Went with Smith, but perhaps should have went with McDonald, Kanzig or even Wolf here.
Smith has the ability to be a dominating presence what can also score. He was utilized against the opposing teams top lines, and still managed to put the puck in the net. Good head on him, great character, and decent skills and skating ability. Will be very interesting to see how he does as one of the key guys on that team now.
McDonald - I really don't know much about him other than he has been 'impressive'. Caught youtube clips, read lots about this kid - he definitely has top-end starter potential at this point, but goalies are always so hard. Still, should we hold it against him that goalies are tough to gauge? If he hits his ceiling, he is a potential starter and should have been taken much sooner.
Kanzig - some people don't like him as they still see basically a 'goon' with no offensive ability. This kid shuts-down the top lines. He is not big.. he is gargantuan. One inch shorter than Smith, but has over 30lbs on him. Kid can skate - not quick, but I bet his speed will not be much of an issue. Nobody will touch the goalie - he probably has the ability right now to push anyone out of the crease in the NHL. He is also a leader, has the defensive IQ (a defencemen should always be able to defend). The only lacking element to his game is offence. I don't think it is going to start magically appearing, but if this kid can be the defensive anchor to an offensive defencemen, he will be a huge (pun intended) cog for the Flames. Lowry throws him against the top lines on every team, and he does well. One thing that should not be underestimated is how dedicated this kid is. 245lbs of PURE MUSCLE. He also dedicated himself to being a better player (not a goon) - had a 'horrid' 1st season on the Royales, and the next two he became a mainstay on the top-pairing.
Wolf - He is a mystery to me. We all saw him kind of 'goon' some guys (and apparently, there was more to the story on that). However, he is a good skater, good fighter, has lots of jam to his game. He might actually be a decent 3rd liner. I don't care if he is 24 or 18 - he is still a prospect. I also would expect him to develop more if he is given a chance in the NHL - I do think it takes at least a season or two for guys who have never played in North America - or even just in the NHL for that matter - to find their 'legs' and get used to the tempo and style. Whatever he is this season, I would expect 'x' amount of improvement. I doubt he will be anything more than a good 3rd liner - and that in itself might be reaching a bit - but will be nice to see him in game action.
Agostino - I just kind of see 'vanilla' in him. He is quick, and very good at forechecking, but he is not big enough (though he does seem to throw his weight around decently) for the bottom lines, and just doesn't seem to have that skill for the top lines. I really do look at him as somewhat of a tweener, but maybe a guy the Flames rely to be a PK'er and forechecker. I just think there are too many guys with more to offer coming through the pipeline - guys who are either bigger than him, or have more skill, etc. There is nothing wrong with him - there is just not that much 'right' either that makes him stand out in the prospect pool to me. With that being said, watch him come out and earn a spot and pot in 20 goals. Shows you how much I know.
What is funny to me is that Culkin is not getting much love. He was essentially considered 'the same' as Kulak, and Conroy was raving about him last year saying they were really considering having him turn pro. I think he is kind of dropping a bit too far, but it is very difficult to figure out who should be ranked where any longer.
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