Flames 2013 Draft Discussion

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Seemed like a decent skater when I watched him in the Top Prospects game. And yes, he's quite physical.

I'm gonna have to re-watch that game and pay a bit closer attention to Zadorov and Nurse if we're drafting out of the top 4. Pretty sure he threw 2-3 big hits that game.

The first time I watched the game Nurse looked clearly better than Zadorov but it was only one game. Nurse is also physical and looks like he'll be a beast as well when he fills out.

Here's Craig Button's description of Zadorov from January:

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=9840

"Nikita is a physical specimen who combines it with a very good skill set. Strong, powerful stride which he uses to his advantage defensively to move ahead or offensively to jump into the play. He's physical and will assert himself. When he does, he is capable of stopping opponents 'cold in their tracks.' Has a big shot and it can overwhelm goalies. He has really developed his game in London and is looking increasingly comfortable in all facets of his play. He has 'huge' upside and when you assess his overall game, he may be the type of defenseman, teams will 'step up' to select in the draft."

Here's Craig Button's description of Nurse from January:

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=9841

"Big, strong and competitive and he imposes himself on opponents. Very strong skater with quickness, agility and balance that he uses very effectively to close on plays defensively and to move play ahead and out of his defensive zone. Has really developed his offensive game and he shows the capability of being a very well-rounded and dependable player. The type who can 'log' lots of important minutes in a game and these are valuable players in the NHL."

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=49649

Nurse is currently 6th on Button's list. Zadorov is currently 11th on Button's list.

Is Nurse anything like Phaneuf?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Psytic

Is Nurse anything like Phaneuf?

I wouldn't say so.

Nurse is more mobile and seems to have a better idea of what to do in his own end. I don't think his slapshot and his open ice hitting are dominant aspects of his game like they are/were for Phaneuf.

Haven't seen him enough to really have a great comparable.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

More on Nurse and Zadorov here with Dan Stewart, scouting director of Future Considerations:

http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca/2013...-director.html

"Nikita Zadorov has some of the best natural tools in this entire draft class. He has great size and outstanding mobility when coupled with that size. He hits like a Mack truck and gets his large frame into passing and shooting lanes effectively. He also has some ability to rush the puck up ice and jump into the attack, an area that will continue to develop further. I could see him as a strong two-way top four blue liner at the next level."

"Nurse just has so much going for him. His impressive frame and projected strength once he fills it out. His fluid skating and strong overall mobility coupled with that excellent size. His on-ice senses and ability to read the play and play that strong shutdown role when needed. His untapped offensive upside and his ability to jump into the play and contribute on that side of the puck. Just so much to get excited about with this kid."

Interesting to note that Nurse is a nephew of Donovan McNabb.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Seriously, do people just not play Right Wing?

I think finding All-Star Right Wingers is harder to find than Centers.

For example, if you look at Team Canada's upcoming potential roster, 8+/13 of our forwards will be centers.

Looking at that list, the players who do shoot right are d-men or centers, with only 2/30 being RW.

I wouldn't surprised if Mackinnon breaks into the league as RW & then converts back to C. That's one of the many reasons Mackinnon would be such a great fit with the Flames. Picking a right-shooting C is ideal because if they end up playing the wing, at least it would be the side we need help on!

Natural RWs seem hard to come by. Makes me wish I'd learned to skate a bit better!

[driveway]

Tampa has been astonishingly unlucky this year. They're 5 - 14 in one-goal games (including OT and the shootout). Over time, most teams sit around .500 in one-goal games. Also, their GF/GA of +1 should have them sitting around 14-18 instead of 26th.

I think it's extremely unlikely we finish ahead of Tampa, however they play games against Carolina and Florida, teams we need to finish behind in order to secure the draft pick we want.

I doubt Nashville's spiral will continue, they've already lost 7 in a row, they're due to rebound and they've got Rinne, and we've been over performing the last few games and caught some crazy luck against Detroit. I see us finishing behind them too.

I'm feeling we're picking 4th-6th, depending on the lottery. Barkov, Lindholm, Nichushkin - those are likely the choices we're looking at.

[Bonded]

Its hard to get into the bottom three ths year.

[FlamesAddiction]

I really hope some team takes a chance on Nichuskin in the top 5 so that one of the others falls to us.

Or just let us win the lottery.

