Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[albertGQ]

If we win the lottery, I think we should pick Ekblad. Its like we picked him at the #5 (or wherever we end up at) pick. Although I wouldn't complain if we picked Reinhart or Bennett

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

None of Reinhart, Bennett or Draisaitl appear to be the same level of player as MacKinnon/Barkov to me. They are looking closer to the Monahan level. Ekblad meanwhile appears closer to Jones than the forwards are to the forwards last year. That is why the discussion is a lot different this year. Add to that we're actually looking pretty good at centre with Backlund having developed into a #2, Monahan now in the fold, Stajan locked up and Jankowski, Knight, Arnold, etc still in the system. We could be just fine as is as long as Monahan turns into a #1 which seems likely. On the other hand we have no top 3 defense prospects. We don't have much in terms of size on defense. We are lacking right shooters on defense. Ekblad fills that.

But you are right, we can't go wrong if we had a top 3 pick. Doesn't look like we will though.

I think Barkov and Jones went close then? If the impression I'm getting here is right, then the equivalent this year is Ekblad is close to Bennett/Reinhart in terms of quality, and thus I don't see any reason to give up a stud prospect in Sven/Johnny to draft for position. If we could give up, say, a 2nd or 3rd rounder to get into the top 3, that would be awesome though.

(or lose 2 more games then the others, but I know how many fear losing 2 games is "going full Oiler" or something)

[getbak]

Most of the reason I want the Flames to get Ekblad is because I know the Oilers want him so badly.

[FakenHaken]

Originally Posted by getbak

Most of the reason I want the Flames to get Ekblad is because I know the Oilers want him so badly.

Might be the reason to stay away from him though. We all know their scouting department uses THN for the first round and then are clueless for the next 5 rounds.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Ekblad > Wideman.... By a longshot.

Compliance buyout that contract, please.... Draft Ekblad, and use our money on the free agent market for RWers.. Does anybody know of any RWers that will be on the market that will probably help us out, perhaps with size and skill? I really liked the thread on Mueller, a 25 year old who could play C/RW, mainly RW and really wants a chance back in the NHL.

[Five-hole]

My guess at the final standings:

1. Buffalo
2. NYI
3. Florida
4. Calgary
5. Nashville
6. Edmonton (yes, really)

I don't see any way Buffalo takes Ekblad. They're stacked on D and could really use an explosive F prospect. If they see Ekblad as the clear #1 they should move down a spot or two and grab the F they want anyway. If this is how things shake out I could certainly see a situation where Burke makes two trades, one to get into the 2 or 3 spot and then another with Buffalo to move to #1. I don't think the price to do either one is going to be that steep. It would probably involve both 2nd round picks (one in each deal) and one prospect, like a Granlund or Wotherspoon.

That said, we could easily pass Nashville and stay clear of the Oilers, and pick #6 again. The price to move from 5/6 into the top 3/4 is going to be much steeper IMO, as there seems to be a pretty clear top 4 (Ekblad / Bennett / Reinhart / Draisaitl).

[Muta]

Honestly, if we finish in the 6-7 range, which could be possible, we should just take Virtanen. He's the only RW consistently in the top 10 of multiple media sources, and we're lacking on RW prospects as much as we are on defense.

I'm starting to realistically envision that we will not be in the top four, or even the top five. This team is starting to click and I think we're as good, if not better than, both Nashville and Carolina.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

Sven + pick #5 is gross overpayment for pick #2 or #3.

If the Flames had the #2 pick, and say the Predators at #5 wanted to swap, what would you want in return?

[djsFlames]

If we pass Nashville and Carolina, then the pick would be best spent on either Virtanen or Fleury (considered second best d-man). Either would be a solid move. Although there would be a strong chance Burke offers up our second to move back into the top 5.

Let's hope it doesn't come to that. While those two would help us, the top 5 skaters are still a cut above.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Muta

Honestly, if we finish in the 6-7 range, which could be possible, we should just take Virtanen. He's the only RW consistently in the top 10 of multiple media sources, and we're lacking on RW prospects as much as we are on defense.

I'm starting to realistically envision that we will not be in the top four, or even the top five. This team is starting to click and I think we're as good, if not better than, both Nashville and Carolina.

If they think Virtanen is close enough to the other players available then thats fine to take him. But you don't pass up a superior LW just because he's a LWer and we need RWs. So far I'm skeptical that Virtanen will be the best player available at #6. Maybe I'll go check him out in the playoffs to try and get a better read on him.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

If the Flames had the #2 pick, and say the Predators at #5 wanted to swap, what would you want in return?

Yep that is the way to think about it. And last year after the rumoured offer of all three 1st rounders for the #1 overall I thought if we had the #1, I probably wouldn't trade it for #6, #22, #28 or whatever it was. It seemed like an overpayment when you heard the rumour but then if you think about the reverse situation it wasn't a slamdunk I'd deal the #1 for those three picks.

