On drafting Wishart

[franchise player]

If we are to draft a D, I would be happier with Fischer, McBain or Summers. And we could possibly draft one of them in the second round.

[Souffle]

It's kind of weird to see a pre-draft backlash against Wishart. Some of the negative comments in this thread are very strong and definite for a guy who is likely a top 20 pick on several teams' lists.

I'm not much of a junior expert, but from last year's experience, I've learned not to put too much stock in the end of year U18s. Price and especially Latendresse looked pretty bad. Also, I remember being very disappointed in Parent the way that Wishart seems to have disappointed armchair types this year. A lot of the same types of criticisms relative to their playing styles: too passive, physically tentative, a step or two behind the play, etc. All three players have turned out to be pretty good prospects so far, and Parent had a great WJC this past year. I would be pleased to have taken him at 20th or whatever overall last year.

As I gather my impressions leading up to the draft (mostly from knowledgeable posters), I can't say that I would be disappointed with Wishart. I tend to associate the pick with Chipchura in 2004, probably based on the strong character, good size and presence, but questions about eventual impact upside. I think there's a lot to be said for character, raw tools, and development opportunities through being on Hockey Canada's short list for international tourneys.

[Matrix]

Originally Posted by davedave

It's kind of weird to see a pre-draft backlash against Wishart. Some of the negative comments in this thread are very strong and definite for a guy who is likely a top 20 pick on several teams' lists.

I'm not much of a junior expert, but from last year's experience, I've learned not to put too much stock in the end of year U18s. Price and especially Latendresse looked pretty bad. Also, I remember being very disappointed in Parent the way that Wishart seems to have disappointed armchair types this year. A lot of the same types of criticisms relative to their playing styles: too passive, physically tentative, a step or two behind the play, etc. All three players have turned out to be pretty good prospects so far, and Parent had a great WJC this past year. I would be pleased to have taken him at 20th or whatever overall last year.

As I gather my impressions leading up to the draft (mostly from knowledgeable posters), I can't say that I would be disappointed with Wishart. I tend to associate the pick with Chipchura in 2004, probably based on the strong character, good size and presence, but questions about eventual impact upside. I think there's a lot to be said for character, raw tools, and development opportunities through being on Hockey Canada's short list for international tourneys.

Good point, you know something like a thread with players that were pretty dissapointing in big tournaments but end up being great and the contrary would be nice especially when it comes time to evaluate a player....'Cause if Parent was really dissapointing, knowing the kind of d-man he's already become, it's somewhat reassuring to know that kind of info....

[Blind Gardien]

Originally Posted by Matrix

Good point, you know something like a thread with players that were pretty dissapointing in big tournaments but end up being great and the contrary would be nice especially when it comes time to evaluate a player....'Cause if Parent was really dissapointing, knowing the kind of d-man he's already become, it's somewhat reassuring to know that kind of info....

Thanks dave^2, a good point indeed! Sifting through my vague recollections of last year (which I think most of us all followed more religiously and thoroughly, with more games televised during the lockout), I would agree that Parent definitely didn't stand out. Now granted, that's his game to an extent. He's usually pretty subtle even at his best. But I seem to recall thinking that Letang and Gragnani were the ones who impressed me, that Bourdon showed a lot of power and helped his stock even if he made some mistakes, and that Mikkelson looked surprisingly smooth even if not ultimately effective. Parent was not in the top peformers group, anyway. Paquet and Kurceba seemed to hurt their stock with their play.

Up front, it was O'Marra, Pyatt, Bertram, and Clune who I think were most consistent, chipping in and doing their up-tempo checking thing. Setoguchi and Latendresse had some productive moments and some inconsitent and invisible moments that disappointed some people. Well, clearly it didn't hurt Setoguchi's stock in the draft any! Derrick Brassard wasn't much of a factor either FWIW. Price struggled, and it was a running theme to decide whether or not Pelletier should officially take the job from him or not, as Pelletier clearly looked sharper.

FWIW.