That Texier pick has some real potential. I didn't hate it at the time because i didn't really know much about him but Jarmo saying he would have taken him in the 1st raised mine and a lot of other peoples eyebrows. I still think a lot of people on this site and elsewhere are undervaluing his potential. Think in the next year or 2 he will start getting noticed in a big way
When Jarmo was announced as GM, I went back and looked at his body of scouting work, and his draft and development work. I was impressed and excited that he could mine some gold in his picks, especially his later round picks (3rd thru 7th).
Just when we all thought the CBJ were going to quietly wait for the 3rd round last year to make their first pick, Jarmo trades up into the 2nd round and takes 6-shooter Tex. Based upon what resaearch I had done and the drafting success he had in his first few years of his tenure, I just got real excited about the possibility of what Texier might become. There is a long way to go, but I sure like the way the CBJ center position is coming together. Currently; Dubois and Wennberg, and SedsyCat. Not too far off; Stenlund, Vignault, and Thurkauf. A little further back; Davidsson and Texier.
I really believe this franchise can graduate one centerman to the NHL each of the next 4 years. If the CBJ have too many NHL players and not enough ice time, that is a GM's dream. You can trade one and fill other needs. This prospect pool looked deep and rich when the Monsters won the AHL two years ago. If the Monsters stumble and fall next year, it might be time for John Madden to go play video games.