Quote:
Originally Posted by Strange Brew
IMO you don’t lock yourself into a style or philosophy for each and every pick. For one, it’s not really possible to put every pick into one of two categories of 1) safe and 2) boom/bust.
Usually boom/bust type picks are euphemisms for smaller, skilled players. And it would be a mistake to stock an organization with only such players. But every draft pick has elements of skill, size, speed, character etc. I’d advocate an approach that considers all of these qualities for every pick.
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Some of the math that is done is the probability of making the NHL and the upside of the player if they do. Which is reasonable.
What I'm advocating for though is within that math, putting more weight towards the potential. That doesn't mean smaller/skilled. But it does typically mean it's looking at players who have some sort of elite skill but some flaws.
So it could be the small/skilled guy, it could be the guy with great hands but is slow, it could be the fast guy with poor hockey instincts. Etc.
Could be a guy that checks most the boxes, but with a more compete level.
As you go deeper into the draft the number of flaws are higher but you still look for that elite element to their game.
I would say that I have a bias towards two elements though: Hockey sense & skating.
I would generally prioritize in that order.