Draft Day Discussion Thread

[30ranfordfan]

They literally used the #3 overall to acquire the top-ranked centre in the draft. Thrilled that they did it. I’ve been hoping they would take him. It might be another year or perhaps two until he is fully NHL ready but this fills an organizational hole that’s been there for a very long time.


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I get why they wanted him... as you said, best C available - but am i crazy in thinking they should have traded down to do it? His overall rank was outside the top 10... surely they could have flipped with Detroit (for example) and still got the same player (Detroit probably does too).

I hate the idea of drafting by need, too. He's probably not going to have a huge impact next year, so he's not filling that hole right away. Of course drafting Cs and Ds high is also something I'd argue in favor of.

Not saying it's a bad pick, but seems to me they didn't get full value out of the #3

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[scottkoz20]

Anyone else surprised at the lack of trades tonight?


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Not really. More talk = less action


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[RGM81]

I get why they wanted him... as you said, best C available - but am i crazy in thinking they should have traded down to do it? His overall rank was outside the top 10... surely they could have flipped with Detroit (for example) and still got the same player (Detroit probably does too).

I hate the idea of drafting by need, too. He's probably not going to have a huge impact next year, so he's not filling that hole right away. Of course drafting Cs and Ds high is also something I'd argue in favor of.

Not saying it's a bad pick, but seems to me they didn't get full value out of the #3

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In order to trade down you have to be reasonably assured that the guy you want will still be available and there have to be partners willing to forgo assets to move up and get the guy they want.

Ottawa was #4, they’re not gonna trade with Montreal.
Arizona picked the second best centre in the draft at #5. If Kotkaniemi was still on the board they would have drafted him.

So there was literally zero window to move down.


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[pwskelly]

Problem is Montreal drafted on need over talent, and what they needed was not well represented in this draft. Thus, they had to reach to get Kotkaniemi.

I hope the kid proves us wrong, but I think we should have taken Brady Tkachuk. That kid is going to be a beast.

[30ranfordfan]

In order to trade down you have to be reasonably assured that the guy you want will still be available and there have to be partners willing to forgo assets to move up and get the guy they want.

Ottawa was #4, they’re not gonna trade with Montreal.
Arizona picked the second best centre in the draft at #5. If Kotkaniemi was still on the board they would have drafted him.

So there was literally zero window to move down.


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That's a fair point, and you're right about AZ. Clearly they valued the centre position higher too.... I just don't like the idea of reaching on a guy, because you have a need today.

Of course i also like the idea of trading up to use a late 2nd round pick, to draft the top rated North American goalie on the board, particularly when your org has next to nothing in the way of goaltending proapects.... until I read that the father od said goalie works for the team, and i just assume the red wine parties continue.

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[piper1]

In order to trade for a first line or second line center you have to give up far more than for any other position so perhaps it is time to start factoring it into the draft rankings.

[Leafsman]

In order to trade for a first line or second line center you have to give up far more than for any other position so perhaps it is time to start factoring it into the draft rankings.

In Montreal's case, they could have gotten O'Reilly with the #3 pick. I actually think the #3 pick for that particular player is a severe over-payment. That's why I said Montreal should have traded #3 for O'Reilly and a prospect. Buffalo over-valued O'Reilly. I don't consider him a first-line center by any means, so asking more than a first round pick is ridiculous.

[30ranfordfan]

In order to trade for a first line or second line center you have to give up far more than for any other position so perhaps it is time to start factoring it into the draft rankings.

You don't think ability to play a tough position is factored into the ranks??

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