Looking back to the 2003 draft

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

That's funny, I could've sworn they took some kid named Leland Irving in the first round precisely because he was "best player available."

Kind of. But they also said they were targetting goalies that draft and were considering taking goalies with both of their first 2 picks.

[OutOfTheCube]

Wow, if you look at the 2000 draft, Calgary's first three picks have all turned into solid NHL-ers. Too bad they didn't keep any of them.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Kind of. But they also said they were targetting goalies that draft and were considering taking goalies with both of their first 2 picks.

Originally Posted by Tod Button to CalgaryPuck's Adam Peddle

Things changed when we gave up our 2nd pick in the Alex Tanguay deal. There were 8 goalies we really liked and thought that with 1 of our 1st 2 picks we would get one of them but that none would be there when we picked in the 3rd round. We had Leland in a top group of 5 goalies but also thought that there were 4 or 5 teams that could take a goalie ahead of our spot at 26. We did not think he would be there at 26 if all the teams that we thought would take a goalie did. So yes we were pleased to get him at 26.

Sounds to me like if Irving wasn't available they might not have taken a goaltender at all.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Wow, if you look at the 2000 draft, Calgary's first three picks have all turned into solid NHL-ers. Too bad they didn't keep any of them.

Actually, those are just the picks that made the NHL. Moen was our 5th rounder, and the first round pick from that draft isnt listed as the only thing he has done in the NHL is open the gate for game 6 of the playoffs this year past.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Sounds to me like if Irving wasn't available they might not have taken a goaltender at all.

Seems like you're using some crap logic to come up with that.

In the article that you posted Button says there were 8 goalies they liked with their 1st or 2nd rounder. Since only 3 went before our pick, clearly 5 were left.

I think if Irving wasn't available perhaps they deal down to nab one of the 4 that they liked or just take one there. Either way your scenario of them not taking a goalie completely contradicts what Button said.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Seems like you're using some crap logic to come up with that.

Nope.

Once the second round pick was dealt, they no doubt immediately short listed the goaltenders. They weren't going to take a projected second-rounder with their first pick. That would be dumb, would it not? Why not take a first-roundworthy skater?

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

I think if Irving wasn't available perhaps they deal down to nab one of the 4 that they liked or just take one there. Either way your scenario of them not taking a goalie completely contradicts what Button said.

Not at all. That draft they were also quite interested in loading up on centers for instance (which they did). If a top center that they liked had been available, they might have grabbed him. Either way "Best Player Available" would apply.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Wow, if you look at the 2000 draft, Calgary's first three picks have all turned into solid NHL-ers. Too bad they didn't keep any of them.

Huh??? Calgary's first pick was Brent Krahn, and there is no way in hell that he's a solid NHLer!