[Flames Draft Watcher]

But competing against slightly bigger players isn't going to negate size/strength as an advantage. Bigger, stronger players can more easily protect the puck, win board battles, stand in front of the net and not be moved, and outmuscle the opposition.

Guys like Getzlaf, Perry, Malkin, etc are so good partially because of their size and strength combined with amazing skill. So much harder to check the big players with big reaches.

Yes NHLers will be bigger than Ekblad/Ritchie/Dal Colle/etc are used to. That doesn't mean their size/strength isn't a plus for them, an advantage, something that will help them in the NHL. I don't buy this argument that we should be suspect of how good they are because they're so big. Big + skilled is exactly what we need. We have got to be one of the smaller teams in the league, especially if you exclude 4th lines and 5/6 d-men. In the important positions we completely lack anybody with dominating physical strength. Maybe Monahan evolves into one. Maybe Colborne. Big powerforwards are completely lacking. No top 4 defenseman with huge size/strength. You know someone who might actually be able to push Getzlaf around.

I like the whole top end of the this draft. We're in a great position. Ekblad is perfect for us IMO. Both Sams I'd take in an instant. And if those go top 3 I'm pretty happy with any of Dal Colle, Ritchie or Draisaitl. One big defenseman, a couple great centres and a few big forwards. We can fill a need regardless of what falls to us.