Quote:
Originally Posted by Resurrection
If someone is going to take 5-6 years to be an NHL player, why are you burning a first round pick on him? Seems like a very long time to develop someone who may be able to contribute in a very, very long time.
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Because the Flames thought he had the upside to be a top two line centre with size. That is something you usually can't find outside of the top 5-10 draft picks. If you can find someone you think has that potential outside the top 10 you take him and run regardless of how long you think he'll take.
That's why I liked the pick back then and still like it. We had no idea we'd luck out getting Monahan and then Bennett. If you can trade down, pick up an extra 2nd, get the guy you were going to take anyways who has the potential to be a big top two line centre you should be pretty happy.
I have been closely following the Flames drafting since around '97 and we've been looking for big top two line centres the whole time. When the Flames draft a guy who has the potential to be a big top two line centre I become very happy. I was happy with Janko pick, very happy with Monahan and ecstatic about getting Bennett.
Even though the team sucks at the moment we can still appreciate the asset rich state the team is in compared to past years. Treliving has young NHLers, young prospects and picks with which to solve all our long term needs. Long term we still look fantastic.