2014 NHL draft: After the first round.

[Wastedyouth]

No reason to draft him, but the Flames should offer Eetu Laurikainen a contract after his season is over.

[expatflame]

Originally Posted by Poe969

isn't Johnny still a prospect? I think if we were to offer the #4 overall pick, the #34 overall pick and Johnny then the panthers wouldn't really laugh. (I'm not saying we should but since I said "and a prospect" and you laughed I figured I'd defend my post)

If you're going to quote me, get all of the quote.

If I was Calgary, there is no way I would do that. The difference between the #1 overall and the #4 overall, is not that great.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

No reason to draft him, but the Flames should offer Eetu Laurikainen a contract after his season is over.

To save others a bunch of Googling:

-Late blooming Finnish goalie for Swift Current Broncos (21 year old)
-6'0 180lbs
-30-23-2-4, 2.39 GAA, .922 sv% last year (1st year playing in North America).
-Regular season stats have regressed a bit this year but playoff stats took a big jump(2.17 GAA, .941 sv% vs 2.89 GAA, .906 sv% last year)

-Athletic and acrobatic, more butterfly than standup
-Reads the play very well, has good positioning/angles

Could be a good backup for Ortio in the AHL perhaps?

[cral12]

For an intriguing way to find out about potential sleepers check out the THW sleeper quiz:

E-Mac puts your 2014 draft knowledge to the test with 10 clues for Who am I?

Draft gurus, draft junkies, prospect lovers - come one, come all and take the test. Post your results here and see where you fit in on the "scale".

Link: [click here]

http://thehockeywriters.com/2014-nhl...-sleeper-quiz/

[EldrickOnIce]

2\10

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by expatflame

If I was Calgary, there is no way I would do that. The difference between the #1 overall and the #4 overall, is not that great.

I know, I was making a point that the Flames probably have what it takes to move up from 4th to 1st overall in the draft if they really wanted to. I think it would cost more than just our first and our second but if Burke really wanted to move up to get Ekblad then I think he could make it happen.

At the end of the day, I feel the Flames would be better off getting higher end tallent instead of a lot of picks. Ekblad seems like he's the stud defensman of the draft and I think they should do what it takes to get him. IF they can I would also suggest trying to get extra higher picks at the expense of the later picks because there are a few kids in the late first or second that could really help this team out down the road.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Burke will only trade up if he feels that it is necessary to do so. When he traded for an additional top 3 pick to grab the Sedins, it's because he felt that they were the only good players in the draft. I think he is fine not drafting Ekblad and going for one of the Sams or Dal Colle. It's best for the Flames to draft where they are.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Was looking at our 4th round draft history (just back to TJ) ... Bring back a fourth round pick!

Previous 4th Rounders: Awesome Picks/ busts / unsure

2013: No 4th Rounders

2012: Brett Kulak (105)

2011: Johnny Gaudreau (104)

2010: John Ramage (103)
2010: Bill Arnold (108)

2009: Henrik Bjorklund (111)

2008: Nicholas Larson (108)
2008: TJ Brodie (114)

If you count Ramage, 5/7 are successful picks in round 4... Bring back the fourth! Somewhere in the 105-115th range

[Da_Chief]

Only TJ is a successful pick at this time. Gaudreau, Kulak, Arnold, Ramage are all unsure right now, none are NHLers yet.

[Wastedyouth]

I still remember hoping to one day see a line of Bourque-Backlund-Bjorklund

Alas that day shall never come.

[$ven27]

Yeah, only Brodie is a successful pick but the rest certainly aren't yet.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Giving this a bump.
Anyone have thoughts on Justin Kirkland? Kootenay Ice LW, seemingly a riser on the board that does not exist. Does he play with Sam? Would he be available with the Colorado pick in Rd. 2?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Giving this a bump.
Anyone have thoughts on Justin Kirkland? Kootenay Ice LW, seemingly a riser on the board that does not exist. Does he play with Sam? Would he be available with the Colorado pick in Rd. 2?

Maybe, but we still need to get more defensman and RWers... With the possibility of Dal Colle being picked at #4, we might be done with LWers for the after-1st rounds. However, Burke did state that he is going with the BPA, not sure if he impled that for every draft position or just the 4th overall.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I agree with BPA strategy, so I am not too concerned about drafting a winger (but would hope that we can snag a D in the second and third rounds) He sounds like an interesting prospect and was wondering if anyone has actually seen him play.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Maybe, but we still need to get more defensman and RWers... With the possibility of Dal Colle being picked at #4, we might be done with LWers for the after-1st rounds. However, Burke did state that he is going with the BPA, not sure if he impled that for every draft position or just the 4th overall.

I believe he said they won't be drafting by position in the first three rounds.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

I believe he said they won't be drafting by position in the first three rounds.

I still think in the back of your mind you choose the prospect that best suits your team when all is said and done.

In my opinion, I would probably draft the BPA for the first and second round, and then the third is when we start worrying about the organizational needs. In addition to that, the Flames have no 4th or 5th rounder, so we'll need to draft wisely in the 2nd and 3rd to make up for those.

[RandyMarsh]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Giving this a bump.
Anyone have thoughts on Justin Kirkland? Kootenay Ice LW, seemingly a riser on the board that does not exist. Does he play with Sam? Would he be available with the Colorado pick in Rd. 2?

I like Kirkland as a potential Flames pick, but he plays with Kelowna (not Kootnay) - so no he doesn't play with Sam. I think he would be available around there (Col 2nd).

[Ring of Fire]

How about Ryan Donato with a 2nd or 3rd round pick. He's ranked 58th among NA skaters in the final CSS rankings, is the son of Ted Donato and patterns his game after Bergeron.

http://hockeyjournal.com/blog/kirks/...e-_Ryan_Donato

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Ring of Fire

How about Ryan Donato with a 2nd or 3rd round pick. He's ranked 58th among NA skaters in the final CSS rankings, is the son of Ted Donato and patterns his game after Bergeron.

http://hockeyjournal.com/blog/kirks/...e-_Ryan_Donato

Ted Donato has a draft eligible son? Gawd I feel old.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Ted Donato has a draft eligible son? Gawd I feel old.

Donato, MacInnis, Nylander, Kapanen... I'm definitely faced with my mortality this draft more than in previous years!

How much does the pedigree of a prospect factor in to his draft placement? Does a recognisable name tend to bump some of these kids up a few slots in the rankings?