Morgan Klimchuk as a 2nd rnder - can't see him lasting until then - would love for the Flames to snag him with Pens 1st, if he's still on the board.
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Tons of updates at THW with respect to draft coverage.
The Next Ones Draft Guide has plenty of new reading including more team previews, unique prospect feature and interview, draft lottery lowdown, rankings, mocks and much more.
In depth look at Calgary native Hunter Shinkaruk. While most would contend 6th would be too early for him to go off the board, I wouldn't be disappointed if he was Flames 1st selection.
In depth look at Calgary native Hunter Shinkaruk. While most would contend 6th would be too early for him to go off the board, I wouldn't be disappointed if he was Flames 1st selection.
On one hand, Shinkaruk is smallish. On the other hand, he's got all of the intangibles that the Flames covet.
THW's 2013 NHL Draft Rankings - War Room Edition for May - 3 rounds of the Top 120 up with rnd one soon to follow.
Note: this is not the official The Next Ones rankings that I finalize (due out early June), but it is from one of our inisghtful bird dogs, E-Mac.
On one hand, Shinkaruk is smallish. On the other hand, he's got all of the intangibles that the Flames covet.
i wonder if the flames really covet Shinkaruk if it would make sense to drop down a few spots to grab another first round pick (ie. a trade with the BJs who have multiple 1st rounders to play with).
Hope Morin is available with our STL pick. We are lacking a big, mean D man in our system. Seiloff can hit, but we need someone who can intimidate the other team.
Hope Morin is available with our STL pick. We are lacking a big, mean D man in our system. Seiloff can hit, but we need someone who can intimidate the other team.
Nothing wrong with drafting Morin but we do have this guy who some say is ready for an NHL job.
Starting at post #303 Commandant starts sharing the profiles for prospects for Last Word on Sports. To date he has shared up to and including the #36 ranking for them. I'm not sure how credible they are in comparison to some of these but I have been enjoying them quite a bit.
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I'm definitely not advocating for the Flames to draft a netminder in the 1st (or even at all this year), but here's a couple of articles on this year's eligible goalies:
THW's 2013 NHL Draft Rankings - War Room Edition for May - 3 rounds of the Top 120 up with rnd one soon to follow.
Note: this is not the official The Next Ones rankings that I finalize (due out early June), but it is from one of our inisghtful bird dogs, E-Mac.
THW's David O'Connor (not Connor McDavid...lol) takes a look at Nichushkin who a lot of Flames fans think should be targeted (I'm not saying they should):
THW's David O'Connor (not Connor McDavid...lol) takes a look at Nichushkin who a lot of Flames fans think should be targeted (I'm not saying they should):
“The Russian Factor is nothing,” Edmonton Oilers head amateur scout Stu MacGregor has said. “If a player is a good player, he’s a good player. Players are in the Czech league that remain in the Czech league, so you have to ask that question of anyone [in their draft year]. There are also times when players here in North American will wind up in the KHL. I think this whole Russian Factor is not a factor at all.”
No surprise an Oiler scout would completely dismiss the obvious as irrelevent.
Cowperson
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THW's David O'Connor (not Connor McDavid...lol) takes a look at Nichushkin who a lot of Flames fans think should be targeted (I'm not saying they should):
Did not really understand the article? He said there is an "imaginary Russian Factor" but also says that Nichushkin is quoted for saying that he will not play in juniors or the AHL. If he will not play in anything other than the NHL is that not a bit if a factor?
Looking at Tampa and Carolina, they are a couple of tweeks away from contending for a playoff spot, so they might not want a young rookie on the team. If he wants sure fire playing time i would think the flames would be able to offer him that. Now whether he will be hard guy to re-sign after the entery level contract expires, might be a whole other situation to look at.
Did not really understand the article? He said there is an "imaginary Russian Factor" but also says that Nichushkin is quoted for saying that he will not play in juniors or the AHL. If he will not play in anything other than the NHL is that not a bit if a factor?
Looking at Tampa and Carolina, they are a couple of tweeks away from contending for a playoff spot, so they might not want a young rookie on the team. If he wants sure fire playing time i would think the flames would be able to offer him that. Now whether he will be hard guy to re-sign after the entery level contract expires, might be a whole other situation to look at.
But that is the whole point of the 'Russian factor'... if the situation has to be just what the player desires or he might not come, then I want no part of that player. Period. Because eventually - at some point - things won't be all puppy dogs and candy bars. And what then?
I would rather draft players who are just happy to get the opportunity to earn their way.
But that is the whole point of the 'Russian factor'... if the situation has to be just what the player desires or he might not come, then I want no part of that player. Period. Because eventually - at some point - things won't be all puppy dogs and candy bars. And what then?
I would rather draft players who are just happy to get the opportunity to earn their way.
I actually agree and rather we went in the direction of Monahan/Lindholm/Shinkaruk (yes, latter one might be earlier than most project) for the Flames 6th overall.
I still think there are too many risks with Nichushkin, despite the talent and potential. I think there's a bit of a bust potential as well. And when things don't go well for him...
I just wanted to present another THW writer's thoughts on him. Appreciate the comments.
“The Russian Factor is nothing,” Edmonton Oilers head amateur scout Stu MacGregor has said. “If a player is a good player, he’s a good player. Players are in the Czech league that remain in the Czech league, so you have to ask that question of anyone [in their draft year]. There are also times when players here in North American will wind up in the KHL. I think this whole Russian Factor is not a factor at all.”
No surprise an Oiler scout would completely dismiss the obvious as irrelevent.
Cowperson
No doubt. I don't recall the Czech leagues handing over multimillion dollar NHL like contracts in KHL fashion. Stu is probably too busy scouting the next Mitch Moroz to pay attention to such trifle details.
I don't know but this sounds fishy to me. Dynamo has just spent $10M buying Nichushkin, but "it's okay Valeri, you're a good kid, go to NA with our blessing".
Quote:
But then came his trade from Traktor Chelyabinsk, his hometown team, to Dynamo Moscow. All of sudden, words changed.
“I had already decided to leave for the NHL,” said Nichushkin, who added both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators have expressed interest in drafting him. “[Dynamo] calmly reacted to this. I was told that I could leave if I want. No legal problems there. My deal with Dynamo is terminated and I am leaving a free agent.”
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I like the way Nichushkin charges the net but I wonder how well that gig will work on seasoned NHL defensemen. Just sayin, he doesn't seem like a big passer and if he gets shut down......The comrade does have some mad skillz though.
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