How Would the Flames Handle a 2016 Top 3 Pick Next Season?

[Bourque's Twin]

After a loss in Buffalo, the Flames sit 29th / 30th in the entire NHL.

The odds of getting a top 3 pick in the upcoming draft is becoming more likely. The top 3 seems to be a sweet spot.

The consensus top 3 appear to be:

1. Auston Matthews
2. Patrik Laine
3. Jesse Puljujarvi

I want to ask the question to everyone, but if the Flames were to draft any of these 3, where would you expect to see them in the organization next year?

Matthews: It's highly unlikely that he will be more productive than Monahan or Bennett next year. Does he slot into the 3rd line C role? If so, is Backlund traded? Or, does Bennett shift to LW and Matthews play C on the 2nd line? Can Jankowski make a serious push next season?

Laine: The Flames have a big gap on the top line RW spot. Can Laine slot in and play with Gaudreau and Monahan right off the bat? Or, does Laine get slightly sheltered and play on the second line with Bennett and a veteran like Frolik?

Puljujarvi: Similar to Laine, can he step into the top 6 right away?

[squirtle]

Top 2-3 pick - Laine next year as he is already NHL sized and seems like he is NHL ready as well. Probably slot anywhere in the top 9 and will be moved around all year until he is comfortable.

1st overall - Matthews. Probably slot him on the wing first on the gaudreau line

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

After a loss in Buffalo, the Flames sit 29th / 30th in the entire NHL.

The odds of getting a top 3 pick in the upcoming draft is becoming more likely. The top 3 seems to be a sweet spot.

The consensus top 3 appear to be:

1. Auston Matthews
2. Patrik Laine
3. Jesse Puljujarvi

I want to ask the question to everyone, but if the Flames were to draft any of these 3, where would you expect to see them in the organization next year?

Matthews: It's highly unlikely that he will be more productive than Monahan or Bennett next year. Does he slot into the 3rd line C role? If so, is Backlund traded? Or, does Bennett shift to LW and Matthews play C on the 2nd line? Can Jankowski make a serious push next season?

Laine: The Flames have a big gap on the top line RW spot. Can Laine slot in and play with Gaudreau and Monahan right off the bat? Or, does Laine get slightly sheltered and play on the second line with Bennett and a veteran like Frolik?

Puljujarvi: Similar to Laine, can he step into the top 6 right away?

You're talking about the same Auston Matthews that many scouts said would go ahead of Jack Eichel if he were old enough for the 2015 draft?

[Geeoff]

I think we'll have to see in training camp. Monahan, Gaudreau and Sam Bennett busted in the door in preseason, not at the draft.

[devo22]

Nothing against Matthews, but I want one of the Finns so badly. A big akilled RW is exactly what this teams needs.

Also have no doubt they all are NHL ready and will play in the NHL next year. They are already plaIng against men and excelling while doing so.

[SeanCharles]

I think the top 5 picks in the draft will all be in the NHL next year.

In regards to where they slot:
- If by some miracle we get Matthews I think Bennett switches back to leftwing.
- The other two I would say get tried out on the Monahan/Gaudreau line and if it doesn't work out will still slot in the top 6.

[IgiTang]

I guess it's the season of redundant threads.. But I'll play..

Inside the top 3, you take BPA. Perhaps even top 6.

But what I would like to see is a deal for a strong RW who can excell, not just play on, the top line and a franchise goalie to be. Not a prospect, a young guy who is NHL ready and has the ability to carry a franchise.

Thinking outside the box, if you pick 6-8, which I think is the worst the Flames will pick, try and pry Raanta and Hayes or Kreider out of NYR with the pick.

So let's say 6-8 pick for Raanta and Kreider or Hayes.

Or you take BPA up to #5.

[BrownDrake]

Matthews is a left shot that does currently play right wing I believe. Probably would get played as a right winger for a season or two.

Hope we draft top 3, fingers crossed.

Dream scenario after lottery
1. Calgary
2. Arizona
3. Toronto

Trade number one overall for:
Arizona's 1st & Perlini then take Laine or Puljajarvi (Matthews is Arizona boy)
or Toronto's 1st & Kapanen take Laine or Puljajarvi

In my dreams

[Demetric]

who ever is drafted they will be sheltered on a 2/3rd line like everyone Mony and Bennett were.

*if they make the team out of camp that is

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Komskies

You're talking about the same Auston Matthews that many scouts said would go ahead of Jack Eichel if he were old enough for the 2015 draft?

You're talking about the same Sean Monahan that is currently better than Jack Eichel?

The NHL is for the players who are the best as of right now, not the ones that may possibly be better in the future. You don't play people ahead of others that aren't as good, even if they might be better later on.

Case-in-point: Backlund, Monahan, Granlund and Stajan (and pretty much anyone else) playing center over Bennett. Bennett may end up better than all of them, but he's not right now. So you don't just play him like he is.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

All the top 5 picks are NHL ready I think.

Kind of hard to predict actual lines since Hartley is unlikely to keep them for long. Also kind of hard to predict since we don't know what other wingers will be acquired before next season.

The top 3 guys are all big, strong and fast and already play pro hockey.

[troutman]

I understand there is a lottery for each of the top three picks now? No guarantee of a top 3 pick if you finish bottom 3.

Let's say we finish 29th. What are the odds of us getting top 3 pick?

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by devo22

Nothing against Matthews, but I want one of the Finns so badly. A big akilled RW is exactly what this teams needs.

Also have no doubt they all are NHL ready and will play in the NHL next year. They are already plaIng against men and excelling while doing so.

I agree. I like the Finnish options better than Matthews. If I had the #1 pick I would take Laine.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

It's a draft arms race between us and Edmonton!

[the_only_turek_fan]

Darren Haynes ‏@DarrenWHaynes 13h13 hours ago
Now 29th, odds (per http://www.tankathon.com ) of where #Flames would draft if they finish there:
1. 13.5%
2. 13.1%
3. 12.5%
4. 35.2%
5. 25.8%

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

Darren Haynes ‏@DarrenWHaynes 13h13 hours ago
Now 29th, odds (per http://www.tankathon.com ) of where #Flames would draft if they finish there:
1. 13.5%
2. 13.1%
3. 12.5%
4. 35.2%
5. 25.8%

It's kind of interesting that the Flames have a better shot at 1st than 2nd (the spot they are in) and 3rd.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by troutman

I understand there is a lottery for each of the top three picks now? No guarantee of a top 3 pick if you finish bottom 3.

Yup, thanks to the Oilers. Ironically I wouldn't be surprised if they benefited from the new rules (e.g. jump to 2/3 if they finish 4th last). That franchise has a horseshoe up their ass.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by troutman

I understand there is a lottery for each of the top three picks now? No guarantee of a top 3 pick if you finish bottom 3.

Let's say we finish 29th. What are the odds of us getting top 3 pick?

Someone posted the odds in another thread and I think the odds of a top three pick from 29th was between 30% and 40%.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

Darren Haynes ‏@DarrenWHaynes 13h13 hours ago
Now 29th, odds (per http://www.tankathon.com ) of where #Flames would draft if they finish there:
1. 13.5%
2. 13.1%
3. 12.5%
4. 35.2%
5. 25.8%

Those odds are technically wrong for picks #2 and picks #3. Your odds will go up for picks 2 and 3 ESPECIALLY if one of the lowest ranks teams wins the #1 pick.

[sureLoss]

nm