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Swift-skating Skjei shows the makeup of an NHL first-rounder

  • Article by: MICHAEL RUSSO , Star Tribune
  • Updated: June 20, 2012 - 2:55 PM

The future U defenseman learned hockey in Lakeville, honed his skills in Ann Arbor and could be selected Friday night in Pittsburgh.

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percyroy12Jun. 20, 12 9:33 AM

Very excited to see this kid play with Nate Schmidt next year at the U. I was telling my dad I thought Schmidt was the Gophers best all around D-man since Leopold and now throw in Skjei along with Marshall and Alt and Helgeson as a solid defensive defenseman, not too shabby. Marshall is everything Ness was supposed to be but wasn't, a small puck moving offensive defenseman with elite skills. This may be the Gophers best D since those title teams...and that defense is the reason they won both titles despite having Vanek for the 2nd one, the D was most important. Lucia is finally starting to realize thats how he was successful early and is starting to emphasize on D now. Skjei will probably go in the mid 20's and that will benefit the Gophers as he will go to a good team that will be in no need to rush him and could let him develop in college. I've seen Florida and Pittsburgh the most for him in mock drafts, but who knows.

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fittobetiedJun. 20, 1212:13 PM

I'm always suspect of Minnesota kids because sometimes I wonder if their talents are over-emphasized because they are Minnesotans but if he's being labled the best skater in the draft at defense and has size, is he not that aggressive or something? I remember Burns move to defense and his weakness at first was skating but developed into an upper tier D'man. Why is the guy not in the top 10?

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percyroy12Jun. 20, 1211:41 PM

fittobetied...competition mainly. If he played and dominated in one of the CHL leagues or one of the elite European leagues like the Swedish Elite or Finish League he would be higher up. It is upside right now with him without the results to match. That would be my guess, but who knows.

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