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Originally Posted by New Era
Aren't we getting a little carried away now? We've gone from "possible" number two guys, to perennial all stars and Norris candidates? Nylander a top 15 player in the NHL?
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I don't think we're getting carried away. Surely you understand the difference between a players top potential upside and their likely upside. Not all players will achieve their highest upside. And Nylander will certainly rely on being paired with a strong centre to score 70-80 points. Let's make one thing clear, those scouts who really like Chychrun think he has franchise defenceman potential. Thus you get the scout who has him 4th that Mackenzie talked to. If a team takes Chychrun early then yes, they feel he's a potential franchise dman. If a team takes Sergachev high then yes, they feel he has that all star upside.
Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
Personally, I like the 4-20 range. I think you will get a quality player in this strata. I think they all have strengths, but they all have weaknesses. I don't see any great players, but I do see some pretty good support players available. I don't think seeing these kids for what they are is being a Debbie Downer. For the past year we have heard that there are three really good players in this draft, then a next stata of anywhere from 12-15 players that could be good players. To me that has always read as three possible 1st line players and then a group of possible 2nd line players. I think there are elements that are building this draft up to levels that expectations will just never meet. I would rather we went into this with a realistic take on these kids, and if they over-achieve, it is a bonus.
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There's 2-3 likely superstars and numerous likely stars in this draft. Several of the players in the 4-20 range have top pairing defence or 1st line forward potential. Benning has talked about Tkachuk and Dubois having 1st line line upside and has said there's two defencemen they like as top pairing guys. Chiarelli has said much the same.
I see lots of great prospects in the 4-20 range. Seems like what you're actually doing is underestimating the upside of some of the guys outside the top 3 and passing it off as realism when it looks like pessimism to me. It's a good recipe for pleasant surprises I'll give you that.
Neither of us can prove our stance so only time will tell. Hopefully you remember this thread when some of those guys in the 4-20 range are impact, star NHLers
