Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
There's more to being an NHL GM than trades. A lot more. I'd regard trades as maybe the 3rd most important job of a GM. His draft record is very good, with Alex Chiasson, Reilly Smith, Brett Ritchie, Jamie Oleksiak, and Jack Campbell all looking like solid picks at this point. And keep in mind that in Dallas Niewendyk operated under severe financial handicaps.
And there's probably a reason Burke likes him. Niewendyk is a smart guy, and as fans we don't know much about what goes on behind the scenes.
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Chiasson and Smith were taken in the 2009 draft and Niewendyk had been on the job for 26 days, doubt he had much input into who they took in that draft.
If a Flames GM took Campbell the pick before Cam Fowler, and two picks before Schwartz we would be blasting him right now.
Oleksiak and Ritchie look good from the 2011 draft.
Too early to tell from the 2012 draft but Faksa hasn't taken the next step and isn't even a PPG in the OHL. If he was a Flames pick at 14 many would be calling him a bust and lamenting about why we didn't pick Ceci, Matta, or Teravainen.
Looks alright on the surface but still more question marks than sure things with his draft record.