Very interesting discussion. Kudos to everyone.
I'm of the opinion that the Flames rebuild is pretty much the same as the Oilers. Obviously, I'm no fortune teller and I dont know what the future holds. I like the look of the Flames prospect, but it sounds like how the oilers fan base talked about their prospects. Fact is, we dont know how they will perform. Would they be better than the Oilers? Would they be worse? Who knows.
As much as I would love Monahan to be comparable to RNH and Yak, the fact is, he is not. He hasnt played in the NHL, the other two have. RNH had a pretty good rookie season and digressed in the next season because he was carrying an injury. It affected his WJC performance too. I was completely ready for him to absolutely destroy the WJC. While he played very well, it was apparent that he was playing with an injury. I also dont like that the Oilers are not rushing him to start (from a flames fan perspective). Looks like they will let him rest till Nov 1 and then let him play. For Oilers fans, that is really good. Rest is good for RNH and the Oilers.
Hall had a shoulder injury, rested up and was gang busters (in a shortened season). If I am being honest with myself, I would say that he will carry this forward to the next season and beyond. Hall is a legitimate talent and has the junior pedigree to back it up.
I dont understand the negativity regarding Yak. He doesnt seem punkish to me. He had a slide-y celebration and then another instance called his teammates to come to him to celebrate a goal. Other than that what I do see is a player with explosive speed with a lethal shot. I hope the Oilers find him expendable and trade him to the east. I dont want to face that guy. I would be very hesitant to say that Monahan would be better than Yak atleast points wise.
Lets see the Flames top end. Big Jank, honestly, i really dont know how he will progress. Just such an off the board pick by feaster.
Monahan is going to be very good. As good as the Oilers threesome? I dont know.
Backlund is rounding out nicely. Ideally he'd be a #2 centerman on a contending team.
Sven is going to be a stud. This is going to be his first full season with the flames and i expect great things from him.
Johnny hockey's height is the only thing keeping me from saying he'd be a stud. Guy is smaller than Gagner! But is feisty fast.
Now after Kipper, who's going to be in goal? remember the times when we'd put in back up goalies and they'd get lit up. I dont have much confidence in our goalies, and even if we draft one, he wont help till he's 26 (ideally the J. Howard route in Detroit).
All in all... Who knows.
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