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Jables16 · 03-16-2010, 08:41 PM

Not that I've been in favor of all the draft picks Sutter and his staff have made over the years but I wouldn't write off our farm system just yet. I know everyone is aware that the cupboard was empty when Sutter arrived here but I don't think that everyone understands that building the prospect pool means more than just drafting dynamite blue-chippers that can make an impact on the big team right away. We'd all love to have some more guys like that but we do need those other guys to fill out our farm team and be able to come up in relief, play effectively and return to the team when roster players return from injury. Sutter and his staff have an unfair reputation of drafting nothing but "third and fourth line pluggers and checkers" but we didn't even have guys who could do that under the old regime. We need those guys, thus some draft picks were alloted for that.

Factor in that we've been a playoff team for all but one season that Sutter has been drafting which means that when we do go for a guy who projects to be a top 6 forward, top 4 defense, #1 or solid back-up goalie etc. the guys we draft in the late 20s of the first round, our rare but vaunted second rounders, and reasonable chance third rounders and are going to take longer to develop. The time is starting to come and those picks are going to start trickling onto the big team year by year. Backlund this year, likely Pelech next year, Nemisz and Irving, maybe even Erixon the year after. Then there are guys like Howse and Negrin who could surprise and make an impact with the Flames in these next few years.

It sucks that we don't have a first or second rounder at this point, it was a gamble that didn't pay off to move those picks, but that happens sometimes. Either way you can expect that will change at the draft as Sutter loves to wheel and deal around then. Even if we don't the Flames organization is light years ahead of where it was before Sutter and a lot of people are quick to dismiss that. If we are in a position where we need a new GM to take us over the finish line, it's Sutter who ran 95% of the marathon. I believe he can finish it.

03-16-2010, 08:41 PM	#145
Jables16 Powerplay Quarterback Join Date: Nov 2007 Exp:	Not that I've been in favor of all the draft picks Sutter and his staff have made over the years but I wouldn't write off our farm system just yet. I know everyone is aware that the cupboard was empty when Sutter arrived here but I don't think that everyone understands that building the prospect pool means more than just drafting dynamite blue-chippers that can make an impact on the big team right away. We'd all love to have some more guys like that but we do need those other guys to fill out our farm team and be able to come up in relief, play effectively and return to the team when roster players return from injury. Sutter and his staff have an unfair reputation of drafting nothing but "third and fourth line pluggers and checkers" but we didn't even have guys who could do that under the old regime. We need those guys, thus some draft picks were alloted for that. Factor in that we've been a playoff team for all but one season that Sutter has been drafting which means that when we do go for a guy who projects to be a top 6 forward, top 4 defense, #1 or solid back-up goalie etc. the guys we draft in the late 20s of the first round, our rare but vaunted second rounders, and reasonable chance third rounders and are going to take longer to develop. The time is starting to come and those picks are going to start trickling onto the big team year by year. Backlund this year, likely Pelech next year, Nemisz and Irving, maybe even Erixon the year after. Then there are guys like Howse and Negrin who could surprise and make an impact with the Flames in these next few years. It sucks that we don't have a first or second rounder at this point, it was a gamble that didn't pay off to move those picks, but that happens sometimes. Either way you can expect that will change at the draft as Sutter loves to wheel and deal around then. Even if we don't the Flames organization is light years ahead of where it was before Sutter and a lot of people are quick to dismiss that. If we are in a position where we need a new GM to take us over the finish line, it's Sutter who ran 95% of the marathon. I believe he can finish it.