- Jun 21, 2006
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After seeing a lot of odd placements on leaked internal draft lists, peculiar selections made with recently-acquired picks (e.g. Lias Andersson in 2017, DeBrusk & Senyshyn in 2015), and perceived disorganization and mismanagement in behind-the-scenes scouting staff stories/footage, I often wonder how internal politics in teams' scouting rooms affects their draft boards and ultimate decisions.
Hypothetical scenario: A scouting staff expects to pick at #20 and have a player they want whom they expect to be available. If the scouts were being completely honest, that player would rank #16. However, they know their GM won't be particularly excited about taking a #16 ranked player at #20, and may even consider trading the pick or look at players further down the list ranked #18, #19, and #20. Therefore, the scouts bump this player up to #7 on their list, ahead of highly touted prospects they have no chance at selecting (or so they think). It makes the GM happier and more confident in the pick, believing he got a steal.
But then the GM makes an unexpected trade for the 9th overall pick, and their boosted #7-ranked player is on the board. Drastically altering their draft list at the last minute to reflect their "real" rankings would make them look horrible and draw the ire of their GM, so they dig in their heels and commit.
Hypothetical scenario: A scouting staff expects to pick at #20 and have a player they want whom they expect to be available. If the scouts were being completely honest, that player would rank #16. However, they know their GM won't be particularly excited about taking a #16 ranked player at #20, and may even consider trading the pick or look at players further down the list ranked #18, #19, and #20. Therefore, the scouts bump this player up to #7 on their list, ahead of highly touted prospects they have no chance at selecting (or so they think). It makes the GM happier and more confident in the pick, believing he got a steal.
But then the GM makes an unexpected trade for the 9th overall pick, and their boosted #7-ranked player is on the board. Drastically altering their draft list at the last minute to reflect their "real" rankings would make them look horrible and draw the ire of their GM, so they dig in their heels and commit.