Not sure there is any real reason to freak out here.
There are many drafts where the scouting services throw out a fairly consensus 'top x' players, and time proves them to be wrong in the long run.
Read enough scouting reports on enough of the top 10 or so prospects, and you will see a fairly common theme in EACH of them: "Has the ability to become the best player in the draft."
I have seen it being mentioned about Ritchie, Ehlers, Nylander, Virtanen and perhaps even a couple of others that I am maybe forgetting off the top of my head.
I still prefer Reinhart as the first choice in this draft, but even if he is available, I will be anything but angry, as I do think the Flames have improved their drafting tremendously, and trust their judgement. Chances are they select one of the 4, but if they reach, count me as a fan who applauds the courage to draft outside this 'consensus' because they did their homework and are more sure of another prospect becoming a cornerstone of the franchise in the years to come.
I actually quite liked what Button said - no restrictions have been imposed by management, and the Flames are intending to draft the best long-term player in the NHL, not the quickest to the NHL. Two things that I completely agree with.
Am I the only poster that got a bit relieved after reading that?
|