WHY Were 3 Players Drafted Before Cale Makar? Where Are They Now?

[@RobTalksHockey]

Who is the BEST player from the 2017 draft class?

[@kaig1389]

the man who had 13 points in his rookie season cody glass, he’s obviously the best here when doing nothing so far

[@mjp2766]

Toss up between Patrick, Andersson, and Mittelstadt

[@mvp6364]

I really like nick Suzuki he played with one of my brothers friends in Owen Sound so I’m hoping he keeps playing well

[@ethan9409]

Petey but I’m an avs fan and I love Makar he’s second best for sure.

[@jonsmittle1974]

Petterson no doubt about it

[@vitaly6312]

“Colorado is going to be a scary team” - yes. They just won the Stanley cup, with Makar as the MVP and also winning the Norris trophy.

[@thomaskauser8978]

THE BENCH IS DEEP

[@SuperEddy72]

Good team but a healthy tampa this year especially point being out, that speed i think would have finished the job for 3 in a row.

[@xonerex7501]

@@SuperEddy72 lol, no

[@SuperEddy72]

@@xonerex7501 cant argue, thats why i said i think lol

[@xonerex7501]

@@SuperEddy72 Fair enough

[@raedraconis]

His first goal, on his first shift, in his first ever NHL game, with his parents in the stands...the Pepsi Center exploded with cheers. He started his career with a bang and I can't imagine that it will anything but hall of fame-worthy.

[@co_snowy]

It’s wasn’t his first shift but yea lol

[@LonerNomad]

Send everyone that scored a goal in their first game straight to the HOF

[@cybercypher7168]

Wasn't his first shift. Just his first shot. You think they'd bench him until the 2nd period? Lol

[@HaloAmbienceAndMore]

It was his first shot too

[@highlight7155]

Jake guentzel did the same thing and he went to to win the cup

[@akaylamendoza287]

Watching this today, the day after Makar wins the Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup. It was nice to see his journey.

[@My_Naginta]

"Get yourself a Cale Makar" - Landeskog

[@darmbains9727]

Im watching this today

[@tomwilson3969]

I went to school with this kid. I was even his defence partner one year when we were like 8. He has always been ridiculously good at hockey.

[@cujo2036]

Hes right, i was the coach

[@mr.productions7084]

Do you remember me playing goalie? Yeah, I'm carter hart

[@itsapplesaucetoaboss8216]

Can confirm. I was the scorekeeper.

[@tomwilson3969]

@@itsapplesaucetoaboss8216 so that's why I got so many points back then lol

[@isaiahscobel]

@@tomwilson3969 I have a jersey of this guy

[@gicueN17R0]

Makar simply raised the level of this Avalanche team from the moment he stepped on the ice for his first game(in the playoffs) and just helped in a huge way getting this team back to the 3rd round in 20 years! #AllHailCale #GoAvsGo #FindAWay

[@SirManfly]

"Mini" Erik Karlsson on their hands? I'd say he's there now !!

[@hcburner]

@@SirManfly Arguably surpassed him now with his Norris & Conn Smythe season

[@snfriedm]

As a devils fan, I’m here to remind you that Nico was NOT a bust and has been super helpful to us as a team, he’s just no Makar.

[@TheRealLulZ91]

As a fellow devils fan, I second this statement

[@bloke_19xx33]

As a Flyers fan, I really can't say the same about Nolan Patrick. What a headache (both literally and figuratively).

[@mcsheaman]

Nobody is like Makar, it's an unfair comparison for Nico

[@devilsfan2462]

As a devils fan, I can say that nico may not have the raw talent of makar, but he still is a great player with plenty of potential. I see him becoming more of a Backstrom of Zajac style of player

[@CreateJDM]

⁠@@devilsfan2462 yeah Nico is playing solid just different play styles and the obvious skill gap but it’s not even fair to compare anyone else to makar except probably Bobby Orr 🤷‍♂️

[@RecoveringGenius]

As an old-school guy from the 70's and 80's who's literally talked Hockey in person with Bobby Orr-- you'll often hear guys from my generation not give credit to any of the younger players. But this kid is for real... A generational player. His vision of the moving chess pieces, his ability to keep his head up while stick handling, and his Hockey IQ. Just a special special player.

[@rodhenson7657]

If he could only learn to play defense.

[@RecoveringGenius]

@@rodhenson7657 Perhaps you know, but the same criticism was given to Bobby Orr... especially in regards to him always being deep in the offensive zone... His response was classic, he said "You know, when you have the puck that's a pretty good defense" LOL But Makar is more like Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey crashing the net and lots of time in the offensive zone. Whereas, Lidstrom and Bourque were more traditional stay-at-the-point or always hang back type of positional players. All were fantastic just different styles... Coffey was a great skater and he had a great passer in Gretzky so he'd crash the net a lot... But hey, I'd take any of the guys I just mentioned! Cheers mate

[@mattallen2392]

Makar going to the Stanley Cup after a 5 point closeout game to sweep the Oilers. Dude is unreal.

