Do us a favor. Please draft Ekblad . So there will be no more debating in here about us taking him .
- Maximum Signal

The top four player are pretty much ranked the same, there would be a debate on who to take if we had pick 1. Reinhart is far from a slam dunk, not sure how some don't see that.

This years draft in particular I could see why it'd be a tough selling point to take a d-man 1st overall because there's some skepticism on how dominant Ekblad can really be (and whether he's peaked already). But saying no to Ekblad shouldn't be because he's a defensemen, it should be because they have a better deal in place or because they believe Bennett/Reinhart are better.
- Sabresfan-365

I feel like the need to get Bennett for them is higher than their hope that Ekblad is the #1 option. I agree with a previous poster that he falls to 3-4 like Jones did last year.

Edit: they have the centers in Barkov and Bjugstad, so the likely winger who can still play center in Bennett seems to make sense. Not saying Bennett cannot play center, but still slated to be top-line talent.

As a fan of a team who lacks top end center prospects I would say go with the best center available no matter what you have in the system or on the already.

Everyone wants young, skilled centres. Easily tradable and easily get something much needed in return. Essentially you just ask for whatever you want and you get it...hottest commodity right now.

You don't build a team around a winger.

It's why Columbus (w/Nash) and Washington(w/OV and Jagr prior) have failed.

Name me the team that won the cup where it was built completely around a winger with no top notch centers?

The answer is there hasn't been one.
- dadeadhead

But one of the huge differences is we have Barkov to build around. None of the centers in this draft are better then him IMO. So this is the big reason we would draft the BPA if that is a winger or D. You can't build a team will just filling one area.

You don't build a team around a winger.

It's why Columbus (w/Nash) and Washington(w/OV and Jagr prior) have failed.

Name me the team that won the cup where it was built completely around a winger with no top notch centers?

The answer is there hasn't been one.
- dadeadhead

No team is completely built around any one player. That's why teams tend to tank and draft high for several years, not just one. What if the order was different for the Hawks? What if they drafted Kane 1st and then Toews the following year? Atlanta took Stefan (C) 1st and Daniel Sedin went second overall?


Oh and to answer your question, that Ducks cup run in 07 was anchored by Selanne and Perry, who are both wingers.

But one of the huge differences is we have Barkov to build around. None of the centers in this draft are better then him IMO. So this is the big reason we would draft the BPA if that is a winger or D. You can't build a team will just filling one area.
- Crazycaboose

You take Bennett and not look back.

No team is completely built around any one player. That's why teams tend to tank and draft high for several years, not just one. What if the order was different for the Hawks? What if they drafted Kane 1st and then Toews the following year? Atlanta took Stefan (C) 1st and Daniel Sedin went second overall?


Oh and to answer your question, that Ducks cup run in 07 was anchored by Selanne and Perry, who are both wingers.
- Sabresfan-365

Pronger and Neids had everything to do with that cup.

One was a trade and the other was a UFA signing.

The only d-man taken 1st overall to ever amount to more than a solid top 4 over the last 50 years is Potvin.
- dadeadhead

That's because in many of those drafts, a forward was rated better. Your telling me that if Stamkos didn't exist you'd skip right over Doughty and Pietrangelo to pick Colin Wilson?

Pronger and Neids had everything to do with that cup.
- dadeadhead

No, not everything. They don't win that cup without those two but they also don't win that cup without Selanne and Perry leading the forwards.

You take Bennett and not look back.
- dadeadhead

Not saying I wouldn't want to take him, but if Eklbad is the BPA I take him and never look back either. I don't care if he is a defensemen or not I just want the best guy.

That's because in many of those drafts, a forward was rated better. Your telling me that if Stamkos didn't exist you'd skip right over Doughty and Pietrangelo to pick Colin Wilson?
- Sabresfan-365

Lots of IF's in your posts.

No, not everything. They don't win that cup without those two but they also don't win that cup without Selanne and Perry leading the forwards.
- Sabresfan-365

Getzlaf led that team in playoff scoring........

Go figure.

No, not everything. They don't win that cup without those two but they also don't win that cup without Selanne and Perry leading the forwards.
- Sabresfan-365

There were a lot of players that had a lot to do with that winning, but I am pretty sure that Getzlaf won some key faceoffs as well and there have been some other talented players. Getzlaf was drafted before Perry. Selanne was traded for... and technically so was Perry.

