Edited May 14 at 11:06 p.m.
Quoting: NYR1983
So would you prefer 5M in the hands or a lottery ticket for 10m? I would understand your reasoning if we were talking karlsson but a 22year old two way stud. I’m don’t understand the preference to gamble. KAM would only be 27-30 when the window hits and for most players that’s their best years.
top goal for the GM is winning a cup.
My view; is I’m aligned with the following timelines.
Celebrini’s career, followed by WSmith, Musty, and Eklund.
- currently we have 1 true great D prospect that fits their timelines great (Shakir)
- we have a cupboard full of prospects that align well, and there’s variety (Scorer/ Specialist - Halttunen, 3C/M6 - Bystedt + Edstrom, high octane - Gushchin, etc)
- a lot of great long shot d prospects of variety (DFD-Furlong, Star OFD-Cagnoni, etc)
- what we don’t have…
A franchise d to lineup with this core. KAM is exactly what you said, a great player and safe play. But I’m not here to be a safe gm, my mindset. I have KAM replacements (not exact equals) nearly every couple years as UFAs. Do I want KAM if I’m building a cup team: for sure.
But what fits better with my goal and my timelines…?
If my scouts support it, the research supports it, if I can get a potential 7-11 million dollar D man from this specific draft=the same draft as Celebrini. Not only does it fit my goal and window better; it keeps my window open longer.
You can find a starter (goalie) on the market. You can find a top 4 / 2nd pair D. You can’t easily find a twin to match Macklin Celebrini’s window - franchise Center gets drafted with a franchise D. That’s a draft that not only saves careers, but builds legacies.
I’d be way more bummed if I traded away a superstar D for KAM, then if my pick ended up as a mid D from betting on my gut yknow.
Sometimes it works: like the Sens drafting Sanderson (which raised some eyebrows but got praise for being a bet they made to get their guy).
Sometimes it doesn’t: like the Sharks thinking they can turn Merkley into a star (he was compared to Dahlin in the draft class).
Expect this time I’ve really liked what Grier and his staff has done with their recent picks.
Halttunen, Smith, Lund, Havelids, Musty, Cagnoni, Bystedt, Edstrom, Shakir, Zetterlund. If I look at that group (all rounds 4 and up didn’t add other picks):
I’m super happy with
WSmith
Halttunen
Musty
Shakir
Zetterlund
Cagnoni
I’m happy with:
Lund
Havelids
Bystedt
Edstrom
So if they got their guys and a good trade up I’m all for it.