The famous line among general managers of every sport is that they will select the best player available in the draft. In the case of the Utah Mammoth on Friday, will that be the case, or will Bill Armstrong look to solidify a specific position of need for the club?
The likelihood of this draft class playing immediately in the NHL is very small, according to scouts. Having said that, Armstrong cannot make a draft choice to plug into this year's depth chart like a free agent signing would do this summer. The drafting will be more of an organizational philosophy. Last year, Utah grabbed Tij Iginla in the first round.
The top-end defenders are not in the top part of the draft, hence the first pick being the best of the bunch in Matthew Schaefer, likely going to the New York Islanders with the first choice. Because of the lack of defenseman in the upper half of the draft, some teams could look to move up and grab that target.
Many of the forwards that are not centers are dropping because the center is a vital position in the NHL. Porter Martone may be the best player in the draft, but because teams need a center, he could fall out of the top 8.
The Mammoth is weaker at the center position, with Logan Cooley being the top line center. Barrett Hayton is a player who would be better suited on the wing, but is currently the second center on the depth chart. The drafting of a promising young center could help the franchise. Other organizations don't have a player like Cooley and are far more desperate for a center prospect, which will benefit Armstrong in trade negotiations.
Thankfully for the Mammoth, the need for an immediate option on the blue line is not needed, and the field of forwards is plenty and talented.