Central Scouting Rankings - 2012 Draft: Update - Mid Term Rankings Released

[Tilley]

http://whl.ca/uploads/assets/WHL_EN_...20Rankings.pdf

Plenty of skill, primarily on defense.

While everything depends on where the Flames select, this could be an excellent opportunity to finally pick that #1 C or a stud defenseman.

[The Fonz]

I don't see the Flames winning the Fail For Nail sweepstakes, which is perfectly okay with me. Don't really want a RW.

I'd love a big skilled center at this draft, atleast then we can spend the next decade searching for a different position. All this "#1 Center!!" talk has wore me out.

[Miniac]

Lots of Centers in the top 10. Which would be the best fit? Or do we pick the best available player?

[MikaelBacklund]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

I don't see the Flames winning the Fail For Nail sweepstakes, which is perfectly okay with me. Don't really want a RW.

I'd love a big skilled center at this draft, atleast then we can spend the next decade searching for a different position. All this "#1 Center!!" talk has wore me out.

Agreed that the flames probably won't win the fail for nail race, however, if he was available (doubt it), he plays both LW and RW, and RW is the flames weakest position. *after Iginla of course*

Flames must choose BPA, no matter what.
If Grigorenko is available though, the flames must snatch him up and run

I'm actually looking forward to this draft :/

[Miniac]

Originally Posted by MikaelBacklund

Agreed that the flames probably won't win the fail for nail race, however, if he was available (doubt it), he plays both LW and RW, and RW is the flames weakest position. *after Iginla of course*

Flames must choose BPA, no matter what.
If Grigorenko is available though, the flames must snatch him up and run

I'm actually looking forward to this draft :/

I am too! Hopefully we accumulate some more draft picks at the trade deadline.

[bubbsy]

i can understand flames fans leaning towards taking that elusive #1 center potential first round pick.

This team has shown the ability to go out and get first-fourth line wingers through trades and UFA signings, and the same can be said about defense.

It is extremely rare that a good #1 center (ie. NOT scott gomez) become available through trades (exceptions: thornton, richards, carter) or through UFA signings (exceptions: richards) for which you end up over paying in the end anyways. #1 centers around the league in almost all cases are drafted by their current teams.

i think this must be part of the "weighted" formula they use on determing the BPA... That being said, with the roster basically void of much young talent to take the reigns, flames have to restock every position with high end talent, so do agree if that's a dman, so be it. No goalies with first round picks please......

[8sPOT]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

i can understand flames fans leaning towards taking that elusive #1 center potential first round pick.

This team has shown the ability to go out and get first-fourth line wingers through trades and UFA signings, and the same can be said about defense.

It is extremely rare that a good #1 center (ie. NOT scott gomez) become available through trades (exceptions: thornton, richards, carter) or through UFA signings (exceptions: richards) for which you end up over paying in the end anyways. #1 centers around the league in almost all cases are drafted by their current teams.

i think this must be part of the "weighted" formula they use on determing the BPA... That being said, with the roster basically void of much young talent to take the reigns, flames have to restock every position with high end talent, so do agree if that's a dman, so be it. No goalies with first round picks please......

I think a slight bias should be placed towards a centre, but if another player is clearly better I think you gotta take that guy. I was impressed with Feasters draft this past year with their fancy formula and whatnot. If we manage the 1st overall though there is no doubt that you take Yakupov, after that maybe they can find the BPA among the remaining centres and d-men.

Would be nice to get another 1st or 2nd round pick this year.

[freakinsaprikin]

You could always trade that player for an established #1 center down the line as well. Always best to take best player available. Gives you options to do lots of things.

[icarus]

Hockey players have the craziest names... seriously.

[Johnny Rotten]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

i can understand flames fans leaning towards taking that elusive #1 center potential first round pick.

This team has shown the ability to go out and get first-fourth line wingers through trades and UFA signings, and the same can be said about defense.

It is extremely rare that a good #1 center (ie. NOT scott gomez) become available through trades (exceptions: thornton, richards, carter) or through UFA signings (exceptions: richards) for which you end up over paying in the end anyways. #1 centers around the league in almost all cases are drafted by their current teams.

i think this must be part of the "weighted" formula they use on determing the BPA... That being said, with the roster basically void of much young talent to take the reigns, flames have to restock every position with high end talent, so do agree if that's a dman, so be it. No goalies with first round picks please......

Unless he's a Martin Brodeau clone...but then again he could be a Trevor Kidd clone also.

Seriously though, a centre like Alex Galchenyuk could be the sleeper pick of the top-rated prospects because of his injury status. He may scare some teams off depending how much he plays this year. I realize Brett Connolly didn't scare off Tampa, but if Galchenyuk doesn't play this year (although I think he's expected too), he could drop down.

