Which 1st round prospect will have the best career as a Flame? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Vinny01 · 03-30-2016, 09:34 PM

Looking at the Flames prospect pool there currently are 4 first round picks that are in the AHL (2 are with the Flames on emergency recall). There have been varying levels of excitement for these players but I wanted to get a discussion going on who everyone thinks will have the biggest impact on the Flames.

Jankowski is the oldest being drafted in 2012 21st overall and had a ton of hype given by the previous regime. 4 years later he is filling out his frame and had his best season in the NCAA. 6'4 220lb is what they think he will play at. I think there is a lot of potential there but could be years before he gets there

Porier is the pick we got in the Bouwmeester trade 22nd overall. Another slightly off the board pick by Feaster. A very nice draft plus one year, followed by a great rookie year in the AHL. He has had a bit of the sophomore slump this year however. Still has the ability to play in the top 6 or bottom 6 and has solid potential.

Klimchuck was drafted 28th overall in 2013 and is the 1st rounder from the Iggy trade. This is his first year pro and I have not heard much personally. He seems to be a utility player like Frolik from what I have read. It seems like he could be in the running with Jankowski as the furthest away.

Shinkaruk was acquired for Granlund and was drafted by the Canucks 24th in 2013. He was a big slider on draft day going top 10 in a lot of mocks leading up to the draft. After a so-so first year pro he has had a great year offensively in his second season.

I think success of these 4 are big for the future of the Flames. They have been fortunate to hit on their top 10 picks in Monahan and Bennett. Hitting the home run with Gaudreau in 2011 and stealing Hamilton from the Bruins has helped Calgary add 4 great young pieces to their top D pair of Brodie and Giordano.

I am going to say I think Shinkaruk is going to be the one that turns out the best of the 4. The Flames lack a prospect like him and I do think he is going to get a longer look of the team goes into next season without adding a couple top 6 forwards via free agency or trade

TheScorpion · 03-30-2016, 09:35 PM

Gonna say Poirier, but I could very easily be very wrong.

flylock shox · 03-30-2016, 09:43 PM

Going with Jankowski. I peg him as a full time nhl player capable of a number of roles.

Poirier and Klimchuk won't pan out. Shinkaruk will be traded in a package to someone somewhere for something. Or so I reckon.

Vinny01 · 03-30-2016, 09:44 PM

I could see in 2 years Backlund pricing himself out of the Flames future plans and Jankowski getting a good opportunity to fill that spot.

I think both Porier and Shinkaruk will push for spots next year. While I voted for Hunter I could see either having success rather soon. Shinkaruk seems to have the skill to play in the top 6. Porier also could play top 6 but could also settle on the 3rd line so I give him the edge to make the team sooner

Klimchuck needs a bounce back year and establish himself in the Stockton top 6 next year but still seems 2-3 years away

Roof-Daddy · 03-30-2016, 09:48 PM

I'm not sold on Poirier. Hopefully he works out, but I'm not optimistic.

Klimchuk could be an NHLer, but it will take time, and I doubt he ever plays a prominent role if he does make it.

So it was between Shinkaruk and Janko for me. Went with Janko because he's big and skate well, but I won't be surprised if both go on to have great NHL careers.

GioforPM · 03-30-2016, 10:00 PM

I think it's Shink. I think he's got the edge in talent, he's gonna get a pretty good role next year if he keeps it up.

nightfx · 03-30-2016, 10:03 PM

Tough choice for me between Shinkaruk and Jankowski, went with Jank.

doncherry · 03-30-2016, 10:10 PM

Agree that this is a tough choice, voted shinkaruk hoping there is no lingering Canuck stench.

Erick Estrada · 03-30-2016, 10:13 PM

I will say Jankowski only because he's tall and a centre. Guys like him can carve out a career in a bottom six role if they are effective at faceoffs.

schooner · 03-30-2016, 10:13 PM

Went with Hunter, but it was a tough choice. With all of them there are things to like and questions as well. Went with what I believe is the highest skill player to settle the tie. Janko was a close second.

Poirier still has some upside but not sold yet. I like Klimchuk but think he has a hard, long road to the NHL, not sure of the upside.

Samonadreau · 03-30-2016, 10:14 PM

Crap shoot right now but I like what I see from Shinkaruk so far.

djsFlames · 03-30-2016, 10:19 PM

Shinkaruk will be the most productive I think. I'm guessing becomes a 20 goal, 50 point 2nd line winger at his peak.

Jankowski I think will have the longer Flames career and great in all aspects of the game. Likely the most complete player at his peak. May eventually take Backlund's place as the 3C. No idea how his production will translate though.

Of course both predictions are pretty optimistic too.

DAN0383 · 03-30-2016, 10:33 PM

I'm in the Poirier camp.

smiggy77 · 03-30-2016, 10:47 PM

Also in the Poirier camp. Just think his first pro season in the A was pretty successful for a first year. I wouldn't peg this last one as a regression because he was working on improving his defensive game.

If he has the capabilities to harness both the offensive and defensive into one playing style, I think he'll be successful.

Vinny01 · 03-30-2016, 10:50 PM

If 2 of these guys can eventually make the team and be decent top 9 forwards that will go a long way towards being a contending team.

MarkGio · 03-30-2016, 10:53 PM

Poirer is starting to look like he needs a fresh start or something, but a few years ago I would've said him just because he's shown tenacity to play a bottom six level.

H2SO4(aq) · 03-30-2016, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Gonna say Poirier, but I could very easily be very wrong.

Basing this solely on your track record of "favorite flames" I'll just assume poirier will not make the flames long term.

I've liked shinkaruks game. Jankowski has played high school puck and college puck, I expect him to spend a year or two in the ahl adjusting. I have no idea where klimchuk is at, so I cannot comment

nightfx · 03-30-2016, 10:55 PM

Speaking Klimchuk, I know he's a first year pro but I don't remember the last time we had a first round pick struggle so much offensively in his first year. Austin Carroll and Hunter Smith have about the same amount of points and they're not the same calibre prospect.

Any reason why his point totals are so low??

TheScorpion · 03-30-2016, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

Basing this solely on your track record of "favorite flames" I'll just assume poirier will not make the flames.

I've liked shinkaruks game. Jankowski has played high school puck and college puck, I expect him to spend a year or two in the ahl adjusting. I have no idea where klimchuk is at, so I cannot comment

My "Favourite Flames" of all-time are McAmmond, Iginla, Cammalleri, Glencross, Bertuzzi, and Jones - all of whom have played regular shifts in the Flames' top six.

N-E-B · 03-30-2016, 10:57 PM

Jankowski for me, followed by Shinkaruk and Poirier, Klimchuk a very distant 4th. I'm not sure he'll even play a single game, let alone have a career in the NHL.