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Originally Posted by Jason14h
Bennet was a bust for a 4th overall pick.
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Yes, but 4th overall picks tend to become very good or in some cases elite players in the NHL. It's a good spot to pick from even if you didn't get into the top 3.
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They have picked Chucky with a high first and that is all that contributed meaningfully to this team.
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Nevertheless they got to pick 6th, 4th, and 6th in the not too distant past. Monahan did contribute very meaningfully before injuries derailed him. Bennett never came close to living up to his draft status, and that's unfortunate. But it doesn't change the fact that the Flames got to pick 6th, 4th, and 6th since 2013. Good spots to get needle-moving players and core pieces.
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How is drafting a player in the 4th round relevant to not being bad enough to draft elite talent?
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Because that's the nature of drafting. Sometimes you miss on a high pick, sometimes you hit on a late pick. More than anything I'm just trying to make the point that not having top 3 picks is not necessarily an impediment to getting great players and building a great team.
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The issue with keeping the draft pick and hoping you find a gem at 16-20 in a deep draft is the time to the NHL and where the team currently is. Best case they play in 3 years. At that point Lindholm and Hanifin may be gone, and Kadri, Markstrum and Hubby all on the downside of their career.
The Flames are most likely looking at a rebuild in 3-4 years, so does having a young player ready to contribute when the team is moving out of their contention window really make sense?
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The rebuild won't last forever. Draft a quality player in the 2023 draft, even if he isn't ready for prime time right away, he could be a key contributer to the team in his mid 20s when the team is coming out of its rebuild and ascending once again. Or, you can play him up to star status and trade him for a haul.
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That doesn't mean give the pick away. I also hope they don't trade it for a rental, because I don't think this team is anywhere close to being a cup threat this year.
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IMO, the slow start this year was a combination of strong schedule, lack of puck luck, goaltending struggles, and of course an adjustment period for several key players getting used to a VERY different situation here compared to what they were used to previously. Anyone not expecting a period of adjustment where the team went through some struggles... has unrealistic expectations.
But in recent games you're starting to see the tide turn. 7 of 8 points on the Cali road trip, got goalied vs the Oilers, but followed that up with back to back wins.
Flames are not a cup favorite by any stretch of the imagination. But they have a shot.