The problem with the other approach is you may have an organizational need for that 6'5 RHD, but if none of your available eye test or statistical data suggest that particular player has a hugh chance of turning into a top four guy, you're basically relying on luck to do it's job.
Take 2016 for example. The Leafs went into left field with their first 2nd round pick option, taking potential power forward in Korshkov (despite there not being much statistical data supporting the move). In turn passing on small skilled winger with DeBrincat.
Imo it's best to use picks near the top of the draft on players you have a firmer grasp of their potential. Which I'd agree does bias towards skill/finesse guys,. though over time you're more likely to end up with more tangible NHL assets this way.
And with the caveat that things get more complicated if two very different players have very similar potential based on the available data
Ultimately it's nitpicking about who you'd prefer to pick. I don't think anyone is suggesting to not draft a 6'5" RHD if they are deemed like having projectable potential. The suggestion is to not to draft a 5'11"/6' winger/defenseman based on that reasoning just because we might have 1 too many of that size now instead of just trying to draft a player that could project towards the NHL in 2-5 years at the highest level possible. I'd rather have my team draft from a pool of players that doesn't have red flags just because they aren't 6'5" or whatever size is deemed appropriate. A balance is always nice to strive towards but hardly a concern to me at the draft table.
Sometimes it's a little luck and about the right opportunity to do so, not to go out of your way to do it.
Like the Leafs probably could have drafted Nico Myatovic (6'3" LW) last year instead of Easton Cowan (5'11" LW). Based on needs, it was probably a pick many would have made here, right? Good thing they didn't.
The problem with the other approach is you may have an organizational need for that 6'5 RHD, but if none of your available eye test or statistical data suggest that particular player has a hugh chance of turning into a top four guy, you're basically relying on luck to do it's job.
Take 2016 for example. The Leafs went into left field with their first 2nd round pick option, taking potential power forward in Korshkov (despite there not being much statistical data supporting the move). In turn passing on small skilled winger with DeBrincat.
Imo it's best to use picks near the top of the draft on players you have a firmer grasp of their potential. Which I'd agree does bias towards skill/finesse guys,. though over time you're more likely to end up with more tangible NHL assets this way.
And with the caveat that things get more complicated if two very different players have very similar potential based on the available data
My feeling is Leafs Nation prospect fans are brought up with the Joe Sakic vs Luke Richardson cautionary tale and that shapes a lot of values in how Best Player Available is often determined, perceived, etc. I certainly was growing up and getting into the draft and I'm sure you two are the same. Such a franchise changing moment, won and lost in the debate between Hall of Fame skill and size, defense, immediate needs, knuckle dragging bullshit.
Over the years I've always been on the skill side of the referendum. I remember the WTF moment as the Leafs picked Jeff Ware when Petr Sykora was available in 1995. Or my never Luke Schenn stance when guys like Cody Hodsgon, Nikita Filatov were available. Or how the 2014 drafting of William Nylander over Nick Ritchie felt like such a win for the good guys. But rarely is it ever as straight forward and obvious as between picking a Joe Sakic or a Luke Richardson... Sometimes it's Keaton Middleton vs Jeremy Bracco. And who cares?
So I've just come to think of it as restocking the cupboards and not really a referendum on any player type or what constitutes a BPA at all. Just draft different body types, play styles, characteristics, potential vs playability. I'll happily take a flyer on a guy the scouts think is the next Torey Krug or Kirill Kaprizov, but we don't need 5 of each to the detriment of other things.