Film Room: Sean Behrens is a first-round prospect in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft

Ten years ago, it seemed unthinkable that a sub-6-foot defenceman could be a top prospect without elite skill. Then, the requirements were reduced. Shorter defencemen only had to be elite skaters to overcome the “limitations” of their height.

The former explains how Torey Krug went undrafted after finishing second among USHL defencemen in scoring as a rookie; the latter how Adam Fox didn’t get picked until the third-round of the 2016 NHL Draft; now, he’s arguably a Norris candidate.

Subjectively, the NHL’s becoming more hospitable to shorter defencemen without elite skating or skill. Instead, playmaking, activation, and rush defence are offsetting qualities. Then again, maybe I’m wrong, and the rise of the shorter defencemen is merely a heightened number of exceptions to the rule.

If that’s the case, here’s the next exception to the rule: Sean Behrens.

At 5-foot-9, without gaudy point totals or plus-level skating ability, Behrens is forced to rely on other tools and skills to excel. The first of which is playmaking.{