Aren't picks and prospects more overrated?
Bogo has warts, but he IS an NHL player. We know that.
Can we say the same for Reinhart?
IMO nothing on HFBoards comes close to the overrating of draft picks. Especially among the fan bases of the perpetual also runs. Edmonton being the primary example, but to a lesser extend a host of other franchises including the Jets. Every top 10 pick is seen as the next franchise player that will lead the team to the promised land. If this were actually the case the Jets would be among the league's best teams.
In the 15 year history of the franchise (Atlanta & Winnipeg) we have had 12 top 10 picks (including this up coming draft).
Including:
2 - #1
2 - #2
1 - #3
1 - #4
1 - #7
2 - #8
2 - #9
1 - #10
Add to that #12 (Little) and # 13 (Morrissey).
Drafting high is something we have done lots of, maybe only second to teams like the Oilers and Panthers who are among the perennial bottom feeders. Yet we have only made the playoff once and have yet to win a playoff game.
I believe in the draft and develop model, but only if it is followed by the player playing a role on the current team rather then trade developed player for a new pick to draft and develop.
To me this discussion goes beyond the 2 players in question. Reinhart for Bogo, as any deal can make sense in isolation, but to a bigger picture of does this franchise have a plan and direction. Because if gets in a mode of trading actual players for picks we will flounder season after season.
Not only that you start undermining the foundation of the team. Chipman has been pretty vocal about wanting players that want to be here (Winnipeg). Probably no player on the team has bought into that more than Bogo. He signed a 7 year contract, has got involved in the community, built a house, brought in the team's prized rookie as a room mate etc. If players see foundation guys like that dealt for picks, you will have a very hard time selling the we value loyalty angle to players. We are not a market like new York of Philly that can get away moving players in and out on a carousel.
IMO our only hope is an extremely stable franchise that develops within and have players who chose to stay.