As the 2025 NHL draft approaches, it is critical for teams to assess their needs while following the principle of selecting the best player available. Many teams face varying levels of urgency regarding positional needs, particularly contenders with depleted prospect pools. While some teams lack top-tier talent, others have an overload of skills in certain positions but may struggle in others. The article emphasizes the importance of a balanced prospect pool, illustrated by the Anaheim Ducks' success in developing defensemen by prioritizing talent over position.
Only one prospect pool is truly balanced in large part because their scouting mantra over the last five years has been to take the best player available, regardless of position.
Teams should never draft for position, and instead should always take the best player available, especially in the first three rounds.
Some teams who have been contenders for years... have thinner prospect pools and need everything; they've generally been trading away picks and prospects to stay on top.
The Ducks have been the league's best developer of defenders for more than a decade. There is a long list of defensemen drafted by Anaheim that have become top-four defenders.
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