Flames 2013 Draft Discussion

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by timbit

How many of those D were ranked a clear #1 in one of, arguably, the best top end drafts in the last 3 decades?

Franchise D are more difficult to acquire than any other position.

No they aren't. Chris Pronger was traded four times in his career, he's one of the three best defensemen of his era.

Scott Niedermayer hit free agency and captains the ducks to a title.

Ryan Suter is going to win the Norris this year.

Zdeno Chara: free agent.

Rob Blake: Proud former king, av, king again, shark

Shea Weber: nashvilles second 2nd round pick, and third in a draft that saw Suter go first.

PK subban: 2nd round pick (Maybe a reach at this point, but he's bloody good)


Now, list all the true franchise centres that either hit UFA or were traded. I'll wait.

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by Saqe

I think there is a pretty distinct difference betweeen Lindholm and Barkov (possible 5th or 6th) as prospects. There isn´t much difference between FEL and SEL in gameplay but Barkov is a year younger and has produced like a 1 line center. He is definately 1C material at this moment, although he might be an early bloomer.

I thought the Swedish league was significantly better???

[nik-]

Assuming we don't get historically ####ed in the lottery, we're guaranteed the shot at a legit center after tonight.

I'm so happy.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by nik-

Assuming we don't get historically ####ed in the lottery, we're guaranteed the shot at a legit center after tonight.

I'm so happy.

Agreed. One of Monahan or Lindholm (i'm on the Monahan bandwagon) should be a Flame. I hope.

[nik-]

Yeah, assuming they pick Lindholm or Monahan (whichever is left since I assume they're going 5/6), we're going to have our best center prospect in 20 years.

Schwing.

[Roof-Daddy]

If we end up in the #4 spot, who do we want, assuming the "the BIG three" are gone?

Barkov
Monahan
Lindholm
Nurse
Nichushkin

??

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

If we end up in the #4 spot, who do we want, assuming the "the BIG three" are gone?

Barkov
Monahan
Lindholm
Nurse
Nichushkin

??

Barkov is the best remaining player IMO.

Top 3:
Jones
MacKinnon
Drouin

4
Barkov

5-8
Nichushkin
Monahan
Lindholm
Nurse

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

If we end up in the #4 spot, who do we want, assuming the "the BIG three" are gone?

Barkov
Monahan
Lindholm
Nurse
Nichushkin

??

Way too much positive feedback on Barkov not to take Barkov.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Barkov is the best remaining player IMO.

Top 3:
Jones
MacKinnon
Drouin

4
Barkov

5-8
Nichushkin
Monahan
Lindholm
Nurse

I have no idea why Barkov wouldn´t be included it the top tier. That´s just a biased north-american view (even though I´m biased also).

[AC]

Originally Posted by Saqe

I have no idea why Barkov wouldn´t be included it the top tier. That´s just a biased north-american view (even though I´m biased also).

Feaster said in an interview recently that they see it as an "Elite 4", but didn't specify the 4th player... though hard to imagine its not Barkov.

[Roof-Daddy]

Alrighty then, go Preds, go Canes, hellooooo Barkov.

(Barring lottery results)

[Miniac]

Picking in the top 7 is amazing. We are going to get a good player I'm very happy. Barring in mind tomorrow's results and lottery.

[Miniac]

What do you guys think of Jordan Subban? Ranked 36th on Craig's list
http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=9607

[jg13]

If Tampa or Nashville win it is extremely likely we will pick top 4, likely 4th.

Barkov should be available and if he isn't, Drouin likely will be.

What a steal for this hockey club, youth shows skill/talent still able to possibly draft a potential franchise forward.

[AC]

Originally Posted by jg13

If Tampa or Nashville win it is extremely likely we will pick top 4, likely 4th.

Barkov should be available and if he isn't, Drouin likely will be.

What a steal for this hockey club, youth shows skill/talent still able to possibly draft a potential franchise forward.

Tampa cannot pass us at this point, we have the tiebreaker. Carolina and Nashville can both pass us though.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Saqe

I have no idea why Barkov wouldn´t be included it the top tier. That´s just a biased north-american view (even though I´m biased also).

Hard to compare.

The Finnish SM-liiga is not a very good league.

Just look at Mikael Granlund; the guy dominated the league like few others, but in NA it's still IMO too early to say if the guy will be a total bust.

Number of top players out of Finland in the recent years? (That are not goalies).

*crickets*

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Itse

Hard to compare.

The Finnish SM-liiga is not a very good league.

Just look at Mikael Granlund; the guy dominated the league like few others, but in NA it's still IMO too early to say if the guy will be a total bust.

Number of top players out of Finland in the recent years? (That are not goalies).

*crickets*

true ... but Barkov is an extraordinary player and has shown way more promise than Granlund. Granlund may be the flashier player because of his puck skills and some highlight goals, but Barkov seems to outshine him where it matters. Plus he's listed at 6'2 and 205, whereas Granlund is 5'10 and 180 ... I think there's a bigger chance that Barkov's game translates fluently to the NA game. Also:

Granlund: 45 GP, 20 G + 31 A = 51 P
Barkov: 53 GP, 21 G + 27 A = 48 P

Seems close? It doesn't. Those are Granlund's stats from his 3rd season in the SM-liiga when he was 20 years old. Barkov's stats are from this year ... and the kid is only 17 years old, he is one of the youngest players in the draft and only turns 18 in September. He's something else, really. I'd be ecstatic if NSH and CAR could push us to 4th tonight, that would be "humongous big", as the Universe would say.

[T@T]

Granlund is far from a bust, he's learning the NA game but is not suited for playing out of position in the bottom 6, he was a PPG player in the AHL playing top 6.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by T@T

Granlund is far from a bust, he's learning the NA game but is not suited for playing out of position in the bottom 6, he was a PPG player in the AHL playing top 6.

Oh I didn't mean he's a bust ,just that there's still a lot of questions whether he will will ever truly end up as a good pick. Which IMO goes to show that no matter how good you look in Finland, it doesn't say much of your actual potential.

Just not a good league anymore.

And I agree that there is no real point in comparing Granlund an Barkov directly, as they are very different players.

It's simply that Barkov playing in Finland means that his actual potential is hard to evaluate.

On some level this goes for all Euros. In the NA leagues scouts get to evaluate elite prospects directly to each other, but in Europe the best prospects are more spread out.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I thought the Swedish league was significantly better???

It might be a little bit better but comparisons are difficult to make. I think the lower tier teams in Sweden are probably better than the lower tier in Finland, but the good teams are pretty equal. At least that's how I've heard it describred. Either way, it's certainly not significantly better. KHL is the league that it clearly ahead. The Finnish league is closest to a north american style in Europe, I think, whatever that's worth.