2023-06-01 12:00:16
The art of finding the rare pearl at the repechage is difficult to master. New Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz has told his scouts to try to find rare gems and stop finding support players.
This is what he explained to the media.
“Take chances, take big chances with some guys. I can find you 3rd and 4th line guys no problem. Go get me some guys who’ll get the fans off their seats. –Barry Trotz
It would do the Predators good to be able to fish that way. In fact, Nashville has never had much success in the final rounds of the draft since the team’s inception.
The last “home run” in the final rounds of a draft by the Predators dates back to Martin Erat, who was selected in the seventh round in 1999. We are moving away from the home run.
Nevertheless, the team drafted well in the first two rounds. They notably selected Shea Weber (2nd round), Ryan Suter (1st round), Alexander Radulov (1st round), Roman Josi (2nd round), Kevin Fiala (1st round) and Samuel Girard (2nd round), who all experienced success.
The problem is that these picks are expensive and not as accessible as the last draft picks. Taking a chance with an unsung guy can still get you some good players in the early rounds, but maybe get a chance to fill your team if your 5th, 6th, or 7th rounder blows up.
It’s a risky strategy to pick players who might be home runs, but it’s a strategy that can solidly pay off.
This is Barry Trotz’s first time as general manager of an NHL team, but he’s previously been a scout for the Washington Capitals. He knows the game. But I think he’ll do a great job for the Predators, especially in the draft.
Maybe Kent Hughes will adopt that way of thinking in the next draft. If the Canadiens are betting on home runs, picking Matvei Michkov might be the way to go. It’s a risk, but a risk that might pay off big.
A lot of
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