RoyalDude wrote: ↑Sat Jan 20, 2018 4:16 pm
Ken Holland, considered a genius by many in this market. Drafted Svechnikov in the 1st round of the 2015 draft with Boeser still on board. In 2016 drafted Chylowski who isn't looking too good, then followed that up with the UFA signing of Nielsen. Then in the 2017 draft, drafted Rassmussen in the 1st round with so many good players still available like Necas for one. Holland - considered a genius by many, sure ain't looking so genius lately, but that being said, has made his share of mistakes. Like I said, a genius will make his mistakes on his way to his masterpiece. It's the big picture. Stop focusing on the place holders.
Holland's legacy is more the draft and develop model. He definitely fluked out with Datsyuk and Zetterberg, but he has made many other picks in later rounds that have then been developed into quality players, I don't feel like many of them are actually top 3 forwards or top 2 defensemen though.
Larkin and Mantha are the only two that I think could fit into that category.
Abdelkader, Tatar, Nyquist, and Athanasiou, are decent picks outside of the 1st round that were developed and then brought up, but they are all 2nd line players at best.
Every GM makes boneheaded signings, especially in free agency. Those signings become even worse when the team isn't competitive because you generally have to pay more to get players to come to a losing franchise. I would much prefer to have a GM like Benning who might be too friendly in contract negotiations but can draft well in every round, over a guy who might not draft well but can develop depth forwards and get players $500K cheaper.
Ideally you would have Benning as GM and Holland as AGM. Benning calls the shots, so at the draft table he has executive powers, and handles the NHL side of the roster and whatnot, but delegates the negotiation of contracts and much of the minor league development to Holland.
