Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I have to leave shortly for Allentown. Won’t have time to do a Quick Hits blog until late tonight. I did write a Phantoms-related article earlier today for the Flyers’ official site.
https://www.nhl.com/flyers/news/special-teams-power-kill-spearhead-phantoms-lead
With apologies to the late Mitch Hedberg: Goalie drafting is like a baked potato in a conventional oven. Draft one even if you don’t really want it right now. By time it’s ready, who knows?
I think some team will grab Lakovic before the Avs pick comes up for Philly. If he’s there, it’s worth a shot. With all of those first and second pound picks (if they keep them), I would expect the Flyers to potentially take the first goalie (Ravensbergen) off the board as well.
It’s not a strong draft in terms of superstar talent. In fact, there may not be any franchise player types in this Draft. There will be some top-six forwards, top-four D and at least one projected future NHL starting goalie (first-rounder). But there’s no projected franchise player. Depth is OK. The drop off to the point where guys are drafted for one or two high-end traits OR because of physical tools balanced against a very raw current game will probably come a little earlier than other years. There are, however, always the sleepers… maybe even a Jamie Benn in the 4th/5th round if a team gets lucky on the development side.
Craig, as a former NHL scouting director and GM, has cache within that specialized realm. He has endless contacts. And he’s watching/attending/deconstructing prospect games all year. He isn’t always right, either in his predictions or player assessments. But give him this: He’ll go out on a limb if he feels strongly about something. Doesn’t care if he’s the one outlier or if plays out a totally different way. This is such and inexact “science”. He knows that. But he has his reasons for everything, whether right or wrong (or if it ruffles some feathers).
I have tons of respect for Craig Button and it’s not just because he does the pod once a year with Jason (and me). He loves what he does.
