Marr has singled out Étienne Morin, the Moncton Wildcats' blueliner, as his first choice for the draft amongst defensemen, a move that has not been echoed by the wider scouting community.
In this year's draft, there are a few standout defensemen, such as David Reinbacher, Tom Willander, Dmitri Simashev, and Axel Sandin-Pelikka. These players have all received recognition from nearly all major scouting firms, something that cannot be said for Morin.
While Morin's understanding of the game is well-developed, the consensus is that his overall skill set and performance are not on par with the top defensemen. This is especially relevant considering the QMJHL's reputation as a league where offensive skills tend to overshadow the defensive aspect of the game.
Marr's choice has, therefore, generated significant debate. It's not that Morin is considered a weak prospect; rather, if Marr's assessment were accurate, one would expect more firms to rate him higher.
The NHL Director of Amateur Scouting's surprising pick is surely causing a stir in the industry.
POLL | ||
9 JUIN | 58 ANSWERS NHL Scouting Director's Top Defenseman Pick Sparks Controversy Do you enjoy scouting draft eligible prospects? | ||
Yes | 39 | 67.2 % |
No | 19 | 32.8 % |
List of polls |