[@isaacklostermann3936]

You predicted well and correct. And he won playoff MVP!

[@rbrb3625]

@@isaacklostermann3936 He delivered!!! However, the ad on this KZbin probably will not deliver $ 1000 for making a salad.

[@eggstu]

Avs fan here so obviously I agree. However, both Miro and Elias are right up there so really, 3,4,5 may be one of the best trio at those spots in Draft history. All 3 have a real chance at being the top player from that class.

[@jogendron6320]

Toews Backstrom Kessel 2006

[@jejsemin33]

Miro and Elias are class but Makar is another level

[@canuck2444]

​@@jejsemin33 Petey is starting to get a lot better. Not quite makars level but he has bridged the gap quite a bit this season. He has an all around game now. Who knows he might be putting up 100+ points yearly if he was on colorado. We saw how that benefitted kadri.

[@crookedzebrarecords]

Future legend in Makar, and as a life long Flyer's fan, it is a very difficult pill to swallow (glad I watched the video, I had not realized he played in a lower junior division league and that is why it was difficult for scouts to gauge exactly how good he was! Keep this video up, you are likely going to get A LOT of views over the years!

[@shawnwedekind9964]

Reports have recently come out that in that draft Flyers scouts were telling Ron Hextal to pick Makar 2nd overall but Hextal chose Patrick instead against scout recommendations.

[@NoBody1399]

That's pretty on brand for the Flyers. Makar is better off because they would have just churned and burned him without giving him the extra time in NCAA to develop. And the org doesn't seem to value puck moving defenseman, they never gave Ghost a fair shot either.

[@frankytanky5076]

And i will forever hate hextall for it.

[@thewu6252]

I’d hate to be a scout

[@yankees2864]

@@thewu6252 same, being constantly ignored by arrogant owners and gms would suck

[@thewu6252]

@@yankees2864 I just recently watched hustle with Adam sander and I feel like a lot of scouts feel like Adam sandler in that movie

[@BoomerKeith1]

As an Avs fan I'll never forget watching the draft (I had to follow it on my phone) and I wanted Makar badly but didn't think he'd be there when the Avs picked. We all knew Patrick and Hischier were going 1/2, but I really thought the Stars would take Makar. I figured we were going to go with Cal Foote or even Brannstrom. When the Stars took Heiskanen I remember thinking "if we don't take Makar I'm going to be furious" and then we did. When he got his first shot to play with the Avs, in a playoff game, and looked so comfortable, I knew we had a really good player. Fast forward to now and he's absolutely one of our best guys and clearly the best defenseman on the team and among the best, if not the best in the league. Great video! Brought back some good memories.

[@scarycrazymann]

I was hoping he'd fall down to the Sabres cause that's where he was projected. Obviously the avs were the only component team that were in the top 4 that year.

[@wallybipster]

@@scarycrazymann well, I don't think you can say the stars did a bad pick with Heiskanen. Actually, Sakic was disappointed because he wanted Heiskanen, but had to "settle" for Makar.

[@scarycrazymann]

@@wallybipster probably doesn't regret that now lol. I think heiskanen still has yet to explode, defenceman usually take time to have a breakout season. Makar is the exception, he may even be even better.

[@wallybipster]

@@scarycrazymann absolutely. Both these guys started off well, but Makar was younger. I've never seen a D-man as fresh as Makar look so good from day 1. But with the way D-men tend to take time to develop, who knows what we'll be saying in a couple years. It's funny how the OC above mentioned Brannstrom, as I live closer to Ottawa these days, and he only started looking like a real solid up-and-coming player for the Sens this year, but that's more the norm. Also, the Sens...

[@V3rnSqwd5611]

@@wallybipster Byram has been pretty impressive considering he’s the same age Makar was. Makar did have a couple of rookie mistakes in his first playoffs that I haven’t seen from Byram. For example when Makar scored on his own goal against Dallas. While I think Makar is more talented Byram has been even more poised than makar was at age 20. They’re gonna be a solid defensive pair for a long time.

[@opticalecho119]

Makar is so incredibly good on defense. He shut McDavid down while still producing crazy offense. Best D man in the league right now.

[@dylankennedy9383]

If it's about Cale I'm clicking

[@crystalskylight9327]

Cale is a really talented guy. Colorado have the craziest line-up now, looking better than what they have in many years. Surely another Stanley Cup is on the way within the near future... Great hockey.

[@JABoyle3875]

It will be an utter failure if there isn't at LEAST one Cup in the next 3 years with this Avs team.

