I am just going to say this...
Traditionally they say that it takes a defenseman longer to develop in the NHL then a forward. I think we all agree that with the Flames youth, we are still a couple key pieces away from being a legitimate playoff contender and we are more likely to be in the running for a lottery pick then we are a playoff spot next year.
With that said, and looking at the projected draft lineup for next year, 11 of the top 15 players are forwards. This is off of draftsite.com. But, in the top 8 (which is where I assume the Flames will be drafting next year), 3 of them are defensemen. The site even lists Noah Hanifin at #2 overall, sandwiched between McDavid and Eichel. So there will be quality D men available at that time, but there is also going to be some franchise altering players like McDavid and Eichel.
If the Flames management were mapping out a plan on where they want to be in the next three to five years, the 'smart' move right now would be to draft Ekblad and give him the extra year to develop before we draft another forward. If we land in a spot next year to draft McDavid/Eichel, AND we take a forward at this years draft, it would be a bit of overkill would it not?
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