Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdonkey
One really has to question our development program when kids like Sven come in riding all the promise in the world, and then hit a wall once they turn pro. It might explain why the Flames haven't been able to draft a top 6 quality player in 20 years. Just maybe.
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Or it might explain why 21 year old players often need some time to develop before we worry about the whole development system.
Under Sutter Phaneuf was the only top 10 pick and he developed into a Norris trophy finalist, a top minute defender and top 10 defense scorer. Mikael Backlund developed into about what can be expected from a 24th overall pick. Prust is better than what the average 3rd rounder is, Boyd decent for a 3rd rounder, Brett Sutter for a 6th rounder did about as much as you can expect, Bouma and Brodie have developed nicely especially considering where they were picked. Ortio seems to be developing well for a 6th rounder and Reinhart for a 3rd could work out well also.
Sure some big misses with 1st and 2nds (Chucko, Pelech, Wahl) but not sure which one of those you would blame on development and which ones are just bad picks that every team has (Boston, Detroit, Chicago included).
The real problem the Flames have had in terms of prospects/young guys is a lack of picks (especially high picks) so that they need to hit on the few that they have. Much easier to trump up the Hawks drafting when you have Saad to ignore the potential misses with the 5 other 2nd round picks they had that year and the year before.