Quote:
Originally Posted by Groot
As a quick side note for 2027 draft, which the Flamss will surely be drafting near or at the top of, homegrown wonder kid Landon Dupont had a strong return to form after a mediocre start.
As a 16-year ild defenseman for Everett Silvertips, he had a terrible start with 7P in 15GP. Then he found his game again and scored 62P in the following 45GP. Good for 1.378 PPG, as a 16-year old defenseman.
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I think Dupont will be the first overall pick next draft. "Generational" - but in this case, I think he is a literal definition of it. What he has been able to do thus far is essentially generational, right? it will be tough to pass up a center next season, but if Dupont really is heads and shoulders above the competition, you draft him. New Jersey (Hischier), Philadelphia (Patrick), and Dallas (Heiskanen) are all kicking themselves for not picking Makar. Heiskanen was a great pick too (which New Jersey and Philadelphia are both lamenting over as well). Buffalo (Dahlin), Carolina (Svechnikov), Montreal (Kotkaniemi), Ottawa (Tkachuk), Arizona (Hayton), and Detroit (Zadina) are all kicking themselves for not taking Hughes.
The Islanders did not make that mistake in 2025.
Makes things interesting for the Flames as we think about it, but there is no way you pass up on Reid or Carels if you feel they are better than Malhotra or Bjorck with the assumption that you will get Dupont next season. You still have to win a lottery, plus I think there will be a few tankers next season - I think Dupont is worth tanking for, with some very nice consolation prizes at center.