[@gbot3377]

In the real near.

[@gbot3377]

@@JABoyle3875 Number 1 coming right up.

[@crystalskylight9327]

@@gbot3377 Just realised I wrote this comment a year ago lol! Yep here we are now. In the FINALS !

[@gbot3377]

@@crystalskylight9327 Hahaha! Great prediction. The near future is now and it came fast, haha. Makar is like beyond human. The team's passing and skill seems another level compared to all others. Extremely fun to watch. Just have to finish now. Too bad about Kadri! Leading assist guy.

[@jackmannschreck726]

I think this was your best video yet! I love this format!

[@spicoli3357]

Colorado also had the luxury of a much more complete roster than the Devils, Flyers and Stars which allowed them to take a risk and draft Makar. The potential was there but due the the leagues he played in as this video mentions, I think that and his size scared some teams away. Good on Colorado to take the risk, paid off big time! This video really made me think of why drafting is so hard and it makes me think of the Devils drafting Luke Hughes. It's very hard for things to align like they did in order for a team like the Avs to be able to take a risk on Makar and not be hurt too badly if he didn't pan out. Same with the Devils, very hard to end up the place to draft your beat players younger brother whom happens to be the exact position you need most and who is considered to have one of if not the highest ceiling of any 1st rounder in 2021 due to being an underage draft pick and almost an entire year younger than the 1st overall. Great video though! Scouting/drafting is extremely fascinating

[@AEMoreira81]

Colorado had tanked the previous season to try to get the #1 overall pick though. Cale Makar was their consolation prize.

[@jamescarlson3931]

The Avs just had a 48pt season and lost the lottery, let’s not act like this was the team it is now

[@wallybipster]

Sakic wanted Heiskanen though, it is documented. Makar was a pretty good consolation prize, especially considering the Avs were frustrated their pick after tanking was all the way to the 4 spot.

[@mastakoho]

It’s kind of a cherry picked stat that he was chosen so late in the WHL draft. It was known he was going the NCAA route, so it would have been a waste of a high pick. Late picks in major juniors happen all the time for players committed to the NCAA route.

[@jedmosko9992]

thought Owen power had told teams he wanted to go back to college just to have another shot at WJC... he was still picked at #1

[@RT-me3wn]

Thanks for the video, Rob. Well researched and well presented. Thanks for sharing your passion with us benders.

[@lawrencekrieger4]

Haven't watched the video yet, but all I can say is how thankful I am that Cale Makar honored his UMass commitment years ago. Changed the identity of our program.

[@danielflynn8530]

I saw him play in real life for UMass against AIC in Springfield. There was definitely a stark contrast in puck handling

[@KovertMailMan]

Well, i know its a year late but comparing him to Karlsson is a slap in the face to Makar at this point, kids a legend in the making especially with his first cup under his belt

[@naydra199]

Lol

[@anonymous134y]

to me, it looks like the AVs made a lot of good choices for Makar's development. Normally, teams are quick to put the player on the roster after the draft

[@JasonSmith-pe5py]

Avs wanted him after his freshman year though. I'm sure it would've worked out fine. But it was Makar,& his parents-who decided he needed another season of college hockey. A Hoby Baker,& trip to the National title game certainly didn't hurt.

[@Matt-by3yd]

I enjoyed this video and really enjoyed learning about this new player I’ve been interested in lately. Thanks mate!!

[@1bah]

Cale was a pleasure to watch here in Brooks and yes he was that good then, there were NHL potential players on many teams during his time here. Brooks has been a training ground for many talented players in part due to the coaching,training and scouting staff we have. Just watch for more players to come out of here… GO BANDITS GO and GO AVS GO.

[@Darrylsuttersfavoritecow]

Hey Robbie I just saw this one I don’t know how I missed it great video buddy as usual thank you for putting these. I’m all balls and I really appreciate watching your channel

[@RHaines76Gaming]

Makar and the likes remind me of a past when defenseman (think Orr, Coffey, McInnis, Bourque) were allowed to shine, then came years of defensive shut down hockey which was kind of boring. I hope defenseman like Makar and Hughes are the new norm as they make hockey so much more exciting and dynamic. Great video.

[@lilwoodiewood3457]

Not even close to orr ... a modern day orr would score like McDavid but at the same time he'd be the best player in the league defensively ... and he'd also throw his body around ... he would fight to ....

[@RHaines76Gaming]

@@lilwoodiewood3457 different times. Orr wasn't great defensively.

