I was pretty down on the Lazar pick at the time, mainly because several major scouting reports suggested no more than 3rd line potential. I think you're right that Lazar's main quality was just that he was more mature and hard-working than a lot of his junior peers. The fact that they passed on Mantha and Theodore to draft Lazar has also been an ongoing irritation for me, because it contradicted my 2 general beliefs about the draft...
1. Draft for high-end ability over character in the top-3 rounds;
2. When in doubt, pick a defenceman
Had they taken that approach, there's little chance that they'd have come out of the 2013 draft without one of Mantha, Burakovsky, or Theodore.
If Lazar can in any way help them land Duclair that would be great, but I suspect that Arizona would want younger prospects or draft picks in return. Chlapik or Dahlen might be key targets - both of whom are having exceptional seasons, and had significant WJC exposure.
- khawk
I generally agree with your drafting strategy. Character players are easy to get in late rounds and via trade/free agency. Personally, when in doubt, take the most talented player. I wouldn't limit yourself to d-men. My biggest pet peeve in drafts is "so and so needs a left winger". So dumb. You do not draft based on need. Odds are the player won't materialize to anything until 3 years down the road. Teams are vastly different in 3 years. 3 years ago, we were still saying Cowen can become a legit d-man.
I do not like the Duclair rumours. He's only 21 and will probably be moved to his 3rd NHL team and is effing terrible this year. Something doesn't add up there. Stay clear. Unless you can get him for Lazar straight up I guess.
To me, getting a legit #1 centre is the way to go. Give guys like Hoffman, Ryan, Stone, etc an actual legit player at centre to play with. I'm sorry to the Turris lovers and the Brassard optimists, but they are not going anywhere deep in the playoffs with those guys taking face offs against the likes of Crosby, Malkin, Backstrom, etc.
Quite trying to keep pace with the Habs, Leafs, Bruins, etc. Start trying to catch up with the Penguins, Capitals, Hawks, etc. Enough of this wheel of perpetual mediocrity.
