The news of the day is all about the front office:
Shane Doan has had a relationship with Brad Treliving as far back as Treliving’s days with the Phoenix Coyotes. As many have pointed out, it doesn’t hurt that Doan was Auston Matthews’ favourite player growing up. Lastly, with the departure of Jason Spezza, it doesn’t hurt to bring in more front office staff that have acually played in the NHL, which seems to be something that is lacking within the Leafs’ ranks.
Oliver Bonk
Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 176lbs
NHL Comparable: I wish I never included a comparable section initially, but now I’m committed. Lets go with Trevor Van Riemsdyk with a higher ceiling, or Mattias Ekholm, because why not?
I’m not going to write a ton on Bonk, son of long time NHLer Radek Bonk, because there isn’t much to talk about. There’s nothing flashy about his game, but there aren’t a ton of holes either. He’s a prototypical two-way defender with a high hockey IQ. His positioning in the defensive zone is immaculate, his stick checking is great, he uses his size well in the corners and in front of the net and isn’t afraid to engage opponents physically. His breakouts are good, he brings offense to the table, he has good edges and he’s good at something else and good at even more things. Good. He’s just fuckin good. It’s easier to list the things that he isn’t good at. He isn’t the fastest skater, so that could improve.
In order to make the NHL he’ll have to get stronger and simply keep doing what he’s doing. He projects as a 2nd pair defender that can help a little on the scoresheet. What you have to love about a selection like this is that even if he never produces much offense, his defensive mind will surely allow him to get a shot at an NHL roster at some point down the road. Multiple scouts describe him the same way, as having a high floor but a low ceiling, which means he’ll likely make the NHL and could have a long career as a 3rd pair defender, but will likely never play on a top pairing.
Unless he’s with the Leafs and has to cover Morgan Rielly’s ass, like Luke Schenn, Zach Bogosian, Ilya Lyubushkin and TJ Brodie have before him.