There is truth to this. You're probably sacrificing upside, in lieu of risk. As high level AHL players have a much greater chance of playing in the NHL than your average 2nd, 3rd and 5th Rd picks.
Though I also do like the upside of guys like Baertschi and Pedan specifically. You very well could get a 50+ point player out of Baertschi, as well as a top 4 damn out of Pedan - with a skill set that is virtually impossible to find.
You might. OR you might bust completely.
Pedan concerns me less given he still have less than 80 games of pro experience. He's had injuries but in terms of playing time he's basically a first year pro. I understand taking a flyer on him. And a 3rd is easier to stomach than a second.
BUt Vey is now through 4 years of pro hockey and to me doesn't look anywhere near being a true full time NHL forward. Clendening is through 3 full seasons and I question whether he has what it takes to stick as a D-man in the league. Baertschi has talent of that there is no doubt. He also has no consistency and given he is going to make the NHL as a skill player it again throws things into question. That said I don't mind the Baertschi deal because there might be something there. It doesn't negate the negative of the other deals in my mind.
Heck, I'm not even upset Forsling was given up for Clendening. I understood the deal but now having watched Clendening I wonder if the pro-scouting was accurate.