Tod Button on Flames Prospects

[sureLoss]

http://www.hockeyprospect.com/calgar...ts-tod-button/

The Calgary Flames Director of Scouting, Tod Button, was recently a guest on the Hockey Prospects show joining show hosts Shane Malloy and Russ Cohen. Button was a guest for two segments and spoke about many of the Calgary Flames NHL prospects. Button talks about the progress of several prospects as well as some thoughts on selecting Emile Poirier and other players.

Included in the discussion are Flames prospects Emile Poirier of the Gatineau Olympiques, Morgan Klimchuk, John Gaudreau, Mark Jankowski, Bill Arnold, Markus Granlund, Tyler Wotherspoon and Joni Ortio from the Abbotsford Heat.

Audio in link.

Summary:

on Emile Poirier:

• Malloy likes his intelligence with and without the puck and his defensive game at his age is very good
• game has improved since first time Button saw him
• hungry kid that wants to get better
• lot of work to do, but progress up to date has been really good
• leader on the team and used in all situations, bodes well for his development
• Cohen likes his hockey speed (gets faster when chasing the puck), stick handling, decisive shot, and is a threat to score on the PK
• Button said that he felt every game he watched Poirier last year, Poirier would get a shorthanded breakaway and they would try to breakdown how he managed to do that, (combination of patience, right spot right time and speed)
• Button mentions they may have been lucky to get Emile as their Ottawa scout got to watch Emile a lot when he had nothing else to do
• happy to get him where they got him
• Button kind of chuckles when Poirier's 105 PIMs are mentioned
• calls him an agitating guy, discipline does play a key role, but you rather him have that agitating energetic style to ruffle feathers now than trying to be more energetic later
• Development coach Ron Sutter will work with Emile to make sure he knows what is acceptable and what is not acceptable

on Morgan Klimchuk:

• Malloy: Morgan always seems to be around the puck making plays and when the team needs him to score goals he is always there.
• Button: our evaluation of Morgan was that he is a well rounded player that could play in any situation and can play with better players
• Button mentions how Klimchuk started the U-18s as a bottom 6 role then moved up to the top line with Reinhart and McDavid and fit in well because he can move the puck, has good vision and most of all his hockey sense
• Morgan's game is well rounded and scouts and coaches love versatile players. If a player can only play one position or unable to move down the lineup, it makes it tougher.
• Cohen had Klimchuk listed as the fastest guy in the draft and asks Button if he thought so too.
• Button says no. Morgan has hockey quickness (speed in short areas, getting to and through holes, moving side to side and protecting pucks)

on Mark Jankowski

• Malloy: can't judge a player in college hockey, especially Hockey East, based solely on stats. it's a tough conference to play in
• Button: when we drafted Mark we knew he was a longer term project. Hasn't seen him play at providence yet as that is more of a development team's responsibility
• Flames development team are happy with his progress. Think center is his natural position and Ron Sutter says that he is learning the details of the game.
• Everyone wants to see him put up more points but statistics is not the overall barometer of a player is developing or not
• The details and the day to day things are going to make him a successful NHL player more than his natural abilities which he already has.
• Cohen: watches a lot of college hockey. Likes how when Jankowski is close to the net he can bury the puck. Can really see Mark's excellent vision. Mark is ahead of his pace from last year so not sure what else someone is looking for saying he is not giving enough.
• Button: It's fair for people to judge him on his stats when they can't watch him regularly. It's not an issue for the Flames. Flames knew he was going to be a long term project.
• Strength and conditioning were going to be a factor going forward.
• Still a 6'4''center that moves well and has good hands. Once he is able to keep the weight on, comfortable playing at that weight, and the strength comes... that's why the Flames drafted him for his long term potential.

on John Gaudreau:

