Summer Prospect Ranking Poll Round 29 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bingo · 08-31-2013, 09:48 AM

Alberta_Beef · 08-31-2013, 09:53 AM

Poll ain't up yet, but when it is I will be voting Billins, again. For probably the 9th, maybe 10th straight round.

Bingo · 08-31-2013, 09:54 AM

Went with Deblouw over Nemisz and Billins

Deblouw is on a good arch to be a future Joel Otto in Calgary if he develops. I chunked Nemisz down my list because he almost didn't get resigned and seems to be stepping backwards.

Billins? Hopeful as anybody, but it seems like every 2nd year there's an AHL kid that moves from city to city and instantly moves up the prospect depth charts but then fades back into what he is .... a solid AHL player. We will see.

Alberta_Beef · 08-31-2013, 09:59 AM

I am not sure there are that many rookie AHL blue liners that make the AHL all-star team, if he was an AHL veteran I would buy that Bingo, but he is just 1 season removed from college. The fact he went from playing 43 games in 2011-12 (and leading his team to the Frozen 4 Championship game) to playing 100 games in 2012-13 (and being instrumental to his team winning the Calder Cup)is very impressive.

Bingo · 08-31-2013, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I am not sure there are that many rookie AHL blue liners that make the AHL all-star team, if he was an AHL veteran I would buy that Bingo, but he is just 1 season removed from college. The fact he went from playing 43 games in 2011-12 (and leading his team to the Frozen 4 Championship game) to playing 100 games in 2012-13 (and being instrumental to his team winning the Calder Cup)is very impressive.

First off I hate arguing the wet blanket side, I feel like damn Moon!

I just don't see why the Red Wings would draft the guy in the second round, have him go to college, come out and play well at the AHL level, get some honors, and then just let him go to Calgary on a two way deal with an NHL salary of 830k

That doesn't say can't miss young defensive prospect to me

(and I'm not saying you said he's can't miss)

They had to have mixed internal reviews as to his projection or you don't let a second rounder walk that was an AHL all star.

dammage79 · 08-31-2013, 10:11 AM

Ortio deserves to be top thirty.

Canada 02 · 08-31-2013, 10:21 AM

I remember the Nemisz that was called up for a cup of coffee and played pretty well along side Sven, then went back to the Heat and had a very good playoffs for them. The injury plagued season that followed shouldn't necessarily ruin his career

kehatch · 08-31-2013, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingo

First off I hate arguing the wet blanket side, I feel like damn Moon!

I just don't see why the Red Wings would draft the guy in the second round, have him go to college, come out and play well at the AHL level, get some honors, and then just let him go to Calgary on a two way deal with an NHL salary of 830k

That doesn't say can't miss young defensive prospect to me

(and I'm not saying you said he's can't miss)

They had to have mixed internal reviews as to his projection or you don't let a second rounder walk that was an AHL all star.

Am I missing something? Billen's wasn't drafted by the Red Wings or any other team. He also wasn't let go by the Red Wings. He signed with the Flames as a free agent, probably because of the opportunity here.

It isn't uncommon for a small player to make it through the draft but get picked up after doing well in the juniors and entry pro levels.

I don't know much about him as a player so I am not an advocate or a detractor. I know he is really small for a d-man (bad), but I also know he made the AHL all stars in his first season(good).

I haven't voted for him. But I am interested to see what he does this season.

Alberta_Beef · 08-31-2013, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingo

First off I hate arguing the wet blanket side, I feel like damn Moon!

I just don't see why the Red Wings would draft the guy in the second round, have him go to college, come out and play well at the AHL level, get some honors, and then just let him go to Calgary on a two way deal with an NHL salary of 830k

That doesn't say can't miss young defensive prospect to me

(and I'm not saying you said he's can't miss)

They had to have mixed internal reviews as to his projection or you don't let a second rounder walk that was an AHL all star.

What? Detroit never drafted Billins in the 2nd round. Billins was undrafted and signed an AHL contract with Grand Rapids. His contract with the Flames is his ELC.

He is definitely not can't miss, but he is a late bloomer who was overlooked due to his size. He was playing in the NAHL in his draft year, moved on to the USHL as a 19 year old and then finally went on to college, where even then he never broke out until his senior year when he nearly doubled his production and carried that improvement into the pro ranks.

Bingo · 08-31-2013, 10:40 AM

sorry guys ... had looked at a website and saw "drafted in the 2nd round" and didn't read on to see "by Waterloo Blackhawks"

so yeah I stand corrected, and stupid.

And to be honest this discussion is about the 29th ranked Flames prospect which is likely where Billins would have been ranked last year by Wings fans.

I just haven't seen too many AHL players moving around that have then moved up the charts and dominated. Seems like 9 are just filler and 1 makes an impact.

