Quote:
Originally Posted by HitterD
All of the hand wringing last season I did about the Panther pick going from potentially low 20’s if they were eliminated in the first 2 rounds, to winning the cup and giving Calgary the 32nd pick. 7 months later (it’s still early) but I have a feeling that the flames would have taken Potter in the low 20’s anyway, and I really don’t see a single player picker before him in that 20-32 range that I would rather have than him. He’s been excellent.
Same with the CGY/MTL (eventually NYI) 16th overall pick. I certainly don’t take either of the guys taken 16 and 17 over Reschny, and probably not any of the guys taken 8-15 either.
It really puts into perspective how good the Flames scouts have been, and softens the blow for the team going on a late season run and almost missing the playoffs instead of keeping their pick and drafting 8-10. Even if the Flames kept their own pick last year and drafted say 9th and 18, if they came away with Reschny and Potter with those picks it wouldn’t surprise me and would look pretty good
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Nestrasil and Horcoff have both performed slightly better than Potter, but I agree he is a great pick.
I don't agree that this absolves the flames of choosing poorly in rebuilding, and it remains to be seen how "good" the scouts are; look at the vaunted 2024 draft and the stumbles in year 2 as evidence that we shouldn't count our chickens before they hatch. Battaglia looked like a steal last season and now I have doubt he's even in AHL talent.