[Flames Draft Watcher]

I want to take a BPA look into adjusting the top end of this draft.

From what I've read the two that are separating themselves the most are Matthews and Laine. Matthews seems to be ahead plus the fact he plays centre (the more valuable position) it cements him as #1.

1) Matthews (C)
2) Laine (RW)

Next group from what I see appears to be Puljujarvi, Tkachuk and Chychrun. Puljujarvi is at the head of this group for most. IMO he should only be dethroned if you think Chychrun is a #1 defenseman at the NHL level. Some appear to hold him in the same regard that Ekblad was held in his draft year. So I think some scouts will have Chychrun as high as #3, but some think he's more of a 2/3 so then you can have him lower. Let's go with the consensus at the moment that Puljujarvi heads this tier.

#3) Puljujarvi RW

Tkachuk vs Chychrun. Chychrun should win this unless you feel he's more of a 2/3 and Tkachuk flat out is a #1 LW. Both are very highly regarded so lets use the positional values to bias our selection here and take Chychrun because d-men are more valuable than wingers.

#4) Chychrun (D)
#5) Tkachuk (LW)

This is where the draft drops off according to many and it becomes a lot more debatable. Top candidates for the next few spots include Dubois (LW/C), Sergachev (D), Juolevi (D), Gauthier (RW), Nylander (W), McLeod (C). I would still be looking for BPA and its hard to know who the Flames like best.

This is the spot in the draft where I'd be more comfortable putting a bit more emphasis on positional need because I feel the margin between the prospects is less clear to me. Taking whichever of Dubois/Gauthier/Nylander is fine by me unless they think Juolevi or Sergachev is a top 2 d-man. If they are then you have to take the d-man IMO because top two d-men have insane value in the NHL and we still need another top 4 d-man to complete our dream unit.