WINNING SEASON OR HIGH DRAFT PICK?

The game last night...


Great efforts all-around! Khabibulin comes in after missing 6 games due to injury and gets the shut-out. Taylor Hall continues his point streak getting his first ever, multi-goal game in the NHL. Paajarvi gets another assist, Gagner & Eberle continue to score and put up points, and Jim Vandermeer actually looks like he's not out of place, when playing with Whitney.


I am really happy to see these individual improvements as the season goes on.


Check out some of the highlights from the game...












And now the debate...


so after the game, I was listening to 630 CHED. Dan Tencer and Rob Brown were debating whether it would best to make the play-offs, or would it be best to get a high pick in the 2011 draft.


Tencer seemed to think that there was not a losing scenario. And I agree with him somewhat. His thoughts were thus; 


Scenario 1: The kids get lots of ice time and the team does poorly and we get a high pick. That's a win


Scenario 2: The kids get lots of ice time and the team plays well and we make the play-offs. That's a win.


Scenario 3: The kids get lots of ice time and the team plays well enough to battle down the stretch and we don't make it. That's a win too. He justified this as a win by claiming that the experience the kids will get in games that matter, is in-valuable.


I tend to disagree with Tencer on this last scenario. Does the battle get them good experience when they play really hard only to lose out? I'm not sure how valuable that experience is. I guess you do learn by your mistakes, but I'm not sold on this way of thinking.


I turn on the radio this morning to hear Nielson and Chase on the Team1260 having this same debate. Asking listeners which they would prefer, a winning season or a high pick. I was surprised to hear the number of callers & e-mailers saying that they want a winning season more than the pick.


I love to see our team win! But, I also know that getting another high pick, gives you the better chance to win the cup in the end. Look at Pittsburgh & Chicago. They picked high for a few years and won cups because of it. And to a lesser extent (non cup winning but very good teams that are contenders) L.A., Washington, Phoenix, and Colorado.


In my opinion, The Draft pick is way more valuable and that's what i would like to see happen this year. I know that management and the coaches can't tell these players to suck, or throw the season. I also understand that the players have the desire to win, they have pride, and they get paid to win too. But, If we end up with a 6' 4" right handed centre-man in Sean Couturier, which is exactly what this team needs...then this season ticket holder is willing to watch the losses.


On the other hand, Eberle was picked 22nd, Paajarvi was picked 10th, Gagner was 6th etc...so does picking higher in the draft, out of the lottery picks, really hurt your team? I don't know. What I do know is, with the first pick, you get the guy you want no matter what.


GO Oilers GO!