Interesting read that Tim P Tweeted (but didn't write)...
Quote:
The depth of quality talent in this year’s NHL entry draft has some critics predicting it could be among the worst in league history.
A recent report in the Ottawa Sun suggested the NHL 2012 entry draft “could be weakest in years”.
Bruce Garrioch cited an unnamed Eastern Conference executive suggested the level of talent in this year’s draft was “terrible”, prefacing it with an bleeped out expletive.
“It’s just a bad year,” the East executive said. “There are just a lot of warts on a lot of the players. There’s just not as many slam-dunk guarantees as there normally are right from the top. If you take some of these guys, you wonder what you’re going to get out of them. “
In terms of being the "worst" draft year, I think that because there's some questions with the top end of the draft, that that's why everyone is saying it's the "worst" year.
With that being said, I think the draft this year is an excellent year for adding depth and that the defensemen that are available all have real high upside. I've never seen a draft year in which 20 of the top defensemen have top 2 upside and that's pretty much unseen or unheard of.
In terms of being the "worst" draft year, I think that because there's some questions with the top end of the draft, that that's why everyone is saying it's the "worst" year.
With that being said, I think the draft this year is an excellent year for adding depth and that the defensemen that are available all have real high upside. I've never seen a draft year in which 20 of the top defensemen have top 2 upside and that's pretty much unseen or unheard of.
Yeah I agree, there may not be a lot of game breakers in the 1st round but it is a deep draft.
Every year is the "worst year". Everybody questioned the top-end talent of last years and we had Landeskog, RNH, Couturier, etc. all full-time NHLers (2 Calder nominees with Landeskog winning) and top prospects such as Huberdeau, Zibanejad, Hamilton all coming from the same draft.
If anything, this draft reminds me of '08. Weak at forward, strong on defense. Lots of busts but lots of solid future NHLers too. Stamkos, Karlsson, Pietrangelo & Doughty > any player in this draft though unless one of these guys becomes a superstar in the next 4 years (possible but I find it unlikely).
All the defensemen from Murray to Pouliot could be top-4 guys, and theres something like 15 of them.
In terms of being the "worst" draft year, I think that because there's some questions with the top end of the draft, that that's why everyone is saying it's the "worst" year.
With that being said, I think the draft this year is an excellent year for adding depth and that the defensemen that are available all have real high upside. I've never seen a draft year in which 20 of the top defensemen have top 2 upside and that's pretty much unseen or unheard of.
That's pretty much my take on it too. Few "superstars" but likely a lot of regular NHL players.
This is the first year that I may skip the draft on TSN. The only thing holding my interest is the potential for trades.
Can't wait for the draft. As has been said, every draft is the worst draft in recent history because nothing compares to 2003. The fact is that Yakupov is still a 1# overall talent, and there is a significant amount of quality defenseman here.
The number of defenseman and lack of top end talent makes this draft seem "weak", but I bet that the percentage of first rounders that play more than 5 years in the NHL will be well above average. Will be a lot of solid 2-3 line players and top 4 defensemen in the first round.
Could end up with 12 top 4 defensemen taken in the first round.
It's far too early to say it is one of the worst, but it sure seems weak if Wilson is considered a top 20 talent.
Every draft year has one player that's a project. Tom Wilson is this year's project pick. Yes, he's got size and yes he can skate. No, his offensive game has not translated in the regular season, but he stepped it up in the OHL playoffs and that's what has scouts buzzing. Personally, I wouldn't touch him with a 100 foot pole, but there will always be a scout or team who will be fixated on that potential.
The number of defenseman and lack of top end talent makes this draft seem "weak", but I bet that the percentage of first rounders that play more than 5 years in the NHL will be well above average. Will be a lot of solid 2-3 line players and top 4 defensemen in the first round.
Could end up with 12 top 4 defensemen taken in the first round.
The funny thing about defenseman is there can be some beasts taken in later rounds. They develop longer then forwards and are also unpredictable in terms of development.
One media outlet calls it the worst ever and yet MacKenzie who is one of the absolute best as far as I'm concerned says that its a strong draft right up to 50. Go figure.
Its always the same cycle, next years draft always looks deeper and there are definitely superstars waiting at the top, then as the draft finally rolls around it looks weaker and weaker. Then everyone acts surprised in a year when a lot of the players taken in the first round perform well.
