Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski
I may have it wrong but I recall that in recent draft past (like Ruzicka draft) they were kind of swinging for high upside potential and ability.
I watched that video of Button and at the end when talking about Nikolaev he talked about fundamentals of centre in Russian hockey and having that core 200 ft game in place. This was also mentioned about Pelletier. Button goes on to compare that profile to guys who don't have the fundamentals and are just playing pond hockey - which he says there is nothing wrong with.
To me it's like he's saying we wanted 'safer' or higher floors this time around while in the past they went for highest ceiling but perhaps some issues?
Are they just trying to balance the prospect pool out or did they learn something from like drafting a kid like Mitchell Mattson who had big upside (not to focus on individual players but more the philosophy).
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I interpret it differently.
I think they have narrowed in on their subset of player attributes that actually equate to higher potential, and likelihood to reach that potential.
Overall skill level and hockey IQ are the types of fundamentals hard to overcome in order to be a contributing NHL player.
So I don't look at it as a safe/risky pick type of thing. More where they are choosing to make their bets.
I do think they are taking some swings on high skilled guys with warts. Ruzicka is an example of this for me - I don't think he has the fundamentals nailed, and certainly didn't when drafted. But he was also a 4th round pick