Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

Calgary4LIfe · 06-21-2025, 03:50 PM

I would prefer the Flames trade up and grab one of the 'last 3 centers' top 6 centers - O'Brien, Martin or McQueen (though I have doubts about McQueen). One of them will be available at 10 I think. How prohibitive is it? Probably 18+32+54+ something still. As long as that something isn't a 2026 pick, or something with significant value by itself, then I am fine with it.

If none of these players are available at 10 (and Martone didn't drop by some weird fluke!!), then I would trade back. I don't see Kindel, Reschey, Cootes or even Bear as top 6 centers, and I actually think that they will probably become wingers.

I would trade back from 18, pick up at least one more 2nd round pick - maybe two if you trade back twice - and come out of the draft with:
2 of: Lakovic, Nesbitt, Lee in the first round
2-3 of: Horcoff, Ryabkin, Zharovsky, West, Wang

I see Horcoff as Adam Lowry-lite. Lakovic has some skill and size too. Nesbit may not have quite the finesse of a Kindel - or even a Reschny - but I think he would be a much more effective 3rd line player. I think these three players on the same line would be incredibly horrible to try and play against, especially in a playoff series.

Then you can 'gamble' with the rest of the 2nd round (assuming you got 2 picks from trading down). I still like Ryabkin as he is skilled, likes to play the rat game, and is hard to knock off the puck physically. Character issues are a HUGE concern, but I feel better potentially throwing this pick away. West gives you another crack at the top 6 with size, but again, high risk. Wang gives the Flames a lot of size on the back-end instead, and with his late start to organized hockey, he has really developed quickly. I wouldn't project him higher than a #4 guy who can really disrupt with his reach and be able to move out or box out power-forwards in front of the Flames' net, but is more likely a #5 guy.

Just things I have been mulling over and that suddenly make sense to me. I am sure by Friday, I will have a completely different philosophy on how I think the Flames should approach this draft. If I was Conroy, I would be asking the Oilers if they would like to exchange the 32 overall pick for a 2026 1st round pick though!

06-21-2025, 03:50 PM	#2941
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I would prefer the Flames trade up and grab one of the 'last 3 centers' top 6 centers - O'Brien, Martin or McQueen (though I have doubts about McQueen). One of them will be available at 10 I think. How prohibitive is it? Probably 18+32+54+ something still. As long as that something isn't a 2026 pick, or something with significant value by itself, then I am fine with it. If none of these players are available at 10 (and Martone didn't drop by some weird fluke!!), then I would trade back. I don't see Kindel, Reschey, Cootes or even Bear as top 6 centers, and I actually think that they will probably become wingers. I would trade back from 18, pick up at least one more 2nd round pick - maybe two if you trade back twice - and come out of the draft with: 2 of: Lakovic, Nesbitt, Lee in the first round 2-3 of: Horcoff, Ryabkin, Zharovsky, West, Wang I see Horcoff as Adam Lowry-lite. Lakovic has some skill and size too. Nesbit may not have quite the finesse of a Kindel - or even a Reschny - but I think he would be a much more effective 3rd line player. I think these three players on the same line would be incredibly horrible to try and play against, especially in a playoff series. Then you can 'gamble' with the rest of the 2nd round (assuming you got 2 picks from trading down). I still like Ryabkin as he is skilled, likes to play the rat game, and is hard to knock off the puck physically. Character issues are a HUGE concern, but I feel better potentially throwing this pick away. West gives you another crack at the top 6 with size, but again, high risk. Wang gives the Flames a lot of size on the back-end instead, and with his late start to organized hockey, he has really developed quickly. I wouldn't project him higher than a #4 guy who can really disrupt with his reach and be able to move out or box out power-forwards in front of the Flames' net, but is more likely a #5 guy. Just things I have been mulling over and that suddenly make sense to me. I am sure by Friday, I will have a completely different philosophy on how I think the Flames should approach this draft. If I was Conroy, I would be asking the Oilers if they would like to exchange the 32 overall pick for a 2026 1st round pick though!