[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Anduril

For all the praise that Winnipeg is getting after years of "this is their breakout year", it's come after so many early first round picks. A couple pieces were in place throughout their history of mediocrity in Little, Wheeler, Byfuglien, Enstrom.

A top 6 center, top line winger and a mix of a stud and dependable defensemen. Not too far off from what the Flames are working with at the moment.

Then you add in Scheifele (7th overall in 2011), Trouba (9th overall in 2012), Morrissey (13th overall in 2013) Ehlers (9th overall in 2014), and Laine (2nd overall in 2016).

So there's some credit to be given to be nailing so many of their 1st round picks even if majority is in the top 10. It's pretty easy to look like a good drafting team compared to the Flames. If we had one more success story from the first round this would be a different season. Whether that's Bartschi, Bennett or one of our picks in 2013 outside of Monahan (Poirier/Klimchuk). Then again ifs and buts...


Also on a 'fun' note, the Flames have 5 1st round picks from 2013. (Monahan, Lazar, Shinkaruk, Poirier and Klimchuk). If we ended up with Hartman which we were reportedly in on that would've been the 6th.

I don't think anyone will argue that the Jets and Ducks are the gold standards when it comes to drafting. Like a lot of things drafting can always be better but the Jets have been every bit the bubble team the Flames have since they have been in Winnipeg and have consistently drafted top 10 more than the Flames. It appears the talent finally matured there enough to overcome what is a very average coach.