I have to agree that from a need standpoint I hope the BPA is a winger or a defenceman. I really like Byfield, but drafting him would create an issue as we’d have then a log jam down the middle. We’d have to slide a C to wing or trade one of them, which really would be a massive test for Blake.
Kopitar stays as we’d need at least one veteran C and he has his NMC anyway so there’s one top C spot gone. Turcotte, Vilardi and Byfield are not 4c players, so let’s slot JAD in there leaving three elite prospects fighting over 2 spots down the middle. Moving Turcotte feels like an awful idea and we’d never get value for Vilardi for a couple of years at least, due to his injury history. There’s a strong argument then for saying we don’t need another C. So with the C depth we have right now (and assuming Vilardi gets through the year in good shape) what should Blake do when our pick comes up and the BPA is clearly Byfield?
Blake could simply draft on need, but in my book that is idiocy unless it’s a coin flip over which is the best prospect. He could take him and worry about having too many top C players in the system later. That’s the easy play and one of them would probably end up moving to wing. Or he could trade down a few spots to get an elite prospect in a position of need and in addition net another high value pick or prospect.
Trading down is a hugely risky move but if it paid off it could be a difference maker. I know it’s a big IF but if we get a lottery pick it could create a very interesting and challenging scenario. I like the trading down scenario if just for the fact this board would explode and the Blake haters will go mental, no matter what the return was.
Sorry I’m bored, and just speculating about what might happen. It’s quite exciting times atm, I love a rebuild.
