You're constructing multiple strawmen. I never said you're likely to get an all star late in the first round or after. I did say you should take a player with upside to be a top 6 guy. Occasionally you'll get a hit if you swing for some skill (Debrincat)
I never said that you did. My comment was that there is a belief here (meaning not just you) that drafting a top-6 player with a late first round pick happens more often than it does. It doesn't
occasionally happen, it
rarely happens. Maybe that's splitting hairs but there is a difference in my eyes.
And then you double down by comparing Kaliyev to LaCombe when the correct comparison is to Tracey - the guy the ducks actually drafted instead of Kaliyev (and Pinto too).
To this point, Tracey has appeared in one NHL game (in 2021-22). Kaliyev has played in 187 NHL games and despite being a disappointment this year, has been far more productive than Tracey. And Kaliyev's only skill is the one thing the ducks need - shooting.
I think you are missing the point here. In the scheme of things there is no difference between Kaliyev and Tracey. Neither of them will make a significant impact on their team. Which is fine, because late first round picks rarely do.
It's actually hilarious that you mention Pinto, because he is the
exact type of pick you are arguing against - he was a projected bottom 6 player with low risk and no elite attribute.