[@lilwoodiewood3457]

@@RHaines76Gaming how old are you he was domiant in his own end

[@lilwoodiewood3457]

@@RHaines76Gaming he was faster then everybody that's why he could play offensively and still be good in his own end also there were alot more bad skaters back then ... the difference between ability was larger from top to bottom he was physical he blocked shots he played amazingly in his own end he turned a 20 goal mid 20s Phil Esposito into a 76 goal scorer a record that was held till gretzky broke it .... orr also played in Era where u had goalies like Tony Esposito having 1.69 gaas and 15 shoutout seasons .... again how old are u were u a adult when u show orr play if not then maybe u should refresh your memory and watch some full games

[@lilwoodiewood3457]

@@RHaines76Gaming oh nvm u know absolutely nonthing about orr your a kid who posts gaming videos...

[@LetsTalkHockey9]

Love how much support your channel is getting bro. You deserve it! Great video

[@jacktrevisan3382]

All 3 of 3-5 are arguably the best player. All of those teams made the right choice in who fits cuz dallas needed a good 2 way dman with klingberg already there avs needed a offensive dman cuz they had good defensive d and Vancouver for the last of the three and needed a good forward to replace the sedins. All around good for each team no matter who is the “best” player cuz they all are great and good fits.

[@alchemilk]

The best player is clearly pettey it’s no competition

[@arthursundberg9012]

@@alchemilk lets revisit this comment

[@alchemilk]

@@arthursundberg9012 yeah Makar is clearly better now, Pettey showed no signs of slowing down, and even In the 2020 playoffs he was elite, and he’s just been declining since, it really couldn’t have been predicted, unless he reverts back to his previous potential, Makar will stay better

[@lilwoodiewood3457]

Who was the good defensive dman that the Aves had I'm 2017

[@jpaulsy3047]

@@alchemilk he’s good now.

[@ale2999]

Commenting on this in 2022 and you got this analysis bang on. Well done.

[@williamwilliam728]

One year on from the making of this video, MAKAR!!! He's just getting going and already making seasoned pros look average to downright silly.

[@turbotron42069]

wild watching this vid right before colorado plays in the stanley cup final. makar has gone from people saying he’s going to be the next karlsson, which ain’t shabby at all, to wayne gretzky saying he’s the closest thing he’s seen to bobby orr. it sounds weird to compare a forward and a d-man, but makar is literally the mcdavid of defenders right now, so fun to watch cale take over a game offensively while also being one of the best the other way of the ice as well

[@ColeTalksHockey67]

I saw Makar play in Penticton at the WCC. He was unreal. After the first game I saw him play, you could see the top 10 potential in him.

[@lilwoodiewood3457]

The u19s are nowhere near the level of the u20 or even u 18 tourments

[@NIGHTBREED3R]

Video looked great Rob. I am a pretty new subscriber to your channel. I like your enthusiasm and the way you come across. Some of the other guys have seemed to slip into a monotone limbo lately. Keep up the great work brother 👍🏻👍🏻

[@shawnpooley]

I heard them talking this exact topic on NHL radio today. The best thing that happened to Colorado was dropping in the draft due to the lottery because if they had drafted #1, taking a Tier 2 player first overall would be a very hard sell to anyone, regardless of his talent. It's possible Makar was #1 on their list anyway. I read the Canucks had Makar #1 on their list as well in 2017.

[@meekialx]

The avs might have done it again with Alex Newhook! Overlooked because he played in the bchl, but then dominated college hockey this year😍

[@Luke-ou6wh]

Avs are set to win for the next decade, like the Oilers of the 80s

[@meekialx]

@@Luke-ou6wh Yeah they were just getting started this year lol

[@Luke-ou6wh]

@@meekialx Like the Oilers of 1980 the only difference is that they played during the Islanders dynasty, I think the Avs will win sooner than the Oilers did

[@Windyyyyyyyyy]

Avalanche badly need a goalie

[@Luke-ou6wh]

@@Windyyyyyyyyy True, maybe they can get someone in free agency

[@Eric-ec8we]

gonna have to revisit this video when Hischier pulls a Mackinnon and starts to pop off after a few average years. Guy is really starting to find his stride this year and I expect a huge breakout season in 2022/2023 for him. He is by no means better than Makar, but people are starting to realize how underrated Nico is

[@christyouredumb956]

Cale locked in all The hardware. Hischier has to find a way to change the game.

[@RichardDolanrouteseo]

Very good video. Keep up the in depth looks at talent.

[@37willdog]

I hope Patrick can play again. He showed promise in his first seasons but it stings knowing we could’ve had Heiskanen or Makar

[@michaels2502]

If Nolan can come back 100% next season, he’s going to have success. Plenty of good wing options for that 3rd line. And we could really use him netfront PP1.

[@timmyboy2495]

Who is Patrick??

[@brandongerofsky4817]

Nolan Patrick

[@reyjusuf]

Eichel - Patrick when healthy can be great in Vegas especially with Stone and Pacioretty as their wingers

[@patrickthom4198]

Congrats to you - you said your goal for 2020 was 40k subscribers - you’re now at 59k+ at the halfway point of 2021!

