Going back in time to how the Tampa Bay Lightning drafted Brayden Point, where his major flaw was his
slow skating.
2012 Al Murray (TBL director of amateur scouting) and Yzerman were scouting Morgan Reilly with the Moose Jaw Warriors, but Murray who lives in Regina was able to watch a 16yr old Point prior and really like his skill set saying he's their best player.
Draft year: "Point's NHL Projection tag-line read, “Dynamic point producer.” “He’s a small player with a big heart,” one scout said. “He plays bigger than his size and he fights through traffic. You just wish he were bigger.”"
sounds like a Hoglander!
"The Lightning went to the draft in Philadelphia that year hoping to get Point, but desperately needed to stock their organization at defense. That’s why they took Tony DeAngelo in the first round, the Dominic Masin with the 35th overall pick and Johnathan MacLeod at No. 57. All three were blueliners. "
The Minnesota Wild were interested in Point and Louis Belpedio at #79, so Al Murray got Yzerman to offer up their 7th to swap spots from 80->79, Yzerman actually called every team to move up, Minny finally did.
After they drafted Point, Cooper noticed his horrendous skating, so TBL put Point with Barbara Underhill, a former World Champion pairs skater.
Underhill has helped a number of NHLers improve their stride. Among those working with Point was Jamie Heffernan, he was one of the first in hockey to use the Zenolink 3D motion capture technology system as a tool to analyze skating. The result is the current version of Brayden Point, an elite skater who can play both ends of the ice and could very well end up winning the Conn Smythe Trophy this season.
https://www.si.com/hockey/news/how-the- ... f-all-time
So at the draft we shouldn't use slow skating or small size as a deterrent if the prospect has elite skill, heart and determination to fight through traffic - as skating can be improved with proper development and technology.
Can the Canucks just win a Cup within the next 5 years.