Which D Prospect would you draft?

[Bubba55]

I don't recall too many drafts that had as many defensemen potentially in the top 10 as there are this year. I'm liking that because my intent was to draft a defensive prospect with my 4th overall pick. The million dollar question is, of the 6 I have identified, which one do you like the most? I'm particularly trying to identify the best fit for a multi cat league and preferably a player who can step into the league in the shortest amount of time. Who is the player who best fits those requirements? Your picks are appreciated and a brief explanation of why you like a given player would be a nice bonus.

[Dennis]

I've been tinkering around with my rankings of them but nothing thorough yet as I don't expect to be in a position to draft any off them

Here's an article with some cliff-notes about these guys I ran across
https://flamesnation.ca/news/half-of...heir-strengths

[Eskimo Brother]

If you want multi-cat and in the league fastest, then Levshunov or Dickinson might be your call. I also don't have a sense of when Silayev might come from Russia because that would really impact his slot. Yak certainly racks up the PIMs, but I think he needs more time to develop than some of the others. I voted for Buium before I read the whole question as I think he has the highest offensive upside.
I think you're going to have to wait until after the NHL draft to see what situation they're all in too.

[loppantorkel]

Levshunov - big RHD who's already playing in America. Ranked 2nd by Pronman. Seems good enough to me.

[Pengwin7]

1. Levshunov - seems to be people's choice for "full game"
...
...
2a. Dickinson - if you want SAFE NHLer with "good+" upside
2b. Buium - if you want SAFE NHLer with "good" upside
2c. Parekh - if you want RISKY NHLer with "high offense" upside
2d. Silyayev - if you want SAFE NHLer, with possible BIG WAIT... but "good++" multi-cat upside
...
6. Yakemchuk - BIGGEST shot - so if D-goals is a premium... he might be the guy.



For reference - in past drafts, guys like Quinn Hughes, Evan Bouchard, and Noah Dobson have gone 6-15 range.
So... these are some good defensemen.
They all have PP1 potential.


This said - the NHL has also been (finally!) seeing an influx where the newer NHL-D can skate at a very smooth/shifty/precise level as forwards.
Skating is usually... the #1 thing that keeps a kid getting a shot in NHL.
Decision-making, IMO... is what gets the kid a chance to play 20min/night.
Whether these guys have NHL-level decision-making-smarts (IQ) and decision-making-speed (PACE)... is a big TBD. We can all guess... but we don't know for sure.


In order of league quality:
KHL >> NCAA > CHL leagues.

That said... Dickinson is London Knights - and that's about as PRO an amateur system as exists in CHL.


For multi-cat... I probably like Levshunov/Silyayev (if you can wait), then Dickinson/Buium.
For pure points... Levshunov, then Parekh.
For leagues with PIM carrying some significant weight... Yakemchuk factors in.


Generally - short answer - at #4... Levshunov... then... mmmm.... Dickinson (possibly the safest guy of the six).



ps. Hockey-CHUK.
CHUK.
Always CHUK.
There is ONE C in Chuk. Learn it. Say it. Memorize it. You won't miss placing the single C in the right spot!
-chuck... isn't a thing.
Those are fake chuks and they aren't hockey players!!!

[Feenom]

Levshunov - big RHD who's already playing in America. Ranked 2nd by Pronman. Seems good enough to me.

Agreed

[Bubba55]

So far Levshunov is the clear favorite with 12 votes, Buium comes in with 5 and Silayev has one vote. Anybody else want to jump in here? If Levshunov did fall to me with that 4th overall it would be pretty sweet, but I have a sneaking suspicion that that's not likely to happen (:

[Eskimo Brother]

If he doesn't then just take a forward. They should have a better and shorter path to fantasy relevance anyways

[J0e Th0rnton]

1. Levshunov - seems to be people's choice for "full game"
...
...
2a. Dickinson - if you want SAFE NHLer with "good+" upside
2b. Buium - if you want SAFE NHLer with "good" upside
2c. Parekh - if you want RISKY NHLer with "high offense" upside
2d. Silyayev - if you want SAFE NHLer, with possible BIG WAIT... but "good++" multi-cat upside
...
6. Yakemchuk - BIGGEST shot - so if D-goals is a premium... he might be the guy.



For reference - in past drafts, guys like Quinn Hughes, Evan Bouchard, and Noah Dobson have gone 6-15 range.
So... these are some good defensemen.
They all have PP1 potential.


This said - the NHL has also been (finally!) seeing an influx where the newer NHL-D can skate at a very smooth/shifty/precise level as forwards.
Skating is usually... the #1 thing that keeps a kid getting a shot in NHL.
Decision-making, IMO... is what gets the kid a chance to play 20min/night.
Whether these guys have NHL-level decision-making-smarts (IQ) and decision-making-speed (PACE)... is a big TBD. We can all guess... but we don't know for sure.


In order of league quality:
KHL >> NCAA > CHL leagues.

That said... Dickinson is London Knights - and that's about as PRO an amateur system as exists in CHL.


For multi-cat... I probably like Levshunov/Silyayev (if you can wait), then Dickinson/Buium.
For pure points... Levshunov, then Parekh.
For leagues with PIM carrying some significant weight... Yakemchuk factors in.


Generally - short answer - at #4... Levshunov... then... mmmm.... Dickinson (possibly the safest guy of the six).



ps. Hockey-CHUK.
CHUK.
Always CHUK.
There is ONE C in Chuk. Learn it. Say it. Memorize it. You won't miss placing the single C in the right spot!
-chuck... isn't a thing.
Those are fake chuks and they aren't hockey players!!!

Agreed with every choice here except Yak below Sil. Sil is projected to be a defensive Dman and whoever drafts him would be thrilled if he can be a Defensive Dman who hits 40 points but most acknowledge his offensive potential hasn't been tapped and might never be . Currently he projects as a 20-25 point stay at home guy. Maybe good in multicat, but he' not destined to aid on the scoresheet much.