Quote:
Originally Posted by jmac98
I understand the point of the exercise is to choose one if you had to. But that's a hypothetical that just isn't a reality for anyone, and for Calgary it's not a position of need heading into the draft.
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Flames don't draft by need. They look to take the best player and best future asset available. That very well may be a defenseman this year. To rule it out would be shortsighted.
NSH didn't need d-men when they drafted Ryan Ellis. They didn't need d-men when they drafted Seth Jones. But having a new young top 4 every couple of years has allowed them to shrug off the losses of Timonen and Suter with ease and allowed them to deal Jones for a #1 centre.
Defense is the most important position in the NHL after goaltending. Brian Burke believes that and so do I. I suspect Treliving who is a former defenseman is also on board with that philosophy. Defense is also arguably one of the most valuable positions in hockey in terms of trade value.
To overlook the defensemen this draft class simply because we don't need one would be foolish and the Flames won't be.