Quote:
Originally Posted by Goriders
I think if you look back at the Flames drafting track record I wouldn’t put all my chips on trading players for draft picks only.
Flames hit percentage in the draft isn’t that good and you need someone to actually play. Unless you want to watch a last place team for a long time.
Who is currently on the team that the Flames drafted in the first two rounds. Backlund, Anderson, Dube? They are good players but probably not the calibre required to carry a team. The rest came through trades or free agent pick ups.
Of their past high draft picks Bennet was a supporting cast player, Monahan was a good player but injuries caught up with him and Tkachuk left for greener pastures. Of the three Tkachuk was probably the guy you could build a championship team around. So one player out of how many picks. The odds aren’t that high. Even for early picks in the first round. The draft is a crapshoot.
I get the infatuation with high draft picks but if the Flames are rebuilding their roster I think it’s going to be via a combination of drafting as well as trades and free agents for the immediate future.
Conroy is going to have his work cut out for him. Pretty much getting thrown into the fire right off the bat. The next month has the potential to set the course for the Flames for the next number of years. Good or bad.
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What is your actual point?
They should draft to avoid injuries like Monahan and Valimaki?
I like how you conveniently forgot about how they drafted a Norris Trophy winner in the 3rd round who wouldn’t sign here. That’s still a pick scouts made.
There is a huge amount of variables that are far from certain picking and projecting 18 and 19 year olds.
If they don’t get picks they get players. Either way it’s about scouting & knowing who can play & who can’t.
Craig knows this. He has an eye for talent, who can play & who can’t. He‘s learned from others that you get one chance… one… to develop a player.
Development is as important as drafting. He knows the scouts need to have trust in him and each other to learn and get better. He also won’t go off the board and call an audible on some player “he thinks” is better like Sutter would as GM.
Additionally having guys like Iginla & Savard on board to give their perspective on players from a coach and elite player perspective is invaluable.
If they were ever ready for roster turnover with a front office composed of eminently competent hockey minds who are constantly focused on getting better… it is now.