Flames 2013 Draft Discussion

[Hustle]

Originally Posted by JayP

I think people read way too much into these little quotes. The guy isn't a native english speaker and it's a one line quote that could easily have more context behind it if we heard the whole interview. Something going wrong can mean a lot of things - it's not necessarily a matter of not getting the ice time he wants. Something going wrong could easily describe a guy like Cervenka too - a guy who just didn't fit in in the North American game.

The kid is leaving for North America after getting screwed around a bit in the KHL. I'd say if anything that makes him a lot less of flight risk since he doesn't exactly have a good memory of being treated well professionally back home.

Those are fair points. I guess it's the thought of recently drafted players demanding ice time or certain conditions that is a big red flag in my mind (this is irrespective of Nichushkin now). I just think it sends a wrong message from the organization moving forward with this rebuild.

If the Flames management does their homework on this kid and deems him mentally ready to go.. I hope they take him (I think its obvious that the skill is there). Fact of the matter is that given the state of this franchise.... we can't screw up this pick and there's going to be a lot of pressure on this 1st round pick to be a big part of the solution down the line.

Regardless between Lindholm/Monahan/Nichushkin or whomever else... we're getting a great prospect.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by ClubFlames

...oh so he will never bail back to KHL for more ice time and money if things don't work out in NHL? Phew, thanks for clearing that up. Go get em Nashville!

That's like saying we shouldn't draft Lindholm because Swedish players will never sign with their drafted team, I mean look at Erixon!!

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Given what was written above...



... If they really want Nichushkin there is no deal to be had.

Interest in drafting him isn't exactly the same thing as having him 1st on their radar. I would not be surprised if their level of acceptable risks regarding Russians isn't partly determined by who else is available at the time.

You're right though, it sounds less promising knowing that.

[ClubFlames]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

That's like saying we shouldn't draft Lindholm because Swedish players will never sign with their drafted team, I mean look at Erixon!!

So there's no such thing as 'Russian Factor'? Stupid media making up stuff.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by ClubFlames

So there's no such thing as 'Russian Factor'? Stupid media making up stuff.

There is such a thing as a Russian Factor, but when he's now stated he is going to the NHL, that kind of takes the Russian factor out of the equation. Really, Radulov is the only player in the last while who came over and played as a top player, and still decided to leave. (I might be forgetting people, but he's the only one that really springs to mind).

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Nichushkin would be a great fit for Tampa. If Nashville or Carolina take a chance on Nurse then we could snag Drouin or Barkov... Very exciting!

Can't believe we have to wait another month for the draft...

I just can't see Barkov or Drouin falling to the flames. It was one thing when posters thought Carolina would pick Nurse over Lindholm, but i can't see them passing on Barkov or Drouin for Nurse.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

There is such a thing as a Russian Factor, but when he's now stated he is going to the NHL, that kind of takes the Russian factor out of the equation. Really, Radulov is the only player in the last while who came over and played as a top player, and still decided to leave. (I might be forgetting people, but he's the only one that really springs to mind).

Radulov was considered to be a low-risk Russian at one point too though. He was largely developed in and accustomed to North America when he bolted.

Russian players have that extra little bit of KHL leverage over NHL teams. Whether or not they apply that leverage strongly is their choice, but it will always be the elephant in the room when negotiating contracts and allotting ice time (especially during that 3 year ELC window).

[Huntingwhale]

Please Jesus, let everything that Nichuskin said be true and let him enter the top 5. Please make one of the other teams go off the board and draft Nurse with their pick. Please let Barkov land to us. Please. Jesus, for almost the whole season we had a top 3 pick, and you let NSH, CAR and TB tank harder then us. That's not fair. They already have young star talent to build around. We've got 1 guy. You owe us this one, please. For once in my lifetime I'd like to see the Flames come out of the draft a winner with luck on our side. Please.

Amen.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by bucksmasher

ya but they could still be targeting Shinkaruk around #10 so its not a far fetched idea

Isn't Shinkaruk a winger? Considering my "far out proposal" was the Russian falling to flames at 6th, then trading the other 2 picks to get a center, i don't see why the flames would want to draft another winger at the #8-#10 spot?