Edit: Selanne signed there at this time. Brain is faulty.

Lost of IF's in your posts.
- dadeadhead

I know it doesn't happen as often and I know that centre's usually dominate the 1st overall slot.My point was that IF the defensmen and/or winger is the clear cut choice for #1 overall, you don't say no and pick a centre because of their position regardless of your needs. That kind of mentality is just as likely to set your franchise back a few years.

You don't build a team around a winger.

It's why Columbus (w/Nash) and Washington(w/OV and Jagr prior) have failed.

Name me the team that won the cup where it was built completely around a winger with no top notch centers?

The answer is there hasn't been one.
- dadeadhead

It's such a loaded question. Name a team that has won a cup with just being built around one center and no other key player. You need a mix of it all to win.

I know it doesn't happen as often and I know that centre's usually dominate the 1st overall slot.My point was that IF the defensmen and/or winger is the clear cut choice for #1 overall, you don't say no and pick a centre because of their position regardless of your needs. That kind of mentality is just as likely to set your franchise back a few years.
- Sabresfan-365

You move back then.


Lets see Washington took OV over Malkin, They do it the opposite way they then have Malkin and Backstrom as their 1-2. Stronger chance they win the cup or have won the cup.

Pronger and Neids had everything to do with that cup.

One was a trade and the other was a UFA signing.
- dadeadhead

No team has ever won anything without all successful parts, with the exception of average goaltender who got hot in the playoffs. I think we're splitting hairs for the sake of benefitting personal opinions, IMO of course.

It's such a loaded question. Names team that has won a cup with just being built around one center and no other key player. You need a mix of it all to win.
- Mentalorgasm5

I think the point is that it's nearly impossible to trade for a 1C, so in the draft you look for the 1C potential, and you can trade for everything else.

You move back then.


Lets see Washington took OV over Malkin, They do it the opposite way they then have Malkin and Backstrom as their 1-2. Stronger chance they win the cup or have won the cup.
- dadeadhead

Chicago did take Kane at 1 overall. Granted, they had Toews in the system already.

You move back then.


Lets see Washington took OV over Malkin, They do it the opposite way they then have Malkin and Backstrom as their 1-2. Stronger chance they win the cup or have won the cup.
- dadeadhead

You don't know that, there was a time where Malkin struggled and was linked to trade rumors (even here actually). Ovechkin scored 50 goals for them this year and they missed the playoffs, they have terrible winger depth outside of him.

You could brag about a Backstrom-Malkin 1-2 all you want but if there's no one to put home the goals it won't do much for you. Their problems aren't because they picked ovechkin, it's because Mcphee has made some really questionable signings and trades.

Chicago did take Kane at 1 overall. Granted, they had Toews in the system already.
- buffalofan19

Fair point, Should they have taken Turris over Kane had they not been able to get Toews?

No team has ever won anything without all successful parts, with the exception of average goaltender who got hot in the playoffs. I think we're splitting hairs for the sake of benefitting personal opinions, IMO of course.
- SoCalSabres

Strong center play
Strong defensive play
Riding a hot goalie


3 keys to winning a cup.

Wingers are and always will be an interchangeable part as wingers are a dime a dozen and you can always move a center if need be.

With Bennett being rated #1 by many and the fact they have top notch centerman and him being labeled a LW/C hybrid, he fits the bill for them IMO.

Chicago did take Kane at 1 overall. Granted, they had Toews in the system already.
- buffalofan19

Bingo.......

I think the point is that it's nearly impossible to trade for a 1C, so in the draft you look for the 1C potential, and you can trade for everything else.
- thatsapickle

This year there isn't one though, so you take bpa, and next year we are basically guarenteed to land McDavid or eichel. Not much you can do when a true number 1 center isn't in a draft

Bingo.......
- dadeadhead

Kane has played Center for them as well. I think during their cup runs when Toews was out. Could be wrong. If there is a hybrid player (Bennett), they can fill multiple roles. You draft the best player available and based on need. It seems the need for Florida is top line players to play with Huberdeau, Barkov, Bjugstad (Bennett/Reinhart) and Defense. I think your better bet is offense.