• Malloy: Gaudreau is one of the most exciting players to watch because he is so unpredictable. Compares Johnny to a fly at a picnic you want to smack but you can't.
• Button: very pleased with his development. been very successful since they drafted him both individually and with the teams he has played on
• obviously will have to deal with size disadvantage when he goes pro
• all signs point to his head and skills being top notch just has to transfer them to the next level
• Cohen: he is a legend in South Jersey. Asks what an ideal weight for Johnny would be in pro.
• Button: he needs to be strong enough. what his actual weight is doesn't matter as long as he doesn't lose his speed, quickness and ability to evade physical play
• his brain and quickness puts him in positions where he doesn't get hit and needs to learn to do that at the next level

on Bill Arnold:

• Malloy: isn't a guy that is heralded by a lot of people. thinks will surprise a lot of people. when you watch him play you just think hockey player. smart 2 way player, will bang and go to dirty areas
• Button: really happy with his progress.
• When drafted, Billy told them he would be a 4 year guy and the degree would be important to him
• The fitness levels he achieved after leaving the USNTDP have been very important for him
• Has emerged as one of their better prospects
• Cohen: likes his hockey sense. likes his shiftiness to get around defenders.
• Button: will be able to ease into pro hockey a lot easier than a junior kid would because of his age and fitness levels. 4 years in college was the absolute right path for him.
• Just starting to see the fruits of the decision to stay in college right now.

on Markus Granlund:

• Malloy: so far Granlund has an excellent rookie season
• Button: Markus had an advantage playing in the Finnish league with men and knowing what he had to do to be successful at that level in Europe and made it an easier transition.
• is a quiet kid but determined and knows what he wants to get to
• has some small details to learn about playing center in NA
• Markus has good hands and good vision, while he is learning to play NA style game he is still geting a chance to use the tools that got him drafted
• Button is asked why Granlund seems to be scoring more goals in NA than Finland: he is not a playmaker first or a shooter first, he takes whatever the right play is. maybe he is in a better position to shoot more this year

on Tyler Wotherspoon:

• Malloy: Everyone who watched Tyler consistently thinks of him as a strong defensive defenceman with some two way ability
• Button: thinks Tyler is still learning. Made some strides, hampered a little bit with concussion.
• Ron Sutter is happy with his commitment off the ice and commitment to being a pro.
• Tyler is a big strong kid that moves well. Going to be a first pass defenceman who is a defender first before offence.
• Not going to put limits on Tyler and tell him he will never put up points.
• Mentions how when Button was in Washington people were saying Gonchar was a defensive defenceman and don't expect any offence from him.
• Cohen: likes his ability to keep the puck to the outside and his ability to lay a big hit.
• Button: Tyler is going to make his footprint in the NHL by taking care of his own end first, moving the puck up and then expanding his game will be up to him.
• The only thing that has stalled him this year is his concussion.

on Joni Ortio:

• Malloy: Finnish goaltenders seem to always succeed regardless of where you pick them in the draft. Joni seems to make the defenceman in front of him comfortable and settle them down.
• Button: Joni shows the importance of patience in developing players especially goaltenders.
• happy with his progress and willingness to listen and apply what the coaches are telling him
• long road still ahead
• Cullen: likes Joni's positioning and glove hand
• Button: biggest thing for Ortio was the "european style" of being deep in the net. wanted him to work on his movement in the crease and playing more upright and away from the goal line. Went back to Finland and worked on it and a lot of his sucess was because he was able to expand his game
• shooters in the NHL will pick you apart if you are back and very few NHL goaltenders (e.g Lundqvist) can play that style
• have to think goalie coach Jordan Sigalet had a big impact on Joni

[ramizle]

Great find. Sureloss? more like sure..win...

[Da_Chief]

Great summary!

[Huntingwhale]

Thanks for the write up. Love the comment about Gaudreau being a fly you want to swat at a picnic but can't!

[Francis's Hairpiece]

I like how he still thinks of Jankowski being the guy they envisioned with the pick. I'm with him. I will be patient.

