If they all keep it up, I think #1 is going to come down to Hagens, Martone or Schaefer. I think Misa still has a chance to go top three, depending on the dominos, but personally I would still lean Hagens if I need a center..he does so many of the little things.
But for this exercise…you’ve got your franchise center, franchise power winger or franchise defenseman.
Of the “bad” teams who have a reasonable shot at a lotto win - which would actually consider the defenseman at #1 over either forward?
San Jose…comes to mind. I think Dickinson projects really well as a pro but I’m not sure he projects as “the guy” on your championship foundation defense. They have Celebrini and Smith up the middle. Martone could be attractive as well as a big-bodied star power/skill forward and I know both Dickinson and Schaefer are LHD…but it seems like Schaefer could really be the finishing piece to the rebuild with Askarov now in the building in net.
This is kind of where most Sharks fans are at with this draft. We like the idea of a three-headed monster down the left side with Schaefer, Dickinson, and Mukhamadullin to echo the Lightning setup of Hedman/Sergachev/McDonagh and then fill the right side with solid but unspectacular types like Liljegren and Thompson.
At the end of the day, the Sharks have the luxury of taking the BPA in this draft. We need a high-end D like Schaefer, a big winger like Martone, and while Misa and Hagens don't represent a huge need they certainly would be core pieces.
Part of the thinking is that while Martone would be a great, there are always high-end wingers at the top of the draft, but not always high-end defensemen. Taking Schaefer this year would allow us to simply take the best player available next year no matter the position, especially if it's someone like McKenna or Belchetz.