[@LEV1ATHYN]

Looking forward to seeing him on the Team Canada blue line at the next Olympics. Also hoping not to see any more "Dude where's Makar?" signs.

[@warsthx1138]

I got to witness Cale's very first NHL goal a playoff goal. It was Beautiful 🏒 And now Stanley Cup Champion 🏆

[@donmooney21]

And Makar just scored in 2022 western conference finals, in game 4 to try and sweep the Oilers.

[@FishKev]

Rob your headed for the #1 nhl content creator. Keep up the sick vids man

[@Nalleteus]

I havent understood why being offensive in hockey is better than being a 2-way player in someones mind. Like Heiskanen and Makar doesnt have much difference who u play Heiskanen would get some less points but be better on your own side on the ice. Thats has allways been like that european players arent that much offensive as americans and canadians in hockey. Just my opinion sorry for bad english.

[@RIPJimmyA7X]

Except that Makar is really good defensively and he can play physical and hit and will get better at that once he puts on weight. I honestly don't understand where this thought process started that he is all offense no defense

[@lilwoodiewood3457]

There are alot of European hockey players with no defensive skills that's why u see european guys leave from the ahl and end up being top 6 forwards in the khl .... Russians are European and they are notoriously more on the offensive side then the defensive side maybe in scanadanavia its more defensive not as physical but the players are more defensive from there but that's not Europe that's what 4 or 3 countries

[@lilwoodiewood3457]

If u wanna talk about players being more offensive maybe u should realize eastern Europeans are more likely to play that way then north Americans lol

[@CardboardCrusaderYT]

Love your videos, super informative! Thanks Rob

[@subfail4810]

I'd still pick nico 1st. Dudes an absolute stud and has a 2way game that's hard to find in young players.

[@andrewthompson6453]

Best players from the 2017 draft so far.. Pettersson Makar Heiskanen Hishier as a Sens fan I can't wait to see how Josh Norris does this coming season

[@alchemilk]

I like everything about this comment, first the list is correct and second I love the sens and I can’t wait to see norris

[@alchemilk]

@iBlurrr ' Suzuki had below AHL level offence during the regular season

[@alchemilk]

@iBlurrr ' yeah because his points we’re getting inflated, with his stats relative to teammates, he was negatively affecting his team, he was below replacement level in even strength offence

[@tdfmtig]

Miro Heiskanen that’s how

[@TheAlphapuck5280]

Miro's numbers arent nearly as good. the only advanced stat he matches Makar is total points share. Makar leads in 80% of metrics.

[@Weshki]

@@TheAlphapuck5280 Have to remember who they are playing with. Heiskanen doesn't have the best player in the world on a line with him.

[@TheAlphapuck5280]

@@Weshki Neither did Makar... cause he plays defense you brain dead idiot.

[@Weshki]

@@TheAlphapuck5280 So you think Makar is on the ice just with his d partner? Ok then. You should watch some more hockey, son. You'll learn a thing or two.

[@bradynhughes]

Alpha Puck Miro is one of the best shutdown defensemen in the league right now, and he is as good a skater if not better than maka

[@stephentyler4352]

I love the video, Rob! Keep up the fire. 🔥

[@LalienX]

Happy with Miro :)

[@Cup_in_6]

Could’ve had Petey

[@brantcaswell4637]

Miros better anyways

[@LalienX]

@@brantcaswell4637 No kidding

[@JNG107]

@@brantcaswell4637 Miro is trash compared to makar or petey who are both calder trophy winners. Dont get me wrong he is good but compared to the offensive talents of makar and petey then he is just trash

[@npuoti666]

@@JNG107 just trash? Boy, you are bad at arguments.

[@dylanbaker4465]

Love these vids keep em comin!!!

[@RRaquello]

When I went back and watched the draft from the years Makar & Bowen Byram were picked, it actually sounded like the scouts were higher on Byram than Makar. Because of injuries we still haven't seen what Byram can do.

[@PhoenixRiseinFlame]

I have a close friend who played in the AJHL. He confirmed that Makar was absolutely clowning everybody he played against. I’m pretty sure him playing in the AJHL was what scared teams away from picking him in the top three. Even though, in my opinion, he’s far better than Hischier and Patrick.

[@dominikchristen757]

I think patrick and hieschier will be the best players on this draft after 3 more years, cause hieschier can be on of the best 2 way center on the NHL and Noalen can fanally show his talent after the injuri

[@PhoenixRiseinFlame]

Dominik Christen To each their own, but if I had a choice I’d choose between Heiskanen, Makar, and Petersson.