Really like Arnold. Pretty cool how the Flames gave him the leeway to do what he wanted, and are being rewarded. Solid 2-way centres are never a bad thing to have.

Shame about T-spoon and the concussion. I really like his game and I hope it doesn't become an issue for him.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Audio in link.

Lazy OP. Just lazy.

[devo22]

It's users like sureLoss that make CP such a special place. Thanks for the awesome write-up!

[MissTeeks]

Roger Millions‏@RogMillions4 mins

Talked to two NHL types this am. Both say they are very impressed with Mark Jankowski this season. Much improved defensively. #Flames

Roger Millions‏@RogMillions2 mins

Both believe he will be an NHL player. Jankowski's offense may be off a bit, but they say he is a greatly improved player. #Flames

[sureLoss]

nvm

[devo22]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Roger Millions‏@RogMillions4 mins

Talked to two NHL types this am. Both say they are very impressed with Mark Jankowski this season. Much improved defensively. #Flames

Roger Millions‏@RogMillions2 mins

Both believe he will be an NHL player. Jankowski's offense may be off a bit, but they say he is a greatly improved player. #Flames

but ... but ... he's a bust, don't you know? Just look at his stats!

[Scoutski]

Thanks so much for posting this sureLoss, really informative write up.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

nvm

Are the assassins on their way to MissTeeks?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by saillias

Are the assassins on their way to MissTeeks?

MissTeeks and sureloss are the Mr. and Mrs. Smith of the hockey related tweets world.

[MissTeeks]

Originally Posted by nik-

MissTeeks and sureloss are the Mr. and Mrs. Smith of the hockey related tweets world.

I like that!

[ForeverFlameFan]

Thanks for the write up sureLoss.

I can't help but just think about the future of this team with all of the prospects that we have. One thing that CP, including me, are very impatient. I can't wait to see some of these guys playing in the NHL.

[Robbob]

Hard not to think the ship is at the very least headed the right way. Obviously not all will pan out but it has been a long time since the cupboards had shiny toys.

[Phanuthier]

Awesome... getting the info from the raw data source. Tod Button interviews are 1000x better than any info you'll get from the GM, be it Burke or Feaster. Button gets a lot of critisism but if you read his interviews..... he's no fool.

PS: isn't Shane Malloy a former HF guy?

[calgARI]

I have seen Jankowski play several times this year and last year...I do agree that he has improved. I do not agree that his upside is anywhere near the NHL. People can downplay offensive impact all they want but look around college hockey over the years and you aren't going to find many guys who made it in any role to the NHL and weren't putting up at least solid point totals. There are a lot of guys I have seen in college hockey at the same age and size range who were far more impactful players who never sniffed the NHL.

Of course I hope I'm wrong. And I wouldn't be totally surprised if he developed into a solid depth player in the NHL given his steep curve and draft position.

Knowing Stanstead College quite well and having coached at that level for a long time, it is still beyond comprehension to me how anyone can project a player from there with such high confidence to select in the first round. People questioned drafting guys like Turris, Zajac, Chucko out of the BCHL and even that is questionable in my mind to project (it is a level below US College) but that league is way way better than where Jankowski was picked out of.

[calgARI]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

PS: isn't Shane Malloy a former HF guy?

Yes. Somehow the hockey world has still embraced him despite the fact that he started that HF magazine a few years back, had one issue, but collected one year subscriptions from thousands of people, and never refunded anyone.

[Bourque's Twin]

I think Jankowski will turn out to be very similar to Joe Colborne. Joe used to be a tall skinny kid with great offensive instincts (you can see his skill in the shootout). Everyone thought he would be a 1st line centre. He had to put on a lot of weight in order to play at the next level, which he did. He is finally coming into his own this year and may one day be a consistent 2nd line player. Jankowski will also be a late bloomer but we know that he has a lot of skill and size, so his floor will hopefully be a 3rd line centre and his ceiling a 1st line centre.