Summer 2015 Prospect Ranking - Round 19

[Calgary4LIfe]

Went Kulak just because I think he has all the tools to become a good top 4 guy still, and has a great shot.

Rafikov is right there for me. Coin toss really. Rafikov lost the toss, but picking Kulak for me has nothing to do with Rafikov being Russian, having VISA issues, or how many cats he has successfully trained to sing. A prospect is a prospect is a prospect to me.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Follow the conversation.

Someone suggested that he didn't want to come and thus didn't try to get a VISA. I replied to that.

If he doesn't want to come, he doesn't want to come.

But when someone suggests that the VISA thing was an intentional ruse, that's a conspiracy theory.

No one has implied a conspiracy theory (which by definition requires a group of people making a secret plan).

Based on his inability to get a visa, I believe it is very reasonable to wonder if he is not that committed to coming here. Nothing more than that.

Seems like a resonable basis to discount his value as a prospect.

I voted Carroll. Flames seem to like him.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Something simple like: I can't make it due to prior commitments. Or family reasons. Or something simple.

How about talking to Treliving like a human being.

Faking the VISA thing is silly and pointless. Other than making for good internet conversation.

So what you're saying is that attending Flames rookie camp isn't a priority because he's got prior commitments. It shows to me that he isn't much interested in the Flames. College players pay their own way to attend but Ravikov can't bother to come for an all expenses paid learning experience?

[savardandjokinen]

Does rafikov have a player option year?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by savardandjokinen

Does rafikov have a player option year?

Not sure what you're asking but since the NHL doesn't have an agreement with the KHL, I understand we hold his NHL rights in perpetuity.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

So what you're saying is that attending Flames rookie camp isn't a priority because he's got prior commitments. It shows to me that he isn't much interested in the Flames. College players pay their own way to attend but Ravikov can't bother to come for an all expenses paid learning experience?

lol

I didn't say that he said those things. Can you not even follow a conversation that you're a part of?

I am out. This has turned idiotic.

Rafikov has said or done nothing to deserve the baseless speculation of some posters.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

lol

I didn't say that he said those things. Can you not even follow a conversation that you're a part of?

I am out. This has turned idiotic.

Rafikov has said or done nothing to deserve the baseless speculation of some posters.

You make it seem like we're chasing after the guy with torches and pitchforks over this. I'm just saying I don't get the impression that he's interested right now. Not a big deal. If he wants to stay in Russia, that's fine. He was a 7th round pick, I won't be sad. If he comes over that's awesome, but until then, meh.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

lol

I didn't say that he said those things. Can you not even follow a conversation that you're a part of?

I am out. This has turned idiotic.

Rafikov has said or done nothing to deserve the baseless speculation of some posters.

I know you didn't say he said those things but to me you were just making excuses for why he didn't attend. The only reasonable excuse that I could see him having is that he was injured otherwise right now, he isn't very interested.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I know you didn't say he said those things but to me you were just making excuses for why he didn't attend. The only reasonable excuse that I could see him having is that he was injured otherwise right now, he isn't very interested.

Quite frankly, you have no idea one way or the other, and it seems a little silly to make these speculations in a vacuum of information.

No one knows the reasons for Rafikov's absence from prospect camps. For me, at this stage, he looks like a really promising player, and so long as there is potential and the possibility that he will one day play in Calgary, he's a valuable prospect.

[thymebalm]

I voted for Hathaway.

He had an excellent season with the Flames (AHL) last year. He is an unknown commodity to an extent as he hasn't been with the organization for very long, but he looks like the kind of heart and soul player that could crack the line up with injuries, maybe even this year.

He's big, scored at .5 PPG in the AHL as a rookie, and suits the current age range of the Flames. Maybe he's not a long term player, but maybe he's another Bouma.

Kulak also a totally worthy choice.

[Big Erned Nevergivn]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

I voted for Hathaway.

