Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
That's interesting ...
Why is that? Did you see him play in the Q or from camp in Calgary? I like why they picked him, and I liked the chatter about how he wouldn't have been around at 28. Love the taking the rising kid that was way down the list a week ago, but I didn't see enough in that camp to put him ahead of either of the other two first round picks or Jankowski or Gaudreau.
Jankowski didn't wow me either, but Poirier was pretty quiet.
Hope you're right though!
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It's a combination of things and obviously I hope all three turn out to be regulars on the Flames. My methodology is largely based on who I think will be regulars for the Flames in the future. Skill and size are two large factors. Smaller players simply have less chances of making it in the NHL. I think Gaudreau has NHL level skill, but the size makes me doubt he'll ever make it.
I watched the camp in Calgary a couple days so I got to see the prospects first hand. My excitement for Poirier is two fold - his significant improvement from the prior year to his draft year and his style of play. I've watched as much Emile Poirier as I can through the internet since the Flames drafted him - which admittedly, is not the same as significant time spent watching him in the Q. His development camp was quiet, but I don't think his game translates as well into a development camp per se.
Gaudreau was impressive at the development camp, but I think his style of play benefits more from that camp than other styles of play. I question how his game in the NCAA would translate if he were playing in the Q or the W. I suspect not as well, but that's all hypothetical. His skill is there, no doubt. But his size has to knock him down a few rungs on the prospect ladder because his likelihood of success in the NHL is dramatically reduced (I know, I know, St. Louis and Fleury).
Jankowski has the size and has shown significant skill. I discount him because he's so far away from being ready. Admittedly, I'm also a little biased because I was very frustrated by the 2012 draft - dropping down so much and then selecting a ridiculously long term project. Jankowski is still a very intriguing prospect, but because he's likely another 4+ years away, I drop him below several other prospects (including Poirier).
Summer 2013 Prospect Rank Poll Round 3
Did you even know who Poirier was before the Flames drafted him 35 days ago? 
