Quote:
Originally Posted by jeedee
Drafting a defenceman 1st overall doesn't guarantee he's going to become a true #1D in any way shape or form.
And realistically speaking, it's more likely that you'll hit on a #1D later on in the draft, than finding yourself a true #1C. Defencemen tend to be far more difficult to project, and the concern with Ekblad specifically, is that he's been a man amongst boys in Juniors, and what will happen when he loses that edge as an NHL player amongst other men.
Don't get me wrong iI'd love to have a Doughty or Pieterangelo but this team clearly needs offense. A good example would be the Avs taking Mackinnon over Jones.
Do you think they regret that pick?
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I'm aware that drafting a projected stud defenceman doesn't always pan out. Same logic applies to all stud #1 offensive talents.
Mackinnon was NHL ready a couple years ago in Jr. Jones took advantage of smaller guys like Eckblad is at the moment. Jones was quite serviceable in his first year looking at his stats. Assuming they (Mac and Jones) both project to where they're supposed to be, I don't think anyone would be regretting their respective draft picks.
Someone like Pietrangelo didn't develop into what he is now in his first and arguably his second seasons. He broke out just as his ELC ended (much like Erik Karlsson), and there's no reason Jones (and lump in Ryan Murray, Jake Trouba, Erik Gudbranson, etc in there too) can't get to that point given the pedigree. This new generation of projected stud defencemen seem to be following their projections much better due to access to resources that guys even a decade ago never had. IMO it's much safer picking D nowadays than it's ever been.
Good discussion though. Some good points are being brought up for both sides.