Gave it an 8, but should have selected 9.
Bennett - 10 - one of the best players in the draft, and COULD be the best player in the draft. He is what the Flames are trying to be - hard-nosed but skilled. I think the Flames are trying to build themselves into a team much like the '89 Flames - can beat you with skill, or can beat you physically. Though he isn't big, he isn't small either being 6'0" already. The way he plays you can add another 2 inches.
McDonald - 9 - SLIGHTLY disappointed in getting a goalie. However, he has very high upside, and can be argued he was the prospect with the best chance of making an impact with the club down the line. You never know with goalies it seems for a few years at least, but getting the best goalie at that spot is not a bad move at all. Reading up on his scouting reports sure does sound promising.
Smith - 10 - One of the most intriguing prospects in the draft. A bit of a project, but one that has had a huge increase in his performance. Considering this team has a number of undersized skill players, selecting someone who is huge but yet fairly skilled is a very good compliment. I had a feeling the Flames had this guy on the radar. Just looking at the teams in the Pacific and it isn't difficult to see how the Flames have to build in order to become competitive there. Even Vancouver is trying to become a much bigger team. Unlike others, I don't mind selecting a project as long as there is real potential, and Hunter has sure been showing lots of potential. Apparently he has been playing against other teams' top lines (thereby his Bennett comment), and still managed to have a plus rating. I am betting he takes a huge jump next year as he further catches up to his huge frame, gained a lot of confidence this season, and has teammates that will probably graduate giving him an even bigger role.
Hickey - 8 - This kid seems to have potential. I have not seen him play (or noticed him if I did), but seems to have some very glowing reviews with regards to his potential. An above-average sized Alberta-born defencemen with fantastic skating and upside? At this point in the draft, you are getting very low chances, but a wonderful skating above-average defencemen seems like a really shrewd value pick.
Bollig trade - 8 - "Goes through the wall for his teammates". That is the kind of veteran presence this team needs. He fought McGrattan, so this guy has some hart. Led the Chicago in hits, and this team desperately needs more of that in the lineup. I think the price is a little bit steeper than I wanted, but the Flames added size, physicality and character in a package that includes decent (for the type of player) skill. Vancouver got acquire who? F-U Vancouver!
Mattson - 9 - Big defencemen. Scouting reports are mostly positive. Seems to have some upside there. At pick 175, it is an extremely low percentage pick anyways. Big and physical defencemen apparently with some skill and upside, and which many scouting services ranked much higher. All signs point to a good value pick it seems.
Carroll - 8 - Position of need? Check. Size? Check. I only vaguely remember him from last year (and Brabant was much more noticeable, as was Harrisson who the Flames selected that year). Flames obviously know him well having him here last year, and probably watching Kanzig often, so one can assume they really have a solid book on this kid and felt he was worth drafting.
Flames needed size this year as much as they needed skill back then. They got a franchise center, a possible starting goaltender, and a huge RW with skill and plenty of physicality and potential upside. That is huge organizationally. They then went on and added size, skill and mobility on D and RW. I liked the picks, and most of them were very good value I thought.
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