Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
Declaring anyone a 'winner' and a 'loser' so close after the draft, is folly. Declaring you are not interested in discussing who may be the better player in the long run after a draft... well.. I guess then there is no discussion.
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My argument is not who is better, its
who is better for the Flames right now. The OP has to be willing to concede that much if there's actually going to be a discussion on the long term potential of either player. As a Flames fan its slightly disappointing to see people unwilling to consider the fact that as of right now, it clearly looks like the team skipped over a very good pick for a wildcard.
In Maatta, at worst the flames would have a very promising NHL (and Olympian) defender at 19. In Janko, at worst they have a young prospect who could turn into something after college. This is way too long to invest in the chance a first rounder works out unless you're a team with a stacked pipeline and in no need of immediate help imo.
Now, if Maata was still floundering in Europe or Junior leagues and not on Team Finland at the Olympics, we probably aren't even talking about this. But he is and it makes for a pretty gut wrenching comparison if you hold the two players side by side at this point.