The Free Press’s Helene St. James has filed a mailbag article, and among her questions and answers is this note about the Wings’ likely first-round pick:
HSJ: From people I talk to in the organization, Evan Bouchard appears to have slight edge over Noah Dobson. It was interesting at the the combine, of the top defensive prospects I interviewed (Bouchard, Dobson, Hughes and Adam Boqvist) — Bouchard sounded the most confident he can help an NHL team as soon as next season. Now, it is just up to the player, of course, but still, he clearly feels he’s ready for another level after posting 25 goals and 62 assists for 87 points in 67 games with London in the Ontario Hockey League.
St. James continues, and in my opinion, it’s very close between Bouchard and Dobson, but Bouchard is older and more physically mature.
Bouchard, please and thanks. Just from everything i’ve read. Dude was a workhorse in the OHL playing 30+ minutes some games. A minute muncher like that would be spectacular.
I’d be happy with either/or. I’ve got them both higher than Boquist/Hughes, but I’m confident they’ll all be solid picks.
Dobson intrigues a bit more than Bouchard, but Bouchard is the safer pick imo…
It’s a hard toss up between the 4 of them. I’ll be happy with whomever they pick at 6th unless they go way off the board. All 4 are super intriguing.
Dobson would be my choice, although frankly it becomes a crap shoot so many times. All have qualities that could help them become impact players but it’s hard to know.