The fact that Dubas failed to foresee a serious illness in Amirov is all we need to know about him
- TheMussel

And multiple post-draft injuries.

Having said that, Schneider or Guhle would have been solid picks too.

It's a crapshoot. Whatcha gonna do?

The fact that Dubas failed to foresee a serious illness in Amirov is all we need to know about him
- TheMussel

Nope. What he failed to see is that the team was already loaded with skilled forwards and was paper thin on the back end.

And multiple post-draft injuries.

Having said that, Schneider or Guhle would have been solid picks too.

It's a crapshoot. Whatcha gonna do?
- mjones242

According to some, irrationally complain about it

Nope. What he failed to see is that the team was already loaded with skilled forwards and was paper thin on the back end.
- fifty__missions

Their top 2 prospects at the time were D.

Nope. What he failed to see is that the team was already loaded with skilled forwards and was paper thin on the back end.
- fifty__missions

Drafting based on need is also a crapshoot, look at what the Habs did twice trying to get a top line centre in the top 3.

I agree that the Leafs' drafting needs to improve (and maybe D scouting), but I'm for the strategy of picking the BPA because it gives you the biggest shot of getting an NHL player.

Nope. What he failed to see is that the team was already loaded with skilled forwards and was paper thin on the back end.
- fifty__missions

I am a believer in that skill is easier to trade away and harder to find so taking skill and using it down the line as tradebait is better. I think.

Drafting based on need is also a crapshoot, look at what the Habs did twice trying to get a top line centre in the top 3.

I agree that the Leafs' drafting needs to improve (and maybe D scouting), but I'm for the strategy of picking the BPA because it gives you the biggest shot of getting an NHL player.
- TheMussel

Horsepoop. In that area of the draft there is no consensus on BPA. But hey, picking a defenceman made no sense for Dubas when he's already loaded with skilled forwards I guess.

In the seven years since Shanahan took over this team, they have drafted and developed three defencemen, Dermott, Sandin and Liljgren. Passing on Schneider for Amirov still pisses me off. Big physical right shot D, Canadian World Junior? Nah. Let's take a shot on another soft, skilled Russian winger. They are reaping what they haven't sown on the back end - lack of nastiness and physicality.
- fifty__missions

I didn't mean at the draft table. I mean they all seem to be happy rolling the dice with goalies the last 15 years. The acquisition of Freddy being the exception.

Their top 2 prospects at the time were D.
- Santo_44

And add on top of it, Hyman was highly likely to not be back, so they drafted a skilled version of him.

Horsepoop. In that area of the draft there is no consensus on BPA. But hey, picking a defenceman made no sense for Dubas when he's already loaded with skilled forwards I guess.
- fifty__missions

What

Yes there is

Why do you think players are ranked?

Horsepoop. In that area of the draft there is no consensus on BPA. But hey, picking a defenceman made no sense for Dubas when he's already loaded with skilled forwards I guess.
- fifty__missions

The management team has a ranking I'm sure, and the person who is available who is highest on their rankings is their bpa

What

Yes there is

Why do you think players are ranked?
- Santo_44

In that area of the draft there is no consensus on rankings. The forward was Kyle's preference.

What else would he say?
- mjones242

Nothing

In that area of the draft there is no consensus on rankings. The forward was Kyle's preference.
- fifty__missions

Teams rank their players.

Scouts rank the players.

There is always a best player available for a team.

The management team has a ranking I'm sure, and the person who is available who is highest on their rankings is their bpa
- TheMussel

This should be an easy concept

Drafting based on need is also a crapshoot, look at what the Habs did twice trying to get a top line centre in the top 3.

I agree that the Leafs' drafting needs to improve (and maybe D scouting), but I'm for the strategy of picking the BPA because it gives you the biggest shot of getting an NHL player.
- TheMussel

And it's about value. These kids are 4 years away from mattering on the ice. In the interim they are assets to trade. Take who you believe to be the greatest asset and not the greatest need.

The only caveat might be that it's becoming increasingly hard to trade for a good young affordable D'man.

What

Yes there is

Why do you think players are ranked?
- Santo_44

To be fair once you get past the first 3 or 4 in any given draft, there really isn't _consensus_ on BPA. Somewhere in there you have ISS, CSS, European Rankings, North American Rankings and these don't agree with one another let alone each NHL team's internal scouting and assessments.

That said, while they are taking their time and allowing their players to develop, I'm relatively pleased with the progress of a number of prospects.

We don't have that punishing guy that some would like, but we do have a number of skilled players who should have value one way or another.

Teams rank their players.

Scouts rank the players.

There is always a best player available for a team.
- Santo_44

I get it with you. There are no decisions that can be critiqued.

And it's about value. These kids are 4 years away from mattering on the ice. In the interim they are assets to trade. Take who you believe to be the greatest asset and not the greatest need.

The only caveat might be that it's becoming increasingly hard to trade for a good young affordable D'man.
- The Law

1 Forward(Amirov)

2 D(Sandin. Liljregren)

Have been drafted since Matthews in the 1st round. Fun fact, Amirov was the 1st forward ever drafted in the 1st round by Dubas.

According to some, irrationally complain about it
- Santo_44

Or you could just pick a defenceman when you are loaded with skilled forwards.

I get it with you. There are no decisions that can be critiqued.
- fifty__missions

I am critiquing your opinion and you are not liking it, that is obvious.

So is everyone else here. Not a single one agrees with you on this.

To be fair once you get past the first 3 or 4 in any given draft, there really isn't _consensus_ on BPA. Somewhere in there you have ISS, CSS, European Rankings, North American Rankings and these don't agree with one another let alone each NHL team's internal scouting and assessments.

That said, while they are taking their time and allowing their players to develop, I'm relatively pleased with the progress of a number of prospects.

We don't have that punishing guy that some would like, but we do have a number of skilled players who should have value one way or another.
- Monkeypunk

Yes but we are talking the high rounds, where it is not a lottery.

I am critiquing your opinion and you are not liking it, that is obvious.

So is everyone else here. Not a single one agrees with you on this.
- Santo_44

And so it goes.

Or you could just pick a defenceman when you are loaded with skilled forwards.
- fifty__missions

I agree . We should pick top pairing, ready to contribute now, difference making D with our late first round picks.

Yes but we are talking the high rounds, where it is not a lottery.
- Santo_44

So am I. When I see the phrase consensus BPA, I don't belive we are talking specific to an organization that does have their itemized and prioritized list and the BPA, or at least a grouping (hence trading down, because you have a group of 5 players who are all basically indiscernible in your ratings from one another, so you'll get a guy you want anyway). We are talking that when it comes to ranking prospects there is no one scouting organization's rankings that precedes another. Perhaps someone like McKeen's is less respected than ISS, but ISS isn't the defacto consensus either.

Typically most everyone can agree upon the top 3 or 4 in a draft, sometimes as deep as 5 or 6, but very early into the draft process every respected organization and outlet starts to vary in their rankings of the prospects.