The Drive for 30th

[JayP]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Does anyone foresee TSN ripping into the Flames no matter who they pick 1st overall for going "off the board"?

I can just see it now. Flames pick 2nd, MacKinnon and Drouin are still available, Flames pick MacKinnon, Ferraro et al proceed to say "Wow... not sure I would have done that. Given that the Flames need a dynamic goal scorer, I don't think MacKinnon will ever be that guy in Calgary. This is a bit off the board." Similarly, if Calgary were to pick Drouin all we would hear from TSN is "Wow... given that the Flames badly need a centre prospect, I'm not sure I would have went off the board with that pick. Given that the Flames already have Baertschi and Gaudreau in the system, they needed to have picked a centre here. I'm not sure I like what Feaster and company are doing here."

This anti-Flames bias thing is getting out of hand. TSN rips the Flames because we're a terrible team that has terrible management and has made questionable decision after questionable decision for years now. There really isn't anything good to say about the Flames so why should they?

I'm sure TSN is going to hype up Mackinnon/Drouin for months leading up to the draft and then just rip the Flames for taking them for no logical reason.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Table 5

It's not worth going for the player who might be a 95, when there are plenty of guys who are a 90 who seem much more of a sure-thing. There are no guarantees that any one of them will be great, but the Flames just cannot screw this draft up. They have to play it safe...even if it means you get a marginally lower-skilled player.

If we were already stocked up with great prospects, sure, go nuts. But without any real elite prospects to speak of (besides maybe Sven), they don't have any goodwill to take that chance right now.

I agree if you're in the top 4, but after that I'd say you consider it. That could just be my total lack of faith that we have the necessary rebuild moving forward. I think we're going to half-ass it and think the only way out of that mess is to hit a real home run with our first pick. If it's in the top 4, you have that chance with any of Jones/Mac/Drouin/Barkov so you don't consider the Russian, but the next tier doesn't carry the same certainty.

[dammage79]

Sounds like Florida are going to extend Weiss. Thats yet another center in their stable. I really see them going after Drouin if they end up drafting higher than the Flames.

1. COL-Jones
2. FLA-Drouin
3. CGY- McKinnon

[saillias]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Does anyone foresee TSN ripping into the Flames no matter who they pick 1st overall for going "off the board"?

I can just see it now. Flames pick 2nd, MacKinnon and Drouin are still available, Flames pick MacKinnon, Ferraro et al proceed to say "Wow... not sure I would have done that. Given that the Flames need a dynamic goal scorer, I don't think MacKinnon will ever be that guy in Calgary. This is a bit off the board." Similarly, if Calgary were to pick Drouin all we would hear from TSN is "Wow... given that the Flames badly need a centre prospect, I'm not sure I would have went off the board with that pick. Given that the Flames already have Baertschi and Gaudreau in the system, they needed to have picked a centre here. I'm not sure I like what Feaster and company are doing here."

No, you have a persecution complex.

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Does anyone foresee TSN ripping into the Flames no matter who they pick 1st overall for going "off the board"?

I can just see it now. Flames pick 2nd, MacKinnon and Drouin are still available, Flames pick MacKinnon, Ferraro et al proceed to say "Wow... not sure I would have done that. Given that the Flames need a dynamic goal scorer, I don't think MacKinnon will ever be that guy in Calgary. This is a bit off the board." Similarly, if Calgary were to pick Drouin all we would hear from TSN is "Wow... given that the Flames badly need a centre prospect, I'm not sure I would have went off the board with that pick. Given that the Flames already have Baertschi and Gaudreau in the system, they needed to have picked a centre here. I'm not sure I like what Feaster and company are doing here."

Gotta love the hyper-sensitivity around here about the media. I am quite confident that the above does not happen.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by JayP

This anti-Flames bias thing is getting out of hand. TSN rips the Flames because we're a terrible team that has terrible management and has made questionable decision after questionable decision for years now. There really isn't anything good to say about the Flames so why should they?

I'm sure TSN is going to hype up Mackinnon/Drouin for months leading up to the draft and then just rip the Flames for taking them for no logical reason.

The Flames were a mediocre team previously and are now a terrible team. There's a difference. TSN started ripping into the Flames right after the 2004 cup run and have been relentless ever since. It's now way easier to make fun of them because of how bad they have been the last couple of weeks, I'll give you that.

