In trying to determine whether or not I should invest time in a defenseman, I have come up with a system which I previously applied to the 2015 WHL draft crop. For my system for evaluating d-men, I took every d-man drafted between 1998 and 2006 that had 250 NHL games played (at the start of the 2014-2015 season) and used the ratio of their average point per game in juniors versus that in the NHL (broken down between non-pp points and pp points). By doing this, it helps adjust for the power play specialists and put more emphasis on the more important skill of creating offense at even strength. The rates I will be using to adjust each CHL d-men are:
Non-PP Points | PP Points | |
NHL Pts/Game | 0.2684 | 0.1552 |
CHL Pts/Game | 0.2675 | 0.2667 |
100.34% | 58.19% |
In another post, I used these ratios to see if I could find what makes a good top 100 pick. I discovered that it is best to divide defenseman between those who are average height or taller for a defenseman (6’2+) and those who are below average height (<6’2). I also discovered some rules of thumb which are:
- If a defenseman is less than 6’2”, they should project to be a 30+ point player over an 82 game season to warrant a top 100 selection.
- If they are 6’2 or over, they should project to be a 12+ point player over an 82 game season to warrant consideration as a top 100 pick. For those players that fall within the 12-30 point range, there is further criteria to be worth using a top 100 pick which is:
- They are at least 200 lbs and if not, they should be tall (6’4+) and in most cases, play with a physical edge.
With defenseman it is tough to find comparable players using offensive totals, as there is so much more to their game than just being able to produce numbers. However, by looking at other players, that were of similar height and offensive scoring, we may be able to see a trend as to where they may be drafted and gain insights into what skills made a player either successful or not. The d-men 6’1 and under will be compared against others d-men that are 6’1 and under. The d-men 6’2 and over will be compared against d-men that are also 6’2 and over. I have picked the 7 players above and the 7 players below them from my list of comparables. When viewing the list of comparable player, the OHL defenseman from the 2015 draft is in bold in the centre of the list.
THE TOP OHL D-MEN
RYAN ELLIS | 5.10 | 179 | 2009 | 11 | 24.87 | 74.62 | 99.50 |
ANTHONY DEANGELO | 5.11 | 167 | 2014 | 19 | 20.13 | 70.01 | 90.15 |
RYAN MURPHY | 5.11 | 179 | 2011 | 12 | 25.01 | 54.61 | 79.62 |
JONATHAN GIRARD | 6.00 | 200 | 1998 | 48 | 18.74 | 53.56 | 72.30 |
IAN WHITE | 5.10 | 190 | 2002 | 191 | 25.16 | 39.11 | 64.27 |
DMITRI KULIKOV | 6.01 | 195 | 2009 | 14 | 11.52 | 51.62 | 63.13 |
MITCHELL VANDE SOMPEL | 5.10 | 182 | 2015 | N/A | 13.77 | 48.49 | 62.26 |
MARC-ANDRE BOURDON | 6.00 | 215 | 2008 | 67 | 10.18 | 51.83 | 62.01 |
TREVOR DALEY | 5.11 | 204 | 2002 | 43 | 14.47 | 47.35 | 61.81 |
MATHIEU CARLE | 6.00 | 210 | 2006 | 53 | 15.32 | 46.39 | 61.71 |
DAN HAMHUIS | 6.00 | 175 | 2001 | 12 | 15.10 | 46.07 | 61.17 |
MORGAN RIELLY | 6.00 | 210 | 2012 | 5 | 10.73 | 47.86 | 58.59 |
STEVE MCCARTHY | 6.00 | 200 | 1999 | 23 | 18.78 | 39.20 | 57.98 |
MATHEW DUMBA | 6.00 | 182 | 2012 | 7 | 19.34 | 38.61 | 57.95 |
JULIUS HONKA | 5.11 | 175 | 2014 | 14 | 17.21 | 40.27 | 57.47 |
This is the top 15 d-men since 1998 that are 6’1 and under with Vande Sompel sitting in the 7th spot. For players under 6’, there are 3 comparables in White, Daley and Honka that put up numbers similar to Vande Sompel. With a 1st round pick used on Honka last year, Vande Sompel deserves at least a look as a late 1st round choice.
