WJC camps + U18 tourney

[Mike]

well maybe not officially but...

[bills09]

just saying id rather Rattie Jenner Shinkaruk to Percy Biggs Gauthier

[Nick]

Too early to call...

[shooker]

Fans may speculate that, but there's little chance the leaf scouts recommend him so early in the draft if they see his ceiling relatively low.

What will ultimately determine his ceiling is where you think his offensive ability eventually grades out. Is he a Paul Gaustad type – a highly effective defensive player in a 3rd line role? Or is he a David Backes type – capable of a 1st/2nd line role on a very good team? It’s tough to say at this point because the sample size is so small and the trajectories of power forwards is so unpredictable but I’m optimistic and will tend toward the latter. His size, strength and well-rounded game could see him ascend very quickly through an organization.

With players like Burakovsky, McCarron and Poirier selected after him it shows me the Leafs believe he could grow into something more than a checking C.

Hell, the Canucks might have gotten the steal of the draft in Hunter Shinkaruk - size pushing people away too much?

I think he has Bobby Holik written all over him. A potential 40-50 pt nhler who has an elite two way game. That to me definitely warrants a first round selection and is worth getting excited about. Just my opinion on him.

I understand your lack of excitement though. Everyone wants a potential star in the first round and I feel the same lack of excitement for Horvat. Although I think he could turn into a great two way player and potential leader, I would rather the Canucks have drafted Nichushkin. Thankfully the Canucks went for the homerun pick in Shinkaruk later in the draft. It is size and his defensive inefficiencies that made him slide. I don't think anyone doubts his skill. Super surprised he fell past CGY, TOR and CBJ to us but stoked on him. I feel he or Kerby Rychel will be the steal of the draft.