KootenayFlamesFan · 08-31-2013, 10:53 AM

I went with Ortio this round, the guy still has some potential.

kehatch · 08-31-2013, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingo

sorry guys ... had looked at a website and saw "drafted in the 2nd round" and didn't read on to see "by Waterloo Blackhawks"

so yeah I stand corrected, and stupid.

And to be honest this discussion is about the 29th ranked Flames prospect which is likely where Billins would have been ranked last year by Wings fans.

I just haven't seen too many AHL players moving around that have then moved up the charts and dominated. Seems like 9 are just filler and 1 makes an impact.

I agree that he is a long shot. But this is also a fan poll. The rankings are as much about the exposure of a player then their actual ability. 90% of the people voting haven't even seen most of these guys play more then a handful of minutes (if that).

There are small D in the NHL that progressed via a similar manner. Mike Weaver, Erik Gustaffson, Tobias Enstrom, etc.

Table 5 · 08-31-2013, 11:07 AM

I don't know anything about anyone at this stage (that's been true for many rounds now), so I went with the Euro goalie....because, hey Finland.

kehatch · 08-31-2013, 11:10 AM

Ortio should win this one. He has been playing well in a pro level in a country known for putting out great goalies. He is behind Ramo/Berra on the publicity wagon. But he is still a legitimate goalie prospect.

Alberta_Beef · 08-31-2013, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingo

sorry guys ... had looked at a website and saw "drafted in the 2nd round" and didn't read on to see "by Waterloo Blackhawks"

so yeah I stand corrected, and stupid.

And to be honest this discussion is about the 29th ranked Flames prospect which is likely where Billins would have been ranked last year by Wings fans.

I just haven't seen too many AHL players moving around that have then moved up the charts and dominated. Seems like 9 are just filler and 1 makes an impact.

I just think with his offensive ability he is closer to the NHL than not at this point in time, since offensive defensemen is one of our weak spots.

Enoch Root · 08-31-2013, 12:06 PM

Ortio is 5th on the organization's depth charts for young goalies (ignoring MacDonald who clearly has a different role). His chances of making it are pretty remote IMO.

Nemisz has the size and ability, and just needs to rebound from a tough, injury-prone, year. He is one step, and one opportunity, away from being an NHLer Will he make it? We'll see, and it is far from a sure thing.

But he has a much better chance than Ortio has.

Vulcan · 08-31-2013, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I just think with his offensive ability he is closer to the NHL than not at this point in time, since offensive defensemen is one of our weak spots.

I don't think we have a weakness in offensive defencemen. We have Wideman, who is one of the most productive PP QBs in the game. Giordano and Brodie have also been very productive and aren't afraid to jump up. I haven't followed Russell's career closely but if he gets the ice time, he can produce points as well. We've also got the smallest defence in the league, we don't need Billins, although if he can beat out Russell, I wouldn't be upset but right now he looks like a great fit for the Heat and maybe an occasional call up.

As for Ortio, he's on the last year of his entry level contract. He couldn't make the Heat or our AHL team in his first year and didn't even bother coming over last season. He's made progress in Finland but he hasn't proven to be AHL quality yet.

Sorry to sound so harsh for these two players, I have some hopes for both but they haven't proven anything.

I voted for Nemisz again, injuries held him back last season. He has the size and can fill a need for the Flames and at least has proven to be a reasonable call up. This may be his last chance though to show he is in our plans.

Alberta_Beef · 08-31-2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I don't think we have a weakness in offensive defencemen. We have Wideman, who is one of the most productive PP QBs in the game. Giordano and Brodie have also been very productive and aren't afraid to jump up. I haven't followed Russell's career closely but if he gets the ice time, he can produce points as well. We've also got the smallest defence in the league, we don't need Billins, although if he can beat out Russell, I wouldn't be upset but right now he looks like a great fit for the Heat and maybe an occasional call up.

As for Ortio, he's on the last year of his entry level contract. He couldn't make the Heat or our AHL team in his first year and didn't even bother coming over last season. He's made progress in Finland but he hasn't proven to be AHL quality yet.

Sorry to sound so harsh for these two players, I have some hopes for both but they haven't proven anything.

I voted for Nemisz again, injuries held him back last season. He has the size and can fill a need for the Flames and at least has proven to be a reasonable call up. This may be his last chance though to show he is in our plans.

I meant in the system coming up, not on the NHL roster.

Cundari and Billins will be the only offensive defenseman that will see time in Abbotsford this year.

Vulcan · 08-31-2013, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I meant in the system coming up, not on the NHL roster.

Cundari and Billins will be the only offensive defenseman that will see time in Abbotsford this year.

Culkin? but yeah he is a good fit in Abbotsford.

Stupid · 08-31-2013, 08:22 PM

I voted Nemisz.
He's already played NHL games, was held back by injuries. I am still interested to see if he can redeem himself and prove some people wrong.

He deserves it most of all people on the list at this time by quite a margin in my humble opinion.