I believe there is merit to questions to Flyers logic of having Morin and several players listed higher then a player that was generally ranked by most scouts as the 2nd best international player, and somewhere in the top 5 of all players.

And again if people say they didnt like him because of the russian thing... then they would have bypassed the best player available.
- SchennBros

Again, I will ask a simple question. If he was generally ranked in the top 5 of all player by most scouts, why was he selected with the 10th pick? Why wasn't he drafted in the top 5?

Giroux wasn't ranked very high. Its not like the Flyers took giroux 8th overall and made a leap to get him when he wasnt ranked high...
- SchennBros

What about when they took Forsberg? Everyone thought it was WAAAAYYYY to high. Stupid Flyers.

How about you ask Bill.
- SchennBros

How good to you expect him to be?

BPA isn't completely based on skill. It's several measurables. A guy like Josh Ho Sang has tremendous skill, but is a selfish player who doesn't realize there is a defensive zone too.

If you want to say they made a mistake having Nichushkin too low then go ahead. I don't think they should be fired for ranking a risky player too low.
- PhillySportsGuy

Ok. Good. Now I got you to admit there are more measurables then just being the best player. So now can we agree that one of those measurables is whether a player fits the teams identity and if a team needs or doesnt need a certain position as part of those measurables?

I've never tried, but poop like this makes you wonder if anal really is a good way to pass the time.

Again, I will ask a simple question. If he was generally ranked in the top 5 of all player by most scouts, why was he selected with the 10th pick? Why wasn't he drafted in the top 5?
- MJL

And I will give you an answer that blows your mind.... because teams DONT always pick the best player available. Because sometimes they worry about things like if he is Russian, or if they need a center or defenseman.

Ok. Good. Now I got you to admit there are more measurables then just being the best player. So now can we agree that one of those measurables is whether a player fits the teams identity and if a team needs or doesnt need a certain position as part of those measurables?
- SchennBros

In terms of how the Flyers approach the draft. Position of need is not a factor. But there are all kinds of factors that go into deciding which player is the BPA.

I've never tried, but poop like this makes you wonder if anal really is a good way to pass the time.
- flyer_nutter

I had to read this twice to make sure I wasnt missing something...

And I will give you an answer that blows your mind.... because teams DONT always pick the best player available. Because sometimes they worry about things like if he is Russian, or if they need a center or defenseman.
- SchennBros

Doesn't blow my mind at all. Sometimes teams don't get it right. But the answer really misses the point. Which I think is that in the minds of NHL teams. Nicushkin wasn't a consensus top 5 pick. That's obvious. 9 teams passed on him. For whatever reason.

In terms of how the Flyers approach the draft. Position of need is not a factor. But there are all kinds of factors that go into deciding which player is the BPA.
- MJL

Ok so if the Flyers dont approach the draft that way, and other teams do, then why is it out of the question to criticize them for it?

Doesn't blow my mind at all. Sometimes teams don't get it right. But the answer really misses the point. Which I think is that in the minds of NHL teams. Nicushkin wasn't a consensus top 5 pick. That's obvious. 9 teams passed on him. For whatever reason.
- MJL

You OBVIOUSLY didnt follow the predraft, and what really caused Nichushkin to drop, which completely makes your arguements on the subject baseless.

Nichushkin dropped because he demanded to play in the NHL or else would go to KHL, and not spend more time in juniors... That made teams nervous, and that is why he dropped, not because of his skills.

And I will give you an answer that blows your mind.... because teams DONT always pick the best player available. Because sometimes they worry about things like if he is Russian, or if they need a center or defenseman.
- SchennBros

You're kind of right there, each team's draft board already has all their biases/needs/wants built into them. Team like the Flyers is going to value Morin or Mike Richards a lot more than say, a team like Detroit.

In terms of how the Flyers approach the draft. Position of need is not a factor. But there are all kinds of factors that go into deciding which player is the BPA.
- MJL

To a point that's the case, every team says BPA in any round but that's not always the case

Ok so if the Flyers dont approach the draft that way, and other teams do, then why is it out of the question to criticize them for it?
- SchennBros

Criticize them for what, for not drafting by position of need? For drafting BPA? Or for having Morin ranked higher then Nicushkin?

To a point that's the case, every team says BPA in any round but that's not always the case
- ob18

Some teams do draft by position of need at times I'm sure. But otherwise, how would we know?

You OBVIOUSLY didnt follow the predraft, and what really caused Nichushkin to drop, which completely makes your arguements on the subject baseless.

Nichushkin dropped because he demanded to play in the NHL or else would go to KHL, and not spend more time in juniors... That made teams nervous, and that is why he dropped, not because of his skills.
- SchennBros

All of that factors in to how a player is ranked by teams. And I never stated that his skills were questionable in any way. So how is my argument baseless? All I simply said is that he was not the consensus top 5 pick that you said he was. For whatever reason.

Nicushkin could wind up hands down the best player taken in that draft. We do not know that at this point.

Basically this ridiculous post olympic break break has brought out the need of over analyzing and debating prospects who haven't even made the jump as NHL regulars.

NHL schedule makers:

FAIL

Criticize them for what, for not drafting by position of need? For drafting BPA? Or for having Morin ranked higher then Nicushkin?
- MJL

The origianal criticism was picking Maata over Laughton because "BPA" when they had 3 young centers and Briere already. But the very next year having Nichushkin (who would have been BPA) listed so low on thier board.

Some teams do draft by position of need at times I'm sure. But otherwise, how would we know?
- MJL

We'll never know like many other things discussed here

Basically this ridiculous post olympic break break has brought out the need of over analyzing and debating prospects who haven't even made the jump as NHL regulars.
- Pixote Andolini

Kind of (frank)ed hey?

You have 4 years to plan for the Olympics, and the best you can do is this? Burn them!

Kind of (frank)ed hey?

You have 4 years to plan for the Olympics, and the best you can do is this? Burn them!
- flyer_nutter

Seriously. In an Olympic year you'd think they'd really try to suss it out as best as possible, but honestly I feel the schedule is consistently awkward every year. Patches of 4 games in 7 nights and then 3 games over 12 days. We all know how this team plays after lengthy breaks - and I'm not counting the afternoon games curse either!

And seriously guys?! 12 pages of Maatta? For franks sake!

Seriously. In an Olympic year you'd think they'd really try to suss it out as best as possible, but honestly I feel the schedule is consistently awkward every year. Patches of 4 games in 7 nights and then 3 games over 12 days. We all know how this team plays after lengthy breaks - and I'm not counting the afternoon games curse either!
- Pixote Andolini

My god, I grew to love those weekend afternoon games.

Get it over by 3, and have the rest of the day/night to do whatever.

We'll never know like many other things discussed here
- ob18

Yes but why let that stop anyone from dragging it across the floor, kicking and screaming all the way.