Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
His job is safe at the moment but after this season he's probably on shaky ground going forward. He didn't exactly make out like gangbusters on the Iginla trade although he's been cut some slack due to the conditions. Last year's first round pick was used on a player many around the league thought was a huge reach with high bust potential that may or may not pan out into a top 6 forward. If he signs off on using the Flames first pick on another boom/bust pick and that goes bust he's probably signing his pink slip. If Jankowski busts and Nishushkin never comes to the NHL or does come and pout when coaches make him work and goes home as some Russians have done the Flames could be looking at a seriously long rebuild. If Monahan for example has less high end potential but looks like a solid bet to be at worst a 2nd line center he will be more useful than possibly a lightning rod player.
We are all speculating here as we have no idea the order of players they covet but considering that Craig Button is smitten on Barkov I think it's safe to say that he's high on Todd Button's list and that's the guy the Flames may be targeting if they are around pick 4.
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Nothing would make me happier if Barkov is the real target. But if they chose Nichushkin I would not cry either. The prospect of having a Janko Nichushkin line a couple years down the road is drool inducing. Of course everything would have to pan out the right but that would be formidable.
And I understand russian players can make more money playing at home but that hasn't stopped any of them from playing in the NHL. Heck even radulov has come back from his exile. I do not suspect that Nichushkin is that kind of guy.