[News] With the 186th OA pick the Flames select D Stepan Falkovsky.

[bubbsy]

some comments from the ottawa 67s coach:

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=889983

Even more importantly, according to 67’s head coach/GM Jeff Brown, the hulking blueliner is coachable.
“He was a fish out of water when he first came here, having to adapt to the North American game and the speed of our league,” said Brown, a veteran of 700-plus NHL games as a defenceman. “But he’s a smart kid and a smart player who after realizing he couldn’t rely on just his long reach started to move his feet and he became a very effective player for us after that.”

Flames director of scouting, Tod Button, admits the 19-year-old Minsk native was a prospect that had been on Calgary’s radar since Christmas.
“Six-foot-seven and moves the puck really well,” Button said. “Fairly mobile and wants to stay in North America and play. If he was in college, he might be one of those free agent’s that in two years everyone is looking at. We think we got a head start by getting him in the draft.”
As does Brown, who was shocked his standout defender, who went undrafted in 2015 despite being ranked 44th among European skaters, had taken so long to come off the board this time around in Buffalo.
“I was very surprised,” said Brown, whose own son Logan was taken 11th overall by the Ottawa Senators. “You can’t teach size and to move with that size. The kid has a good hockey brain. If he can put it all together the Flames are going to have one heck of a blue chip prospect on their hands.”

the most interesting quote:

Falkovsky, who also chipped in with a goal and an assist in six outings for Belarus at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, is expected to turn pro this season despite having one year of junior eligibility remaining.
Where exactly is still to be determined, however.

“Unfortunately, being an import and an overager he would take up two spots here,” Brown said. “We would have liked him back, but there is an unknown of hanging onto him. He adapted well at this level and I expect he’ll do the same at the next one.”

apologies if this has already been discussed, but does that mean he's going to the AHL??

[Roof-Daddy]

Huh. Yeah my bet would be AHL then.

[sureLoss]

Lots of options for him.

1. Ottawa trades him to another OHL team willing to use an import and overage slot on him.
2. Ottawa waives him. If he clears, he can sign in the WHL or QMJHL, assuming a team there is willing to use both slots on him.
3. AHL/ECHL
4. Europe - I believe a KHL team still has his rights.

[PeteMoss]

Not the world's most ringing endorsement that the team wouldn't hold a slot for him even if he would take up two slots.

[puckedoff]

^ True but when you consider that the Imports and the Overagers are often the better players on the team it is not so much a slight.

[bigrangy]

Yeah, does anyone know how many import OA's have played in the CHL in the last few years?

My buddy had been saying the reason he fell so far is because he had no place to go for next year, and he felt that he probably wouldn't be ready to play in the AHL. Hopefully he can find somewhere good. He's a monster, but he's got some skills to go with it. Sort of like a bad Dougie. Future pairing? :P

[Vulcan]

Couldn't we put him on our ECHL team?

[Crumpy-Gunt]

I think there will be a team in the CHL he could go to. Maybe he could use another season playing at that level so he can actually dominate and put his skill set together. I think the ECHL is a good shout as well but I feel like he should go back for his overage season and try to tear it up before going pro. Surely someone in the CHL could use a 2 slots on 6'7 mobile 2 way dman who has already been drafted. I'd like to see him in the WHL. He's only played one year in Junior and he did very well for a rookie with 9-23-32 in 58 games and a +17. Why not send him back to see what happens. He's only 19 and has played in north america for one season with the 67s.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Couldn't we put him on our ECHL team?

They would have to sign him to a contract first.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Not the world's most ringing endorsement that the team wouldn't hold a slot for him even if he would take up two slots.

I suppose but the same coach also gave several ringing endorsements on the player in the conversation. I guess it depends what one wants to latch on to.

[IgiTang]

If even one of Kanzig, Falkovsky and the more likely Ollas-Mattson pan out and become NHL Dmen for the Flames, it would be awesome. Wouldnt be surprised to see more than one pan out..

Falkovsky was a great pickup, imo. Hope he does well against men.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Parallex

They would have to sign him to a contract first.

Coudln't they just sign him to a ECHL/AHL contract or would the Flames lose his rights if they did that?

The guy has the size, the ECHL might be the best place for him, but not sure the Flames would be willing to commit to a contract quite yet.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Huh. Yeah my bet would be AHL then.

ECHL would be a good option IMO. Let him play everyday and build his way up. Could also sign him to a minor league contract and not his ELC yet.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Not turning 20 until December would mean his ELC would slide anyways if signed.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Not turning 20 until December would mean his ELC would slide anyways if signed.

fair enough

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Not turning 20 until December would mean his ELC would slide anyways if signed.

Don't think it will

In the event that an 18 year old or 19 year old Player signs an SPC with a
Club but does not play at least ten (10) NHL Games in the first season
under that SPC, the term of his SPC and his number of years in the Entry
Level System shall be extended for a period of one (1) year, except that
this automatic extension will not apply to a Player who is 19 according to
Section 9.2 by virtue of turning 20 between September 16 and December
31 in the year in which he first signs an SPC. Unless a Player and Club
expressly agree to the contrary, in the event a Player's SPC is extended an
additional year in accordance with this subsection, all terms of the SPC,
with the exception of Signing Bonuses, but including Paragraph 1 Salary,
games played bonuses and Exhibit 5 bonuses, shall be extended; provided,
however, that the Player's Paragraph 1 Salary shall be extended in all
circumstances.

[MrMastodonFarm]

That's why I should have said IIRC. Stupid brain, be more smart.

[TheScorpion]

Looks like he will turn pro this coming year

http://flamesnation.ca/2016/7/25/201...pro-in-2016-17

...for 2016 seventh round selection Stepan Falkovsky, things are a bit complicated. Per Jason Pirie's profile of Falkovsky on the Flames site, Falkovsky's not expected back with the Ottawa 67's next season

I suspect we'll see him in Adirondack.

[Strange Brew]

Is it a given Flames will use a contract spot on him? Not all draft picks get signed but I get that he was just drafted this year.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Looks like he will turn pro this coming year

http://flamesnation.ca/2016/7/25/201...pro-in-2016-17



I suspect we'll see him in Adirondack.

That is nothing but sheer speculation on the writer's part. He has zero inside information and is basing it on it on him not being back with Ottawa. He could have his rights traded or could go back to Europe too. Going pro in North America doesn't seem like the most likely option.