TREVOR DALEY | 5.11 | 204 | 2002 | 43 | 14.47 | 47.35 | 61.81 |
MATHIEU CARLE | 6.00 | 210 | 2006 | 53 | 15.32 | 46.39 | 61.71 |
DAN HAMHUIS | 6.00 | 175 | 2001 | 12 | 15.10 | 46.07 | 61.17 |
MORGAN RIELLY | 6.00 | 210 | 2012 | 5 | 10.73 | 47.86 | 58.59 |
STEVE MCCARTHY | 6.00 | 200 | 1999 | 23 | 18.78 | 39.20 | 57.98 |
MATHEW DUMBA | 6.00 | 182 | 2012 | 7 | 19.34 | 38.61 | 57.95 |
JULIUS HONKA | 5.11 | 175 | 2014 | 14 | 17.21 | 40.27 | 57.47 |
VINCE DUNN | 6.00 | 187 | 2015 | N/A | 20.98 | 36.37 | 57.35 |
MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO | 6.00 | 188 | 2008 | 20 | 15.25 | 41.20 | 56.45 |
CALVIN DE HAAN | 6.01 | 189 | 2009 | 12 | 8.15 | 48.25 | 56.41 |
JOE MORROW | 6.01 | 206 | 2011 | 23 | 11.40 | 44.18 | 55.58 |
IVAN VISHNEVSKIY | 6.00 | 178 | 2006 | 27 | 14.47 | 40.24 | 54.72 |
DALTON THROWER | 6.00 | 197 | 2012 | 51 | 16.71 | 37.56 | 54.28 |
NATHAN PAETSCH | 6.00 | 205 | 2001 | 58 | 7.20 | 44.05 | 51.25 |
COLE JARRETT | 6.00 | 200 | 2001 | 141 | 14.81 | 36.43 | 51.24 |
With 13 of the 14 comparable d-men being taken in the first two rounds, Dunn is a likely choice to also join that group in being a top 60 pick. In many years a defenseman with Dunn’s offensive numbers would be a 1st round pick but with the depth of the draft, he and many other quality d-men will be available in the 2nd round.
MATHEW DUMBA | 6.00 | 182 | 2012 | 7 | 19.34 | 38.61 | 57.95 |
JULIUS HONKA | 5.11 | 175 | 2014 | 14 | 17.21 | 40.27 | 57.47 |
MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO | 6.00 | 188 | 2008 | 20 | 15.25 | 41.20 | 56.45 |
CALVIN DE HAAN | 6.01 | 189 | 2009 | 12 | 8.15 | 48.25 | 56.41 |
JOE MORROW | 6.01 | 206 | 2011 | 23 | 11.40 | 44.18 | 55.58 |
IVAN VISHNEVSKIY | 6.00 | 178 | 2006 | 27 | 14.47 | 40.24 | 54.72 |
DALTON THROWER | 6.00 | 197 | 2012 | 51 | 16.71 | 37.56 | 54.28 |
RASMUS ANDERSSON | 6.00 | 212 | 2015 | N/A | 11.35 | 42.72 | 54.06 |
NATHAN PAETSCH | 6.00 | 205 | 2001 | 58 | 7.20 | 44.05 | 51.25 |
COLE JARRETT | 6.00 | 200 | 2001 | 141 | 14.81 | 36.43 | 51.24 |
DREW DOUGHTY | 6.00 | 213 | 2008 | 2 | 14.28 | 36.27 | 50.55 |
AARON JOHNSON | 6.01 | 195 | 2001 | 85 | 10.75 | 39.69 | 50.44 |
DERRICK POULIOT | 6.00 | 203 | 2012 | 8 | 9.68 | 40.66 | 50.34 |
STEFAN ELLIOTT | 6.01 | 192 | 2009 | 49 | 13.94 | 35.88 | 49.83 |
FILIP NOVAK | 6.01 | 180 | 2000 | 64 | 10.91 | 38.85 | 49.76 |
With only 3 comparable d-men falling outside of the top 60, Andersson is another OHL d-man that deserves a good look in the first two rounds. One big factor that can move a player from being a 1st round choice to a 2nd or later is their foot speed and mobility, which is the area of concern for Andersson.
MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO | 6.00 | 188 | 2008 | 20 | 15.25 | 41.20 | 56.45 |
CALVIN DE HAAN | 6.01 | 189 | 2009 | 12 | 8.15 | 48.25 | 56.41 |
JOE MORROW | 6.01 | 206 | 2011 | 23 | 11.40 | 44.18 | 55.58 |
IVAN VISHNEVSKIY | 6.00 | 178 | 2006 | 27 | 14.47 | 40.24 | 54.72 |
DALTON THROWER | 6.00 | 197 | 2012 | 51 | 16.71 | 37.56 | 54.28 |
NATHAN PAETSCH | 6.00 | 205 | 2001 | 58 | 7.20 | 44.05 | 51.25 |
COLE JARRETT | 6.00 | 200 | 2001 | 141 | 14.81 | 36.43 | 51.24 |
TRAVIS DERMOTT | 5.11 | 197 | 2015 | N/A | 11.07 | 39.53 | 50.60 |
DREW DOUGHTY | 6.00 | 213 | 2008 | 2 | 14.28 | 36.27 | 50.55 |
AARON JOHNSON | 6.01 | 195 | 2001 | 85 | 10.75 | 39.69 | 50.44 |
DERRICK POULIOT | 6.00 | 203 | 2012 | 8 | 9.68 | 40.66 | 50.34 |
STEFAN ELLIOTT | 6.01 | 192 | 2009 | 49 | 13.94 | 35.88 | 49.83 |
FILIP NOVAK | 6.01 | 180 | 2000 | 64 | 10.91 | 38.85 | 49.76 |
KRIS RUSSELL | 5.10 | 177 | 2005 | 67 | 20.09 | 28.96 | 49.04 |
TYSON BARRIE | 5.10 | 191 | 2009 | 64 | 9.25 | 39.00 | 48.25 |
When we compare Dunn, Andersson and Dermott with their number of 1st round comparable d-men, the numbers drop from 9 with Dunn to 8 with Andersson to 6 with Dermott. There does seem to be a slight trend that the better the stats, the better a pick. With Dermott, the range of the majority of the comparable players is between a top 10 pick to an early 3rd round choice so don’t expect consistency in the draft guides.
NATHAN BEAULIEU | 6.03 | 190 | 2011 | 17 | 11.56 | 34.77 | 46.33 |
SLATER KOEKKOEK | 6.02 | 188 | 2012 | 10 | 14.49 | 31.83 | 46.33 |
DOUG LYNCH | 6.03 | 200 | 2001 | 43 | 10.01 | 35.49 | 45.51 |
GEOFFREY SCHEMITSCH | 6.02 | 189 | 2010 | 96 | 4.19 | 41.08 | 45.28 |
MARTIN SKOULA | 6.02 | 195 | 1998 | 17 | 8.84 | 36.41 | 45.25 |
DAVID SAVARD | 6.02 | 212 | 2009 | 94 | 11.67 | 32.89 | 44.55 |
DARNELL NURSE | 6.04 | 205 | 2013 | 7 | 13.52 | 30.91 | 44.43 |
THOMAS SCHEMITSCH | 6.04 | 206 | 2015 | N/A | 13.41 | 30.81 | 44.23 |
JEROME LEDUC | 6.02 | 194 | 2010 | 68 | 18.10 | 25.99 | 44.10 |
KARL ALZNER | 6.02 | 209 | 2007 | 5 | 6.16 | 37.72 | 43.88 |
DAMON SEVERSON | 6.02 | 210 | 2012 | 60 | 11.19 | 32.50 | 43.69 |
ROSTISLAV KLESLA | 6.02 | 200 | 2000 | 4 | 15.37 | 28.13 | 43.50 |
SHEA THEODORE | 6.02 | 186 | 2013 | 26 | 16.05 | 27.28 | 43.33 |
HAYDN FLEURY | 6.03 | 198 | 2014 | 7 | 7.32 | 35.76 | 43.08 |
ERIK GUDBRANSON | 6.04 | 217 | 2010 | 3 | 4.42 | 37.98 | 42.41 |
Schemitsch is the type of player that you fall in love with if you are a numbers guy, as he is big and can put up points. It seems players with his size and scoring are either taken as 1st round picks or they have warts to their game and drop to a mid-2nd round to early 4th round choice. One red flag is his brother Geoffrey went unsigned by Tampa Bay and is now playing University hockey.
