Jason Bukala

Yeah, no, I think that's a fair statement.

I would say that the Ontario League and the lift for Caleb Malhotra playing in Brantford ahead of a lot of really high-end prospects, previously drafted prospects, speaks a lot to his pedigree.

So the Ontario League is on balance, was much more difficult top to bottom than any of the other junior leagues this year.

Quebec, as you know, Quebec's actually going to have a good year at the draft, but it's a struggle stop to get from top to bottom.

um competitive rosters throughout the quebec league like equal playing field so that's what guys at this time of the year and i'm preaching to the choir i know when i talk to you but that's why and i've said it to two or three different outlets today don't like verhoff had six goals and i believe 21 assists if i'm not a maybe 20 assists doesn't matter he is in the last 20 years or something in the top three draft eligible producing defensemen in all of ncaa hockey for an extended period of time so

You know, let's give him credit where credit is due.

Understand the heavy lift that it was.

And I'm a fan.

I think he's a character guy.

I know his fitness is off the charts.

I think he's a leader.

I think all these kids at the top of this table here, Carl's is a great player at PG.

Reed's going to be really good.

Daxon Rudolph, by the way, I feel like I'm underrated.

38 tucks, I think he's at 38 tucks, over 100 pims, 6'3", 210, right shot defenseman.

Like, come on, guys are climbing over each other at the NHL level to get players like that.

So there's enough to go around here, but the disturber for me for sure is going to be San Jose in the two hole at the draft.

Yeah, I would say so.

You know, the thing with McKenna, and I put it in my piece today too, like I really am splitting hairs between these athletes at the top of the table.

And the differentiator for me between McKenna and Stenberg is like we drafted Alexander Barkov in Florida years ago.