I think I've gone over the Flames pick a million times since their season ended and have made a top 15 list of players they can hope to fall to them or reach down into the bucket for. 1 being most preferred and so on.
1. Vasily Podkolzin ( He may drop like a rock because he has no interest in coming over any time soon but if he is there, 26 is a good risk/reward pick for a clear top tier talent, wont make it that far down but hey, anything is possible).
2. Raphael Lavoie. Rhs C/RW. Speed, size and a killer instinct. Wont make it but if he does run to the podium.
3. Spencer Knight. There's a top tier goalie there.
4. Yegor Afanaseyev. Probably the most available at the Flames pick. Big, fast and a frickin bomb of a shot no matter how he shoots it. Big ol sniper.
5. Phil Tomasino. Rh Center, fast, average size.
6. Arthur Kaliev. Wont be there, like Oliver Wahlstrom
7. Simon Holmstrom
8. Ilya Nikolaiev. Super sleeper.
9. Adam Beckman. I think hes just hitting his stride a tad later than the rest but could be a massive coup if he keeps improving.
10. Brett Leason. 20. Big, bomb of a shot. Could be in the NHL out of the box. Sketchy skating the only thing holding him back
11. Bobby Brink. Smaller, but a pure shooter. Skating again the issue.
12. Defenseman Mikko Kokkonen. Finnish version of Kylington IMO.
13. Pavel Dorofeyev. Speedy center. Playmaker. Good IQ.
14. Harrison Blaisdell. Tenacious center. Speedy. Not sure on offensive upside.
15. Ville Heinola. Probably right in the scouting staffs wheel house. Great hockey IQ.
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