from Jamie Samuelsen at the Detroit Free Press,
When Steve Yzerman walked to the stage at the NHL draft and selected defenseman Moritz Seider with the sixth pick in the draft, it was a head-scratcher for most Red Wings fans. Not because they thought Seider was going to be a bust or because they covet some player instead. No, they were angry because Seider was selected higher than he “should have been” and as a result, it constituted a “reach” by Yzerman.
Was it a reach? We’re all certainly entitled to our opinions. I, speaking as someone who has never seen Seider wear a pair of skates, much less compete at high levels of hockey, will refrain from judgement. Yzerman has scouted Seider plenty and viewed him as the sixth best player in the draft and the available player that best fit the Red Wings' needs.
Who’s right and who’s wrong? Time will tell. And time might take the shape of a four- or five-year wait.
More: NHL draft winners and losers: Canadiens get a steal with Cole Caufield at No. 15
Which brings me back to grades. How is it humanly possible to know how good a class is within 48 hours of it being put together? It may take 48 months before we know just how good these players are. Yzerman came on the radio with us on Monday and said it could be four or five years before we can expect some of these players to arrive in the NHL. That’s the nature of drafting in hockey and baseball.
from Jared Purcell of Mlive,
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