First of all, of course the kid could surprise everyone and be a star. That's not what it's about, but you know you aren't looking at the best of picks if the *proponents* concede it was too early while also admitting that they didn't do so because of any specific knowledge that someone else was going to but rather a vague fear that someone else might like the kid too and hey they had an extra pick so why not use it on a kid who otherwise might have gone in the 4th or 5th round.
The problem is, everyone thinks every drafted player should be a potential star it seems like and thats not the truth. Any player could surprise and become one.
What I find hilarious is that the kid was probably picked a round early, anywhere from late 3rd onward people had him going. Some very late and others just outside of the top 50. Theres a person on the prospect board saying another team would've taken him in the third (take that for what its worth though) etc.
I think it was a reach of a pick as well but what I find hilarious is the amount of crying going on over a 58th overall pick who like you said likely wont play anyways. One of the best second round drafting teams in the NHL lately liked what they saw enough to take him fairly high and many other people thought it was an alright pick.
So why are so many people crying about this pick when it was maybe a one round reach? That happens all the time in drafts, the wings did it with Brendan Smith as well.
Is Yann Pavel Laplante a guy they should have taken instead? Or Keegan Kanzig?
Who is this stud all star they missed out on that is worth everyone whining so much about one pick when theyve never seen the kid play?
Hes one of the toughest kids to play against in the OHL, has good blood lines, came on pretty well after his injury and just recently had a big growth spurt.