[News] Hockey Writers rank Flames farm system 8th of 31

[Yrebmi]

http://thehockeywriters.com/nhl-best...-2017-ranking/

With the Flames, Foo joins a loaded prospect cupboard which features the likes of Mark Jankowski, Rasmus Andersson, Dillon Dube, Adam Fox, Morgan Klimchuk and Tyler Parsons. Further, Calgary added yet another elite piece to their puzzle during the 2017 NHL Draft, as the organization quickly nabbed Jusso Valimaki with their first round pick.

One prospect of incredible interest for the Flames, however, is Jankowski. When he was chosen 21st overall by the team in 2012, Jankowski’s selection was curious given he was, at the time, skating for Stanstead College – a boarding school for high school students located in southern Quebec. However, over time, Jankowski has laid his doubters to rest through a highly competitive and productive style of play.

[savardandjokinen]

Edmonton at 21 makes me smile

[Gaudfather]

Indication that Flames management - Burkie, Tre, Connie, Pascal and Button are trending in the right direction. This is the best the farm system has looked in many many years.

[BigRed]

A lot pinned on Jankowski. Signs are promising but still a big step to take. Fingers crossed.

(also, credit to Feaster and co. on that pick, I believe).

[Charsiu]

Is it me or hasn't it always seemed that the Flames have perennially ranked in the bottom half of these lists? It's also noteworthy how teams at our stage in the cycle of competition usually have a much shallower prospect pool, having mostly graduated into the NHL. Our window to win is just opening and hopefully our depth will keep us competitive for years to come.

[red sky]

Interesting Vancouver is #7. I guess after this last draft they improved.

[bax]

It won't seem to load for me. Who is at number 1?

[BurningYears]

Philly #1, San Jose #31

[Five-hole]

Impressive, given that three of our last four first rounders have already graduated.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by Charsiu

Is it me or hasn't it always seemed that the Flames have perennially ranked in the bottom half of these lists? It's also noteworthy how teams at our stage in the cycle of competition usually have a much shallower prospect pool, having mostly graduated into the NHL. Our window to win is just opening and hopefully our depth will keep us competitive for years to come.

They were ranked number 8 as well last year, but I know what you mean.

[Robbob]

Top Prospects: Emile Poirier, Hunter Shinkaruk, Curtis Lazar, Morgan Klimchuk, Mark Jankowski, Matthew Phillips, Oliver Kylington, Rasmus Andersson, Jon Gillies, Tyler Parsons, Dillon Dube, Jusso Valimaki, Spencer Foo, Adam Fox

So from the list they have, I count 7 players which are tied to a second round pick. Kudos to Button and the rest of the scouting staff getting value for those picks.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by red sky

Interesting Vancouver is #7. I guess after this last draft they improved.

I think they knocked the Pettersson pick out of the draft. Upside with that kid is real high. Boeser, Gaudette, and Demko round out the top end of their pool.

[Oil Stain]

What the heck is Lazar doing on the list?

[JFK]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

What the heck is Lazar doing on the list?

What's your beef exactly? Maybe the writer likes him I don't know. Lazar has played a decent amount of NHL games but I'd still consider him a prospect.

You should be saying what the heck is Christian Dvorak doing for the Coyotes. A clearly graduated prospect who won't ever see the AHL again.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by JFK

What's your beef exactly? Maybe the writer likes him I don't know. Lazar has played a decent amount of NHL games but I'd still consider him a prospect.

You should be saying what the heck is Christian Dvorak doing for the Coyotes. A clearly graduated prospect who won't ever see the AHL again.

The guy has played multiple seasons in the NHL. He wasn't even listed as a prospect for the Senators in last year's rankings because he had graduated. I mean he has played over 50 more games than McDavid...

It's clearly a stupid mistake by a writer who doesn't know what he was talking about.

[FBI]

8th and they don't even talk about our goalies. Nice!

[Regorium]

I think we're a bit too highly rated just looking at who's behind us (I think Boston and Dallas would be ahead of us), but at most it'd be 2-3 spots. The 8-12 range is still quite good.

Man, Tampa and Philly are absolutely stacked.

[shadowlord]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I think they knocked the Pettersson pick out of the draft. Upside with that kid is real high. Boeser, Gaudette, and Demko round out the top end of their pool.

But that justify Vancouver jumping up 10 spots from last year's ranking?

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by shadowlord

But that justify Vancouver jumping up 10 spots from last year's ranking?

Potential first line center prospects are rare enough that I think it does justify it. I'm not saying Pettersson will surely pan out, but how many teams on this list have a player at that position on their farm with similar upside? Philly, New Jersey (if you consider Hischier a C), Arizona (if you consider Keller a C).

It's my opinion you build teams at the center position, and Pettersson is a top center prospect in the league. Every other position is a lot easier to fill. You basically have to tank for a 1C prospect.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

This makes me more comfortable with the fact we traded so many draft picks recently. Clearly we have full cupboards that can sustain a loss of a few picks. Smart by Treliving to strike when things are good to get the players needed to start making a serious run over the next few years.