Edited Oct. 17, 2021 at 10:59 p.m.
It’s a fair take on goalies. But Blomqvist was the 3rd goalie drafted in last years draft. And 3rd-4th preranked, depending on the rankings. Behind just Yaroslav Askarov and Drew Commesso.
It’s very true it’s hard to predict goalies. But usually the top 3-5 in each draft have the potential, traits, assets to become an NHL goalie. You have a really good chance in drafting a top 3-5 goalie.
Saying that, I would do it if was my choice. And mainly because of Clang, not because I would be happy with trading Blomqvist.
It’s just although, Clang is a bit smaller than Blomqvist and less athletic, Clang won the MVP in his Swedish Juniors league last season. On a last place team. Not only is it impressive to win league MVP as a goalie. But on a last place team is unheard of. And not that Blomqvist had a bad year either, he was terrific too.
(**and Calle Clang has a great onomatopoeia for his last name).
And the Pens were gonna take Clang with the 2nd round pick. It was between Blomqvist and Clang. And when Clang was still available in the 3rd round, the Pens jumped at the chance of drafting both. I think it was GMJR plan to trade one at some point too.
And saying all that, I don’t think Strome is a Hextall/Burke type player. Although I would do the trade on upside and the fact he helps the NHL team right now; while the organization wants to give Sid, Geno and Letang another cup run.