[Calgary4LIfe]

Well, people do have to temper their expectations somewhat - like Kehatch said, not everyone is going to blossom into what their projections are going to be, but not everyone is going to fail either. Some will even surpass projections, though those will be few of course.

Right now, you have to see how players are developing and taking into account things other than pure stats as well.

For instance - as per Kehatch's post - Oiler fans were penciling Gagner into their 1st line C. Hindsight is of course 20/20, BUT - Gagner is also a small player. Small players will often better transition into wingers than centers. So taking into account Monahan and Jankowski - they both have 'elite' hands and vision, they both have solid leadership traits, they both have good skating abilities, they both have high hockey IQ, they both have great work ethics - and just as importantly as those - they both have above-average size.

I think Monahan is a bit ahead at this point, with Jankowski still needing to figure out how to play with a bit more of an edge to his game - more competitive and assertive out there.

Now let's look at the progression...

Jankowski was a bit of a 'gamble' or reach in many posters' eyes because of where he was drafted from, and the question marks on how it would translate into the NHL one day. Well, he is progressing positively.

Gaudreau is the very best example for this. When he was drafted, many posters (myself included) thought it was almost a 'waste' of a pick. An extreme long-shot. However, he is progressing to the point where it is now practically a given he will play in the NHL (but how well he does and how long he sticks is the question).

Flames fans have also had reason to be a bit more optimistic about the prospects because more are seemingly making the big show now. Brodie was a guy that was under the radar, and he now has solidified his top 4 position - with maybe having top 2 potential. Reinhart made the big show, and though he was a bit weak still (he is still young and putting on some weight), he still looked pretty decent. Baertschi struggled a bit with injuries, but he had a very, very strong finish to the season.

I don't think it is necessarily 'wrong' to start penciling in prospects into top 6 roles - or even top line roles. Let's just not call them busts when they don't. Flames have another draft upcoming in which they will most likely pick fairly high, and possibly another draft after that one where they may pick at least close (if not in) the lottery realm. Those are still going to be additions to the top 6, and existing prospects that don't pan out will be pushed down or traded away (or just fizzle out and be let go).

I, for one, choose to be optimistic about the prospects going forward, and at this point see some legitimate first line talent developing. It isn't a guarantee, and I will not go back and say: "Stupid pick" or "Bust!!". I will just know that until they prove it in the NHL, they are unproven. That is all. I just enjoy being super excited about how these prospects develop and then contribute to the success of the Flames (and how fun it will be to watch them!).

To each their own however. I can understand posters being a little bit pessimistic, neutral, or optimistic. Makes for some good conversation anyways.