Yeah with Bennett graduating the prospect pool is devoid of any real blue chippers, though at least it is still way deeper than the Sutter years.
Weird to me though that Poirier isn't on there, he is the Flames best prospect by far in my opinion. Maybe disqualified by having played in the NHL? Even though he hasn't had the best year I think he's almost certainly going to end up in the NHL as a depth player at worst.
2012-14 drafts are not looking great in retrospect after the 1st pick and the prospect pool shows it. Although the book isn't closed, there are a lot of high picks that are looking pretty poor right now, Hunter Smith, taking McDonald over Demko, Klimchuk, Kanzig.... a lot of valuable picks and some calls that are starting to look a bit iffy. Hickey and Gillies are probably the only two value picks although the jury is still out on a few others like Kulak, Culkin and Rafikov if he comes over.
Too bad Gillies was injured and McDonald has had such a bad year, I really saw goaltender as the position we'd see guys take the most steps forward this year with Gillies going pro and McDonald going to the WJCs.
Good news (for prospects anyway) is that the top 10 or so players in this draft look really good this year and the flames will almost for sure be adding one to the group. Also Janko is playing great, and even if he flies the coop the flames will get a bonus 2nd rounder.
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