[loob job]

I think our bottom three chances just went out the window with that win last night. I love the flames but i know we need franchise players now and finishing in the bottom four guaranteed our chance at getting one. I was deflated when we won last night. I don't want another five years of mediocrity with no light at the end of the tunnel. Please flames, lose your remaining games for the sake of the franchise.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Its hard to get into the bottom three ths year.

Kind of makes you appreciate just how bad the Oilers have been over the past three seasons. Many of us are just hoping for a top 3 pick and it seems as difficult as a 9/10th team trying to get the 8th spot. The Oilers made it look easy finishing 30,30,29. When you can consistently finish that low it's not bad bounces or bad luck, it's 'special' bad.

[Nehkara]

More of me thinking out loud.

It is 100% not worth it to lose on purpose. The Edmonton Oilers may never make the playoffs again because they lost on purpose for like 3 or 4 seasons.

Likely finish (going by schedules and recent performance):

30. Colorado (35)
29. Florida (38)
28. Carolina (38)
27. Nashville (40)
26. Calgary (40)
25. Edmonton (41)
24. Tampa Bay (42)
23. New Jersey (42)

At 26th the Flames would have an 8.1% chance of winning the draft lottery.

[Nehkara]

Here is an interesting question...

If the Flames finish 26th, like I mentioned above, would you package the CGY and PIT 1st rounders to Colorado/Florida/Carolina in exchange for a top 3 pick?

[Icon]

I have a feeling we pick 6th. Hoping Monahan is still available.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

Here is an interesting question...

If the Flames finish 26th, like I mentioned above, would you package the CGY and PIT 1st rounders to Colorado/Florida/Carolina in exchange for a top 3 pick?

I wouldn't.

Assuming the top 3 are Jones, Drouin and MacKinnon, I don't see Barkov or even Lindholm as being significant dropffs to warrant trading another 1st rounder to move up.

[FusionX]

I know it's been said a few times already, but as hard as it is to make the playoffs, it seems so much harder to play bad enough to get 30th. Yet, that's what the Oilers managed to do (yes, I know they were 29th one year then got lucky) and shockingly (or not) may still place lower than us when it's all said and done this year too.

It's been frustrating for sure but anytime I get too down on the Flames and our situation, I just think about the special something they're building up North and that definitely helps to take a bit of the sting out of it. Add this to the fact that the Canucks are known league-wide as having both some of the best diving skills and the worst fans and I can't help but feel that it's not so bad being a Flames fan.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

Here is an interesting question...

If the Flames finish 26th, like I mentioned above, would you package the CGY and PIT 1st rounders to Colorado/Florida/Carolina in exchange for a top 3 pick?

In a heartbeat but don't see why any of them would do that deal.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by moon

In a heartbeat but don't see why any of them would do that deal.

They are high on a player projected to go lower in the top 10. Or they simply want more draft picks in a deep draft.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

They are high on a player projected to go lower in the top 10. Or they simply want more draft picks in a deep draft.

Quality>>>>>>>>Quantity

Always! The Phanuef trade is an example of getting quantity instead of quality. This isn't the NFL where the top 4 rounds are littered with players that can start right away. In the NHL you are far better off getting one elite player out of a draft than a bunch of players that aren't first line talent.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

They are high on a player projected to go lower in the top 10. Or they simply want more draft picks in a deep draft.

Maybe but tough to imagine they are higher on a player not in the top 3 than the 3 guys there considering the general consensus that they are clearly a step up over everyone else.

Perhaps if we had the 4th pick they might be willing if they are crazy enough to take Nichuskin but doesn't make much sense to go from elite guy to good guy for a 30th pick that likely ends up never making it.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Quality>>>>>>>>Quantity

Always! The Phanuef trade is an example of getting quantity instead of quality. This isn't the NFL where the top 4 rounds are littered with players that can start right away. In the NHL you are far better off getting one elite player out of a draft than a bunch of players that aren't first line talent.

I agree. I was just playing Devil's Advocate. Certainly not as well as Devils'Advocate though.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Kind of makes you appreciate just how bad the Oilers have been over the past three seasons. Many of us are just hoping for a top 3 pick and it seems as difficult as a 9/10th team trying to get the 8th spot. The Oilers made it look easy finishing 30,30,29. When you can consistently finish that low it's not bad bounces or bad luck, it's 'special' bad.

Yeah, what I was thinking as well. The team has to really suck it up.