Quoting: Andy_Dick
The only reason you could think it's fair is that a fanbase such as say the Sharks want a reward after a terrible season so you must drastically overpay for the 1st overall pick as they are projecting all their suffering onto any deal that isnt immediately a homerun but to say easy no is just ridiculous.
Tij Iginla is so underrated in this draft speaking of underrated.
He's one of the younger players in the draft. Born another month later and he's 2025 eligible. He just cooked in the WHL playoffs which has always been a rougher league and he's exactly what Montreal needs ala Brady Tkachuk. Iginla is an absolute MUST draft if he's available at 5-6-7. I was clamouring for Benson last year but i understand the size issue. There's no excuse this year. They cant go for the shinny toys like a Lindstrom whos a giant but big injury concerns. No more Kotkaniemis. They have built this team well, its time to add the important complementary pieces that get you over the hump like an Iginla and Guhle. Lehkonen looking back was a bad deal but i dont think they are a lottery team with him in the lineup so they have to draft an Iginla type this year. Enough is enough with the promise and risky swings. They have more than enough prospects in the cupboard.
Ok. So while I agree with you on Tij being a riser and an interesting draft option, I also agree with you that he's a complimentary piece.
Celebrini on the other hand is the kind of player you can only draft. No team will ever give him up once they have him, at least not until he's 30+. He is an elite center and plays a 2-way game in a way Bedard doesn't. He is extra attractive because he's already got chemistry with Lane Hutson and there's definitely a bit of a Crosby-Letang comparison in my mind.
We don't talk about it enough, but Celebrini was also a riser this year. He was expected to be 1st overall, but he outperformed expectations and blew everyone else away. He might be a better overall player than any of the forwards picked last year when all is said and done.
I like Guhle a whole lot, and don't want to give him or Dach up, but if I look at it player by player
Celebrini > Guhle
Celebrini > Dach
Celebrini > Iginla/Lindstrom
Celebrini > Calgary 2026 1st (cause that's where I see the pick ending up)
The only thing I'm not sure about is HOW much better. I think it might be a lot.