Quote:
Originally Posted by saillias
Ok, but those players aren't anything special. Whoopedy do, they developed a bunch of 2nd liners. Their reputation as a model franchise is just riding the coattails of a few superstars drafted decades ago.
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completely agreed, not like they have superstars marinating out there.
However, look when you make the playoffs every year, you aren't really getting high picks anywhere. That doesn't stop them in having a sufficient stream of their own developed kids come up and being actual contributors, not peripheral rookies/kids on the team who have an impact here and there.
Tatar 2nd round pick (60th overall)
Jurco 2nd round pick (35th)
Nyquist 4th round pick (121st)
Shehean 1st round pick (21st overall)
Kindl 1st round pick (19th overall)
Smith 1st round pick (27th overall)
Howard 2nd round pick (64th overall)
Now they have definitely not hit home runs with their picks, or their first round pick every time. However, since 99, there is only 1 year where they haven't drafted at least 1 player who went on to be a meaningful NHL player. Not sure how many organizations, regardless of where they draft can say the same.
There is something to be said about picking the right guys, however, i think the development process and strategy plays a huge role in getting a guy from draft day into being an every day NHL player.