STEPHEN SILAS | 6.01 | 206 | 2010 | 95 | 3.94 | 40.39 | 44.33 |
RAYMOND MACIAS | 6.01 | 202 | 2005 | 124 | 13.42 | 29.85 | 43.27 |
MICKI DUPONT | 5.09 | 188 | 1998 | ND | 10.61 | 31.90 | 42.51 |
BRUNO GERVAIS | 6.01 | 195 | 2003 | 182 | 16.45 | 26.05 | 42.51 |
JOSH MORRISSEY | 6.00 | 190 | 2013 | 13 | 14.34 | 27.82 | 42.16 |
T.J. BRENNAN | 6.00 | 205 | 2007 | 31 | 16.07 | 25.39 | 41.46 |
CHARLES-OLIVIER ROUSSEL | 6.01 | 202 | 2009 | 42 | 10.13 | 31.26 | 41.40 |
GUSTAV BOURAMMAN | 5.11 | 184 | 2015 | N/A | 4.56 | 36.77 | 41.33 |
DYSIN MAYO | 6.01 | 191 | 2014 | 133 | 9.38 | 31.77 | 41.16 |
MARK POPOVIC | 6.01 | 2001 | 35 | 9.10 | 32.03 | 41.14 | |
BARRET JACKMAN | 6.01 | 195 | 1999 | 17 | 7.43 | 32.93 | 40.36 |
FRANCOIS BEAUCHEMIN | 5.11 | 198 | 1998 | 75 | 10.43 | 29.93 | 40.35 |
LUKAS KRAJICEK | 6.01 | 185 | 2001 | 24 | 8.66 | 31.60 | 40.27 |
JONATHON BLUM | 6.01 | 170 | 2007 | 23 | 7.42 | 32.59 | 40.02 |
THOMAS HICKEY | 5.11 | 182 | 2007 | 4 | 9.45 | 30.10 | 39.55 |
Comparable players for Bouramman is all over the map, with five comparable players being taken in the 1st round and 4four being taken in the 5th round or later. Likely the correct value for Bouramman ranges somewhere between the two extremes, which means between a 2nd to 4th round selection.
FRANCOIS BEAUCHEMIN | 5.11 | 198 | 1998 | 75 | 10.43 | 29.93 | 40.35 |
LUKAS KRAJICEK | 6.01 | 185 | 2001 | 24 | 8.66 | 31.60 | 40.27 |
JONATHON BLUM | 6.01 | 170 | 2007 | 23 | 7.42 | 32.59 | 40.02 |
THOMAS HICKEY | 5.11 | 182 | 2007 | 4 | 9.45 | 30.10 | 39.55 |
MIKE GREEN | 6.01 | 200 | 2004 | 29 | 13.67 | 25.49 | 39.16 |
MATT MACKENZIE | 6.01 | 195 | 2010 | 83 | 7.77 | 30.89 | 38.66 |
MARK KATIC | 5.11 | 185 | 2007 | 62 | 5.42 | 32.86 | 38.28 |
KYLE CAPOBIANCO | 6.01 | 178 | 2015 | N/A | 10.07 | 27.15 | 37.22 |
NICK SCHULTZ | 6.00 | 184 | 2000 | 33 | 8.50 | 28.23 | 36.73 |
RYAN BUTTON | 6.01 | 190 | 2009 | 86 | 5.88 | 30.70 | 36.58 |
STUART PERCY | 6.01 | 196 | 2011 | 25 | 4.64 | 31.77 | 36.42 |
MARK BARBERIO | 6.01 | 185 | 2008 | 152 | 8.98 | 28.11 | 36.31 |
BRENDAN BELL | 6.01 | 207 | 2001 | 65 | 6.30 | 29.99 | 36.29 |
BEN SHUTRON | 6.00 | 195 | 2006 | 95 | 7.96 | 28.31 | 36.27 |
ROSS LUPASCHUCK | 6.01 | 212 | 1999 | 34 | 10.48 | 24.76 | 35.25 |
While not good enough to be a top offensive defenseman and not big enough to be a shutdown d-man, Capobianco could struggle to figure out what type of d-man he will become. How likely Capobianco is able to adapt and figure out a role will depend much on what skills he brings, such as hockey sense, mobility, skating, positioning and ability to make a first pass.
