Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
Maybe not everyone agrees with the away the Flames evaluate their own talent? By the same token, I think it is clear how things played out and based on what the team said afterwards that they selected McDonald where they did because they knew it was their only chance to get him. I speculating, but I imagine that regardless of how they had the players ranked, they probably had information to suggest that Smith would likely be there for them to select at the end of the round, and McDonald would not.
There is a strategy to drafting; especially past the first round.
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Exactly.
And I would add to that, not only did their selection ensure they got the goalie they wanted, but it also had the possible effect of ensuring that Smith was still there for their next pick.
Once one goalie is picked, there tends to be a run on them as teams don't want to miss out. By selecting McDonald, not only did the Flames secure the goalie they wanted, but they also caused 3 or 4
other picks to be goalies in the 2nd round as well. Considering that they were picking 34th and 54th, that may have helped ensure that Smith fell to them as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Five-hole
Certainly, but implicit in that gamble is that it meant more to them to secure McDonald and risk not getting Smith than the other way around.
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Not necessarily. The draft isn't just about taking the guy you like. Once you're past the first round, it is also about guessing what the other teams will do so that you can possibly get
both guys that you like.
There is definitely the opportunity (and risk) for some strategy. To me, this looks like such a case.