Flames 2013 Draft Discussion

[Erick Estrada]

Ross MacLean head scout with ISS said this morning on 960 that Nichushkin interviewed poorly. He said he didn't seem interested and didn't take the testing seriously. Big red flag and if this is the case I think we can strike him off the list as a possible Flames pick the team seems to put a lot into the interview process. Ross predicts he could be the big slider.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Ross MacLean head scout with ISS said this morning on 960 that Nichushkin interviewed poorly. He said he didn't seem interested and didn't take the testing seriously. Big red flag and if this is the case I think we can strike him off the list as a possible Flames pick the team seems to put a lot into the interview process.

Or...

Maybe it means he could slip to 22nd?

One can hope.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Or...

Maybe it means he could slip to 22nd?

One can hope.

I doubt he would last past the teens as a team will take a chance on him if only for his size and skill. I'm thinking more of a slide like Forseberg last year where he goes from top 3/4 to 10. Heck as long as the Oilers hold the 7th pick anything is possible.

[Stanley]

Did Nichushkin interview poorly, or was it his translator?
Granny could barely convey the message at the combine interview...

[Table 5]

I know people keep justifying his comments and behavior, but the guy is showing obvious signs of becoming the classic Russian primadonna. There are way too many good players in this draft to risk it on crappy character who may or may not have 10% more talent. I pass on the guy at 22 as well.

[kn]

Agreed. Bad combine and bad interview... just say no when there are so many good players in this draft.

[PlayfulGenius]

If he drops, CGY is less likely to get their choice of Lindholm/Monahan as one would likely be gone.

[TurdFerguson]

Bad news for Calgary. Best case scenario was that TB or CAR (or anyone ahead of us for that matter) took a strong liking to him. If that is not the case, then we likley wont have our pick of Lindholm/Monahan at 6. Still can get one of them though, just not be the one we prefer.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I know people keep justifying his comments and behavior, but the guy is showing obvious signs of becoming the classic Russian primadonna. There are way too many good players in this draft to risk it on crappy character who may or may not have 10% more talent. I pass on the guy at 22 as well.

I was reading at HF (yeah I know) but they posted tweets from senior scouts saying he was one of the worst interviews they had ever seen.

I agree. In fact I don't want the Flames to use any of their 1st round picks if he's available. It really sounds like this kid doesn't get it right now and may never.

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by Commandant

I take a little break from the previews to do a mock draft. Part 1 here.

http://lastwordonsports.com/2013/06/...elf-prospects/

Thanks i'm loving the mock drafts this time of year and can't wait for the second half.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Ross MacLean head scout with ISS said this morning on 960 that Nichushkin interviewed poorly. He said he didn't seem interested and didn't take the testing seriously. Big red flag and if this is the case I think we can strike him off the list as a possible Flames pick the team seems to put a lot into the interview process. Ross predicts he could be the big slider.

I read an article a week ago that scouts did not like his answer to " would you object to playing in the AHL?" He said he would never play in the AHL. Some scouts went further with the questioning and asked him " what if you need some time in the AHL to get used to North American hockey?". He still said he would not go to the AHL at any point.

Also in the article it was mentioned that he did not have as good as a result in the workout part as they thought he would. When questioned about it, he said he was unaware that this kind of workout took place. The guy writing the article seemed to question that answer, thinking that his agent would know and would have told him what takes place. I would also presume he had talked to other former players that have taken the combine.

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by TurdFerguson

Bad news for Calgary. Best case scenario was that TB or CAR (or anyone ahead of us for that matter) took a strong liking to him. If that is not the case, then we likley wont have our pick of Lindholm/Monahan at 6. Still can get one of them though, just not be the one we prefer.

Feaster may still get the guy he prefers, he'll just have to get a bit lucky, is all.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

^ Good points.

And I'd like to know why they're being ridiculed about drafting in the first place, seeing as Jankowski hasn't even PANNED OUT yet, to be deemed a truly stupid, or brilliant decision. And none of the players drafted around him that weren't considered "off the board" have surpassed him in any way to this point. So wtf is everyone going on about, exactly? Writers and analysts, too. It's ridiculous and pretty idiotic if they can't recognize that the picking of Jankowski isn't a representation of the Flames drafting as a whole under Feaster's regime, either.

2011 is appearing to be the best draft from the club in ages, and the other 2012 picks weren't out of place in any way from where they were picked.

Sure, I was surprised by our moves in the 1st round last year, but there isn't enough ground to be calling Feaster and co. 'unpredictable' and likely to screw up these future draft picks. To them I ask, what about Jankowski at this point can tell you that he even f-d that up?

Really they're ####ing imbeciles just falling into a pack mentality by beating up on the Flames, instead of forming their own objective or educated opinions by looking at the evidence as a whole to this point. Now I just can't wait until we hit a home run this draft and make them all eat dirt, while we make their favorite bandwagon clubs cry on the ice not too far down the road.