[@dominikchristen757]

@@PhoenixRiseinFlame okeey in 3 years we come back to this comment and ho ever wins becomes a beer :)

[@PhoenixRiseinFlame]

Dominik Christen haha that sounds like a good idea! :)

[@brettmcgraw9468]

@@dominikchristen757 currently makar is clear best

[@toddr037]

Great video. I live in Brooks and am I huge Bandits fan. I get the argument that the jr a leagues are trash, but as someone who watches both jr a, and major jr I can honestly say they aren't that far apart. Lots of jr a players could easily hold down roster spots in the chl. Just like many chl players probably should be in jr a. I know back when makar played a handful of games as an 15 year old affiliate in brooks, that he was going to be a star.

[@robert9312]

Hearing people talk bout "late growth spirts" makes me sad, i never hit one, been 5'5 since i was 13:( im now 23:/

[@NPC-f3h]

taliking about late growth spurts, when i was 13 i was literally 5'0 a year later i was almost 6'0. now that im 31 and no longer grow im at 6'3

[@Woody10719]

Dude you might still get one I grew at 27!

[@Taooflu]

Dude it’s okay, I’m 5’6 and 46 now. You can still be the best 5’5 or whatever on the ice and in life. Just avoid going to stand up concerts because like me, you won’t see shit lol

[@rangersreview974]

Makar is an animal. I can only imagine what his peek will be, but if there's anything that is certain, its how he'll inevitably rewrite the record books at a team and league level. Awesome stuff Rob, your content just keeps on giving!

[@SyrupIsWin]

If he could not turn the puck over so much then he would be beyond what he is now, cant wait for him to take it up a notch

[@alexbyoung]

Miro and Elias are going to be in the HOF someday. Cale has it in him to be a legit generational talent.

[@SaunaPerkele_5]

I somewhat doubt Miro will go in HOF. He is fantastic player and Will get better! But I don't think he is going to be an HOF level.

[@-locke-6051]

Makar is unbelievable but Miro Heiskanen is the best player from this draft class. He's amazing on the defensive side of the game and his offensive stats are great, too. We gotta remember that the Stars aren't a high scoring team and Miro is putting in those kind of numbers as a D. Incredible player.

[@alchemilk]

Miro isn’t even the best dman from his draft

[@alchemilk]

@Chris Rider I will because I know im right

[@marie2274]

Love the format.. Makar is an unreal player. Watching him on the ice with MacKinnon is crazy. Those two have chemistry of scoring goals. Makar needs to win the Calder.

[@rydermccracken9199]

And he did this year he's averaging more than a point per game crazy

[@marie2274]

@@rydermccracken9199 He is.... Makar really earns his paycheck. Also adding Logan O'Connor he is awesome and fun to watch.

[@littleguy6753]

Vasilevsky was drafted by TB at #19. Whats crazy is Slater Koekkoek was picked by TB at #10. I like to look at draft classes to see who got picked before the stars.

[@roffew.1065]

Based on what we know at the moment I'd say Miro Heiskanen is the best player from this draft

[@UltimateBreloom]

Miro

[@roffew.1065]

@@UltimateBreloom yes Miro ☺️

[@azsl31]

U forgot about elias I think

[@reecewheeler8784]

@@azsl31 heiskanen is deffo better

[@dudeisawesome7202]

@@reecewheeler8784 agreed

[@garybass4029]

Great video. Excellent content! 👍

[@shakingwaves]

Awesome video Rob! Loved the format and the direction you are going. Best player from 2017 draft will be always and currently is Heiskanen. He is unreal. Also Cale Makar and Pettersen play on better offensive teams. The support and options are there in COL and VAN. Miro makes his own in DAL. (Also to note Hischer plays on one of the worst rosters and owes his work only to himself)

[@gregpost3320]

Can't deny Heiskanen's talent, but the past two season have cemented Makar's reputation at the best Dman in the game.

[@LordStanley94]

My two favorite players: Makar and MacKinnon. What a team the Avs have. Avs vs NYR (I hope) to play for the Holy Grail. LETS GO RANGERS

[@guba33327]

As a dallas fan I haven't decided if we made a mistake, Miro was a lock and not sure if he would have excelled in Dallas system as well. If we had to do it again think I'd still take Miro.

[@tdfmtig]

Not saying Miro is better but when you watch miro play the last thing you think about is wanting someone else

[@johnbartz1907]

Lol watching this when this came out had to come back after he won the Conn Smyth

[@johnfrazser3]

Joe Sakic has the uncanny ability to spot talented players from an early age. His first season and a rookie wins the Norris trophy and also the Hart as well. He so far advanced beyond his age. Can't wait to the start of the season.