Depends where our scouts and management think Baertschi is at right now and where he will end up. If he's merely a soft, skilled 2nd liner in the making then it may be fine to part with him as we have good depth on the wings with Poirier, Gaudreau, Klimchuk all looking like they could be 2nd liners or better. Granlund may end up shifted onto the wing as a top 6 winger too. Colborne may end up as a 2nd line winger too. And we still have Glencross and Hudler for the moment.

Personally I'd give up more to deal up and get Ekblad than I would for the forwards.

[SuperMatt18]

In the OHL coaches poll that was released yesterday Ekblad was voted in first for best shot, hardest shot, best offensive D-man , best defensive D-man, and second for best PKer.

That is pretty damn impressive for a draft eligible d-man.

[ForeverFlameFan]

^ I don't see Burke NOT at least attempting to move up for this kid.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Good trade for the Ducks. Took some heat for saying the Senators could potentially be a lottery team last summer. Yet, here we are.

No doubt. I was battling that same battle and arguing that the Sens pick could be top 10 and it would not surprise me.

The team was a surprise last year in a positive way with their one year rebuild and everybody jumped all over the hype train.

They are underachieving this year but this is pretty much par for the course for teams that have Craig Anderson as their starter. Great one year and carries them to a great season, then back down to earth the next year.

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...by+Ryan&page=3

Guess we just need to wait until the end of the season for Tinordi to bump that thread for you now.

[Bourque's Twin]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

^ I don't see Burke NOT at least attempting to move up for this kid.

Certainly.

The thing that makes it realistic is that Buffalo is stacked at D. If they win the lottery, they might be willing to make a deal with the Flames. However, as somebody said earlier, there is a clear top 4. The Flames will have a difficult time obtaining the 1st pick from Buffalo if they can't promise a top 4 overall pick.

Let's hope Edmonton and Florida stay hot.

[theTrumanShow]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

Certainly.

The thing that makes it realistic is that Buffalo is stacked at D. If they win the lottery, they might be willing to make a deal with the Flames. However, as somebody said earlier, there is a clear top 4. The Flames will have a difficult time obtaining the 1st pick from Buffalo if they can't promise a top 4 overall pick.

Let's hope Edmonton and Florida stay hot.

Oilers play Buffalo tonight so that should get them to 2 points back of us. Hudler should stay hurt for the rest of the year....

[FakenHaken]

Originally Posted by theTrumanShow

Oilers play Buffalo tonight so that should get them to 2 points back of us. Hudler should stay hurt for the rest of the year....

Calgary Flames ‏@NHLFlames21m
Jiri Hudler will play tomorrow vs. the #Preds.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

Certainly.

The thing that makes it realistic is that Buffalo is stacked at D. If they win the lottery, they might be willing to make a deal with the Flames. However, as somebody said earlier, there is a clear top 4. The Flames will have a difficult time obtaining the 1st pick from Buffalo if they can't promise a top 4 overall pick.

Let's hope Edmonton and Florida stay hot.

After what I saw with the Berra trade, I really trust Burke in making the best deals for this team. Like I said, there is no way he doesn't at least attempt to move up. But if the other team asks for too much, he could possible just say forget it to them. I like that he is reasonable and doesn't sound desperate. I always thought of Feaster trades as "desperate attempts" ..

Back to the drafting, I'd be very happy with Ekblad or Reinhart, depending on what Burke would pick if he had a choice. I think he recognizes how much center depth we already have, but he might even take a second look at Reinhart and may think that he is the best choice for the Flames.

If we stay in our drafting spot (assuming 5-7), I wouldn't mind Virtanen (RWer), Ritchie (size), or Fleury (second-best defenseman in draft). However, Fleury picked in the 5-7 range is a little high.. I see him more in the 10-12 range.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Ekblad > Wideman.... By a longshot.

Compliance buyout that contract, please.... Draft Ekblad, and use our money on the free agent market for RWers.. Does anybody know of any RWers that will be on the market that will probably help us out, perhaps with size and skill? I really liked the thread on Mueller, a 25 year old who could play C/RW, mainly RW and really wants a chance back in the NHL.

Yeah, a prospect yet to play a game is miles better than an established NHLer who's going through a tough stretch.

RW UFAs, there isn't really that much on the market that we should be extremely interested in. Muller might be one, but other choices like Setoguchi, Gaborik, Stempniak doesn't really inspire much.

[SuperMatt18]

It would be a huge honour to be drafted by the Oilers. To wear that uniform one day would be the greatest thing ever for me.- Draisaitl

Well scratch Draisaitl off my list, can't be drafting a player that clearly lacks pride and hockey sense.