Scenario 3: #3 Quinton Byfield #5 Jamie Drysdale
Grade: A-
Again, if Byfield is selected 3rd we’re off to a great start. In this scenario, Ottawa opts to balance things out with their 2, top selections. Going with the best Centre prospect available and coupling that with the best defensive prospect available seems like a great idea.
https://twitter.com/Sudbury_Wolves/status/1213545681966764032?s=20
For the most part, I agree although things start to get interesting when you look at the fit factors surrounding the Drysdale selection.
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We have covered what Byfield would provide upfront, which is an awful lot but what about choosing Drysdale? A right-shot defenseman capable of producing 50 points in the NHL seems very, very enticing. The only problem I have with this selection (aside from Drysdale being a huge Toronto Maple Leaf fan) is how he’d fit in the lineup. The obvious choice would be trying an offensive-minded juggernaut pairing of Chabot and Drysdale. I’d be really intrigued by this pairing and that’s why it’s one of my favourite scenarios to discuss but there’s not a lot of evidence supporting two, like-minded, offensive defensemen working together on the same pairing. There’s certainly some risk involved in a scenario like this, what happens if it doesn’t work out the way it does on paper? It’s ultimately a risk I’d be willing to see play out and therefore it’s still worthy of a high grade. Worst case scenario, Ottawa would be in a position to trade an offensive defenseman (and the last time they did that they got the 3rd overall pick)