On the management front, I don't buy the idea that they are a bad group. So just because TSN says they are that makes it true? There are things that go on behind the scenes that nobody knows about. I would even bet that there are things that go on behind the scenes that even Feaster doesn't know about. That's how the business world works.

[Bourque's Twin]

I think the Flames will take Jones then Mackinnon in that order. The real dilemma will be Drouin or Barkov if we choose 3rd.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Igster

Regardless of who the Flames pick and where they pick, personally I think they need to pick someone who can be in the lineup next season simply to keep the fans interested. It's most likely not going to be a great season and having a young star to cheer for will help appease the fan base IMO.

Man, what are we, Florida now? Always need some circus-monkey to keep us entertained?

I think Flames attendance will be just fine next year with or without a top prospect. It's going to be their "taking out the trash" year, and I think everyone knows that and is willing to suck it up. Besides, we should see more Sven, Horak, Ramo/Berra, Backlund, Brodie in the lineup next year, and I think that's enough young energy for this team in terms of interest.

The last thing I want to see is them rush someone to the big leagues Oilahz-style, just to sell a few more tickets.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Actually, you can. Many high first-rounders have failed in the NHL.

[Ashasx]

I would be surprised if even one of the top 4 aren't in the NHL next season.

[StrykerSteve]

I will be devastated if the Flames don't acquire Mackinnon.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Man, what are we, Florida now? Always need some circus-monkey to keep us entertained?

I think Flames attendance will be just fine next year with or without a top prospect. It's going to be their "taking out the trash" year, and I think everyone knows that and is willing to suck it up. Besides, we should see more Sven, Horak, Ramo/Berra, Backlund, Brodie in the lineup next year, and I think that's enough young energy for this team in terms of interest.

The last thing I want to see is them rush someone to the big leagues Oilahz-style, just to sell a few more tickets.

Well, I think you're wrong. The Flames superstar is gone and having a brand new star to cheer for will appease the fans, regardless. Sven will help for sure, but that first round pick (hopefully top 3) should be in the lineup next season IMO.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I would be surprised if even one of the top 4 aren't in the NHL next season.

Not only do the top 4 look extremely skilled, but they also look relatively physically developed as well.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Sounds like Florida are going to extend Weiss. Thats yet another center in their stable. I really see them going after Drouin if they end up drafting higher than the Flames.

1. COL-Jones
2. FLA-Drouin
3. CGY- McKinnon

I won't feel comfortable unless the Flames finish 29 with the lottery. It would be so Calgary Flames to finish 28th and be bumped to the 4th overall pick. I hate to say it but I don't want the Flames to win any more games down the stretch. Ideally all the losses would be close hard fought but it looks like many of the vets have quit playing so if that's the way they are going to be then to hell with them and I will look forward to their replacements being picked in July.

[$ven27]

I see Jones, MacKinnon and maybe Barkov all make the jump. Drouin seems too thin, but then again RNH and Kane both made the jump right after their draft.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Igster

Well, I think you're wrong. The Flames superstar is gone and having a brand new star to cheer for will appease the fans, regardless. Sven will help for sure, but that first round pick (hopefully top 3) should be in the lineup next season IMO.

Well maybe it's just me, but I never went to a Flames game just to cheer on a "superstar". I go to cheer for the team. Frankly, the more I know about the players individually, the less I seem to like them.

[Mattman]

I just hope that who ever we draft doesn't listen to the media.

[Leondros]

Originally Posted by Igster

Well, I think you're wrong. The Flames superstar is gone and having a brand new star to cheer for will appease the fans, regardless. Sven will help for sure, but that first round pick (hopefully top 3) should be in the lineup next season IMO.

Then clearly you don't understand proper prospect development.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Well maybe it's just me, but I never went to a Flames game just to cheer on a "superstar".

Right, and we're here talking on a Flames message forum. Most fans are not like us.

Originally Posted by Leondros

Then clearly you don't understand proper prospect development.

LOL...the Flames should be picking in the top 3. All 3 are more than ready for the NHL next season.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by $ven27

I see Jones, MacKinnon and maybe Barkov all make the jump. Drouin seems too thin, but then again RNH and Kane both made the jump right after their draft.

Yeah but I don't want to see a guy rushed as I feel RNH wasn't physically ready for the NHL in his first season and I don't want to see a guy rushed just to please fans and show off the shiny new franchise player. If the kid isn't physically mature enough then don't waste a year of his ELC until he's truly ready.