Quote:
Originally Posted by djsFlames
Need to pick strategically.
We'll be an automatic top 3 favorite for McDavid next season with impending sell off trades upcoming.
You pick Ekblad this season, and pick up your defensive anchor and leader for the forseeable future, then your offensive leader in McDavid or Eichel next draft, while the supporting cast in Monahan, Poirier, Gaudreau, Klimchuk continue to develop so that they're ready to step in when (potentially) McDavid steps into the league, which will be the season after he's drafted. It'll allow for everything to fall into place at the right time. To me, that's the right approach. I don't want to become like the Oilers, with a bunch of talented forwards but no one to lead the back end, so then you're scrambling to find a top defenseman who can fill that void, while your group of forwards are playing NHL hockey and having the losing ways ingrained into them. We have our chance this season to pick up that top d-man this draft, with the top forwards this year not being of the best/franchise quality. Get him now, while the opportunity is there.
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To me looking too far ahead at a draft more than 1.5 years away and planning strategy on draft picks who might be there and are 2 years or more away from joining the club is foolish.
Yes I understand the hype of the draft. Connor McDavid is a generational talent. What happens if some over ager goon in the OHL takes a run at him and ends McDavid's hockey career with a knee injury. Jack Eichel, potential franchise center, may decide to quit hockey to take up professional baking.
Yes the early reports say the 2015 draft will be deep, but that is based on projections of the current 2015 class to continue progressing. If for some reason a bunch of them don't meet expectations and regress next season, a deep draft becomes a weak draft.
There is also the chance that the Flames overachieve for parts of next season and end up outside of a top 5 pick.
All of the above may not be likely, but things like this have come up. I know Burke has said the Flames are preparing for the 2015 draft, but I don't think it means that it will impact their decision based on who they think is available.
Just pick the best player available in this year's draft and worry about next year, next year.