I would draft Silayev with the understanding that what I am drafting will end up becoming a very, very good shut-down guy that you can throw out against anyone - skilled fast guys and big power-forwards - and he will be able to handle them. Having that ability in your defence corps is extremely valuable. Imagine Tanev, but a better skater, and more physical. That's worth 9 at least. That's my logic in drafting him. If he ends up putting up points as well (which most scouts believe that he has in him, and some don't), then it is simply gravy. If I don't feel having that is as valuable as picking more of an offensive guy, then I would pick the offensive guy. Or a forward.
I don't envy Conroy here being at the tail end of that top-end of the draft, and probably picking between 2, maybe 3 different guys that will probably still be on the board. They are all so different. Either way, I just have faith that whichever guy gets selected, he will be a key piece of the future core. Maybe he develops into a franchise-level player, or he just stays as a valuable core piece. I will be happy with whomever is selected (except Eiserman - please don't select guys who refer to themselves in 3rd person! LOL).
As for Montreal drafting a D - it would surprise me. I would assume that they go BPA. However, don't they already have a really good deep pipeline of D at the moment? If I am them, I will be taking BPA regardless, but if there is a tie, I am taking a forward - Lindstrom, Iginla, Demidov if he falls - whomever they have ranked at their spot. They would be a team that I look at going forward rather than defence.
Going to be the most exciting draft in years, even ignoring where the Flames are picking. Just so much more unknowns in terms of surprises in the draft order, and the possibility of way more trades and movement. Bettman better have some throat lozenges at hand - I think he is going to be doing a lot more talking than normal.
|