Quote:
Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen
And the last impact center they drafted? It's not like they have been neglecting that position when it comes to drafting. The first 2 times they picked 6th overall they went for centers. Stillman was an alright pick (and I believe center when he was drafted) but no more a player you build around then the wingers you listed while Tkaczuk was a bust (injuries, sure).
And Langkow was picked before Iginla, but who would you rather have? The center or the winger?
Just because many of the top centers were picked in the top 10 ≠ mean that a center picked in the top 10 will be a top center. A good player in any position is better than a bad center. Just like I'll concede it's harder to get a center than a winger you need to concede that. So all things equal, lean towards a center. Otherwise go for the best player.
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Another point of interest: Iggy was listed as a centre in his draft year. As were Cammy, Tanguay, Nathan Horton, Claude Giroux & various other solid wingers over the years (&
Rico Fata).
Perhaps scouts push to have their boys play some centre in their draft year, acknowledging the premium put in players who play that position, in order to inflate their value? I wonder this about Mackinnon as well, as when I watch him he strikes me as a very speedy winger/sniper-type more than a natural NHL centre.