[@Steinbock23]

I live 20 minutes south of UMass Amherst campus, and I consider myself a huge hockey fan. Somehow I never heard of him until he made his nhl debut and he became a Western Mass legend because "the umass kid scored an nhl goal". I wish I could have watching him at UMass

[@Swoop187OG187]

The kid is amazing and Bobby Orr is more appropriate of a comparison .... The kid plays like Bobby Orr..... The kid is sick...

[@mrkman62]

Players get overlooked all the time. Doug Gilmour (Hockey Hall of Fame 2011) wasn't selected until the 7th round, 134th overall. It wasn't because he was an unknown commodity, in his draft year, he finished with 70 goals and 107 assists for 177 points in 68 games and was voted MVP in the OHL. Always thought of as too small since his minor hockey days. Can't wait for Cale to represent Canada with the big boys.🍁

[@beatsbreaksbricks6566]

I'd rather have Heiskenen as he's more well rounded, defends better

[@brendanwicks6826]

You should really try this with goalies, ik its prolly a stretch but i would like to see if any goalies surprised the league.

[@Plastpackad]

I see Pettersson being the best overall in that draft. Only weaknes he has is a small gas tank. Makar is great but makes misstakes now and then. Hieskanen is already a flawless player. A norris candidate - this season. Imagine being the scouting org that put Makar at 20! But in general I think the draft is a bit over hyped. Just look what Kiviranta just did, a undrafted player!

[@brandongiron1148]

Flawless my ass lol. Did you watch his series against the avs. He played great sure but if you actually watched both Miro and Cale made turnovers that resulted in goals.

[@rydermccracken9199]

Makar deff best out of everyone in that class to say he's not you delusional

[@dabnad]

As a Canucks Quinn Hughes fan im still mad that he won the Calder over Quinn, I think they’re both good. Canucks and Avs both won that draft

[@yourdaddy6030]

Yo my guy yer ingles ain't flawless dough.

[@PeachyPrince]

I remember my dad watching the Usa Vs Canada game, didnt even know it was on. My dad straight up said "The Avs are so going to pick this kid up. There's no doubt in my mind." He said the same thing about Payton Manning once there was talk of trading him. I don't know how he keeps calling this stuff, but im down with it.

[@marykayhayes5338]

I was in my early 40’s when Bourque was looking to go to a cup contender. I told my mother (where I get my hockey genes from) that I thought Pierre Lacroix would get Ray, even when all the media predicted he would go to Detroit. The following season when there were rumblings that Rob Blake was leaving the Kings, I told her “Pierre is going to go get him”. Sure enough and the rest is history!! SCC 2001 Mission 16W completed!! Your dad is my kind of guy!!!

[@jasdosanjh7211]

Makar and Heiskanen is a toss up...I be happy with either guy...but obviously Philly and Jersey made a mistake passing on Makar and Heiskanen and Pettersson as well.

[@chr0nicbacon719]

i think we can now safely say we know who the best player of this draft class is

[@apollo4772]

When are people gonna actually start viewing talent in the ajhl and bchl as actual stars i mean dion Phaneuf came from the ajhl as well as parayko and thats just a couple not even close to all the players that have been selected from that league

[@Balls99000]

Because they’re playing against much lesser competition. It’s pretty simple

[@apollo4772]

@@Balls99000 thats a stupid statement because lesser competition in Europe gets more coverage...

[@Balls99000]

@@apollo4772 name one league in Europe that is worse competition that gets more coverage. Please

[@apollo4772]

@@Balls99000 j20 elit

[@Balls99000]

@@apollo4772 they’re pretty even in terms of skill level and both don’t get much attention lol and besides that has nothing to do with my original comment. AJHL is much lesser competition than CHL, NCAA, USHL, KHL, VHL, MHL, Liiga, and pretty much any pro league so it’s pretty obvious why they don’t get much attention.

[@yoshikingofgames]

Watching this now in April 2022 and Makar has an argument for top 3-5 player in the entire NHL and he's easily the best player from this draft class. Very nice video

[@michealassin3462]

Remember Quinn Hughes went 7th over all to the nucks my team. Him and Makar are beasts already and going to make the pacific division exciting.

[@imnotcharles]

Colorado isn’t in the pacific but I agree lol

[@gregpost3320]

Hughes is way overrated. He needs to put on some beef and then figure out how to make his shot better.

[@ButOneThingIsNeedful]

Very good. I would've shown his first NHL goal, as it was in his very first (playoff) game and was super dramatic.

[@wallybipster]

Yeah, that was my only critique as well. That first game, (first shift I think), first goal in the playoffs was quite the introduction. I knew that first year he was going to be good, but still amazed at just how good.

[@ButOneThingIsNeedful]

@@wallybipster Agreed. I was at that game, by the way, and the explosion after Makar's goal is the loudest I have ever heard 'Pepsi Center' (now Ball Arena).

