Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
What I'm saying is that size is one factor that factors into your best player available list. For some teams its a bigger factor than others. Given both Burke and Treliving's comments its clear they see a need to get bigger. Size is a factor in our best player list and because of that Nylander may not be in our top 5. He has top 5 skill but skill is only one factor.
Where do we get these big, skilled players? Almost nobody is trading them. The best way to get them is through the draft and the most skilled big players are going to be picked at the very top end. We're drafting high in a good draft year so its a rare opportunity to get a guy with the ideal combination of size, skill, skating, and heart.
Small skilled players are great. Almost as great as big, skilled players  The draft has been going similarly for as long as I remember, the smaller guys will slide unless they are truly the most elite talent out there (see Kane).
Imagine there's an amazing small guy available like a Zach Parise. Would we be thrilled to take him? Absolutely. But if there's a Getzlaf and a Perry available as well, would you rather have them or Parise? That question was asked in 2003 and Parise went ahead of both players. He was touted as a top 10 talent but slipped to the teens. Nylander is a top 5 talent that will probably slide to the 6-10 range. But that's only natural when there's so many big, skilled guys available. Teams would rather have the Getzlaf/Perry than the Parise. You'd rather have a big, strong, sublimely skilled guy than an average or below average sized sublimely skilled guy.
It's a tough call, that's what the scouts are paid for. If they think Nylander's skill trumps the size/skill combo that Tkachuk or Dubois offers then they'll have him very high. Personally with this rare chance to draft (hopefully) top 5 in a draft that features a lot of big, skilled players I'd be slightly disappointed if we ended up with an average sized one but if they feel Nylander is the best player available I will support the pick 100%. I think if they have Nylander top 5 and we end up drafting 4th or 5th that Treliving should try to move up to get one of the Finns.
It'll be interesting to continue to watch. How Nylander, Tkachuk and Dubois play in the playoffs may be a tiebreaker for some scouts. |
Another super dope post. Lots of great points. I agree with a lot of this one as well. One thing i would say is I agree talented big players arent being traded and dont hit FA often. Im just talking about the top 20 picks. We can maybe go big/skilled outside the top 20. But personally i think size should still be a factor deciding top 20 picks but it shouldnt be as far up the pecking order just for the top echelon of players. Im not saying dont take a big dude with skill. But dont pass on a slightly smaller dude with more skill, based purely on the few inches and pounds.
But yeah I agree, nobody is moving those big skilled players. Its impossible to get them anywhere but the top 2 rounds. But nobody is moving the super skilled players period. Its impossible to get them anywhere. You wont get a Gaudreau, Marner, Brodie, etc. They are just as tough to get in a way after the draft.
The only time i look at size if im a GM making a pick in the top 20 is if i have 2 players DEAD EVEN everywhere else.
Great points - 2 superb posts. Thanks lads.