JD says “we are going to get a center”

5 comments

1. Good

2. So…we’re passing on Michkov if that is the situation we’re in.

   I don’t know man. It sounds like the front office REALLY likes Will Smith but I really feel like if we drop to 4 we should take a chance.

3. SPOILERS!!!!

4. Where is this clip from? I’d like to listen to the whole thing.

5. I just hope we stay out of the 4 spot. Smith is rising fast, but his skating is really not great. He’s probably at least 2 years in college. Carlsson has the better tools, he’s bigger, better puck skills, better puck protection, and has played against men. The more I watch of Smith, the more it seems like he is a risk. Could be a great playmaking center, but I don’t see him affecting all 3 zones the way Carlsson could if he is developed correctly.

   I still think Michkov is ahead of Carlsson and Smith by quite a bit. He has elite level hockey smarts and playmaking. I don’t project Carlsson or Smith to be elite in any area. They’re really good, but not elite. The game is starting to hinge more and more on transition plays and Michkov’s intelligence, puck skills, and ability to link plays will translate incredibly well. You also have 3 Russians who have made the jump to the club recently to ease his transition and guide him on what to expect with moving to the States.

   Kent never had an offseason last year, he played so much hockey last year. Winter WJC that got canceled, Olympics, summer WJC, really long college season. With a full offseason he will be more explosive and heavier on pucks and in puck battles. KJ can 100 percent play center and be a franchise center. The game is also becoming more and more positionless. With the right tactics and coaching, you can unlock Kent’s elite puck carrying ability through the middle of the ice, which will result in more possession, successful carry-ins, and transition opportunities, while also utilizing his already elite ability to link transition plays from the half-wall. Kent has elite tools and he can develop at center, while we wait for Michkov to make the jump. Smith isn’t close to making an impact either. KJ is honestly a coaches wet dream with the potential he has shown. He can be a 3 zone monster with the right coach who has a vision for unlocking all his potential.

   I still think it’d be a mistake to pass Michkov at 3 and I really hope we pick 2 or above. Picking 4 is a nightmare scenario. I just think Smith will struggle translating his game to the NHL level and won’t be that impactful defensively.

   I honestly have Benson rated higher than Smith for lots of reasons.