And then when you least expect it. Right after they draft Nichushkin...they trade for Kuznetsov his teammate from Trakor. I think this site would crash.
No to a potential star, if not an elite power winger in the NHL?
Except it's not "choose him or choose a kick in the balls". There are other potential stars or elite players that play in positions we have an extreme need for.
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Originally Posted by MisterJoji
Johnny eats garbage and isn’t 100% committed.
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No to a potential star, if not an elite power winger in the NHL?
No to potential prima-donna and flight risk who may or may not be 5-10% better than the handful of other prospects that don't seem to have those issues.
Except it's not "choose him or choose a kick in the balls". There are other potential stars or elite players that play in positions we have an extreme need for.
RW happens to be a position of extreme need. But I get it as I would love a center too, but I drool at the thought of Nichushkin here just as much as Lindholm or Monahan.
If we had pick 7 or 8 on top of 6, and had already picked one of the nice centers, I'd be all for the risk. Not with 6, not when the talent starts to slide after that.
The drafting philosophy has changed, and in my opinion, it's a good thing. The jury is still out though to see if it pays off in the long run.
The funny thing about a lot of GMs, is that their success and failure isn't often apparent until they are gone. It's like politics. There is usually some lag and the successors either get the credit or the disdain based on the actions of the predecessor.
When the Flames were successful, Sutter was humble enough to put a lot of the credit on Coates.
very true
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Originally Posted by Flash Walken
It's all coming to pass, Nik.
Late season surge, out of the top 5, attempted to trade all first round picks and now seemingly interested in a flight risk.
Maybe they will draft a Goalie in the first round to really keep your pessimism guessing!
6th overall - a Russian
22nd overall - a goalie (Fucale)
28th overall - traded for a roster player
That would make CP a very interesting place...
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"With a coach and a player, sometimes there's just so much respect there that it's boils over"
-Taylor Hall
I have never been opposed to Nichuskin at 6. In the top 4 it would be a poor move, but at 6 he is worth the risk. People have him on the same level as the top 3, that would be awesome.
I would probably prefer Barkov, Monahan, or Lindholm but am not going to freak out if they take Nichuskin, especially if Barkov and Monahan are off the board.
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The guy wants to play in the NHL. The established player he most resembles is Kovalchuk. I don't think it's a disaster for the Flames if they add a Kovalchuk to the franchise.
Why do people showing hilights every time his name comes up? It's not his talent that's at question here. It's his motive/character. I don't care if he's Wayne frickin Gretzky Part 2....if there's a good chance the guy is not on this team in 3-4 years, or ever, I pass.
If the Flames do take Nichushkin, I hope they have a solid plan for acclimatizing him to Calgary.
I hope they learned their lesson with Cervenka (granted he had a wife and newborn back home) and I don't want to hear Hartley or Feaster explaining away Nichushkin in a slump or being healthy scratched because he is homesick.
IIRC Malkin was able to adapt quickly because Gonchar took him in with the Pens.
I am not saying the Flames go find a Russian player to mentor Nichushkin, but a Russian ex-pat that lives in Calgary would be good also.
Oh come on. He's downright stated the second things don't work out, he's back to Russia. Unless he develops perfectly, aka in the NHL right away, whoever picks this kid is wasting an asset. Honestly I expect him to drop out of the top 10
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I could live with it if MacKinnon, Barkov, and Monahan are gone. However, could this not also be the counter play to the Avs announcement. Stating they are happy with whoever is left out of the top 6 may cool the bidding war a little.
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"Cammy just threw them in my locker & told me to hold on to them." - Giordano on the pencils from Iggy's stall.
If the guy is good.. take him. You've got one top player who's run back to the KHL... you can't just avoid good players out of fear. If he's good... he'll get paid and be fine. If it comes down to Monohan or this guy... we'd be crazy to take Monohan.... Toews this and Toews that. I've seen him play and he's not going to be an elite NHL player.
No to potential prima-donna and flight risk who may or may not be 5-10% better than the handful of other prospects that don't seem to have those issues.
Yeah, and soon as something goes off plan (as tends to happen with an 18 year old), then what? What if he needs to be sent to the AHL? Do you not send him down? What if he refuses to go, as he's stated?
No thanks. There are plenty of fantastic picks in this draft. There is no need to take a risk. This is the one team that desperately needs to have success in this draft.
Does it truly matter who we take at 6? Whoever we take there instantly becomes our best prospect and if the Flames see Nichushkin as the best player on the board and in the long run then they should take him. If it doesn't work out and he doesn't want to play for us then trade his rights elsewhere.
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