To me it seems to be that trades are getting harder to make. Getting good value is also hard when dealing from a position of weakness (lack of defence prospects). For these reasons drafting for need should get more of a priority.
I still think picking the BPA is the way to go, but if there is a prospect position you lack in that is only a couple of draft spots behind, I'd probably take them. In 2013 and 2014's case, there wasn't really a top end D/RW in our spot. Yes, Nurse could've been picked, but Monahan was clearly the BPA imo. In 2014, we had the chance to pick the last of the top 4 players and we capitalized on it.
If we are not in McDavid/Eichel territory, I do hope we pick a defenseman in this deep draft. Hanifin, Kylington, Andersson, Werenski, or Roy would definitely help this franchise. Aside from Hanifin/Kylington, we'd have a solid D prospect ready within that year, ready to go in the 16-17 season.
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Were basically one year into our rebuild. We need players at every position so BPA has to be the strategy. Until prospects start panning out and actually contributing we can't just assume they will. Were still a ways away so no need to worry about position yet.
To me it seems to be that trades are getting harder to make. Getting good value is also hard when dealing from a position of weakness (lack of defence prospects). For these reasons drafting for need should get more of a priority.
In the mentioned scenario we'd be dealing from a supposed surplus (a strength) of good centers. You seem to be suggesting teams avoid trying to trade for what they need, as that's an area of their weakness?
In the mentioned scenario we'd be dealing from a supposed surplus (a strength) of good centers. You seem to be suggesting teams avoid trying to trade for what they need, as that's an area of their weakness?
I guess it depends. If others are phoning us asking for our forwards, that's good but if we are phoning them asking for their defencemen that's not so good. I'd prefer a balance so we weren't put into a position of need or weakness myself.
Right now everyone seems to be goo goo over getting centres and this may be reflected in their draft rankings. This could lead to an excess of talented centres/forwards league wide and a scarcity of good defencemen. In this case the defenceman would be more valuable. Maybe the really best player available is the defenceman and he's also what we need.
I'd always go BPA, at least in the first round. After that you might want to look at need unless the player available is far superior to those remaining in the draft.
Right now everyone seems to be goo goo over getting centres and this may be reflected in their draft rankings. This could lead to an excess of centres/forwards league wide. Maybe the really best player available is the defenceman and he's also what we need.
If we are in McDavid/Eichel territory, you take them either way. Hanifin would be a solid choice too.
Luckily there are a lot of top notch defenseman in the first 2, maybe 3 rounds. Tyler Wotherspoon's brother is even in this draft . I think he'll go into round 2, but after what I've seen with Tyler so far, I would love to get Parker too.
Wow...seriously impressed by Eichel. The kid looks like he plays a power game yet he has hands. At this point I would pretty much put him and McDavid equal from everything I've seen.
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If we are not in McDavid/Eichel/Hanifin territory when it comes to 2015 draft day, what other prospects are you guys interested in? I am start to like Konecny a lot now.
. I think he'll go into round 2, but after what I've seen with Tyler so far, I would love to get Parker too.