Maybe Yakupov could be another Kane and move to center if the Flames are lucky enough to draft him

[Tilley]

Central Scouting releases its mid term rankings. I have linked the list of North American skaters below.

Mid Term Rankings - North American Skaters

Rather than a dive into the top five, it appears the Flames will likely be selecting somewhere around 10-20.

With such a deep draft and many of the top flight players missing time due to injury, this could be the year to attain a late first round pick to snag a guy that would have likely gone top 10.

[kirant]

Holy hell did Faksa take a jump.

[Johnny Rotten]

Originally Posted by Miniac

Lots of Centers in the top 10. Which would be the best fit? Or do we pick the best available player?

Best player available, I'd say. The Flames "desperately" needed a centre in 1997 and drafted Daniel Tkaczuk. Now, hidsight being 20-20, I'd wish they'd drafted Marion Hossa(winger) or Scott Hannan (D-man).

[Parallex]

I still really hope that enough teams get scared off by his lost season that Alex Galchenyuk falls to us. I doubt it but a guy can dream. I have a gut feeling that Calgary is ultimately going to get the 2nd part of the Reinhart trifecta and draft Griffin (Which I wouldn't mind really if we fall in the 14th-17th overall range).

[freakinsaprikin]

Of the top 10, 7 are defensemen. That's pretty crazy.

[c.t.ner]

Personally, I'd like to see the flames take a chance on a highly touted D. I know it's not the sexy choice, but if the Flames have a chance at Dumba or Reinhart, I say they jump all over it.

For the past couple of seasons, our D was our strongest position, but because of Erixon's issues and Negrin's underdevelopment I think we need to restock the D cupboard. I know it's an antiquated model, but a Sven/Reinhart, Brodie (or Dumba/Reinhart), Iriving foundation is a good step forward for the future.

I like the mobility that the Feaster has injected to the Flames D corp, but I still think we need a bruising force that'll put fear in the opponents eyes. We had it with Phaneuf when he was a rookie, Regher for most of his stay and Sarich for the portion of his contract. I currently don't see anyone in the system that has that level of grit or intensity, maybe Ramage, but I haven't seen much of him because of his College commitment.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by c.t.ner

Personally, I'd like to see the flames take a chance on a highly touted D. I know it's not the sexy choice, but if the Flames have a chance at Dumba or Reinhart, I say they jump all over it.

For the past couple of seasons, our D was our strongest position, but because of Erixon's issues and Negrin's underdevelopment I think we need to restock the D cupboard. I know it's an antiquated model, but a Sven/Reinhart, Brodie (or Dumba/Reinhart), Iriving foundation is a good step forward for the future.

I like the mobility that the Feaster has injected to the Flames D corp, but I still think we need a bruising force that'll put fear in the opponents eyes. We had it with Phaneuf when he was a rookie, Regher for most of his stay and Sarich for the portion of his contract. I currently don't see anyone in the system that has that level of grit or intensity, maybe Ramage, but I haven't seen much of him because of his College commitment.

I tend to agree with you.

Unless there's an absolute stud offensive player available (e.g., Baertschi last year), I think Feaster should try drafting a hard-hitting, aggressive D-Man. However, I don't want Feaster drafting Griffin just because he's a Reinhart. If he's the best D-Man available, then yes, draft him. From the little I've seen of Dumba, I think he'd be a great pick for this organization.

As far as the Flames' new, upcoming core of players, without getting overly optimistic or unrealistic, I think those players you listed are the players one has to look to to be the Flames organization for the next several years.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

I tend to agree with you.

Unless there's an absolute stud offensive player available (e.g., Baertschi last year), I think Feaster should try drafting a hard-hitting, aggressive D-Man. However, I don't want Feaster drafting Griffin just because he's a Reinhart. If he's the best D-Man available, then yes, draft him. From the little I've seen of Dumba, I think he'd be a great pick for this organization.

As far as the Flames' new, upcoming core of players, without getting overly optimistic or unrealistic, I think those players you listed are the players one has to look to to be the Flames organization for the next several years.

Between the two, I'd much prefer Griffin. Dumba has good upside, but I'm concerned that if we're looking to draf physical defencemen, we run the risk of his rain thin frame not filling out, not letting that Phaneuf hitting style translate very well.

Though, if we're going best overall D, I don't mind Dumba.

[nik-]

So Galchenyuk has the LV for limited viewing, yet they stuck him between 30 and 31. Is this because they know he'll be a first rounder and don't know where?

I still assume he'll go top 10 or even top 5.

[HighLifeMan]

I would be more than happy drafting Cody Ceci in the 16-30 range