[Bryanbryoil]

Originally Posted by Hoogaar23

I've been saying that for a while now. I am not anti-Stu or a Stu groupie, but I don't agree that the copious amounts of praise heaped on him are a bit premature.

RNH and Hall have done well, but a monkey could (would) have made those picks. And I expect Yakupov to be more of the same.

The thing is, a lot of the picks have outperformed their draft position in their respective leagues after getting drafted, so that is definitely promising. But until anyone other than a #1 overall makes an impact at the NHL level, I think the praise should be kept in check a bit more.

Yeah IMO he has been given a LOT of picks in the last 3 drafts and as a result we should be expecting more than the league average in terms of picks that become everyday NHLers. If he doesn't IMO he has been a failure.

Originally Posted by Spawn

Look at the drafting before Kevin Lowe took over as GM. The Oilers drafting has been pretty horrible since the mid 1980's other than top 10 picks, and even when we have ended up drafting a player who had a lengthy career in the NHL they often ended up spending the vast majority of their careers with other teams.

Hopefully our D picks can pan out a little better at least , I feel much more confident in the prospects at that position right now than at forward.

Klefbom, Marincin, Gernat, Musil, Fedun and Schultz looks like good depth at defense.

Schultz and Fedun weren't drafted so that leaves the first 4 on your list, Davidson, Bigos, Laleggia, the Swedish D whose name escapes me, and Simpson as Stu guys. That said I agree that our prospect strength at the moment is on the blueline contrary to what other teams fans may say.

IMO Hartikainen, Paajarvi, Lander, and Pitlick have our best shots as forwards to become NHL players. I'm not convinced that there is a true top 6 player in the whole lot of them, but they could all be effective nonetheless.

Originally Posted by jmoss45

I disagree because Martindale got a look with the skill guys early one, and didn't do much. 2/3 points were flukey 2nd assists IIRC. With a guy like Martindale he has to score to succeed since he isn't physical and doesn't PK.

I agree that Hamilton has a long way to go but I'm saying points don't tell the whole story with him. In his role he can not score and still be effective IMO.

Martindale does play physical although not as regularly as a guy like Pitlick. You mention points not being the whole story with Hamilton, I agree, however he also hasn't been overly physical either, and that is a must for him like it is for Pitlick IMO.

Originally Posted by tiger_80

Most players drafted outside the 1st round never make it to the NHL. The signs of proper development curve is substantially outperforming the cohort that can be assumed to contain plenty of busts.
Guys like Lander, Pitlick, Martindale, Hamilton obviously still have time, but I think unless they start putting up Hartikainen type offensive numbers in the AHL next season at the latest, they are not likely to be anything more than 3-4th liners in the NHL.

We've had 6 second rounders in the last 3 drafts, three of which were very high 2nds: 31, 31, and 32. We've also had 5 third round picks three of which were very high 3rds: 61, 62, and 63.

IMO that is a lot of picks in a quality range and a lot more than most scouting staffs could hope to have, because of this Stu and co. should not be held to the same standard as your average drafting team with 5-7 picks (some traded away or none acquired). If teams kept all of their picks and acquired none over the last 3 drafts they'd have 21 picks, Stu has had 27 and most of the time was leading off the round or close to it. He should be held to a higher standard, no doubt about it.