He had an excellent season with the Flames (AHL) last year. He is an unknown commodity to an extent as he hasn't been with the organization for very long, but he looks like the kind of heart and soul player that could crack the line up with injuries, maybe even this year.

He's big, scored at .5 PPG in the AHL as a rookie, and suits the current age range of the Flames. Maybe he's not a long term player, but maybe he's another Bouma.

Kulak also a totally worthy choice.

I concur, where is the love for Hathaway? I think Hickey and Hathaway were probably our two most improved prospects last season.

[Street Pharmacist]

Still a couple players that could be impact players. Too early in my eyes for a career tweener like Hathaway

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Quite frankly, you have no idea one way or the other, and it seems a little silly to make these speculations in a vacuum of information.

No one knows the reasons for Rafikov's absence from prospect camps. For me, at this stage, he looks like a really promising player, and so long as there is potential and the possibility that he will one day play in Calgary, he's a valuable prospect.

He could be a valuable prospect but so far he doesn't seem that interested so I demote him in my rankings. Others disagree and that's their option depending on their criteria. For me a prospects progress and taking steps to make the Flames is more important than talent. Lots of talented players never make the NHL but say a player like Bouma who does what is needed, makes a good career.

For me Rafikov isn't taking those steps despite strong efforts from the Flames to get him here.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Still a couple players that could be impact players. Too early in my eyes for a career tweener like Hathaway

A career tweener? He has one pro season under his belt, and during that season, he did enough to receive repeated and consistent praise from Craig Conroy and an NHL contract.

Flames management are all very high on him. At the end of the season, Treliving, Burke, and Conroy had nothing but good things to say about him. He was brought to Calgary as a Black Ace even though he was on an AHL contract last season.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by getbak

A career tweener? He has one pro season under his belt, and during that season, he did enough to receive repeated and consistent praise from Craig Conroy and an NHL contract.

Flames management are all very high on him. At the end of the season, Treliving, Burke, and Conroy had nothing but good things to say about him. He was brought to Calgary as a Black Ace even though he was on an AHL contract last season.

What do you think Hathaway's potential is? I think he could turn into a poor man's Bouma, I don't know if I'm undervaluing him though, I don't really know much about the kid tbh. Several of the others available still strike me as having higher ceilings.

[GranteedEV]

Let's see...

- strong mobility, average size
- solid defensively
- likes to carry the puck up the ice and join the rush
- 0.5 PPG as a rookie defenseman in the AHL
- can score goals (4 goals in 26 AHL games - what Culkin and Wotherspoon have combined in 146 AHL games)
- only defenseman in this NHL game to not be a minus

vs

- has some legitimate speed
- can seriously score goals
- good defensively, can be a PK specialist
- 1.5 PPG as an 18 year old in the OHL
- reads plays nicely, good vision
- Puck always seems to find him and not let go

Hmm. Wait what, this is round 19?

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by getbak

A career tweener? He has one pro season under his belt, and during that season, he did enough to receive repeated and consistent praise from Craig Conroy and an NHL contract.

Flames management are all very high on him. At the end of the season, Treliving, Burke, and Conroy had nothing but good things to say about him. He was brought to Calgary as a Black Ace even though he was on an AHL contract last season.

Sorry, but I don't see anything more than that in him.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Big Erned Nevergivn

I concur, where is the love for Hathaway? I think Hickey and Hathaway were probably our two most improved prospects last season.

Not sure how that's possible when last season was Hathaway's first with the Flames.

Agreed he should be getting some more love though. Basically he's in the same position as Jooris was a year ago. He can come in and steal a spot or maintain a high level of play in the AHL if there's no room.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Big Erned Nevergivn

I concur, where is the love for Hathaway? I think Hickey and Hathaway were probably our two most improved prospects last season.

The guy will be 24 in November and had an ok season in the AHL last season. His numbers in college were very average. Odds are quite high he's not qualified when his 2016-17 season is done.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Sorry, but I don't see anything more than that in him.

Did you see anything more in Jooris? Very comparable players, but Hathaway put up better AHL numbers.