Sitting at number eight in the draft, the Blue Jackets are in a precarious spot. Many teams want to get into the top ten, and many within the top ten want to move into the top three. The rumor recently circulating, courtesy of Elliotte Friedman, has the Blue Jackets interested in moving up to the number three slot currently occupied by the Arizona Coyotes. While this is only a rumor for now, if the Jackets decide to stay at their current slot they may be faced with a tough decision. It has been stated multiple times by general manager Jarmo Kekalainen that the team will select the best player available, but the pipeline is barren in regard to defensemen. Ivan Provorov and Zach Werenski are the players most likely to fall to the number eight slot, with Oliver Kylington likely to be there but arguably a reach to be taken so high. The question remains: who should they select?
Ivan Provorov:
Let us take a look at what others are saying:
“An offensively gifted defenceman who can direct the game’s pace when the puck is on his stick. Provorov is a quick and agile skater with an accurate release on his shot, which he can get off anywhere below the blue line; creates many chances on the power play and can even create offense during the penalty kill. Is an adroit and creative passer who knows how to use his teammates well. All-in-all, a complete defenceman who knows how goals are scored and executes accordingly.”
Cody Nickolet, Future Considerations:
“Ivan Provorov is a steady and smart two-way defenceman for the Brandon Wheat Kings who possesses a smooth, composed and powerful skating stride and can accelerate away from a forecheck or into an offensive lane due to the strength of his first few steps. He could stand to add a bit more pure top speed as he slowly gets closer to playing in the NHL, although he’s surely not a slow skater by any means and displays strong edgework as he appears to be fairly light on his feet.
Provorov oozes hockey sense and plays with a remarkably high level of poise, never seems to be flustered by physical contact or by the pressure of a forecheck and executes crisp, accurate and well-timed outlet passes. Provorov passes the puck harder than most players at this level with his long stick possessing a high amount of whip to it. He can add some touch to his passes, softening them when necessary, and has the ability and composure to reverse the play or circle back in his own zone if he doesn’t like what he sees in front of him when attempting to exit the zone.”
My take:
Having seen multiple games of Provorov, you immediately notice his skating as an attribute that he uses to his advantage. As an “offensively” minded defenseman, he brings a lot to the table. He is the en vogue player due to his high offensive output and skating ability. The value that is being placed in puck moving defenseman isn’t a fad that will be going away any time soon. If you are a team with Stanley Cup aspirations you need a defenseman that will carry the puck in and out of the zone, and Provorov fits the bill perfectly. On potential alone you have to give him high marks in every regard, as he has already a well-rounded skill set but still a lot of room to improve in his game, which has many scouts salivating. It is also important to note that he had the fourth most points by a defender in the WHL, and was tops among draft eligible defensemen. Out of the top end defensive picks in the draft I believe he possesses the most potential and projects to have the highest ceiling of the bunch.
Provorov is currently generating interest as high as number four in the draft by the Maple Leafs but that seems more like a smoke screen strategy meant to throw off the teams below them. Noah Hanifin is still the best defenseman in the draft and an absolute sure thing in the similar mold of a healthy Ryan Murray. As a general manager in this year’s draft you have to ask yourself when looking at a defenseman, what is my risk vs. my reward? Provorov may throw off some GMs just from this statement alone, but he could end up being the best of the bunch.
Zach Werenski
What others are saying:
“A smooth-skating, puck-moving defenceman that has a strong understanding of the game. Excels in key situations and is able to execute under pressure. Possesses good vision and awareness on the ice; uses his abilities to put offensive and defensive pressure on the opposition. All-in-all, a very strong all-around defenceman that consistently brings his game every night.”
“Smart and reliable two-way defenseman…shows skill at both ends of the ice…is a good skater with a smooth stride and fluid movements…handles the puck well with decent hand-skill, good strength and some elusiveness with it as he moves through the neutral zone…makes a great first pass and outlet…has good poise and vision with the puck on his stick…has a decent wrist shot, which he’ll take from the point…isn’t overly physical on defense and he needs to play tougher and meaner than he does…has good reach and he uses his stick well to take away lanes and force players wide and off the puck…poised on defense and recovers well.”
My take:
After catching him at the World Junior and a couple of Big Ten games you immediately become wowed by the fact that Werenski was the youngest player in the NCAA last year at the age of 17. It is made all the more impressive when looking at his output during his NCAA season and the World Junior Championship. Not missing a beat in either case, he showed his poise on many occasions by making the right pass and taking the right shot. Werenski played in a weak Big Ten this year, which may have boosted his numbers slightly, but are still excellent when taking his age into consideration. His decision making at times can leave a little to be desired when trying to decide when to make a pinch or when to close out, but these attributes can be taught and are more often than not made up easily by his raw skill. While Werenski has provided results at nearly every level of hockey in my viewings, his skating and shooting has looked unorthodox. This isn’t to say that he isn’t good by any stretch, but provides a different look then many defensemen in the draft. Werenski has a first pass that many in the NHL dream about and that is one of the reasons why he finds himself squarely in the discussion of being a top ten pick.
When looking at Provorov and Werenski side by side it becomes evident what the league is looking for in its top-end defensemen: quick, poised, puck movers. Werenski may take more time to develop but he has plenty of time to bring together a game that has already been honed at a rapid level. Provorov isn’t a complete project either, but his offensive output may be too tantalizing to pass up for some. Both project to be good players in the NHL but Provorov seems to project slightly higher then Werenski, as his dynamic play has him climbing in many draft boards.
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