was a little down after could not get another late 1st rounder ..but happy with the haul, after reading up on a few of these guys.
That's why I gave it a B, I thought they could have moved up more, but I don't know what that cost would have been etc, like I said, I think they got the players they wanted so...
I pretty much agree with most of this apart from liking the Fabre pick a bit more than you do. He has decent upside as a second pairing guy and for me it’s good value.I'm on a solid B+. I like a lot of what they did, definitely got some solid guys, and they seem to have gotten 'their' guys. But would have liked to have seen more movement with so many picks, and this is a 'me' problem rather than a Kings problem, but I would have like to see some more swings for the fences given how many guys we have in the system, we can afford to take some risks. But I'm sure after I hear some more commentary from those within the organization they probably will see some of those guys a lot higher than I do which would change my view a bit (i.e. I'm dumb and limited in my viewing vs. Yanetti)
Byfield--I don't need to say anymore here. I'm as happy as can be.
Grans--Really like this pick, he fits what I said above. Definitely has some warts, but the Swedish contingent is insanely high on this guy, and you can see some serious tools there. Will need to marinate and that's fine.
Faber--Trading up for this guy tells me the organization really likes him but I'm still not sold. I know rankings had him all over the map and some that I really like had him higher so it's probably just me being stubborn or missing something entirely. Just feels like too 'safe' a pick. I mean if he projects as 2nd pairing great, and I feel better, but he doesn't seem to.
Simontaival--I like it a lot, big boom/bust there.
Laferriere--Like this one a lot too, especially where we got him. Great trajectory.
Markkanen--Great value, I liked other goalies better, especially Commesso and Clang and Bednar, but I appreciate where we got him and seems like there's some good talent for the goalie whisperer there.
Chromiak--another swing for the fences like Simontaival, like it, especially at value.
Meehan--got their guy, no complaints here. Seems like a good pick at face value especially this deep.
Jamsen--I honestly don't know shit so I'll just nod and smile for now but this pick is usually where our organization does much much better than the field so.
Overall I guess I just don't particularly care for the Faber pick, especially trading for it--I'd love to be wrong and I'm looking forward to hearing much much more about him and why they coveted him so much. You guys know me, I'm okay with 'boring' defensemen, I stuck up for Forbort way too long, so it's not just that.
I think Anderson is what can turn this draft from a C+ into an A. I love the idea of trading a 2/3 turn pick for a skilled 21 year old scenery change. As of today I grade it at a solid B.
I like the Faber pick. The guy is going to be a steady solid Dman for years to come. Is that rare right shot and can move the puck with ease. He will be ready right around the time Walker hits UFA or the year prior if everything works out well.
the kid is young and could still grow a bit. We would have had basically inside info on the kid with our new AHL coach.
I truely believe Kleven was the target and when he went LA traded up to grab his partner Faber.
After grabbing a project in Grans they follow up with a great safe pick.
I personally like the draft.
That would make it more--not less--annoying for me. Because that would be the double whammy--reactionary trade AND drafting for 'need'. We haven't seen that out of these guys before so I'm not sure how to assess it.
Drafting for "need" happens with every team, every year. There is absolutely no such thing as "best player available" outside of the top few picks. Its really a combination of best fit/potential available.
The Kings took more swings - especially slower boil swings - with this draft than any in recent memory. As i said in a couple of other threads, these choices indicate that next years picks are now open for business. Some of these picks look to have a longer developmental curve than other similar picks around their draft position. Contracts won't have to be offered for a couple of years in most cases. The tiers are clear not just in terms of positions, but also in expected development time. Its such an amazing collection of potential.
That's why I gave it a B, I thought they could have moved up more, but I don't know what that cost would have been etc, like I said, I think they got the players they wanted so...