Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Pretty sure TB is happy with Hedman over Duchesne. Pretty sure PHX was pretty happy taking OEL over Kadri, Glennie and Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson don't you think? I'd rather have Trouba, Lindholm, Murray, Ceci over Yakupov. FLA isn't regretting taking Ekblad. Jones and Ristolainen aren't regrettable picks.
Go look at 2008
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2008e.html
Kind of destroys the forward over d-man argument generalization doesn't it? You'd rather have Doughty, Bogosian, Pietrangelo, Myers, Karlsson, Carlsson, Josi (2nd round), Scandella (2nd round), Voynov (2nd round) over almost every forward taken that year except Stamkos who went #1.
This defeseman riskier than forward or less valuable idea is overstated.
Chychrun is considered to be very close to Ekblad calibre if not right there with him. Better skater, not as good of a point shot. NHL ready. He'll go early, not that much risk with him IMO.
When evaluating F over D you also have to take into account what type of value that player would have when fully developed. Arguably top two defensemen are much more valuable in this league than most scoring wingers. Almost impossible to find those top two D, almost impossible to trade for. |
Sure, lots of examples either way. You may get the next oel, you might get the next Luke schenn. Each draft is unique.
It seems in general that top six f are more certain to pan out than top pairing d. Granted that those d can turn into 3-4 guys, but when you are drafting high, best to pick the more sure fire prospect vs someone who has that higher ceiling but lower floor.