Our 6th Overall Pick: Elias Lindholm or Sean Monahan?

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by T@T

Man a lot of people are freaked out that whoever the Oilers take will be better than ours.

People are worried that the Flames will pick the Zherdev of the 2013 Draft.

He was the #4 pick overall and was not the near the impact player that 15 players drafted behind him in the 2003 draft turned out to be.

[Erick Estrada]

I don't know why teams don't do this but why not hire a guy like Doug Maclean and make him feel that he's part of the drafting process. Get him to work with scouts and come up with his list of players to pick. This way you could essentially cross those players off your list and reduce the chances of mistakes. Would that not be a solid recipe for picking the right players over the wrong ones by hiring a guy that was effective at picking the wrong ones so you can avoid them?

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I don't know why teams don't do this but why not hire a guy like Doug Maclean and make him feel that he's part of the drafting process. Get him to work with scouts and come up with his list of players to pick. This way you could essentially cross those players off your list and reduce the chances of mistakes. Would that not be a solid recipe for picking the right players over the wrong ones by hiring a guy that was effective at picking the wrong ones so you can avoid them?

Not sure if serious but this is real life? Would you into a workplace where they treat your opinion as a pile of crap??

[Stay Golden]

For me if the Flames have the chance to pick between Lindholm or Monahan and if their skill sets are so razor close to one another. I hope the deciding factor is the player that has shown in the league that play in that will not quit. The player that is willing to pay the price to get to the Center of the ice. The player that is willing to take a cross check and keep competing along with all their individual skill and hockey IQ.

[gilligans_off]

Why wouldn't they pick that player first?

[Walter Reed]

More grist for the mill in this HF thread.
http://hfboards.hockeysfuture.com/sh....php?t=1437775
At the time of this writing the consensus of voters envision the Swede to be the better of the two; 184 vs. 105 Lindholm over Monahan.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

People are worried that the Flames will pick the Zherdev of the 2013 Draft.

He was the #4 pick overall and was not the near the impact player that 15 players drafted behind him in the 2003 draft turned out to be.

That's always a concern but it shouldn't have anything to do with the Oilers.

[Drury37]

I raised this question to Craig Button in his Q&A today.

12:44
TSN Moderator:
A lot of Flames' fans are asking questions about the No. 6 pick, and they all have similar questions...here are two of the group of them. Wednesday June 5, 2013 12:44 TSN Moderator

12:44
[Comment From Flames fan Flames fan: ]
A lot of people had Lindholm going ahead of Monahan. Why have you ranked Monahan higher?


Wednesday June 5, 2013 12:44 Flames fan


12:44
[Comment From Matt Matt: ]
Hey Craig, With the Flames hopefully looking to address their center position at #6, Where do you see the difference between Monahan and Lindholm? While Monahan does have a few inches on Elias, I am worried his size advantage in the OHL may not translate as well into the NHL, while Lindholm has proved his two way play in the SEL against men.


Wednesday June 5, 2013 12:44 Matt


12:51
Craig Button:
I think Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm at the very least will be #2 centers in the NHL with the potential to be #1 centers. There is no discernible difference between the two players IMO. Both players are exceptionally smart and I think that is a pre-requisite for being a good center in the NHL. When I watch Krejci & Bergeron, I see that exceptional intelligence and while they are different, they are very strong players for the Bruins. Again, I'm not smart enough to say that Sean is clearly better than Elias or the other way around and leave that to the teams to make that decision. I say that because of this; "I am assessing players' NHL potential once they have matured (about 21-22) and teams have to look at how players fit into their particular organization and a lot of that is done when they meet and spend time with the players to understand how one player may potentially fit better than another based on all players in that teams' organization. It's an important step and one that I don't partake in. That is the fine line when you are talking about players in the same tier of talent IMO.

[FlamesAddiction]

I'm starting to lean more towards Monahan, but I think it has a lot to do with the fact that we get a lot more information on North American prospects. Lindholm is a mystery in many ways.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Drury37

Craig Button:
I think Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm at the very least will be #2 centers in the NHL with the potential to be #1 centers. There is no discernible difference between the two players IMO. Both players are exceptionally smart and I think that is a pre-requisite for being a good center in the NHL. When I watch Krejci & Bergeron, I see that exceptional intelligence and while they are different, they are very strong players for the Bruins. Again, I'm not smart enough to say that Sean is clearly better than Elias or the other way around and leave that to the teams to make that decision. I say that because of this; "I am assessing players' NHL potential once they have matured (about 21-22) and teams have to look at how players fit into their particular organization and a lot of that is done when they meet and spend time with the players to understand how one player may potentially fit better than another based on all players in that teams' organization. It's an important step and one that I don't partake in. That is the fine line when you are talking about players in the same tier of talent IMO.

For me, that pretty much sums it up...

