Quote:
Originally Posted by 1qqaaz
The Flames are a lot better at developing forwards than defensemen and goalies though.
Bouma, Ferland, Monahan, Bennett, Gaudreau, Backlund, Baertschi, Granlund and Prust were all drafted and (mostly) developed by the Flames.
In that same time period, Brodie and Pardy were those only defensemen that were drafted and developed by the Flames. No goaltenders were. Really, Kidd, Vernon, and maybe McElhinney were the only goalies in Flames history to be drafted and developed.
Whomever the Flames pick, they just need to remember to be patient.
After all, look how Backlund and Ferland are continuing to develop. Even now.
I could see Jankowski paying dividends in the near future. His progression has been slow but steady.
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Monahan -- 6th OA pick for the Flames already came chalked full of talent. The fact that he made the team after the draft means he came NHL-ready. Although he has gotten bigger and stronger under the Flames. Nevertheless, they had Monahan all wrong and thought he was a playmaker
Bennett -- Highest Flames pick ever and there was really no alternative. However, I wouldn't peg Bennett has a positive outcome for the Flames just yet. If he doesn't take major steps forward next season, he could be a blackmark against their drafting and development.
Baertschi -- He's a blackmark IMO. He was absolutely pegged to be a sureshot top six forward and the Flames lost control of him. Feaster regrettably gave Bae an emergency call-up and Burke ran his name through the mud in front of the media. Ever since, Baer never panned out. He's an example of how the Flames fail in these areas.
Granlund -- Another blackmark. They could never develop Granlund to take the next step, even though Vancouver was able to. He just played on the 4th line for too long on the Flames.