[@wallybipster]

@@ButOneThingIsNeedful lucky you! I haven't lived in Colorado for some time after growing up as a native. But I was glued to the TV.

[@ButOneThingIsNeedful]

@@wallybipster Right on.👍

[@brandonboudreau235]

Calling this dude "Erik Karlsson" is an insult to Makar. Most importantly.....he is his own person. Secondly, calling him Erik Karlsson would imply that this kid is gonna get paid and fall off a cliff and never meet expectations. Hopefully that will never happen to him. I can not begin to say how frustrating it is as a Sharks fan to remember what Erik Karlsson was and had never been since coming to San Jose.

[@chrispswann6825]

Maybe you could do a video on players who were drafted out of the lower leagues like the AJHL, BCHL, CJHL... and yet went on to have solid NHL careers. A few examples outside of Makar would be Kyle Turris and Jamie Benn.

[@lilwoodiewood3457]

That's not uncommon and would be borning only prospect noobs would enjoy it youtube is flooded with content for prospect noobs I'd rather see content that I don't already know why does everything have to cater to noobs .... u know what I'd rather see players drafted from leagues that only have had a couple players drafted who never made it I already know all the ones that made it anybody who isn't a noob knows them to I'd rather see guys like that 2nd round Hungarian draft pick that never made it then players I already know about why should everything cater to noobs who know absolutely nonthing

[@kentoz1970]

Sakic Wanted Miro Heiskanen he would have gone to the Avs if Dallas didn’t draft him Cale Maker was his second choice.

[@kyleanstey1244]

Either one is a great selection. They're both fantastic players

[@JNG107]

Sakic never wanted heiskanen lol. He is never even said anything like that. Cale makar is calder trophy winning defenseman meanwhile heiskanen isnt lol

[@Balls99000]

@@JNG107 yes because Calder determines everything

[@JNG107]

@@Balls99000 It is a good measure for how good a player's potential is.

[@Balls99000]

No it’s not but go off

[@johnfrazser3]

This joung gentleman is a phenomenal hockey player. How he didn't go first in the draft, he was definitely worthy of it and I truly believe he is a big reason that the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup . He is still a very young player but unlike Karlsson he has the ability to go from his own end of the ice and skate the 200 feet and I think this is where he differs from Eric Karlsson, Makarov scores and I believe that he will only continue to get better.

[@zachary4652]

imagine if the Flyers had drafted Makar instead of Patrick : (

[@AEMoreira81]

You can't really predict things like migraines or other neurological conditions though.

[@wallybipster]

The Flyers fans are the only ones I kind of feel sorry for in that draft.

[@jordannijjar5414]

Great video mang

[@lukeferetti6353]

Heiskanen was one of them, and is of the same caliber as Makar

[@JNG107]

Big difference in points. Makar is light years ahead

[@Yoyo-xq2io]

@@flounder Have you seen Heiskanen skate?

[@howdareyouexist]

makar is ahead of him

[@The_Room_2_Doggys_Revenge]

I've always wondered : would the Avs had picked hium if they got the first overall? Like, was he their target from the start? He might have been because he was ranked 9th in North America I believe, so being draft 4th, before many others considered better at the time, he had to have been the priority for Colorado, right?

[@Stuff111]

As a Flyers fan, this draft turned out to be heartbreaking. 2nd overall pick was an absolute bust

[@canada4life551]

🤣🤣

[@2kconcrete]

Very good video Makar and Heskianan

[@landryflores6045]

I'd rather have Miro.

[@Jake-eo8jw]

Same

[@gabemcknight8933]

Me too

[@icyleo6616]

Watching this now after the cup win just hits different

[@randomdude5958]

People got recency bias in the comments but understandable.

[@jiminjasper1934]

By far the best player for the Avs this playoff year. Soon to be recognized as the league's best d-man and Norris Trophy owner - in spite of many ultra-talented defensemen elsewhere. Won't be a bit surprised if the comparisons to #4 continue to grow with rapid validity. The kid is a freakin phenom who'll get much, much freakier. It'll be fun to see ...

[@leafsfanforever2896]

Miro Heiskanen: puts up 21 playoff points in 16 games Golden Knights: *Imma bout to end his performance this year*

[@liltoxic5954]

Hahaha yes

[@ritzypizza3687]

Nahhh

[@liltoxic5954]

Mike Schwab knights in 6

[@jesseb.8591]

Cut to a year after this video and Cale is playing well people are comparing him to Orr. The man is mystically good

[@sephiroth1349]

Yes sir! He was compared to Karlsson and now Ray Bourque and Bobby Orr!!!

[@justiniscool94]

Heiskanen is better

[@JNG107]

Calder trophy says otherwise

[@justiniscool94]

@@JNG107 I guess the trophies decide all then huh

[@blueshirtshockey93]

Loved this vid. Thanks !