My argument isn't about which one would be the better player. My argument is that a team shouldn't take a defenseman simply because they need defenseman in the system. You need to weigh all options.

If a guy like Monahan dropped to them in the last draft, they would have had to take him and I wouldn't have been mad. Then, maybe, they trade Schenn or Couts or Laughton for a top prospect defenseman or top 4, NHL defenseman.

If you draft for need, you end up selecting guys you aren't completely sold on.
- PhillySportsGuy

And my arguement is there wasnt a big enough difference between Maata and Laughton to ignore team need.

Another scenerio... Lets say Monahan does drop, but so does Seth Jones.... And the Flyers pick Monahan... you still happy?

IMO its just a foolish move... BPA was Maata. He was ranked higher, and a team need. Flyers just saw Laughton as the "safer" pick, but IMO with so many centers and at 20, to grab a defenseman...that you need... that dropped from ranked 8th... that would have been a good draft pick.
- SchennBros

Maybe but you weren't in the interviews with them all. If Maata showed up on his phone, in a stained Pens jersey, stinking of weed, eating a ham sandwhich with fries on it, and listening to Adele blasting from his ipod, I prolly would have passed on him too...

Maybe but you weren't in the interviews with them all. If Maata showed up on his phone, in a stained Pens jersey, stinking of weed, eating a ham sandwhich with fries on it, and listening to Adele blasting from his ipod, I prolly would have passed on him too...
- FlyersGrace[/quote]
more like Made a pass on him.

IMO its just a foolish move... BPA was Maata. He was ranked higher, and a team need. Flyers just saw Laughton as the "safer" pick, but IMO with so many centers and at 20, to grab a defenseman...that you need... that dropped from ranked 8th... that would have been a good draft pick.
- SchennBros

There will be players in every draft who are skipped over by multiple teams and go on to be all stars. I don't think the Flyers should alter their strategy because they missed a guy who many other teams had reservations about. Just because your draft board had Maata ahead of Laughton doesn't mean the Flyers scouts felt the same way. Whenever you see a guy tumble down a draft board it's a huge warning sign. It's very rare that the player amounts to anything when that happens. Maata may be one of the few that does.

Their first round strategy has proven to be pretty good through the years. Those 'safe' players end up being more than just two-way 3rd liners most of the time.

And my arguement is there wasnt a big enough difference between Maata and Laughton to ignore team need.

Another scenerio... Lets say Monahan does drop, but so does Seth Jones.... And the Flyers pick Monahan... you still happy?
- SchennBros

If Jones dropped to 11, then I would be really nervous his foot fell off.

The better comparison would be if the Flyers won the lottery. Would they take Mckinnon, Barkov, Drouin or Jones?

There will be players in every draft who are skipped over by multiple teams and go on to be all stars. I don't think the Flyers should alter their strategy because they missed a guy who many other teams had reservations about. Just because your draft board had Maata ahead of Laughton doesn't mean the Flyers scouts felt the same way. Whenever you see a guy tumble down a draft board it's a huge warning sign. It's very rare that the player amounts to anything when that happens. Maata may be one of the few that does.

Their first round strategy has proven to be pretty good through the years. Those 'safe' players end up being more than just two-way 3rd liners most of the time.
- PhillySportsGuy

Couturier tumbled down the board... that paid off well.

I do question the Flyers draft strategy the last 2 years... Laughton was a good pick at 20, but not for a team with this many Centers when there is a defenseman that dropped from 10ish to you and you need defense.

And I question the fact they had Morin over Nichushkin on thier draft board.... That is just INSANE!

If Jones dropped to 11, then I would be really nervous his foot fell off.

The better comparison would be if the Flyers won the lottery. Would they take Mckinnon, Barkov, Drouin or Jones?
- PhillySportsGuy

Ok. If the Flyers win the lottery and dont take Seth Jones, is that not an epic Fail on thier part?

Well remember, Maata was a slam dunk, can't-miss, HOF-caliber defneseman who is destined to be better than Bobby Orr. So yeah, it was silly not to pick him.

I mean, sure, Laughton may be the next Guy Carbonneau, but Olli Maata's played really well for like 65 NHL games. Terrible choice.

