Thought this post by Table 5 in the PGT of the Blues thread was interesting.
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showpos...&postcount=102
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Originally Posted by Table 5
They've had a 1st overall (Erik Johnson, that was turned into Shatenkirk, Stewart and Rattie) and a 4th (Alex Pietrangelo)....something the Flames have never had. They never went full Oiler, but those two high picks are a big reason why they have perhaps the best Dcore in the entire league.
Drafting high is how almost every single cup winner in the last few years has got there. Do you really think the Kings would win the Cup without Doughty? The Hawks without Toews and Kane? The Pens without Crosby or Malkin?
Everybody is always so paranoid about turning into the Oilers, that they forget that in reality, you're much more likely to get better than worse. In the last 10 years, there are only two teams who didn't significantly get better because of a #1 pick...the Oilers and the Islanders (and it would be foolish to say the Isles aren't a better team with Tavares).
Yes, drafting is high is not perfect, but it sure seems like the best formula for success. Until someone suggests one that is more effective, that's the one you go with.
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When you look at the better teams in the league.. when they had their high picks, they didn't all go forward or defense.
Chicago - two forwards plus defenseman who was a bust (Toews, Kane and Barker)
LA - Defense/Forward (Doughty, Hickey, B.Schenn)
St. Louis - Defense (Pietrangelo, E. Johnson)
Pittsburgh - Forwards/Goalie (Fleury, Malkin, Crosby)
Boston - Forward/Defense (Seguin, D.Hamilton)
Anaheim - Foward/Defense (Ryan, Smid, Lindholm)
I think you have to trust your scouting to be able to find the right guys. If that guy is a defenseman you pull the trigger. Eliminating all defenseman because they are a higher risk is not smart.