We don't know if Gauthier, Brink, Farabee, Tippett, Frost, Foerster, and Cates are any good long-term yet. Have all the hope you want. I don't want to dissuade anyone from enjoying themselves. But in this case, you're doing the same thing you did under the last two GMs where you ink everyone drafted in the top 60 into lineups and then in 5 years you'll blame everyone else for overhyping them. Just stop.
You could say that about most players who don't have long track records.
We won't know who panned out for five years, we also won't know if anyone not expected to be a major contributor surprises.
But most of the players who performed in the NHL had a strong track record at lower levels, Patrick is an exception, but mostly due to injuries.
Brink is unknown, but so far he looks like the real deal and he has a track record of elite accomplishment at the college level.
Farabee was a top 50 scorer from 19-21 (pp/60), he looks stronger and more confident this year.
TK will either bring in substantial assets or sign a good but not great deal. He's not getting $9M a year
Gauthier is unknown, but top 5 picks who aren't flops tend to be solid top six forwards, and he's performed up to expectations since drafted.
Tippett, Frost, Cates, were all middle six quality at 23, I don't project them as top six right now.
Foerster is still unknown but has middle six talent, I think if they had a RW slot he'd be fine.
The unknowns are exactly that, too far away with too short a track record to even project.
