There may not be a more divisive top-ranked prospect this year than Carter Yakemchuk–at least in terms of where he’s rated by scouts. Some scouts have him as high as third in their rankings, others have him scraping the back half of the first round; Yakemchuk’s certainly a pendulum prospect, swinging from one end of the first round to the other.
What makes Yakemchuk so divisive is his “boom or bust” profile: he’s a big, toolsy, right-shot defenseman with sharp offensive instincts, heaps of confidence, and a mean streak. His skating isn’t bad, but it’s not a strength, either, and there are questions about aspects of his hockey IQ and whether his offensive tear in juniors will translate to the pros.