[News] With the 16th selection, the Flames select LW Samuel Honzek

[genetic_phreek]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Very true, guys! Until the game becomes non-contact, size will always be an asset. You don't win with too many Smurfs on your team.

This made me laugh. I like you Sandman, but Matthew Phillips might not

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Honzek wasn't my guy, but let's recap:

-6'4", skilled, good skater. When he fills out, he'll be 210lbs and faster.
-His 56 points in 43 games pro-rates to 88 points in 68 games, which is 10 more points than Danielson had in 68 games, on a higher-scoring team.
-Aarongavey pointed out that before his injury, he was pro-rated to 94 points.
-4th for WHL draft-eligibles in even-strength pts/60, behind Bedard, Cristall, and Benson.

EDIT: According to a post by FanIn80, Honzek was 3rd in the WHL in factoring in to his team's offense, at an incredible 47.5% of his team's goals, behind only Bedard and Cristall.

Who still doesn't like this pick?

I’ll admit, these are great points. There’s definitely a lot there to like.

My problem is more so the guys that were on the board at the time of the pick. But really, that’s almost always the case the later you get in any draft. The round just got crazier as it went on.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by memphusk

Spite pick?

Leaf fans probably wish he didn't come back to the draft floor

not gonna lie his signing today and pick look pretty terrible

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

This made me laugh. I like you Sandman, but Matthew Phillips might not

LOL!!!!!! I've been a little hard on Matty this season....

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I’ll admit, these are great points. There’s definitely a lot there to like.

My problem is more so the guys that were on the board at the time of the pick. But really, that’s almost always the case the later you get in any draft. The round just got crazier as it went on.

Really get a feeling that this year's first round went as planned for every team. Not one trade. Can't be much disappointment.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I’ll admit, these are great points. There’s definitely a lot there to like.

My problem is more so the guys that were on the board at the time of the pick. But really, that’s almost always the case the later you get in any draft. The round just got crazier as it went on.

Very true 1qqaaz! And thanks for your interest and "thanks"on all of my write-ups!

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Leaf fans probably wish he didn't come back to the draft floor

not gonna lie his signing today and pick look pretty terrible

And he looks stressed out already. Green grass depends on the season.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Leaf fans probably wish he didn't come back to the draft floor

not gonna lie his signing today and pick look pretty terrible

BT off to a roaring start!

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by AC

Holy hell this thread is hilarious.

The insane and mostly uninformed overreactions are always a highlight of draft day.

For some laughs, here’s some posts from when they drafted Johnny:

Originally Posted by wise_one

Should have picked St. Croix

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Waste of a pick.

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Michael St Croix goes 2 picks later to the NYR.

Don't really know either guy from Adam - but St Croix at 5'11 at 176 seems more promising than 5'6 at 137 and both are skilled guys. Not sure how much more filling out our guy can do but growing 5 inches and putting on 40 pounds (to achieve NHL size) seems a stretch. Hope I'm wrong and the kid is a steal.

Originally Posted by 868904

Well looks like in 3 or 4 years, we'll be able to package this guy along with wotherspoon for a top 4 defensemen, a salary dump and a 2nd rounder.

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Feaster would have been better off to just trade the pick if this was the final decision.

[BoLevi]

I feel like Conroy is in a unique position to evaluate this draft given his earlier role. I doubt this is a bunch of scouts convincing him to try to make some 4d chess move.

I think Conroy sees/knows something about this kid that caught his expert eye.

I bet there is more upside here than we think in terms of ceiling.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

What were the players above him ranked at, given he was 3 spots early and there would have had to be others who dropped below their rankings.

I also like to remember Hunter Smith, who was an oversized plug putting up completely unimpressive junior numbers. The biggest difference in their stat line is a paltry scoring difference for this putz we drafted and about 5" in height for Hunter Smith.

Thank God we didn't tank this year and have a chance at that bedard kid.

So I understand… you think Hunter Smith’s 40 points in 64 games is similarly unimpressive to Honzek’s 56 points in 43.

0.625 PPG vs 1.30.

I mean, it’s literally just double the production and then some, but sure - “paltry”.

Math.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

For some laughs, here’s some posts from when they drafted Johnny:

Haha I wonder what the heck my post was about? Sounds like I was referencing something very specific but I can’t remember.

I was actually high on the Gaudreau pick, I swear I posted something about him looking like Gretzky.

[Stampede2TheCup]

Sam Cosentino wrote this article the morning of the first round:

Prospect of Interest: Why Samuel Honzek has potential to be a steal in Round 1

[Svartsengi]

The more I read about Honzek the more I like the pick. Looking forward to rounds 2-7.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Sorry based on what basis does it "sound like" any of that?

In his imagination.

[Nelson]

I was initially a little disappointed by this pick because I would’ve preferred both of the next two selections - ASP and Barlow. (I would not have preferred Moore or Perreault. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I think the Flames may need to stay away from Americans, all else being equal, for a while.)

However, I’m feeling happier because of some of the information people have shared. I especially like the percentage of his team’s goals stat.

One thing I noticed is that he’s old for the draft class, but it also sounds like he’s got a lot of room to grow into his frame. So, I think there’s upside there.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by Backstop

The Monahan comparison is interesting as he chose #23...

Bold prediction, Honzek becomes our eventual 1C and the argument shifts from not a great pick at #16 to not a true 1C.

He’s #29 I believe.
You may have noticed every draft pick’s sweater, at least that I saw, is #23. That’s because we’re in 2023, and the teams do that every year.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Honzek wasn't my guy, but let's recap:

-6'4", skilled, good skater. When he fills out, he'll be 210lbs and faster.
-His 56 points in 43 games pro-rates to 88 points in 68 games, which is 10 more points than Danielson had in 68 games, on a higher-scoring team.
-Aarongavey pointed out that before his injury, he was pro-rated to 94 points.
-4th for WHL draft-eligibles in even-strength pts/60, behind Bedard, Cristall, and Benson.

EDIT: According to a post by FanIn80, Honzek was 3rd in the WHL in factoring in to his team's offense, at an incredible 47.5% of his team's goals, behind only Bedard and Cristall.

Who still doesn't like this pick?

Do you see him as a player who can be developed as a centre, Sandman?

[Mitch]

Not sure if it was mentioned but Conroy mentioned in an interview that he expects the Vancouver Giants to name him captain for this upcoming season. That's incredible for an import guy coming off his rookie season.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I’ll admit, these are great points. There’s definitely a lot there to like.

My problem is more so the guys that were on the board at the time of the pick. But really, that’s almost always the case the later you get in any draft. The round just got crazier as it went on.

Have you even seen the kid play?