Just trying to remember our fan reactions to his drafts. At least mine were -
2013 - Excitement, maybe half from his reputation in Detroit, and his willing to take a chance rather than safe pick, by going for Nuke (ranked as top 3 talent, but a faller). JD seemed to be picked slightly above his rank, which was tremendously variable, but only had mild hopes for him. Just checked his scouting reports again, and most centered around "if he can only fulfill his potential", i.e. great skills but doesn't always use them, which is exactly what we could say about his NHL auditions to date.
2014 - Honka okay, about where ranked, needed D. Recall some talk about missing on Larking, a pick later. About the same level of excitement of a No. 14 pick as we have this year for 13 pre draft.
2015 - Remember being on vacation in Gold Rush area of CA, checking my phone and groaning. A quick check of draft sites had me shaking my head. Preferred Barzal, like most, and would have at least been picking in line with CSB.
2016- Tufte, meh. About what you would expect at that location. Picked right about his consensus ranking.
2017 - Really excited by the draft luck that landed Miro and Robertson, and the trade up to get Jake, because we really needed a goalie in the system (weren't sure about Point yet, and while first round goalies tend to bust, there is never a lot of reason to believe in fifth rounders, even if Turco was drafted in that round.....we hope the magic continues for the Stars in the fifth).
Net, net, excited about 4 first rounders, meh to disappointed in 3 at the time. Now, 2013, slightly meh to both picks - will probably contribute but never be stars for the Stars, 2014, Honka held back more than didn't earn a spot, 2015, DG less than meh, 2016, Tufte, still meh, and 2017, hope springs eternal. We will do well to hit on two of three. Could be Miro and Jake, or Miro and Jason, with Otter going the route of other first round goalies.
Time will tell, of course.
Overall, Hockey News ranked our prospect system 23 of 31, which pretty well covers the other picks. Agree that after five years, we still don't draft enough top end talent. Biggest disappointment is that Nill was supposed to fix that as a former scout. But, recall looking into Detroit drafts, and they had a better rep than record, based on two later round finds in Dats and Zetts, not unlike us with Benn and Klinger.
2013 - Excitement, maybe half from his reputation in Detroit, and his willing to take a chance rather than safe pick, by going for Nuke (ranked as top 3 talent, but a faller). JD seemed to be picked slightly above his rank, which was tremendously variable, but only had mild hopes for him. Just checked his scouting reports again, and most centered around "if he can only fulfill his potential", i.e. great skills but doesn't always use them, which is exactly what we could say about his NHL auditions to date.
2014 - Honka okay, about where ranked, needed D. Recall some talk about missing on Larking, a pick later. About the same level of excitement of a No. 14 pick as we have this year for 13 pre draft.
2015 - Remember being on vacation in Gold Rush area of CA, checking my phone and groaning. A quick check of draft sites had me shaking my head. Preferred Barzal, like most, and would have at least been picking in line with CSB.
2016- Tufte, meh. About what you would expect at that location. Picked right about his consensus ranking.
2017 - Really excited by the draft luck that landed Miro and Robertson, and the trade up to get Jake, because we really needed a goalie in the system (weren't sure about Point yet, and while first round goalies tend to bust, there is never a lot of reason to believe in fifth rounders, even if Turco was drafted in that round.....we hope the magic continues for the Stars in the fifth).
Net, net, excited about 4 first rounders, meh to disappointed in 3 at the time. Now, 2013, slightly meh to both picks - will probably contribute but never be stars for the Stars, 2014, Honka held back more than didn't earn a spot, 2015, DG less than meh, 2016, Tufte, still meh, and 2017, hope springs eternal. We will do well to hit on two of three. Could be Miro and Jake, or Miro and Jason, with Otter going the route of other first round goalies.
Time will tell, of course.
Overall, Hockey News ranked our prospect system 23 of 31, which pretty well covers the other picks. Agree that after five years, we still don't draft enough top end talent. Biggest disappointment is that Nill was supposed to fix that as a former scout. But, recall looking into Detroit drafts, and they had a better rep than record, based on two later round finds in Dats and Zetts, not unlike us with Benn and Klinger.
