2009..Jarred Cowan, 9th in round 1...injuries and became a bust
2009..Chris Wideman, 4th round #100...Showed promise, got injured and then pulled a Peel and is gone.
2010 .. no D man drafted above 5th round
2011..no D man darfted above teh 5th round
2012..Codi Cecci, 15th in round 1..Plateaued at 4/5 d level, but wanted to be paid as a 2/3..shipped off. His career is at best unimpressive
2012..Tim Boyle, 4th round #106...Bust
2013..Ben Harper, 4th round #108..floundering as a 6/7.
2014...Englund, 3rd round...bust
2014..Gendron, 3rd round..bust
2015..Chabot, A HOME RUN
2015..Wolanin..4th round...probably a bust
2016..Lajoie a 5h round...a Bust
2017..No D man drafted
in 9 years, only 3 Dmen were drafted in round 1..Two ended up being; a bust and a 5/6 underachieving player.
in 9 years, only 2 Dmen drafted by the Sens are playing regularly and a 3rd (Harper is in/out of the lineup)
you draft top 4 D, you do not trade for or free agent sign. It is too difficult. Top 4 D men are precious and their teams do not often trade them. When they do, it is for a significant return.
You do not often sign them as free agents. They typically command big dollars and long term and are often nearing 30, so term becomes an issue.
Melnyk was on Toronto radio 2 years ago, criticizing the Leafs and adding that they forgot about the Defense...It seems that maybe, he forgot the defense on his own team.