KYLE WOOD | 6.05 | 217 | 2014 | 84 | 4.73 | 25.04 | 29.77 |
RYAN VAN BUSKIRK | 6.02 | 205 | 1998 | 100 | 9.65 | 20.02 | 29.67 |
ED HILL | 6.02 | 215 | 1999 | 61 | 7.27 | 21.92 | 29.19 |
TY WISHART | 6.05 | 203 | 2006 | 16 | 4.10 | 24.97 | 29.07 |
ALLAN ROURKE | 6.02 | 195 | 1998 | 154 | 6.58 | 22.31 | 28.89 |
JOEY LEACH | 6.04 | 200 | 2010 | 73 | 4.33 | 24.44 | 28.78 |
PETER REYNOLDS | 6.03 | 188 | 1999 | 60 | 3.59 | 24.72 | 28.31 |
MATT SPENCER | 6.02 | 203 | 2015 | N/A | 7.04 | 21.19 | 28.22 |
DAVID MUSIL | 6.04 | 203 | 2011 | 31 | 6.96 | 21.27 | 28.22 |
DYLAN MCILRATH | 6.05 | 215 | 2010 | 10 | 8.00 | 20.09 | 28.09 |
KYLE WHARTON | 6.02 | 189 | 2004 | 59 | 9.18 | 18.63 | 27.81 |
BRYAN ALLEN | 6.04 | 217 | 1998 | 4 | 7.36 | 20.12 | 27.48 |
DREW SCHIESTEL | 6.02 | 193 | 2007 | 59 | 5.01 | 22.39 | 27.39 |
JARED COWEN | 6.05 | 220 | 2009 | 9 | 9.84 | 17.52 | 27.36 |
MIKE SAUER | 6.03 | 205 | 2005 | 40 | 4.06 | 22.88 | 26.95 |
Spencer was a much hyped prospect that did not have the year that was expected of him. If you are still bullish on Spencer, an argument could be made that his numbers are low and these are not his comparable players. When we look at his comparables, the majority of them (8/14) are taken in the 59th spot or higher suggesting Spencer should be a 3rd round choice.
LUC BOURDON | 6.03 | 215 | 2005 | 10 | 11.33 | 15.42 | 26.75 |
ALEXANDRE PICARD | 6.02 | 222 | 2003 | 85 | 3.21 | 23.52 | 26.72 |
BRANISLAV MEZEI | 6.03 | 210 | 1999 | 10 | 4.39 | 22.32 | 26.71 |
MARC STAAL | 6.04 | 205 | 2005 | 12 | 4.62 | 22.05 | 26.67 |
BRETT CARSON | 6.05 | 210 | 2004 | 109 | 4.83 | 21.83 | 26.67 |
MAT CLARK | 6.04 | 218 | 2009 | 37 | 2.94 | 23.66 | 26.60 |
MICHAEL STONE | 6.04 | 207 | 2008 | 69 | 8.52 | 18.81 | 26.53 |
JUSTIN LEMCKE | 6.02 | 200 | 2015 | N/A | 10.38 | 15.92 | 26.30 |
JORDAN SMITH | 6.02 | 203 | 2004 | 39 | 5.74 | 20.13 | 25.87 |
ANDREY PEDAN | 6.04 | 211 | 2011 | 63 | 2.28 | 23.56 | 25.84 |
NIKITA ZADOROV | 6.05 | 235 | 2013 | 16 | 7.10 | 18.64 | 25.73 |
KURTIS FOSTER | 6.04 | 200 | 2000 | 40 | 7.42 | 18.28 | 25.70 |
COLTEN TEUBERT | 6.04 | 201 | 2008 | 13 | 8.18 | 17.65 | 25.63 |
BROCK BEUKEBOOM | 6.02 | 215 | 2010 | 63 | 7.05 | 18.17 | 25.22 |
COLBY ROBAK | 6.04 | 207 | 2008 | 46 | 4.17 | 20.77 | 24.49 |
Lemcke just barely made my rules of thumb as both his height and weight are at my minimum threshold of 6’2 and 200 lbs. With only 1 of the 14 comparable d-men not selected in the top 100, Lemcke should be getting some more consideration but he is having a tough time getting much love in such a deep draft year.
