Make no mistake about it, Matt Dumba is a serious threat to Ryan Murray, Nick Ebert and the rest of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft class.

Dumba is without doubt a heavy hitter despite his 175-pound frame, but may do most of his damage jumping up the draft chart.

Dumba, slotted 9th in Future Considerations’ October ranking, has the potential to be the top defenseman in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft class. Few players, never mind defensemen, have the raw talent, sheer explosiveness and god-given ability in the draft that Canada’s captain from the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Tournament has. Now he just needs to put it all together.

The draft class is certainly blessed with some swift skating defensemen, but none work their edges as impressively as the Calgary, AB. native. From his quick starts to his ability to change directions on a whim, or simply spin away from the opposition, there isn’t anything Dumba can’t do on his feet.

And it may be the biggest thing hindering Dumba from being this draft’s top defenseman. It’s what makes him a threat to the opposition, and to himself.

The Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy Award winner as the WHL’s rookie of the year last season can move faster than he can think. That’s not to say that Dumba is plagued as the ‘all the tools, no toolbox’ project. It’s just that the 17-year-old still has work to do to develop his mind to respond as quickly as his legs.

If he does, Dumba will be a threat to NHLers in no time.

Aaron Vickers is the managing editor of Future Considerations and can be found on Twitter. For all the latest Future Considerations news and posts, follow FC’s Official Twitter Feed, on YouTube and on Facebook!