Can someone comment on the difference between Scott Harrington, his junior game and upside versus players like Stuart Percy and Matt Finn, who also project as smart, mobile two way defenders with untapped offensive upside and are a similar size?
I assume Harrington is the most prized prospect, and consensus best out of the three, given his inclusion onto Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka and World Junior Championnships, and probably a lock for this winter too, even though he was drafted a lot later than Percy in the same draft, and Finn was also taken higher in 2012.
I like Finn the most because of his overall upside, bomb of a shot and can be physical. Percy and Harrington is practically a toss up for me, if I had to choose I might have to go with Percy because he has slightly better tools. Harrington kinda worries me as an NHL player, his combination of puck skills/physicality/skating is not absolutely ideal. I wonder how far smarts alone can take you against the absolute best players in the world. I struggle to find comparables. He'll carve out a career but I'm not sure what calibre.
Last edited by bruinsfan46: 10-07-2012 at 12:13 AM.
I like Finn the most because of his overall upside, bomb of a shot and can be physical. Percy and Harrington is practically a toss up for me, if I had to choose I might have to go with Percy because he has slightly better tools. Harrington kinda worries me as an NHL player, his combination of puck skills/physicality/skating is not absolutely ideal. I wonder how far smarts alone can take you against the absolute best players in the world. I struggle to find comparables. He'll carve out a career but I'm not sure what calibre.
Pretty much my exact thoughts.
1. Finn
2A. Percy
2B. Harrington
Is how I see it. Finn is just awesome, the only flaw in his game to me atleast is his skating. It's just average. If he can improve that, he will be a great one. But maybe also his endurance. I notice that he is relied so heavily upon in Guelph and plays so much that by the end of the game, he looks noticeably slower.
Percy is probably looked higher on by leaf fans but I just think Finn has more upside.
As for Harrington, I get to see him a lot being a Rangers fan and seeing the Knights often. I too am skeptical about his upside. He could top out as a good bottom pairing guy. I'm not really sure with him.
I think that Harrington is the best junior player, but it's hard to gauge his potential. As mentioned, smarts can only take you so far in todays game. He's average sized, an average skater, with average offensive ability.
If I had to rank them I'd probably go:
1. Finn
2. Harrington
3. Percy
Finn clearly has the best upside so he's first. Harrington and Percy are much closer, but with the edge going to Harrington just for the fact of how smart of a player he his. Percy third, but it's not a slight to him at all.
Finn has really been turning heads this season in the OHL. Apparently he's very solid in both ends of the ice and exudes leadership. I wouldn't be surprised if he's the best of the bunch in the end. Scott Harrington has a good chance to be the best too, but I really think it'll be Finn.
Percy, IMO, will lag behind these two at the pro level. He's good and a smart defenseman, but I'm not sure his defensive game is at the same level as their's. It'll take him a bit longer adapt to the pro level defensively, although I think his offensive game may be superior to the other two.
I think one thing that has hampered Harrington in London is not being about to be the player he was in Midget... Most D that come through London aren't the same when they leave especially if they come in with offensive upside. I was told that Harrington had that but in London has never been able to show it but when he plays with Team Canada he seems to be in the play alot offensively when he can be. I'd like to see him as a pro because I think he'll be a better pro then a junior.
In the last few games I've seen Finn I haven't been impressed with him...
Percy I do like. Has the complete game from what I've seen as him.
Not true. I think he's the best of all 3. But Finn has the highest upsides.
I think if he were drafted slightly higher he would get more recognition.
Given the system Harrington will be going to vs Finn & Percy, I would put more faith in Harrington. The kid is fairly good right now, put in a system that is churning out quality NHL ready defensemen...gee I dunno, potential is good, but being a player with decent potential going to a system that...well, I'll just stop there.