LOL, like how you start the bolded part with a big insult to CP'ers that do not agree with you line of thinking. I will pretend you were not refering to me in that comment.

As for "looking at the evidence" when it comes to player rankings, here is my evidence that i am scared about Weisbrod's rankings:

Last year Weisbrod said if Jankowski had been gone at 18 that they would not have had a problem with taking Seiloff with that pick. Seiloff at 18?

Now this year Feaster says that they have a 5'9" player in their rankings at 10-12. Looking at Roger Millions tweet its not hard to connect the dots that the 5'9" player could be Petan. Sorry, Petan 10-12 on the flames list?

There is reason to be scared about the flames rankings because in many interviews with Weisbrod it comes across like he is trying to reinvent the wheel. Remember Weisbrod had nothing to do with the 2011 draft and has changed the way flames rank players since he took over.

I guess to you, "forming objective and educated opinions" is thinking all is great in flames land and they can do no wrong.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by fotze

Is it possible Nichushkin/agent has a team picked out that he wants to go to and they have under the table instructed him to tank the interviews and combine to ensure he drops to them?

Just a neat little conspiracy theory.

Obviously so he can end up with the Rangers... the Rangers are always doing shifty things like that.

[bubbsy]

well that sucks.

he was one of those wildcards i think flames fans were hoping to slide into the top5 shifting some of targets down to 6th spot.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

well that sucks.

he was one of those wildcards i think flames fans were hoping to slide into the top5 shifting some of targets down to 6th spot.

I'm still hoping that Nurse turns into a surprise pick at #5. If the Canes do not go after the Russian winger then hopefully they opt for a Dman instead of going after a center that they would likely have to convert to the wing.

[djsFlames]

Obviously by "they" I was referring to many of the general hockey community outside of Flames fans, who're seemingly of the opinion that the Flames are bound to screw up more picks with the current management they have, when by making this claim, they're basing all their skepticism by one peice of evidence in the Jankowski pick, which isn't even evidence of a flopped draft pick, as the kid has been given 1 year to develop and could very well be everything the Flames management believed him to be. I didn't know some in here were as scared as you about them picking, so obviously I wasn't referring to you. Also, I think that after the trade deadline, people are finding it easy to lump everything together.

Let's say Petan is actually ranked 10-12 on their charts. But who's at 10, 9, 8? Maybe someone else who's more appropriate in your opinion? Whoever they end up getting at 6 could alter who they aim for with 22, according to their perceived needs. But say for example, if we landed Barkov at 6, they draft a defenseman at 22, then Petan at 28 or the other way around, I sure as hell wouldn't be upset, as they would've already drafted an elite physical presence with ample size. Petan did score the most points of any player in the CHL this season (120pts), in on 38% of portland's total offense and most of that at even strength. So we're going to assume that because he's 5'9, there's no way in hell could have the capabilities of a 10-12 ranked player? When we drafted Sven he was the same weight with one inch on Petan, and we drafted him 13th. So, by that line of thinking, Sven's drafting must be as inappropriate as well. But what do you or I know... Again it's all individual opinions. You don't think a club should be drafting any shrimps in the upper half of the first round, whereas they've been watching him over the year and feel based on his all around skill level, he has the merit to be there. Doesn't mean he's destined to be their 22 or 28 pick, either, though. And beyond all that, who's to say he's actually 10-12 ranked, knowing how much we know of about what Feaster says actually ends up being fact. Could just be making mountains out of molehills..

[nik-]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Obviously by "they" I was referring to many of the general hockey community outside of Flames fans, who're seemingly of the opinion that the Flames are bound to screw up more picks with the current management they have, when by making this claim, they're basing all their skepticism by one peice of evidence in the Jankowski pick, which isn't even evidence of a flopped draft pick, as the kid has been given 1 year to develop and could very well be everything the Flames management believed him to be. I didn't know some in here were as scared as you about them picking, so obviously I wasn't referring to you. Also, I think that after the trade deadline, people are finding it easy to lump everything together.

I think people are justifiably suspect of the talent evaluation abilities of this organization. Ryan O'Reilly was a franchise center, Every goalie we acquire being the best goalie outside of NA, Cervenka being a center, Babchuk possibly scoring 50 points for us. They're not exactly hitting any home runs here. Skepticism is the view of experience here.

[djsFlames]

I have as much skepticism about their abilities to sign and trade as anyone, but we're talking strictly about drafting, here. And in terms of drafting..there's nothing in this management's history to warrant that line of thinking (yet). Last time they were open to looking at projects, this time they apparently are not and are seeking players closer to NHL ready, so I don't think we have much to worry about, if people are worried about something 'off the board'.

[SportsJunky]

There has been a trade to announce. I have officially traded this Sunday, June 16th (Father's Day) for Sunday, June 30th (NHL Draft). I am looking forward to BBQ, Beer, t.v. and internet on my newly acquired Father's Day this season.