They are essentially equivalent players and it comes down to: which one fits the organizational needs of the team more?

And for me, the answer to that is Monahan.

But either way it's all good.

[The Yen Man]

I have this feeling that (barring Barkov being available at 6), Flames are going to go for Monahan. I'm fine either way.

[bubbsy]

after all this discussion about the top 7, my take is that barkov is likely to go before the 6 spot, however, there is a good chance monahan and/or lindholm are available at this spot.

the potential/prospect rating seems to be barkov > monahan = lindolm

[TheGrimm]

I also keep hearing that Lindholm has been playing RW even though he is listed at C. If that is the case, makes the decision a bit easier for me.

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by Jack

I think there is a real possibility that Nichushkin goes to the Lightning.

Also, I just read a comment from a scout (Mark Edwards) who said he would be surprised if Monahan isn't scooped up by the Hurricanes.

My prediction:
1. Jones
2. Mackinnon
3. Nichushkin
4. Drouin
5. Monahan
6. Barkov
7. Lindholm

For the record, I think I'd rather have Monahan. He is about as sure a bet as there is. However, I could see any of the top 7 end up being the best player of the entire lot.

I don't want to move up from the 6th pick. I would rather try and pry Carolina's pick somehow and get two stud centermen.

Pit's pick + Stl pick + Giordano for 5th

barkov!!!!!!

[nik-]

It would never happen, but having 5 and 6 and picking two good centers would be amazing for this club.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

For me, that pretty much sums it up...

They are essentially equivalent players and it comes down to: which one fits the organizational needs of the team more?

And for me, the answer to that is Monahan.

But either way it's all good.

I agree completely. When I look at the Flames, I see a team that needs a defined leader, something which we do not have now. I then tend to lean in the Monohan direction, as I see him as future captain material. But then I read somewhere about how Lindholm already dominates a men's league, and how he might have a bit of Forsberg in him. I then lean in that direction.

I'll be happy with either player, but I don't think the Flames organization can ignore the obvious Canadian boy/captain material of Monahan. He just seems to have every attribute we have sorely lacked for so long, and he is in front of us on a silver platter.

But then I think of Lindholm and his ''mysteriousness'' as someone else said. What if he turns out to be the best Swedish forward since (insert star swedish player here)? He's already playing against men and succeeding.

I can't wait for the day that this debate ends. Unfortunately, the Oilers will probably be getting our leftovers and I really don't want to be forced to hate the other guy.

[Stampede2TheCup]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I agree completely. When I look at the Flames, I see a team that needs a defined leader, something which we do not have now. I then tend to lean in the Monohan direction, as I see him as future captain material. But then I read somewhere about how Lindholm already dominates a men's league, and how he might have a bit of Forsberg in him. I then lean in that direction.

I'll be happy with either player, but I don't think the Flames organization can ignore the obvious Canadian boy/captain material of Monahan. He just seems to have every attribute we have sorely lacked for so long, and he is in front of us on a silver platter.

But then I think of Lindholm and his ''mysteriousness'' as someone else said. What if he turns out to be the best Swedish forward since (insert star swedish player here)? He's already playing against men and succeeding.

I can't wait for the day that this debate ends. Unfortunately, the Oilers will probably be getting our leftovers and I really don't want to be forced to hate the other guy.

In an interview at the combine Lindholm said he likes to be a leader and while he couldn't as a rookie on his men's team, he tried to at the world juniors. It's hard to know how good of a leader he may be but it's definitely good to hear he's the kind of guy that wants to step up as one.

[Erick Estrada]

Another little tidbit from ESPN in their "NHL Combine Winners, Buzz";

http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/blog/...e-winners-buzz

• Elias Lindholm, whom I have ranked No. 5 overall, was the best interview I heard all weekend. When asked about his season, he used words like "we" and "us" and never referred to any personal achievements. He was always crediting his successful season to those he played with. His comments were sincere while giving an honest and real assessment of his play. When asked if he plays like Henrik Zetterberg (a player I have likened him to in the past), he was quick to talk about how good Zetterberg is and had a hard time comparing himself to such a star player. He appeared humbled. That appeals to scouts.

Sounds like this kid has a lot of character in addition to his talent.

[Dagger]

Even before reading the above, I do think people get carried away with the difference in "intangibles" between Monahan and Lindholm. Lindholm may not be as good a bet as Monahan to become captain wherever he goes, but he's still going to be a player that's liked in the room and someone you want to look down the bench and see come April/May.

[Roof-Daddy]

Will be happy with either one, and if Barkov slips because of his injury he'd be great too.

Honestly, I don't care who the Flames decide to draft at #6, just as long as 5 years from now I'm not perusing back through this draft on hockeydb and shaking my head in sheer and utter disappointment......ya know, like I have been for the last 15+ years.