2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Question: What do we do if the player the Flames pick isn't anybody on our radar?

Not sure about others, but I'll have flashbacks of Feaster saying Jankowski will become the best player in the draft, and then likely sit there stunned for a while, staring out into the rain

[sch19lks]

Originally Posted by Muta

Not sure about others, but I'll have flashbacks of Feaster saying Jankowski will become the best player in the draft, and then likely sit there stunned for a while, staring out into the rain

That wasn’t fair to Jankowski at all. Hey kid, we are announcing to the national media that we think you’re the next Joe Nieuwendyk. Anyways, good luck kid

[sch19lks]

Sandman, did you get any looks on Saskatoon Blades’ back up Evan Gardner? His stats this year were really good, but it’s hard to judge a goalie off of just stats. Especially when he was playing behind a stacked team

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by sch19lks

Sandman, did you get any looks on Saskatoon Blades’ back up Evan Gardner? His stats this year were really good, but it’s hard to judge a goalie off of just stats. Especially when he was playing behind a stacked team

Draft Thoughts (Goalie Edition, Vol. 5):

LHG Evan Gardner, 6'2",174lbs

Saskatoon (WHL): 30gp, 21-5-0, 1.91 GAA, .927 SV%
Saskatoon (Playoffs): 15gp, 10-1-3, 2.33 GAA, .910 SV%

Evan Gardner has the most streling stats of any goaltender in this class, but don't be fooled- he plays on a tight defensive team, and doesn't get tested like other draft-eligible goalies. Saskatoon finished first overall in the league in the regular season, and were the styngiest team in the WHL, with the best goals-against (163), 24 less than the next best team- but they lost in the third round of the playoffs to the eventual WHL Champion Moose Jaw Warriors in seven games. For his efforts, Gardner was named the WHL's Eastern Division finalist for Rookie of the Year, as incredibly, he was playing U-18 AAA Hockey in 2022-23. He's had his fair share of problems to overcome, being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 11 years old, and having to wear a glucose monitor at all times.

Gardner is a hybrid goalie, and is technically sound with fluid mechanics and exemplary positioning. Though he plays on a top team and doesn't always need to be the better goalie to win the game, he has shown to be a game-saver on a few occasions. He has cat-like reflexes, and plays aggressively with a wide stance, an upright posture to make himself look bigger, and plenty of knee-bend. Mentally speaking, he's calm and collected, with the mental resilience to reset well after a goal. His movement around his crease is controlled and efficient- he doesn't slide out of position, or overcommit. He moves side-to-side quickly and efficiently, and stays square to the puck, keeping the right angle to the shooter, staying in good position. He seems to understand depth control, and knows when to come forth from the goal-line to challenge a shooter, and when to hang back in his net. His head is always on a swivel to keep a mental map of his surroundings, and he has a good hinge to watch what's going on behind his net. Gardner is able to track the puck well, and exerts good situational awareness.

Gardner doesn't have elite size or athletic ability, and leans heavily on his technique, though he might be a little raw considering that he's in the midst of his first season of Major Junior. When playing the puck, he doesn't scan properly, so he can cause some problems for his D in the form of egregious turnovers. He needs work on his rebound control, as he can bounce pucks into high-danger areas, giving up second-chance opportunites. As stated, his stats are a little inflated, due to the high-level of defense his team employs. Look for Gardner in the fourth, or fifth round.

[Sandman]

It's funny, it seems like every writer/scout has THEIR goalie, who they think is the best. Gardner has his share of fans too.

[sch19lks]

Originally Posted by Sandman

It's funny, it seems like every writer/scout has THEIR goalie, who they think is the best. Gardner has his share of fans too.

I watch a lot of hockey, including a lot of junior hockey. I have the hardest time scouting goalies. Does he stop the puck? Good enough for me. Thanks for posting your write up man!

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by sch19lks

I watch a lot of hockey, including a lot of junior hockey. I have the hardest time scouting goalies. Does he stop the puck? Good enough for me. Thanks for posting your write up man!

I agree, I'm not good at scouting goalies either....

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I agree, I'm not good at scouting goalies either....

Is anyone really? They are voodoo to the point that drafting them seems like a fool's errand.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I agree, I'm not good at scouting goalies either....

To be fair, I think it's pretty normal and one of the reasons why drafting them seems like more of a crap shoot than any other position.

[FacePaint]

Hi CP collective. I'm traveling in Portugal and wondering if there's a way to watch the draft tonight? My Sportsnet One app doesn't seem to work over here...

[Svartsengi]

Originally Posted by FacePaint

Hi CP collective. I'm traveling in Portugal and wondering if there's a way to watch the draft tonight? My Sportsnet One app doesn't seem to work over here...

Can you tune into Fan 960 on your phone?. Listening on radio isn't what you were asking for but its an option. Pat Steinberg is covering both days of NHL draft.

[Braden]

Originally Posted by FacePaint

Hi CP collective. I'm traveling in Portugal and wondering if there's a way to watch the draft tonight? My Sportsnet One app doesn't seem to work over here...

Onhockey.tv will probably have it

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Craig Janney in his prime was a hell of a player.

Shanahan didn’t think so

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

Shanahan didn’t think so

Janney’s wife sure didn’t either!

[TOfan]

Corey Pronman with his final mock draft this morning has Demidov sliding to the Flames. Iginla goes 13th to the Wild. Top 15:

Celebrini
Levshunov
Silayev
Lindstrom
Buium
Dickinson
Senneke
Yakumchuk
Demidov
Catton
Parekh
Helenius
Iginla
Nygard
Solberg

[iloveicedhockey]

That's an insane mock. Not saying wild stuff doesn't happen but jeez.

[serratedmuffin]

Sandman, I noticed earlier you were hoping the Flames would draft Riley Patterson I believe with their 3rd? However your last top 100 he wasn't on your list. Did he fall out of favour or did others just showcase better at the end of the season?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Corey Pronman with his final mock draft this morning has Demidov sliding to the Flames. Iginla goes 13th to the Wild. Top 15:

Celebrini
Levshunov
Silayev
Lindstrom
Buium
Dickinson
Senneke
Yakumchuk
Demidov
Catton
Parekh
Helenius
Iginla
Nygard
Solberg

I would be upset if we actually had Demidov AND Catton fall to us. I selfishly want both but it’s clearly Demidov if it came down to that.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by iloveicedhockey

That's an insane mock. Not saying wild stuff doesn't happen but jeez.

Yeah.

He does waiver on a couple. Most notably Montreal taking Buium over Denison. His rationale being the limited number, if any, of in person viewings of Demidov. Belief seems to be that MTL is leaning forward. Although, as Todd Button was saying just yesterday, teams can intentionally leak misinformation. MTL could be the source of that, maybe trying to squeeze Calgary into a big package to get 5OA to draft Tij….

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I would be upset if we actually had Demidov AND Catton fall to us. I selfishly want both but it’s clearly Demidov if it came down to that.

Wouldn’t be upset….?