I think this is right.
One thing that bothers me is that drafting and developing are always linked in these things. I know they're related, but they're two different departments with different personnel and processes. I think the Ducks' drafting has been an A. I think their development has been a C-, at best. And we really don't even know how it's going to pan out under Verbeek. Under Murray, it was a D.
And it's the development that will make the difference. If it's good, the Ducks will head back to the playoffs in a couple seasons. If it's not, I doubt they can make up the difference in the other categories.
I agree that drafting and development should be different categories.
Am I understanding this statement correctly? How are Murray and Verbeek responsible for player and/or prospect development? That’s on the coaching staff
GM's could rush players through the system.
Murray
Murray sort of rushed Lundy, but also kinda not. Lundy played 15 NHL games in his D+1 and D+2 seasons, per season. COVID shutdown the CHL for most of the season, putting Drysdale, Perreault, and Tracey into the AHL. Can't put that on the GM since every GM did the same thing with their CHL prospects.
In 14 drafts, Lundy is the closest player that has been somewhat rushed, in my memory. Murray's had a lot of non top-10 make the NHL club along with several prospects drafted in round 4 - 7.
Verbeek
With Verbeek, he rushed Carlsson and Luneau in order to do a novel load mgmt program. Both would have been better off in the respective team, SHL for Carlsson and QMJHL for Luneau. Under new coaching this past season, Verbeek's mantra of playing through injury and okay with drinking water through a fire house probably wasn't a great idea for many of our youths. We have only had 2 drafts under Verbeek to rush players and he already has.