Islanders accept

Hawks accept.

Celebrini is obviously the dream but I'd be very happy with Levshunov or Lindstrom. Both fill a position of need. Both bring size and physicality. I'm not sold on demidov just yet.

How? Between Levshunov, Lindstrom, and Demidov, Demidov is absolutely the best player with the most upside. He has upside to be a bigger star than Celebrini, even. He could arguably have the best processing speed of any player ever. Just watch some tape, look at how quickly he adapts on the fly and makes decisions. Watch how he moves and handles the puck in small areas and manipulates defenders. Watch how he uses his feet in entirely unique ways to create deception and set himself up for his next deke/faint/pass/shot. He is insane.

The more I watch Demidov the more I'm sold that he should be the guy at #2. The upside is just higher than Lindstrom/Levshunov and we need more elite talent right now rather than higher floor. Also, I'm just not as high on Lindstrom as others are. I see his videos (and I'll continue to watch) and I see his physical maturity right now vs his opposition combined with other elite talent on his team as items that I'm more concerned about than the average fan. He'll be an NHLer for sure. I just see his floor as being very high.

The video below I think does a decent job of highlighting his higher end talent. Some of the things they call positives...I simply disagree with. For example the very 1st highlight ~ 1 min in. He needs to pass that to his teammate and trust his teammate makes the right decision to either A.) shoot it or B.) pass it back. The goalie can't move faster than the passed puck. The video outlines his 10-2 skating which is a nice thing to have in your back pocket and I see Makar's edgework utilizes a lot of this lateral movement, BUT to go up and down the ice like the video shows at 10-2...that'll need to be coached out of him I believe. And CAN! That's Hockey IQ and one of his strengths. What I like the most though is that he went attacks the middle regularly and will sacrifice his body in order to make a play. THAT will 100% translate to the NHL if his body will hold up.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLbI37aD-Ws

He's just as good as Michkov but smaller, and people are already realizing the mistake that was letting Michkov fall to 7

Demidov is bigger than Michkov. Or is that what you meant?

I agree on Lindstrom. I'm personally not sold on him or Levshunov. I don't really see why those two are clearly ahead of guys like Parekh, Catton, Dickinson, and Silyev imo. All those guys are in the same tier to me. Landing Demidov would be huge for the hawks because after him there's a big drop.

Demidov is skinnier and not as strong on the puck if I'm mistaken. I didn't actually look it up so I definitely could be

Oh. I wouldn't say isn't as strong on the puck at all. He is a little skinnier or, technically, probably just less muscle, at this point, but he is one inch taller. Also, I think Michkov's height might be slightly exaggerated.

Honestly I haven't watched too much of this draft class. Now that Chicago has pick #2 I'll dive deeper on Demidov

It's easy for a disabled person like me to watch a crap load of hockey. I have so much free time. I get how it isn't easy for everyone. But, yeah, I definitely recommend digging in. The guy is in a tier of his own after Celebrini, and that is only right now. When they are both in their primes playing in the NHL, Demidov has the potential to be the bigger superstar offensively. I could be talked into Lindstrom because of the total package. I think Levshunov is pretty overrated and doesn't belong in anyones top 5. I don't even have him in my top 10. I would draft Buium before him.