1) I think they wanted Catton, Lindstrom, Demidov or Dickinson. They were hoping 1 out of the 4 would be there at 12 IMO. It’s not entirely unreasonable of an expectation but these are certainly hard to predict.
2) Once SJ jumped, that’s when Briere aggressively tried to get into the top 10. He also said too 4 or 5 was never really in play, so those expecting Demidov can stop dreaming - assuming you believe him.
3) The same people for clamoring believing the sources that Jett was a reach are the same who are dismissing the same for Buium falling. We only know on the outside - it is possible there were other circumstances beyond just the player (location, team) that made them avoid him. We know this is real especially with the lies told on draft day from Cutter. I don’t think it’s fair to label this a universal “prospects don’t want to play for us.” Briere, as said, won’t be judged on the pick now, but if Jett develops and becomes a 1C does anybody care? His job is to get this right - if he doesn’t, then he’ll get canned.
4) Elite skills don’t always translate to elite production right away. What’s strange is I started watching some clips of Jett - the dude can play. He has 2-3 high end skills (skating, passing, IQ). Maybe there’s more there - it’s not my job to be right on this, but I can see a bit of (hopefully) what they see.
5) At the time, everybody blasted Fletcher for the CG pick with “omgzzz typical Flyer reach for size and dumb IQ.” As much as I hate him, Cutter has lived up to it - that was Flahr also.
6) Trading a haul for Lindstrom would be a Flyerzzz move because he’s big - but there are definitely questions around his game too.
I dunno, just don’t feel the doom. I’m bummed - yes, but I do think he’s talented enough to play with MM.