Quote:
Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina
Not in every round I don't think they have.
Example:
They drafted Topi Ronni at 59 last draft. I don't mind the pick. I don't know the player well. But the Flames see him as a potential middle 6 forward.
Lane Hutson went at #62.
If Lane Hutson is an NHL player he will be impactful. He's got elite hockey sense. He does things that most players can't do.
But he's undersized. And his skating may not be good enough to over come that.
But if he hits, he will be viewed as the steal of the NHL draft and has the potential to be a game changer for the Habs.
I'm not one to get tunnel vision on a certain player because I don't follow them all or know them well.
But that's the type of thing I'm talking about.
Home run swings. Every. Pick.
My strong hypothesis is that over the long-term you will be better off.
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Possibly, but if you don't draft on sure bets to be NHLers who are not that dynamic, then you are forced to constantly sign and recycle replacement level vets on your bottom 2 lines. You can't go boom/bust on every single pick. You need a mix.
Besides, we've had enough big success in later rounds who were boom/bust types. Mangiapane alone comes to mind. 6th rounder who was very much one of the players you're talking about.
You also need to draft guys like Dube. Who aren't that dynamic at anything except speed, but have the entire package necessary to stay in the NHL and contribute.
I guess I'm saying I sort of agree with your hypothesis, but also that you might be missing a part of the picture with a singular focus like that.