Teams value different things. Different philosophies lead to varying ideas of what constitutes the best player available.
Similarly, the results of drafting aren’t solely dependent on the effectiveness of a team’s scouting staff. The scouting staff’s philosophy should clearly align with the organization’s development and coaching. When they don’t, every department pays the price.
For example, a draft table that doesn’t weigh skating heavily will continually be undermined by a development staff that can’t (or won’t) help players with their skating. An NHL coaching staff that doesn’t encourage defencemen activating in the play will undermine the efforts of a scouting staff that emphasizes that skill.
To illustrate this, here are three potential top-15 prospects for the upcoming draft, highlighting their different skill sets and the ideal structure and development paths for each.