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<\/a><\/p>\nBased on being a big, strong, 2-way defenseman from a \u201cnon-traditional\u201d country, the most immediate comparable I\u2019ve seen is Moritz Seider. So let\u2019s take a look at some video to see if that holds up:<\/p>\n
I honestly can see the comp – he has great 4-way mobility, good instincts and poise with the puck, and makes strong offensive reads. Defensively, his gaps are near perfect and he showed a good stick and closing speed. He\u2019s also not afraid to get physical. In the shift by shift every puck touch was the correct decision. He joins the rush when he should and has a good sense of where he is in the zone and doesn\u2019t get caught. His offense isn\u2019t overly dynamic and may be more muted at the NHL level which is why he is ranked in the 5-9 range on most lists<\/a>, but he is pro ready and there is not a lot to dislike about his game.<\/p>\n Carels is a cattle farm kid from Cypress River, Manitoba (pop. 175) – just over the border from North Dakota and west of Winnipeg. He stands 6\u20192\u201d 198 lbs and profiles as smooth skating transition monster with good physicality and a bit of a mean streak. He was drafted by and joined the Prince George Cougars of the WHL and has represented Canada at every national tournament for which he has been eligible. He had a massive breakout this past season putting up big numbers while wearing an \u2018A\u2019 for Prince George and is committed to North Dakota next season.<\/p>\n Carels is firmly in the top 10 draft projections across the board<\/a>, projected as high as 3rd. Frankly the only thing putting some of the RHD ahead of him is just that, handedness. He is, in my opinion, the best defenseman in this draft class, does everything well and projects as a Jake Sanderson jack of all trades with good offense. Let\u2019s take a look at the videotape:<\/p>\n That comp holds up, although I definitely see him needing a little more polish in his defensive game. He does have good gaps and a good stick and closed well in transition, but feel like that can improve a touch. That being said, I\u2019m big believer in drafting for offense and skating and he has both in spades – which is similar to Sanderson\u2019s profile in his draft year. Get used to this kid there is a very strong possibility he winds up across the river.<\/p>\n Villeneuve has largely crept up rankings for two reasons: 1) Lane Hutson\u2019s success and 2) a monster performance at the U18 WJC. He is 5\u201911\u201d 162 lbs and profiles very similar to Hutson, and frankly Quinn Hughes, as a dynamic undersized, offensive defenseman. In a copycat league, teams and scouts now have their radars on high alert for guys like this so they don\u2019t slip through the cracks again. He is committed to BU net season which will be eye opening if he can elevate at the next level. He tops out at as high as #5, but most lists have him mid-teens to low 20s<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n