Quote:
Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler
Thanks, FW - I was too lazy to write that.  We had/won this argument nigh 10 years ago - I should try to cut & paste the posts from back then... |
I had no idea this argument was "won" 10 years ago. Foolish me for responding to a post with an opinion.
I certainly did not say that games played is the only determining factor in success of a pick, but the odds of that pick being a top 4 def. or top 6 forward are very relevant, in my opinion.
I am not sure if this is what Flash is saying, but I don't necessarily agree that trading known players is better than trading unknown players, which of course are picks.
Take the most ridiculous example: The Brett Hull trade.
What if that trade were Calgary's 1st overall in 1988 instead of Hull? Would we be lamenting the trading of a pick that became Jason Muzatti (21st overall = last in the 1st round)? The first few 2nd rounders that year were no great shakes either.
Yes, that is a ridiculous example, and who knows if it was an option, but picks and players are both currencies to use, and you can be content to trade one but not the other at particular times in your progression, based upon how immediate you believe your need is.
I.e. If you are somewhat content with your 3-5 year horizon, you might lean more to trading picks, as that is (huge over-generalisation) when mid 1st-round and later picks mature. If you are happy with your immediate team, and have players knocking down the door now, then you trade some of those players and keep picks for the future. I, and I think most of us, anticipate this is what the Flames will do with what seems to be a glut of young defensemen - possibly even resulting in Brodie being moved.
Also, another minor quibble, and I appreciate Flash was most likely being hyperbolic, but no, not every team has a player better than Janko from the 2012 draft. Certainly many do, but not all.