There's a good chance the Edmonton Oilers will draft No. 1 overall -- again. And after using their last four first-round picks on forwards, it might be time for a defenseman.
Enter Adam Larsson.
Scouts say the Swedish blueliner has the size (6-foot-3, 200 pounds), skill and maturity to develop into a perennial all-star. Given the lack of good D-men in the league, that could be invaluable. He could anchor the Edmonton blue line for years, while Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle carry the offense. But there's a reason the Oilers should think twice before selecting him next June: He's not a forward.
Scouts are already saying Larsson may slide because of his position. ESPN Insider Gare Joyce writes, "He might suffer a bit from a market where forwards trump blueliners." But, moreover, this study shows that defensemen are risky. And top draft picks may simply be too valuable to gamble on a blueliner.
To read more about why defensemen aren't worth the No. 1 pick in the draft, you must be an ESPN Insider.
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Grant Sonier
Grant Sonier has scouted for six NHL organizations over the past 13 years, most recently for the Atlanta Thrashers during the 2010-11 season. He is a special contributor to ESPN Insider.
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Victoria Matiash
Victoria Matiash has served as a Fantasy Hockey columnist for ESPN.com since 2007, and contributor to NHL Rumor Central since 2010. She lives in Toronto.
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