Scout opinios will differ. I can pick the opposite comments about Rasmussen and Vilardi.
Just get over it. Whining doesn't change the pick. Pretty much I'm sure same whining would be going on here if Wright would have picked Vilardi. Such a bad skater! Should have picked Tippet ot Liljegren! Kenny should retire!
Just automatic negativity going on for anything our orgazation will make.
More interesting would be the discussion how we build the team with Rasmussen in the mix. He is our guy now.
I brought this up earlier but like 2 out of 20 people from this board who've been following the scouting reports and actually doing their own scouting had Rasmussen in the top 15. With our highest pick in decades the choice threw the majority a curve ball (NHL commentators included). And no there wouldn't be crying over Vilardi. It was an odd draft pick that's eliciting scrutiny, big deal.
As for the negativity I think the almost forced responses from the handful of members who will in every possible instance find a way to rationalize Holland's decision making are as equally over-the-top. There seems to be this desperate need from some to defend the team at all costs and without reason. I'm not sure if it's playing devil's advocate or what. The Wings are at our lowest place in 30 years there's no way to paint a happy smile. It's painful as fans and it's bound to bring exaggerated responses. Just like our politics in the west there is a polarizing of groups who are emotional about their beliefs. Expressing differing viewpoints doesn't have to be a problem. I think it's a healthy process that is one step to finding truth. We can agree that for whatever reason the Wings are not contending the next couple years. We're in a rough patch compared to how high and revered the Wings have been which is ok. I say best is to keep respect because we are all friends here with a similar passion for the team.
Back on topic: Really engaging discussion. I wouldn't judge one draft as evidence of a concrete direction the Wings are moving towards. Missing the playoffs it may be a touch of frustration that factored into the lot of over-sized prospects gathered up. Witnessing Frk or Pulkkinen, and in their own way Gus and Tats unable to take a next step may be part of the logic. G. Smith and Svech were mentioned but I'd have to watch next year to conclude that wow Detroit is in a single-minded fashion building a team of freakish giants.
I agree with others who say they certainly hope not; an attempt to build a winning team based on the criteria of size is bound to fail. A few years ago LA and Boston defined the term "heavy hockey" but it wasn't just their size it was physical play and an aggressive in-your-face attitude that changed the face of the game. Depth guys like Lucic, Williams, Brown, King, Thorton, Stoll bought into the punishing style of checking but it was Kopitar, Carter, Bergeron and Chara who were not just big but with their skill played larger than life. Also you can't forget figures like Marchand, Gaborik, or Martinez- smaller players who were key to championship runs.
Sort of an off-beat opinion but I sometimes think Anaheim and St.Louis both modeled themselves to take on the Kings but it may have been their undoing. St. Louis is just so massive in size. They did finally solve the Hawks last season but it was straight up the skill and speed of SJ that wiped them out. This year vs. Nashville they looked slow compared. IF the Wings have some one-dimensional vision about building a larger sized team to contend someday they are more confused than anyone claims.
To echo what others said (which is pretty much all I do, haha) drafting a team is about balance. "Needs" may be something that is addressed through free-agency, trades, or simply prospects developing in ways not expected. How well can you plan for a team 5 years down the road? Personality should be a big part of the choice but scoring and playmaking have to be the first consideration no matter size or handedness. I can't help but think of small guys like Drouin, Marner, Gudreau, Krug, Hickey, Jensen, Point, etc. and what a force they are on the ice.
I love the comment about Guentzal and Arvidsson- two of the hardest to play against so true! Not enough credit is given to Malkin though...he may be the meanest most determined player in the world.