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Originally Posted by New Era
So Tkachuck can switch positions but McLeod can't? I think the team drafts the player that meets the criteria they have used over the past few years. Character and skill come first. I would think interviews are going to mean a lot in this draft since so many players are so close in skill level. And I do believe that the team will address the right handed shot issue. They went out and did it on the blue line so I can't see them not doing it in the forward ranks.
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Tkachuk switching from LW to RW isn't really switching positions, they are both winger slots and as I I've said I've seen many, many, many wingers switch sides in the history of the NHL without a problem. What does LW/RW really mean? It's where you line up for the face-offs. It's which defenseman you are supposed to cover in your own blue line. Outside of that wingers are apt to move all over the ice and thus the designation between LW/RW doesn't hold that much meaning IMO. As for character I think Tkachuk's is high so that should have him high on the Flames list too.
Switching someone from centre to wing is a complete change of position. Certainly it is done at times but you have to see what their strengths are. Attributes that are good on the wing include speed, winning board battles, great shot. Attributes that are good at centre include two-way play, playmaking, face-offs, basically most of the things that McLeod excels at. I think McLeod's skill set makes him a natural centre. Some scouts have said Tkachuk could actually make a good centre as well because of his smarts and playmaking.
They addressed right shot d-men through signings (Wideman, Nakladal) and trade (Hamilton.) I suspect we'll sign or trade for a RWer and solve the issue that way.
They can't prioritize getting a right shot player in the draft over picking the best player, that would be stupid. Laine, Puljujarvi, Nylander and McLeod are the only 4 right shooters talked about as top 10 picks at this point. So if we don't win the lottery there is a very good chance we don't pick a right shooter this draft with our 1st rounder. I can't see the fact that McLeod shoots right moving him up on the Flames list significantly at all. I don't think right shooting is going to be a big deal at all to the Flames scouts. It's nice to have, it'd be a bonus but their list will not be based around it.