2017 NHL Draft

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by Toonage

To anyone: Pretty sure I know the answer, but if the Flames end up drafting middle of the pack (lets say the order is frozen today), would you be at all upset if the pick is traded a la 2015?

Well, that would completely depend on the return.

[MarkGio]

The Flames have 3 points on Dallas, who is currently 27th in the league standings. But Dallas has 2 games in hand. If the Flames revert back to the October/November team, they will most like be 27th in the league in a few weeks time and then sellers at the deadline. Once they part with pieces like Versteeg and Wideman and Elliot, I predict Murphy's Law will take place and the Flames go on a tear for meaningless points, earning themselves a lousy pick out of the top 5 this year. And then Treliving can point to the mid-season slump and slow start as areas to blame and keep Gulutzan into the next season.

Basically, Flames circa 2009-2012 all over again.

[Poe969]

It's not the strongest draft so dealing the pick makes sense but that also means you won't really get a lot for dealing the pick. I still like Cal Foote and that Hauge kid, they seem to be the kind of defenders the Flames need. Tippet would be awesome too.

I think the Flames should capitalize on other teams willingness to move picks this year and sell, sell, sell!

[Macho0978]

2016 draft wasn't supposed to be good either. I like Tkachuk

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Poe969

It's not the strongest draft so dealing the pick makes sense but that also means you won't really get a lot for dealing the pick. I still like Cal Foote and that Hauge kid, they seem to be the kind of defenders the Flames need. Tippet would be awesome too.

I think the Flames should capitalize on other teams willingness to move picks this year and sell, sell, sell!

Watched Foote live a couple times, have come away very impressed every time. Isn't gonna be dynamic offensively but has a big shot and is extremely good defensively and very mobile for his size. Tippet is who I want if the Flames don't luck out somehow for the top 2. But his stock is rising pretty fast, wouldn't be surprised if he goes top 5.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Toonage

To anyone: Pretty sure I know the answer, but if the Flames end up drafting middle of the pack (lets say the order is frozen today), would you be at all upset if the pick is traded a la 2015?

Only if a young asset is coming our way. Drafts gonna be a crab shoot and I still think their are a few very good D prospects that will be available around the 12-22 range like you say. I say keep it because it isn't gonna get you much better unless you are pairing with it lets say a Bennett. I would be very much inclined to trade and move up to get one of Nico or Patrik but the price would be high. I think both are unfortunately proving to be better than Bennett already and would trade Sam to acquire them. Sad but true. Both are high end players with franchise level potential imo.

[Toonage]

Thanks everyone, good stuff.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Macho0978

2016 draft wasn't supposed to be good either. I like Tkachuk

That is false. 2016 was advertised as having a tremendously strong top end of players. There was an elite top 3 but then a very, very strong secondary tier of players from 4-20

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

That is false. 2016 was advertised as having a tremendously strong top end of players. There was an elite top 3 but then a very, very strong secondary tier of players from 4-20

Ya 2016 is gonna go down as a great draft. Tkachuk goes top 3 possibly even top 2 this year with no chance he gets past 3. He was 6th last year. That draft was amazing. Keller at 7, Nylander at 8. Crazy good draft. A player like Tkachuk rarely is available at 6 and is NHL ready that coming season. We are lucky that pick is even in our lineup so yes the Flames got lucky and if they pick 6th this year that pick won't be in our team for at least one year most likely more.

[Monahan For Mayor]

I still think this draft is being over looked. I see a lot of size and skill through the top picks.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

I still think this draft is being over looked. I see a lot of size and skill through the top picks.

Oh I agree, there are lots of very good potentially great players in this draft but lots of development as well. A good example is Klim Kostin who needs lots of development but has many of the raw tools needed to be great. There are lots of those players in this draft just not as many NHL ready players like in 2016 which only had so far 4 and Chycrun isn't ready Arizona just forced him to be should be still in junior imo. A lot of the players drafted high will need a couple years of development most likely. Patrik is the only one I would label NHL ready, even that's pushing it as he's missed lots of development time this year. Nico is a beauty but he still won't be ready imo unless on Vegas. We were lucky to get one of those NHL ready players in 2016. . Lots of development projects in this one but there is some excellent talent in this draft. It's not the Yakupov draft that's for sure.

[1qqaaz]

Technically, the Flames have the 5th worst record in the NHL right now.

It might be time to start looking at the higher-end players in the draft.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

Technically, the Flames have the 5th worst record in the NHL right now.

It might be time to start looking at the higher-end players in the draft.

I see them in the top 10 but not the top 5.

Silver lining, adding a big right shot up front with skill like Vilardi if he slips or Tippett or one of the big dmen like Hague, Valimaki or Foote would soften the blow a bit. I agree with the earlier post that it's a decent draft... not amazing but OK.

Also I think moving Versteeg, Elliott and Engelland out should bring in a few mid round picks and I feel like unless you are chasing a division title moving UFAs should be a more standard practice for teams that are building.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Matty81

I see them in the top 10 but not the top 5.

Silver lining, adding a big right shot up front with skill like Vilardi if he slips or Tippett or one of the big dmen like Hague, Valimaki or Foote would soften the blow a bit. I agree with the earlier post that it's a decent draft... not amazing but OK.

Also I think moving Versteeg, Elliott and Engelland out should bring in a few mid round picks and I feel like unless you are chasing a division title moving UFAs should be a more standard practice for teams that are building.

Don't forget Cale Maker, kid has crazy upside and is a Calgary boy so the Flames scouts are probably very familiar with him. His highlights are pretty awesome but he's a bit of a risk but very high potential if reached. Karlsson like, and just like Karlsson he may fall but he's been getting some buzz as of late. Would be very happy with him. This draft is not weak, it's not filled with generational talents but their will be great prospects the Flames can choose from the 5-10 range if that's where they are placed.

[Bear]

Flames schedule is fairly brutal towards the tail end of the season so we may be looking at a pick in the 5-10 range.

I think the perception of the draft always changes as we draw closer to the day. As we grow more familiar with the top rated prospects and the buzz heightens we'll develop attachments to certain players and the draft will feel stronger.

I just ran the tankathon draft lotto simulator and we got 2nd pick. Welcome to the Calgary Flames Nico Hischier.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

Technically, the Flames have the 5th worst record in the NHL right now.

It might be time to start looking at the higher-end players in the draft.

Gotta take into account that inevitable garbage time run we're going to go on.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by nik-

Gotta take into account that inevitable garbage time run we're going to go on.

And the automatic bump from Vegas

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by nik-

Gotta take into account that inevitable garbage time run we're going to go on.

Yes, but we can pop our shirt buttons with pride knowing we never tank. Cough.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Yes, but we can pop our shirt buttons with pride knowing we never tank. Cough.

"winning culture"

[1qqaaz]

Who needs Nolan Patrick when you can have 20 games of point per game UFA Wideman?

But in all honesty, it's still way too early to tank.