Quote:
Originally Posted by NewFan
I'm just curious how many fans want retool like trade for Eichel or how many fans want full rebuild. If trade for Eichel can this team build a contender team when you don't have upcoming blue chip prospect or new drafted prospects. For me, I rather choose full rebuild especially next 2-3 draft may have high quality prospects available.
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I don't mind a rebuild, but you have to ask why a team rebuilds.
To me, a team rebuilds to get those high end foundational players. For instance the Panthers from 2011 to 2014 drafted thrice in the top three:
LW Jonathan Huberdeau
C Alexander Barkov
RD Aaron Ekblad
That's bonafide #1 Defenseman, #1 Winger, and #1 Center.
So to each of those:
I think defensemen are an iffy thing to draft for. For every Ekblad/Hedman/Pronger there's still a Letang or Lidstrom or Keith or Chara (or Giordano) that was (un?)drafted in a more random spot. Defense is a tough position to project in Junior IMO.
I also think Wingers are an iffy thing to draft for. Look at the most productive wingers and they're usually drafted high, but probably not "rebuild" high. Mikko Rantanen, for example, was drafted 9th overall. Our own Tkachuk was drafted 6th. I think if you look at the wings of most great teams, there might be a few Marners or Huberdeaus drafted very high, but they're a minority.
So it really comes down to the center position.
To get an elite center, you pretty much have to draft high IMO. That's why it's three drafts out and we're already eyeing Connor Bedard, with no idea how the kid actually develops.
But...
Jack Eichel is an Elite Center.
He's literally the one reason you don't rebuild.
If you can't get Jack Eichel, you should rebuild.
But getting Jack Eichel changes everything.
He's
what you're rebuilding to acquire.