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I just can't see Barkov or Drouin falling to the flames. It was one thing when posters thought Carolina would pick Nurse over Lindholm, but i can't see them passing on Barkov or Drouin for Nurse.

Ulitmately it boils down to CAR who sounded like they'd be happy with whatever they got out of the draft. There is still a good chance they are in love with Monahan or the idea that Lindholm can be a RW as well. You never know.

[PeteLFan]

People act as if Russians haven't done this before.

Nikita filatov bolted for Russia twice. Wasn't he supposed to be a safe bet?

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Ulitmately it boils down to CAR who sounded like they'd be happy with whatever they got out of the draft. There is still a good chance they are in love with Monahan or the idea that Lindholm can be a RW as well. You never know.

I can't see them picking Monahan over Barkov. I can't see them picking Lindholm over Drouin. I would be pretty pissed if the flames were in their position and passed on one of Barkov and Drouin. The Russian leaving the KHL is a pretty big deal and likely changes what some teams in the top 5 were thinking before.

[Dagger]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Fans don't know jack about who their teams will pick. Absolutely nothing. They can theorize like us but the know nothing about what their teams will do with their picks.

I never said anything was definite. I thought it might be relevant seeing as there are many top 6 mock drafts and utilizing information from fairly knowledgeable fans from teams like Tampa and Carolina is useful to us as similar fans....

[Hockey_Ninja]

Excellent news about Nichushkin. Someone good has to drop to #6 now.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I can't see them picking Monahan over Barkov. I can't see them picking Lindholm over Drouin. I would be pretty pissed if the flames were in their position and passed on one of Barkov and Drouin. The Russian leaving the KHL is a pretty big deal and likely changes what some teams in the top 5 were thinking before.

Lets face it. Teams aren't stupid. Sure it would be great if Barkov or Druin fell into the Flames lap but for that to happen one of the 5 teams below them would have to be very incompetent. These teams will covet the players for the same reasons Flames fans do. Because they are clearly a level above the rest of the prospects in this draft. While it's not impossible it's very improbable that any of the top 5 teams pick Nurse, Lindholm, or Monahan over the consensus top 5 which is more cemented this year than years past. IMO there may be a slight chance of a team picking Nurse or Lindholm but it's a shot in the dark at this point although I guess you can never be sure as there always seems to be one player that for whatever reason drops out of the top 5. Not sure this year though.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

People act as if Russians haven't done this before.

Nikita filatov bolted for Russia twice. Wasn't he supposed to be a safe bet?

McKenzie was saying how much a safe bet Filatov would be in his draft year and didn't have much of the "Russian Factor" risk. He spoke fluent English and told his Russian team that he would not be returning after the draft.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

Excellent news about Nichushkin. Someone good has to drop to #6 now.

I hope so, but it could end up being that instead of either Lindholm or Monahan being available at 6th, it just means that both will be. I have no idea where the Flames rank both those guys, but from most accounts we have seen, they are pretty much neck-and-neck anyway, so maybe it won't be a big difference to us at 6th.

I think there is an off chance that maybe Carolina or Nashville have Nurse, Lindholm or Monahan ahead of Barkov, but it's probably a long shot.

[dammage79]

Either way, the Flames will still be in a very good position come draft day with whoever they take. I just really have my hopes up that they can snag Barkov.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

McKenzie was saying how much a safe bet Filatov would be in his draft year and didn't have much of the "Russian Factor" risk. He spoke fluent English and told his Russian team that he would not be returning after the draft.

Yes, but he just ended up being an NHL bust that was probably brought over too early in the first place. Any player you draft has the potential to fail. We can only speculate what would have happened to Filatov if he found success in the NHL, but you think it would be wise to guess that he would still be in the NHL today.

[Canada 02]

How many top Russian draft picks have come and left?

Filatov, Radulov and Zherdev are the names that come to mind. Any others?