KURTIS FOSTER | 6.04 | 200 | 2000 | 40 | 7.42 | 18.28 | 25.70 |
COLTEN TEUBERT | 6.04 | 201 | 2008 | 13 | 8.18 | 17.65 | 25.63 |
BROCK BEUKEBOOM | 6.02 | 215 | 2010 | 63 | 7.05 | 18.17 | 25.22 |
COLBY ROBAK | 6.04 | 207 | 2008 | 46 | 4.17 | 20.77 | 24.49 |
MIKE WEBER | 6.02 | 205 | 2006 | 57 | 4.56 | 19.81 | 24.38 |
MIKE FUNK | 6.04 | 208 | 2004 | 43 | 2.79 | 21.33 | 24.12 |
PAUL BISSONNETTE | 6.02 | 216 | 2003 | 121 | 8.08 | 16.04 | 24.12 |
MEDRIC MERCIER | 6.04 | 202 | 2015 | N/A | 6.58 | 17.41 | 23.99 |
JAY HARRISON | 6.04 | 211 | 2001 | 82 | 6.08 | 17.89 | 23.97 |
JONATHAN DIABY | 6.05 | 240 | 2013 | 64 | 3.42 | 19.90 | 23.32 |
JESSE BLACKER | 6.02 | 190 | 2009 | 58 | 3.78 | 19.46 | 23.25 |
ZACK FITZGERALD | 6.02 | 210 | 2003 | 88 | 7.89 | 15.25 | 23.14 |
KYLE ROSSITER | 6.03 | 215 | 1998 | 30 | 6.04 | 16.93 | 22.97 |
JOHN NEGRIN | 6.02 | 190 | 2007 | 70 | 0.94 | 22.00 | 22.94 |
KEVIN HOLDRIDGE | 6.02 | 202 | 1998 | 70 | 4.33 | 18.58 | 22.91 |
Mercier is my darkhorse pick when it comes to OHL defenseman. He was buried playing on a deep Sault Ste. Marie defense and still was able to put up strong even strength numbers for a 6’4 d-men. When you look at his list of comparables, all but one was taken in the top 90 picks, so Mercier being left off of Central Scouting’s final rankings is a big oversight in my opinion.
RYAN PARENT | 6.02 | 185 | 2005 | 18 | 2.35 | 16.22 | 18.57 |
ROBYN REGHER | 6.04 | 215 | 1998 | 19 | 4.70 | 13.80 | 18.50 |
CLAYTON BARTHEL | 6.03 | 200 | 2004 | 88 | 3.43 | 15.04 | 18.47 |
SHANE O’BRIEN | 6.03 | 226 | 2001 | UD | 2.53 | 15.92 | 18.46 |
DAVID LIFFITON | 6.02 | 205 | 2003 | 63 | 5.18 | 13.20 | 18.38 |
JOEL EDMUNDSON | 6.04 | 208 | 2011 | 46 | 1.69 | 16.54 | 18.23 |
NATHAN MCIVER | 6.02 | 200 | 2003 | 254 | 4.73 | 13.24 | 17.97 |
CHRIS MARTENET | 6.07 | 198 | 2015 | N/A | 7.78 | 10.01 | 17.79 |
PATRICK WELLAR | 6.03 | 220 | 2002 | 77 | 3.12 | 14.52 | 17.64 |
MICHAEL CARUSO | 6.03 | 195 | 2006 | 103 | 2.03 | 15.56 | 17.59 |
BORIS VALABIK | 6.06 | 229 | 2004 | 10 | 2.43 | 14.65 | 17.09 |
BEN CHIAROT | 6.03 | 224 | 2009 | 120 | 2.32 | 14.58 | 16.90 |
JEAN-PHILIPPE COTE | 6.02 | 2000 | 265 | 0.00 | 16.60 | 16.60 | |
ALEX HENRY | 6.05 | 200 | 1998 | 67 | 4.83 | 11.77 | 16.60 |
JEREMY VAN HOOF | 6.02 | 185 | 1999 | 57 | 1.39 | 15.20 | 16.59 |
At 6’7″, Martenet satisfies my rule of thumb that if a player is under 200 lbs and projects to fewer than 30 points, it is best if they are a tall, lanky d-man. While he deserves consideration for a top 100 pick, it will be his physicality, mobility and hockey sense that will ultimately decide how high a pick you use on a raw project like Martenet.
CONCLUSION
The OHL was just able to edge out the WHL by having one more defenseman meet my system of determining which players are worth using a top 100 pick. This year, there is a top group of four offensive d-men in Vande Sompel, Dunn, Andersson and Dermott who could go anywhere from late 1st round picks to 3rd round selections. While they can all produce offensively, without scouting report we would be lost to what they bring for the rest of their game. Another player who looks good on paper is Schemitcsh but that does not mean he warrants such a high pick if the scouting reports are too negative. As for Bouramman and Capobianco, they are both players that may struggle to find their identity at the pro levels and neither are guarantees to be top 100 selections. As for the four players that did not reach the 30 point threshold, Lemcke and Mercier are the bigger longshots of making the top 100. Meanwhile, both Spencer and Martenet could be taken in the top 100 as Spencer had hype coming into this year and Martenet has a lot of potential due to his size and raw skill. While it is not a standout year in terms of top end first round talent, there is a lot to like in this crop of OHL d-men and as many as 7-8 could go in the top 100 selections come this June.