That 2011 Draft

[Oling_Roachinen]

Well that 2011 draft has definitely provided it's share of entertainment for us, eh?

Baertschi - 13th overall (traded to Canucks)
Granlund - 45th overall
Wotherspoon - 57th overall
Gaudreau - 104th overall
Brossoit - 164th overall (traded to Oilers)

The biggest story is obviously "wasted pick" John Gaudreau becoming Johnny Hockey. Doesn't need much explanation. Baertschi being traded to bitter rival Canucks, breaking CP in the process, is definitely one of the more controversial trades for us Flames fans. Did the Flames sell high on a regressing commodity or give the Canucks a top prospect away for a second rounder?

But you also have Granlund and Wotherspoon, who were drafted by the picks the Rangers traded to the Flames for their top prospect "blue-chipper" Tim Erixon. Tom was just claimed off waivers by the Leafs while Granlund and Wotherspoon have progressed nicely and are still expected to become, in some capacity, Flames players.

Now even Brossoit after a decent showing in the AHL is, naturally, being pegged as a potential number 1 goalie for the Oilers. To be fair, he has developed nicely (despite being a goalie in the Oilers organization) and the NHL is definitely not out of the question for him.

I just really have this affinity for this draft and want to see how it plays out. A bunch of story lines, even a couple twists. Every skater has played in the NHL at least a couple games, Brossoit has become the starter in the AHL. At this point it's in the realm of possibility for Baertschi to have the least impact at the NHL level, a laughable statement a year ago. On the other hand it has the possibility of producing two NHL players for our most hated rivals.

[SeanCharles]

This was the first year that I started avidly following the draft. It seemed like the organization was finally ready to fully invest into drafting and developing their own homegrown talent.

Sven was originally the biggest prize but times have changed and now it's looking like the last player we picked, that we kept, is going to have the biggest impact. It's looking like we have NHLers in Wotherspoon and Granlund too so this really was a successful draft for us.

We also got additional assets in a 2nd round pick and Smid so this draft really did signify a change in philosophy within the organization to focus on aquiring assets as opposed to constantly spending them on wasted attempts at cup runs where, in reality, our teams weren't built properly to even compete in them.

[savardandjokinen]

Gaudreau was a home run, Granlund and wotherspoon look like good nhl players, sven didn't fit our style but has played well in the AHL and had his moments and brossoit could be a 1b type goalie.

[Locke]

I have to say taht we can be pretty poleased with the ones we still have. I dont know what to say about Baertschi other than the fact that he was a victim of team circumstances and became surplus to requirements and Brossoit is still a wildcard.

Johnny is making a run at the Calder and Granlund and Spoon look like players, what their top end will be is anyone's guess.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Few - if any at all - could have predicted Gaudreau's awesomeness.

Fewer I think would have predicted the Flames trading two prospects from this draft to our most hated rivals!

Really great draft, even with the trades. That 2nd is an unknown now, but it is a very deep draft (and Treliving might use it in another trade), Granlund looks like a really seems to be developing into a really nice prospect, Wotherspoon seems to be trending into a really good top 4 defencemen, and we obviously don't need to talk about Gaudreau.

Will always be seen as a very successful draft, even if Baertschi didn't work out for the Flames.

[Phaneuf]

What happened with that Broissot trade? We got Olivier Roy in return? Broissot is looking good though, unfortunate its with the Oilers. Seemed like an unnecessary trade to make at the time..

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf

What happened with that Broissot trade? We got Olivier Roy in return? Broissot is looking good though, unfortunate its with the Oilers. Seemed like an unnecessary trade to make at the time..

Smid was a solid solid add at the time when depth was weakest. He anchored that third pairing last year. At least I thought he was solid. This year before he got concussed, I have no idea why he wasn't as good.

[JiriHrdina]

I severely doubt that Broissot becomes an NHL goalie, even a back-up.
Not worried about him coming back to bite us at all.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think Brossoit has the potential to be a starter. Goalies are a very difficult position to predict, so you never really know, but I always felt Brossoit was a very good goalie prospect to have, and I will still say so until he shows differently. The kid is such an athlete.

With that being said, I didn't mind the Smid trade. Anytime you give up 2 prospects for a vet, there is always the chance it comes back to bite you in the butt over time. What hasn't changed is the fact that Horak and Brossoit were down the depth chart enough, that it just made sense to make that trade.

With Gillies looking more and more impressive, with Ortio having 2 wonderful seasons thus far in the AHL, and looking even better in the NHL this season than last, and now MacDonald standing on his head every single night in the Q - Brossoit would have been in-tough to make the squad, even ignoring Ramo who is sub-30, looking like he is a legitimate starter again, and who may end up re-signed.

Horak - who I really liked - wouldn't seem to have a chance in the current Flames' depth chart at all. I think he will eventually become an NHL player, but hopefully not with Edmonton.