lean towards that one. All other things being equal Hughes is my pick.

Has to be. For his skating ability and creativity alone. It's where the NHL is trying to get back to, gang. Players like Karlsson, Gostisbehere, Klingberg, Barrie have all been given leash they never would have been extended back in the day. The NHL knows offense sells, and it starts from the back end, and through transition. Hughes is tailor made for the current game. Others have similar offensive instincts but his incredible skating is a differentiator.

[havanablast21]

Sans Dahlin, I'll go...

1. Hughes
2. Boqvist
3. Bouchard
4. Dobson
5. Smith
6. Merkley

Merkley has the best puck movement and offensive instincts but he's tiny and, at least right now, is a liability in his own end. He'll need the absolute perfect situation to come close to reaching his potential. I see a way more Ryan Murphy in his game than Ryan Ellis. I also see some Anthony DeAngelo in him, and not in a good way. These are loose comparisons, but what instinctively come to mind...

Hughes = Gostisbehere
Boqvist = Krug
Bouchard = Carlson
Dobson = Hamilton
Smith = Brodie
Merkley = (best case) Barrie / (worst case) Murphy

Saddens me to have to agree with Fung. I've watched Merkley up close for the past 2 years and it's quite clear to me that his biggest liability/obstacle is between his ears. His on and off ice presence comes across as disinterested, disengaged and arrogant.

He's been a healthy scratch far more than the former 1st overall and rookie of the year should have been. but it was well deserved.

I can see him slipping to the 2nd and can also see him failing to transfer to the NHL. (Ryan Murphy)

Too bad. Kid's skating is 2nd to none. So Slick.

[Jouko-Pouko]

Saddens me to have to agree with Fung. I've watched Merkley up close for the past 2 years and it's quite clear to me that his biggest liability/obstacle is between his ears. His on and off ice presence comes across as disinterested, disengaged and arrogant.

He's been a healthy scratch far more than the former 1st overall and rookie of the year should have been. but it was well deserved.

I can see him slipping to the 2nd and can also see him failing to transfer to the NHL. (Ryan Murphy)

Too bad. Kid's skating is 2nd to none. So Slick.

I wonder if he's eventually converted to wing.

[havanablast21]

I wonder if he's eventually converted to wing.

Yup! That has been floated many times around the Storm critics.