The argument makes more sense for not drafting goalies high. They are more hit or miss/uncertain, and for whatever reason, they have less value around the league (both to sell and to acquire).
Having a great #1 defenseman makes the single biggest impact on a team, IMO. A Norris level defenseman makes the goalie infinitely better, the entire D-core infinitely better, special teams infinitely better, AND the forwards infinitely better. They're harder to draft, but not doing it and relying on later picks is putting yourself at a disadvantage as well.
Last few years 1st round pick defensemans from the Canucks
2005
Luc Bourdon (10)
1999
Bryan Allen (4)
1997
Brad Ference (10)
1994
Mattias Ohlund (13)
1993
Mike Wilson (20)
1989
Jason Herter (8)
Best is Ohlund. Everyone else sucked except Bourdon which we dont know what would of happened.
We can play that same game with forwards, though. Our drafting/development just plain sucks.