ALANEN: Joni Jurmo’s Physical Toolkit Makes him one of the Draft’s Most Intriguing Defenders

Size is becoming a less important factor for NHL decision-makers with each passing draft. This most recent draft is a good example of how the consensus is shifting. Smaller, quicker, skilled players are hearing their names called at the draft higher and with more frequently than ever, and with good reason.

Even so, one might argue that size is still an overwrought part of the evaluation process.

This isn’t to say that size doesn’t matter. Bigger players, particularly defencemen, are still in high demand; it’s just that they now have to bring other, more important things to the table, too. Philip Broberg‘s 6-foot-3 frame isn’t the reason that the Edmonton Oilers used the eighth overall pick last summer to draft him; it was his high-end speed and ability at that size. William Wallinder is gen