2013: Hated the Bertuzzi pick at the time, was proven wrong though. Also wanted Buchnevich (soley because other people here talked him up).
2014: Was happy with Larkin but was also looking at Ho-Sang. Once again, I was wrong. Remember really liking Kadeykin given his draft position (and still do even if he didn’t make it over. Most players picked there aren’t as good as him, even if he didn’t make it).
2015: liked Svechnikov at the time but was really hoping we’d trade up to one of Boston’s picks when it looked like they weren’t going to pick Barzal. I distinctly remember saying I’d be happy if they traded all of our picks to move up the few spots needed, as I just really liked his game.
2016: didn’t like Cholowski, but liked Hronek and Smith after reading about them. If this was the Debrincat draft, I remember wanting him.
2017: by far my least liked draft. Didn’t want Rasmussen over Vilardi, Necas, or Suzuki, the latter two we supposedly took out to dinner. Still, I give them a bit of leniency on this draft, as it later came out we had Pettersson #1 or 2, and it could have been worse as we wanted Lias Andersson. Also amazed we took Lindstrom where we did and let a talent like Robertson be picked right after, especially given he was local. I liked what I saw from Lindstrom in his call up and think he can be a decent 6th, but still picked him too early. Again, we may get two useful NHLers so it’s not a total disaster, but the three players I did like instead of Ras and Robinson look better than what we got. Really the only draft picks I liked this draft were Petruzzeli and Zablocki, though I was wrong with that.
2018: loved Zadina and Veleno, felt they were no brainlets, wanted Akil Thomas instead of Berggren (didn’t hate it though, just didn’t know about him) liked McIssac and Regula picks a lot.
2019: was confused at Seider pick, and deff wanted Zegras, but he looks to be a stud, and I much prefer him to say a Cozens. Hated Tuomisto where we got him, wanted Lavoie from purely stat watching, but people who watch him seem to like him so I’ll withhold judgement. Also was into Hoglander. Loved the Soderbloom and Kirill T picks due to the boom bust potential, and was happy we picked Grewe as I saw him in several mock drafts top 31. Really liked Albert J and Mastrosimone after reading about them, especially since many on here said they were good picks (hadn’t known of either).
Overall it seems the reaches we made during the time period proved me for the most part wrong (and hope the same for Tuomisto), in terms of being good players for their draft position, but there were still better players available that I wanted. I really only follow top 20 or so, so I honestly just stat watch and read other people’s opinions. I don’t hate Rasmussen and think he could be a good player, but this team would be in a ton better shape if we had Necas and Robertson (and possibly still get Lindstrom later), and would make me a lot less conflicted on Lafrienrre, as we’d have another good top 6 center in Necas. As it stands I almost hope we get two simply because I think Byfield or Stutezele (butchered the spelling), fits our team need more. We have good wingers, what we lack is high upside center depth. Imo we look a lot more dangerous in two years if we take Necas and Robertson over Ras and Lindstrom, and probably shave a year off the rebuild.
Lafriennere-Larkin-Mantha
Robertson-Necas-Zadina
Bertuzzi-Veleno-Fabbri