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I just want to say this once and for all: I love the Kreider pick at #19. I think it was great. It was exactly what I want the Rangers to do: go for the home run.
Now, it is impossible to get a player at #19 who doesn't have significant flaws. They slip down that much because they either lack skill or size or IQ or polish or health. A lot of our picks have revolved around getting a guy who'll likely be an NHLer, but nothing special. Guys like Miller and Skjei are solid kids, but there's no chance of them becoming first liners, which is why they did not go in the top 5.
A kid like Kreider was really raw when he was drafted, which is why he slipped. But I would rather get a kid who slipped over his lack of polish than over his lack of top-end skill. Kreider has the ability to potentially become a first line 30-30 player. He just doesn't have that ability today.
I've been voting him as our #1 prospect the last 3-4 polls, but throughout, I've said that there is nothing wrong if he spends one year in the minors, and if we can get a 15-15 performance out of him in his rookie season, that should be considered excellent... especially for a long-term, raw project.
But no, people thinks that I hate Kreider because I don't think that he's an instant second liner. Again, I love the idea of swinging for the fences with a guy like Kreider. I am happy with his development. I'm just expecting reasonable things from the kid.
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