Also, I would not bet on Kravtsov being an option at 14.
I wouldn't bet on it either. But I wouldn't totally outrule the possibility; we've seen people fall from Bob's rankings plenty, accurate as they are. A Russian falling is hardly new. 14 is close enough too. But even if Kravtsov, for example, fell out of that top 12, Dallas sure seems a possibility, unless they got gun shy after their last two Russian picks.
It only would take a couple teams is my point. But part of my issue is I'm not entirely sure who would sneak in. Mark Edwards basically threw cold water on people's Veleno fantasies. I think Farabee could sneak in, but that doesn't do us much good either probably. And even if he doesn't perhaps he goes #13. Smith? Kaut? Not impossible, but I'm uncertain who would bump someone out. There does seem to be a similar-ish herd of players after that "top 12," without too many standouts, at least in a consensus manner of speaking. A lot of players could go at a lot of spots.
As much as it might not be totally worth trading up to grab Wahlstrom, if he falls into the 8-10 range, I wouldn't be opposed to the move. He really does fill a massive whole on the team.
As was posted a few days ago, trading into the top 10 is so exceedingly rare. I agree that at least Wahlstrom makes sense, unlike a defenseman, even as a RH RW. But people get too focused on trading into the top 10 that they ignore NYI having 11 and 12 is a more distinct possibility if the Flyers HAD to have someone. I doubt Wahlstrom would be there, Kravtsov perhaps, or whoever........but trading #14+#50 to move up, say, 2 spots is plausible. Wouldn't love the value with no 3rd rounder either though, given we could perhaps use #50 to move back up into the top 40. And at that point, I'd rather just pick "their guy" #14. It would have to be a slam dunk player falling.
