The consensus among the fan base seems like Carlsson is the top choice at three, but Will Smith, though not as big, could add a dynamic element to the offense that it’s been missing for a while
The consensus among the fan base seems like Carlsson is the top choice at three, but Will Smith, though not as big, could add a dynamic element to the offense that it’s been missing for a while
The push for the Jackets to draft Smith from the media in general has been weird. Carlsson just looks like the clear better player and, as many scouts have said, is a solid candidate to go 2nd OA. It just doesn’t seem like there’s a legitimate reason to consider Smith at 3 OA when Fantilli or Carlsson are going to be there.
hhh81
“Projected to play a top six role in the NHL, Smith may be more suited to play the wing. The defensive responsibilities he would have playing center would discourage him from being his creative best in the offensive zone.”
Nope, we already heard this song. We have one or 2 of these
Go Carlsson and let’s just forget this please
LeocantoKosta_
We already have Kent Johnson to fill the “lanky winger/center with skill but question marks about physicality” role, thanks. Give me Fantilli or Carlsson.
NontransferableApe
Kent johnson has an extremely similar profile to smith. We already have a center that will potentially turn to wing in the NHL
MrThird312
Agree to disagree here – Carlsson will be the C we need – not the most dynamic skater and shooter, but we have shooters and fancy skaters, we need a driver down the middle and high hockey IQ/playmaking paired with responsible D tendencies – that’s Carlsson
bombadillo814
We have plenty of dynamic offensive players. Laine, KJ, and Johnny should be plenty. Add in secondary scoring from Marchenko, chinakov, Jenner, ect, and we should be fine as far as scoring goes. What we need is a highly talented glue piece in the middle. The kind of player that might not be putting up 100p/season, but facilitates everyone else around him being able to put up those kind of numbers. A Kopitar/Toews/Bergeron/Barkov type who certainly still contributes offensively, but does more to get plays started than necessarily finishing them. And it’s not like Carlsson is not talented offensively. He just provides so much more than that. He’s defensively responsible, has the size to be able to possess and control the puck in the offensive zone, and the high IQ to make all the players around him better. He is exactly the piece of the puzzle we have desperately needed for so long to finally put this offense together.
DIYCenturyGoaler
My only concern is that in the rankings on the Athletic by the prospect writers they rank his skating as “Below NHL Average”. But then haven’t really heard anyone say much about it. I haven’t watched him so anyone confirm/deny that designation?
trothwell55
I’m all aboard the Carlsson train and not getting off. Choo Choo mfers make that big swede boy a Jacket
willingplankton
Carlsson is just too perfect for the team Jarmo is putting together. I thought that well ahead of the lottery, too. We’ve already got Kent Johnson, so why are we looking at the American version of him?
Another reason Chicago getting Bedard is a shame because just from a roster construction standpoint they could really use Michkov instead to step right in when they’re ready to compete again, and now there’ll be pressure to build around Bedard instead of going brick by brick. Not that I’m sad for Chicago’s front office or anything. It just sucks Bedard isn’t going to a team closer to competing.
9 Comments
The push for the Jackets to draft Smith from the media in general has been weird. Carlsson just looks like the clear better player and, as many scouts have said, is a solid candidate to go 2nd OA. It just doesn’t seem like there’s a legitimate reason to consider Smith at 3 OA when Fantilli or Carlsson are going to be there.
“Projected to play a top six role in the NHL, Smith may be more suited to play the wing. The defensive responsibilities he would have playing center would discourage him from being his creative best in the offensive zone.”
Nope, we already heard this song. We have one or 2 of these
Go Carlsson and let’s just forget this please
We already have Kent Johnson to fill the “lanky winger/center with skill but question marks about physicality” role, thanks. Give me Fantilli or Carlsson.
Kent johnson has an extremely similar profile to smith. We already have a center that will potentially turn to wing in the NHL
Agree to disagree here – Carlsson will be the C we need – not the most dynamic skater and shooter, but we have shooters and fancy skaters, we need a driver down the middle and high hockey IQ/playmaking paired with responsible D tendencies – that’s Carlsson
We have plenty of dynamic offensive players. Laine, KJ, and Johnny should be plenty. Add in secondary scoring from Marchenko, chinakov, Jenner, ect, and we should be fine as far as scoring goes. What we need is a highly talented glue piece in the middle. The kind of player that might not be putting up 100p/season, but facilitates everyone else around him being able to put up those kind of numbers. A Kopitar/Toews/Bergeron/Barkov type who certainly still contributes offensively, but does more to get plays started than necessarily finishing them. And it’s not like Carlsson is not talented offensively. He just provides so much more than that. He’s defensively responsible, has the size to be able to possess and control the puck in the offensive zone, and the high IQ to make all the players around him better. He is exactly the piece of the puzzle we have desperately needed for so long to finally put this offense together.
My only concern is that in the rankings on the Athletic by the prospect writers they rank his skating as “Below NHL Average”. But then haven’t really heard anyone say much about it. I haven’t watched him so anyone confirm/deny that designation?
I’m all aboard the Carlsson train and not getting off. Choo Choo mfers make that big swede boy a Jacket
Carlsson is just too perfect for the team Jarmo is putting together. I thought that well ahead of the lottery, too. We’ve already got Kent Johnson, so why are we looking at the American version of him?
Another reason Chicago getting Bedard is a shame because just from a roster construction standpoint they could really use Michkov instead to step right in when they’re ready to compete again, and now there’ll be pressure to build around Bedard instead of going brick by brick. Not that I’m sad for Chicago’s front office or anything. It just sucks Bedard isn’t going to a team closer to competing.