I'm a big Maata fan, and think he will be a great player in years to come. But the Flyers obviously felt that Scott Laughton was the better prospect with a better chance at becoming an impact player. Heck, if the cards fell differently, Maata could have been a flop, and then we'd all be talking about what a terrible pick it was for Pittsburgh. But when we put on our Captain Hindsight cape, we get to bash our favorite organization a little bit more.
- jmatchett383

Yo, where do I get one of those capes?

Ok. If the Flyers win the lottery and dont take Seth Jones, is that not an epic Fail on thier part?
- SchennBros

What if they take McKinnon then trade Couturier for a top pairing, young defenseman?

I would have rather them just taken Jones, but I don't see why they wouldn't explore every option.

If Jones dropped to 11, then I would be really nervous his foot fell off.

The better comparison would be if the Flyers won the lottery. Would they take Mckinnon, Barkov, Drouin or Jones?
- PhillySportsGuy

I think Mackinnon will be the best player out of the top 4 but damn do I love me some Barkov. I just love the way he plays the game. Too bad he is stuck in Florida.

But if I had to pick between Mackinnon and Jones, it would be hard but I would probably by Mackinnon because he is that good and like you said we could then trade Schenn (or move him to left wing). Imagine this Center Line up: Giroux- Mackinnon- Couturier- Some Scrub

Couturier tumbled down the board... that paid off well.

I do question the Flyers draft strategy the last 2 years... Laughton was a good pick at 20, but not for a team with this many Centers when there is a defenseman that dropped from 10ish to you and you need defense.

And I question the fact they had Morin over Nichushkin on thier draft board.... That is just INSANE!
- SchennBros

Look, I'm fine with the Flyers strategy of making the safe picks. It usually works out for them. They seem to find guys with high ceilings and high floors. They seem to stay away from those big boom or bust guys.

I don't see how you can judge the last draft right now. When Morin was taken, he was viewed as a project. Lets give him some time before we write him off as worse than anybody.

I think Mackinnon will be the best player out of the top 4 but damn do I love me some Barkov. I just love the way he plays the game. Too bad he is stuck in Florida.

But if I had to pick between Mackinnon and Jones, it would be hard but I would probably by Mackinnon because he is that good and like you said we could then trade Schenn (or move him to left wing). Imagine this Center Line up: Giroux- Mackinnon- Couturier- Some Scrub
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

I know. Thats what I'm saying. If they liked McKinnon and thought he'd be the next Crosby while they thought Jones would be a good top pairing defenseman, they need to take McKinnon. If they thought Jones is the next Pronger and McKinnon would be the next Duchene, then they need to take Jones.

Look, I'm fine with the Flyers strategy of making the safe picks. It usually works out for them. They seem to find guys with high ceilings and high floors. They seem to stay away from those big boom or bust guys.

I don't see how you can judge the last draft right now. When Morin was taken, he was viewed as a project. Lets give him some time before we write him off as worse than anybody.
- PhillySportsGuy

Having Nischuskin would have been nice. I probably would have taken the risk on him at 11 but I can understand that the Flyers do not want to. Im pretty happy with Morin.

I know. Thats what I'm saying. If they liked McKinnon and thought he'd be the next Crosby while they thought Jones would be a good top pairing defenseman, they need to take McKinnon. If they thought Jones is the next Pronger and McKinnon would be the next Duchene, then they need to take Jones.
- PhillySportsGuy

BPA is always the best strategy. The only thing I like to add to it is if you have two players that play two different positions that you believe have relatively the same chance at making an impact in the NHL then you draft the one you need more.

Having Nischuskin would have been nice. I probably would have taken the risk on him at 11 but I can understand that the Flyers do not want to. Im pretty happy with Morin.
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

I would have taken Zadorov. I know a lot of people were excited about Pulock and a guy like Morissey is a better version of Ghost.

Russians are so flaky. Flyers rarely pick that high and I don't think they wanted to chance it.

People get all annoyed about the Flyers never being patient and taking a guy who will help them down the round. Morin is the definition of a long term solution (If he pans out). Thats why its ridiculous for people to criticize the Flyers about that pick when he hasn't even played one full Junior season.

Oh by the way, his team is on a ridiculous winning streak thanks to having one of the best goals against averages in the league. I'm sure he has something to do with that as the primary shutdown defenseman.

BPA is always the best strategy. The only thing I like to add to it is if you have two players that play two different positions that you believe have relatively the same chance at making an impact in the NHL then you draft the one you need more.
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

I agree with that. I think the Flyers put more emphasis on taking a dman in this past draft. The fact that Hagg fell into their lap was just icing on the cake for them.

