Flames 2013 Draft Discussion

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Max Cow Disease

I personally wouldn't mind if Feaster nabbed Erie Otters LW Stephen Harper with one of our later picks. From reports, he was firmly on the right wing when he was younger but has gradually sort of drifted over to the left side.

But seriously, what's the story with that kid? He was 38th in the midterm CSS rankings, and 128th in the final rankings. There was only one other player in the top-40 mid-season who dropped out of the top-50 at the end of the year, and that was only from 35 to 57.

Did one too many people make a joke about his name, and he killed someone?

[calgARI]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

For failure to sign 2008 first round pick Daultan Leveille

Damn Leveille is terrible and was a 3rd liner at best by the time he was done at Michigan State. 59th pick is a lot more valuable than a guy the Jets probably had no intention of signing.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Goodlad

That's the main reason I'd prefer to hang onto the St.Louis/Pitts picks instead of trying to package them to move into that 10-15 range. I think there are enough quality guys that will still be available at that 25-30 range.

Exactly. I would probably give up the Pens pick to upgrade the #6 pick to MacKinnon but outside of that I do not think there are lot of clear talent drops that would make me want to give up a shot at drafting twice in the late first round.

I would really like to land Morin as well as one of Rychel, Gauthier, Mantha, or whoever else drops to us.

[dammage79]

Could have sworn Craig Button was releasing his final draft rankings today.

Edit: tweeted craig and said it's out on the Fourth, tsn.ca lied to me.

[dying4acup]

Freddie Gauthier peaks my curiosity. ISS has him ranked at 18. I can see him rising or falling 5-10spots.

Upside: Keith Primeau
Downside: Wayne Primeau

It looks like the league is going bigger again, so this kid fills a desperate need.

If his upside is in fact Keith Primeau, I don't even debate picking him at 22. But I bet he's gone 12-15

[Phaneuf_Rules]

I would love to end up with two of Gauthier, Mantha, Zykov or Horvat. If none of them drop to 30 then Morin or Petan.

Edit: Its been crazy to see the shift in 10 - 40 ranked players.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

Freddie Gauthier peaks my curiosity. ISS has him ranked at 18. I can see him rising or falling 5-10spots.

Upside: Keith Primeau
Downside: Wayne Primeau

It looks like the league is going bigger again, so this kid fills a desperate need.

If his upside is in fact Keith Primeau, I don't even debate picking him at 22. But I bet he's gone 12-15

Gauthier seems like a Dingman pick - big, limited offensive forward. Apparently disappeared during his playoffs, take a pass on this guy unless he's bpa at #30 or wherever the Pitts pick settles at.

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf_Rules

I would love to end up with two of Gauthier, Mantha, Zykov or Horvat. If none of them drop to 30 then Morin or Petan.

Edit: Its been crazy to see the shift in 10 - 40 ranked players.

Hopefully the Flames can pick up one more pick in the 1st or top half of the 2nd... Their own 2nd would sure look good right now, I wonder I they could get it back from MTL??

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Red John

Monahan isn't even close to being Jeff Carter.

Think Ryan Kesler or Ryan O'Reilly.

David Backes?

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf_Rules

I would love to end up with two of Gauthier, Mantha, Zykov or Horvat. If none of them drop to 30 then Morin or Petan.

Edit: Its been crazy to see the shift in 10 - 40 ranked players.

Can't have a future top six of Gaudreau, Baertschi and Petan - need some size in there which Morin would bring.

Would be nice to come back with a decent d prospect. Pulock, Hagg, Morrissey, Morin, Ristolainen or Theodore. Would shy away from a defensive defenceman and look for someone who has some offensive upside as we lack that type of prospect.

[#-3]

I think if Gauthier is there at the Stl pick he has to be our guy, I wouldn't even mind seeing the Stl & Pit picks packaged for a pick in the 10 - 15 range + a 2nd rounder, to insure we get Gauthier.

[nik-]

The more time goes by the more I hope we take Zykov with our second first. Risk, but a bigger RW prospect would be nice.

[Roof-Daddy]

Yeah, watching Gauthier highlights there sure is a lot to like. He was a handful for the opposition to deal with at the under 18's. Uses his reach well, seems highly intelligent, and works his butt off.

Plus, an 18 year old 6'4 220lb center who can skate really well? Yes please.

He might not even be done growing either, at that age.

[nik-]

I had heard that Gauthier's game totally changed after he got hurt this year. That he became much more timid.

[868904]

Don't see the appeal of Gauthier, reportedly didnt show up for the playoffs and low pims for a big guy screams a lack of competitive fire to me. Size is useless if you don't use it, see Bouwmeester.

I'd rather go for a smaller guy who is super competitive and feisty. Flames have been lacking guys with a competitive streak.

[dammage79]

Who would you rather?

RW: Hartman (I could see the Flames really pulling out all the stops to grab this player, would very much look solid beside a center like Monahan)

RW: Zykov (Size and a hard nose for the net and can finish, could pair well with a guy like Barkov and absolutely OWN the puck in the Offensive zone)

I may be narrowing down things but I that's how I could see a potential line. Then add Sven to the LW.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by 868904

Don't see the appeal of Gauthier, reportedly didnt show up for the playoffs and low pims for a big guy screams a lack of competitive fire to me. Size is useless if you don't use it, see Bouwmeester.

I'd rather go for a smaller guy who is super competitive and feisty. Flames have been lacking guys with a competitive streak.

One of the biggest shifts in his physicality occurred after an injury. The question mark for everyone has generally been whether or not his turndown in play is due to that and, if so, if he will recover.

Before injury, he was very good. Very close to an O'Reilly type of player if you're looking for a quick and dirty comparable.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Red John

Monahan isn't even close to being Jeff Carter.

Think Ryan Kesler or Ryan O'Reilly.

Exactly what draws you to this conclusion?

Monahan has been projected a top pick in this draft for 2 years, Kesler or O'Reilly never were projected high or had the offensive numbers this kid has had. Same even goes for Carter.

I've heard a few comparisons, Kopitar, Eric Staal come to mind but the one that intrigues me the most is Jonathan Toews.

[Commandant]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

The Hockey News Draft Preview has Lazar at #9.

I think most teams will have the same players in their top 7 or so. But after that I think you'll see big differences of opinion with teams having completely different lists from 8th through the second round.

We see this difference of opinion if you look at a bunch of different scouting lists (Bob Mackenize, Craig Button, ISS, THN, FC, etc).

There is no consensus outside of who the top 5-7 or so prospects should be.

The big thing with THN is that it is published WAY too early. Publishing deadlines mean that the ranks are made in like January/February, there is no playoffs taken into account, and nothing from the Under 18 tournament. These are huge tourneys and the second half of the season, you miss a lot of that.

Its a real issue and why I think places like McKeens, FC, HP, and others are doing a better job on the draft today, with their PDFs.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Who would you rather?

RW: Hartman (I could see the Flames really pulling out all the stops to grab this player, would very much look solid beside a center like Monahan)

RW: Zykov (Size and a hard nose for the net and can finish, could pair well with a guy like Barkov and absolutely OWN the puck in the Offensive zone)

I may be narrowing down things but I that's how I could see a potential line. Then add Sven to the LW.

Hartman. The Flames are really really lacking a gritty, hard-nosed prospect that can also score. We'd all like to see Ferland become Lucic, but that remains to be seen. I'm not sure if Deblouw has a gritty side. Aliu and Bouma really aren't prospects anymore.

So, for me, I'd prefer Hartman. I just remember how he played in the WJC and he was unbelievable. I kept going to my laptop and finding out if he was drafted yet.