Killerjas
Registered User
When the need is a center, you pretty much draft for a need. Only exception is Lafreniere.
Not when there are better players. BPA > Need
When the need is a center, you pretty much draft for a need. Only exception is Lafreniere.
This is a monumental mistake.
This is a monumental mistake.
You need a lot of context to know if it is a mistake or not. If you need centers, you need to draft them. They don't grow on trees and you aren't going to find really good ones later in the draft. I persoanlly would not do it at the expense of players who obviosuly appear more talented. When your options project similarly, however, you absolutely take the center if you need them.
I think it depends where you are drafting. Outside the top 5-10 guys you won’t see them for 2-4 years. And with trades and free agency your need today is your strength tomorrow.
if you know a guy is going to step in right away and you have 2 or more close in ranking I think you pick a need. Otherwise BPA.
You need a lot of context to know if it is a mistake or not. If you need centers, you need to draft them. They don't grow on trees and you aren't going to find really good ones later in the draft. I persoanlly would not do it at the expense of players who obviosuly appear more talented. When your options project similarly, however, you absolutely take the center if you need them.
The most recent example I can think of is that 2018 draft with the news that has come out about Montreal's approach at #3 and their selection of Kotkaniemi. They went in knowing they wanted to address center. Had Zadina and Tkachuk kind of out of sight, out of mind. They could have gone after the numerous defensive prospects with Dobson, Bouchard, Hughes, or Boqvist.
I'm sure that hopes are still high for Kotkaniemi, and they should be (never should give up in year 2), but being so one-track minded can lead to some significant oversights.
Especially for a team in Detroit's position, the one thing that we do not have is elite talent anywhere. Not to say we need a superstar to move forward with, but we need some elite abilities in place somewhere. What Henkka is saying is that a need at center trumps more talented players. Say the Wings are picking 4, and (seemingly) everyone's doomsday scenario takes place; Byfield and Stutzle go #2 and #3, are you comfortable ranking and taking Lundell at 4 or Rossi at 4 specifically because they play center? Over players like Raymond or Drysdale. Or Perfetti or Holtz.
There are a lot of players with potentially elite qualities in this draft, and I certainly hope the Wings are targeting those players.
When I compare Raymond to Lundell, I see elite, game breaking qualities in Raymond that I don't see in Lundell. That being said, I see a more well-rounded game in Lundell. More diligent, more professional. At this stage, I don't think I can make a compelling argument for Lundell, even with him being a center, because I think the more important thing to come away with is the game breaking ability.
You also have Barrett Hayton taking at 5th in that draft, which was met with a lot of LOL's, and I think that kid is going to prove he deserved to be taken where he was.
I'm probably one of the bigger Lucas Raymond fans on here, so I get where you are coming from. But I feel like there is this narrative being pushed that Lundell is a lesser prospect (within guys ranked top 10), and I am trying to figure out if that is deserved or not. Kid has been awfully productive and a key player for his country every step of the way so far. If he was not injured I think he would have had a really big role for Finland at the WJC and generated some buzz for himself.
I still think he is probably the second best center prospect in the draft (not ready to consider Stutzle a guarantee at center), but I just have never seen Lundell really blow me away with his game. He's very steady, positionally sound, does a little bit of everything at a good level, but I find myself questioning exactly how special any of his game is. I can't help but find myself hoping for a little bit more than kind of a jack of all trades second line center with a top 4 pick.
What are your thoughts on Lundell vs the possibly more talented wingers like Perfetti and Raymond?
The most recent example I can think of is that 2018 draft with the news that has come out about Montreal's approach at #3 and their selection of Kotkaniemi. They went in knowing they wanted to address center. Had Zadina and Tkachuk kind of out of sight, out of mind. They could have gone after the numerous defensive prospects with Dobson, Bouchard, Hughes, or Boqvist.
I'm sure that hopes are still high for Kotkaniemi, and they should be (never should give up in year 2), but being so one-track minded can lead to some significant oversights.
Especially for a team in Detroit's position, the one thing that we do not have is elite talent anywhere. Not to say we need a superstar to move forward with, but we need some elite abilities in place somewhere. What Henkka is saying is that a need at center trumps more talented players. Say the Wings are picking 4, and (seemingly) everyone's doomsday scenario takes place; Byfield and Stutzle go #2 and #3, are you comfortable ranking and taking Lundell at 4 or Rossi at 4 specifically because they play center? Over players like Raymond or Drysdale. Or Perfetti or Holtz.
There are a lot of players with potentially elite qualities in this draft, and I certainly hope the Wings are targeting those players.
If I’m picking 5th and the players went in order. If I need a center I’m taking Perfetti. He will be in the league in 2 years max and he’s essentially equal or close to the other guys.
now if I project the player to not make the nhl for 3-4 years I don’t bother at all with need because in 4 years my needs will almost certainly be different than they are today.
That is very ambitious for a player with his feet. He has a lot of work to put into his skating in terms of both strength and technique.
The most recent example I can think of is that 2018 draft with the news that has come out about Montreal's approach at #3 and their selection of Kotkaniemi. They went in knowing they wanted to address center. Had Zadina and Tkachuk kind of out of sight, out of mind. They could have gone after the numerous defensive prospects with Dobson, Bouchard, Hughes, or Boqvist.
I'm sure that hopes are still high for Kotkaniemi, and they should be (never should give up in year 2), but being so one-track minded can lead to some significant oversights.
Especially for a team in Detroit's position, the one thing that we do not have is elite talent anywhere. Not to say we need a superstar to move forward with, but we need some elite abilities in place somewhere. What Henkka is saying is that a need at center trumps more talented players. Say the Wings are picking 4, and (seemingly) everyone's doomsday scenario takes place; Byfield and Stutzle go #2 and #3, are you comfortable ranking and taking Lundell at 4 or Rossi at 4 specifically because they play center? Over players like Raymond or Drysdale. Or Perfetti or Holtz.
There are a lot of players with potentially elite qualities in this draft, and I certainly hope the Wings are targeting those players.
Dude Scotty Bowman couldn't coach this team out of the basement at this moment bro! Lol intentionally tanking based on not changing a coach. Stop the mental gymnastics already.Lotttery was put in cause teams intentionally tanking. Was supposed to be a deterant, which it isn't just makes it less profitable. Please refer to Buffalo's anger with getting Eichel.
And Detroit is intentionally tanking.
Which is why Tank Commander Blashill is still coach.
Dude Scotty Bowman couldn't coach this team out of the basement at this moment bro! Lol intentionally tanking based on not changing a coach. Stop the mental gymnastics already.