Wait... Maata was ranked in the top 10 and dropped to 22. Why cant you admit they passed over a team need, and a player that was scouted higher, or something they felt more comfortable drafting... a 2 way center..
- SchennBros

If Maata was scouted higher they would've taken Maata over Laughton. And the Flyers don't draft by team need. They draft best player available.

I would have taken Zadorov. I know a lot of people were excited about Pulock and a guy like Morissey is a better version of Ghost.

Russians are so flaky. Flyers rarely pick that high and I don't think they wanted to chance it.

People get all annoyed about the Flyers never being patient and taking a guy who will help them down the round. Morin is the definition of a long term solution (If he pans out). Thats why its ridiculous for people to criticize the Flyers about that pick when he hasn't even played one full Junior season.

Oh by the way, his team is on a ridiculous winning streak thanks to having one of the best goals against averages in the league. I'm sure he has something to do with that as the primary shutdown defenseman.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm not criticizing Morin, I'm criticizing the Flyers for putting Morin ahead of Nichushkin on thier board... but at the same time justify taking Laughton the year before because he was the best player available.

You guys might like McKinnon or Barkov... But I bet Nichushkin will be the best player out of that draft. He has the entire package... Size, Speed, hands...

I'm not criticizing Morin, I'm criticizing the Flyers for putting Morin ahead of Nichushkin on thier board... but at the same time justify taking Laughton the year before because he was the best player available.

You guys might like McKinnon or Barkov... But I bet Nichushkin will be the best player out of that draft. He has the entire package... Size, Speed, hands...
- SchennBros

How can they be criticized for putting Morin ahead of Nuchshkin? On what basis?

If Maata was scouted higher they would've taken Maata over Laughton. And the Flyers don't draft by team need. They draft best player available.
- MJL

Does any team do anything different... has anyone ever said..."i know he's not the best player available, but we decided to get him." Its just a generic term, like saying a team didnt play 60 minutes.... it s general falsity...

The truth is the Flyers pick who THEY think is the best player. And according to the Flyers a 2 way center is ALWAYS better.

Does any team do anything different... has anyone ever said..."i know he's not the best player available, but we decided to get him." Its just a generic term, like saying a team didnt play 60 minutes.... it s general falsity...

The truth is the Flyers pick who THEY think is the best player. And according to the Flyers a 2 way center is ALWAYS better.
- SchennBros

Of course they draft according to who THEY think is better. Should they draft according to who someone else thinks is better? And I don't think position has anything to do with it.

How can they be criticized for putting Morin ahead of Nuchshkin? On what basis?
- MJL

Normally I respect your opinion, but really? You tell me how Nichushkin shouldn't be projected ahead of Morin if a team is doing BPA?

And we do know Nichushkin was lower on the flyers board then Morin... So that is why I criticize them.

Of course they draft according to who THEY think is better. Should they draft according to who someone else thinks is better? And I don't think position has anything to do with it.
- MJL

There you go... you just said it. Its who THEY think is better... How could they possibly think Morin is a better pick then Nichushkin UNLESS they are taking position and team needs into account?

And if they are taking position and team needs into account how do you justify passing Maata up for Laughton... It's completely confounding...

Normally I respect your opinion, but really? You tell me how Nichushkin shouldn't be projected ahead of Morin if a team is doing BPA?

And we do know Nichushkin was lower on the flyers board then Morin... So that is why I criticize them.
- SchennBros

I don't have to tell anyone how Nuchushkin shouldn't be projected ahead of Morin. It doesn't matter what I think, or anyone else. All that matters is what the Flyers think. And as a fan, I'm not in any position to tell a team, who has a stable of professional scouts and talent evaluators, that they're wrong about players that they have extensively scouted. Morin has not played a single second of professional hockey. There is no basis whatsoever at this point to state that they were wrong with their selection. I think the criticism is baseless at this point.

There you go... you just said it. Its who THEY think is better... How could they possibly think Morin is a better pick then Nichushkin UNLESS they are taking position and team needs into account?

And if they are taking position and team needs into account how do you justify passing Maata up for Laughton... It's completely confounding...
- SchennBros

You've lost me. Why can't they think that Morin is a better pick the Nichuskin? It has zero to do with position.

Nothing confounding about it. I think personal opinion here on players is being used as facts.