2025 NHL Draft Thread

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by devo22

the risk is zero. A top talent like Hagens will want to play in the NHL at 18, so I doubt it would be any issue. And if it was, you're still getting one heck of a trade chip that you can flip for a ransom.

Honestly, I'm super tired of the narrative. Just because Adam Fox was a ######bag, you shouldn't shy away from drafting Americans altogether.

There is no doubt he would sign his entry level deal. After that though all bets are off. Besides Fox you have recently had Tkachuk, Gaudreau, and Hanifin all exit stage left mainly because they were Americans wanting to play in the US. You can say it won't be a story but in the back of all our minds we will be thinking it.

[Tbull8]

Guess we’ll just need to get McKenna in 26. Yukon boy, so Calgary weather would seem nice and warm to him

[devo22]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

There is no doubt he would sign his entry level deal. After that though all bets are off. Besides Fox you have recently had Tkachuk, Gaudreau, and Hanifin all exit stage left mainly because they were Americans wanting to play in the US. You can say it won't be a story but in the back of all our minds we will be thinking it.

both Gaudreau and Tkachuk signed two contracts in Calgary. Gaudreau played 8 seasons for the Flames, Tkachuk 6, and there's an argument that both could still be Flames players today if certain things had gone differently. Hanifin also spent close to 6 seasons in Calgary.

I understand the sentiment if you trade for a 25 year old American who is set to become a UFA in a year or two. Then sure, it's a factor. But I think not wanting to draft a guy because "oh no, he could leave us when he hits UFA status in 8 years" is nuts.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by devo22

both Gaudreau and Tkachuk signed two contracts in Calgary. Gaudreau played 8 seasons for the Flames, Tkachuk 6, and there's an argument that both could still be Flames players today if certain things had gone differently. Hanifin also spent close to 6 seasons in Calgary.

I understand the sentiment if you trade for a 25 year old American who is set to become a UFA in a year or two. Then sure, it's a factor. But I think not wanting to draft a guy because "oh no, he could leave us when he hits UFA status in 8 years" is nuts.

Everyone signed a 2nd contract with us.

I think people are getting way to worked up about the American thing.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Everyone signed a 2nd contract with us.

I think people are getting way to worked up about the American thing.

Getting worked up about ‘the American thing’ is the Canadian substitute for patriotism.

[InternationalVillager]

I think the Flames new building and facilities along with being competitive will go a long ways to fixing the "American" problem.

[browntrout]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

I think the Flames new building and facilities along with being competitive will go a long ways to fixing the "American" problem.

If someone is hell bent on going back to there home country to play hockey, not so sure a state of the art facility is going to change that, does anyone honestly think that Gaudreau and Tkachuk would of stayed if they had a new arena before there UFA departure

[browntrout]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Everyone signed a 2nd contract with us.

I think people are getting way to worked up about the American thing.

I don't think so...it's a problem flat out...our best players who were american wanted out of Canada...fox, Gaudreau, Tkachuk, start drafting European or Canada, we can't afford for this *#$&@* to happen again

[Calgary4LIfe]

Don't nickel and dime your stars, and then turn around and splash money on UFAs that are washed-up. Build your core through the draft and let them grow up together. Be a winning organization, and it makes it harder to leave. Give players the same perks they get elsewhere for themselves and their families. New building will be going up, with a new locker room and facilities.


Calgary will always be a cold-weather city. Build it into a good team and treat your players well, and you don't have to worry about 'loopholes'. It may never be a destination that has a long line of players hoping to play here, but it can certainly become a destination that players don't want to leave.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by browntrout

I don't think so...it's a problem flat out...our best players who were american wanted out of Canada...fox, Gaudreau, Tkachuk, start drafting European or Canada, we can't afford for this *#$&@* to happen again

Fox was set on 1 team.

Tkachuk really hated Calgary that he’s back at Stampede after a cup win in Florida.

Johnny is the only the one who probably wanted back on the States.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by browntrout

I don't think so...it's a problem flat out...our best players who were american wanted out of Canada...fox, Gaudreau, Tkachuk, start drafting European or Canada, we can't afford for this *#$&@* to happen again

If you restrict yourself to 70% of the pool of available talent, while every one of your opponents can pick from 100%, your team is guaranteed to suck.

Remember when the Flames drafted lunkheads with no skill from the WHL, because they thought it would be easier to sign them? I do. The memory is burnt into my brain like a scar.

[InternationalVillager]

Originally Posted by browntrout

If someone is hell bent on going back to there home country to play hockey, not so sure a state of the art facility is going to change that, does anyone honestly think that Gaudreau and Tkachuk would of stayed if they had a new arena before there UFA departure

Yes. I do.

It's actually a big thing for players. They spend a majority of their life at the arena and facilities.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

Yes. I do.

Gaudreau wouldn't. He had been stuck on the wrong side of a closed border from his family, and was afraid it could happen again.

As for Tkachuk, you could build the fanciest arena in the world and it would still not enable him to golf and wear flip-flops in Calgary winters. He had a short list of teams he was willing to sign with. None of the Canadian teams were on that list, but most U.S. teams weren't either.

[Niemo]

I remember the Matt Pelech, Kris Chucko days…..this is much better….let alone Hunter Smith.

[bigrangy]

Canada wins the Hlinka. Big standouts were d-man Matt Schaefer and goalie Ivankovic. McKenna was good but not absolutely phenomenal like he was at the u18s. He’s 2026 anyways so not too worried about it for now.

Overall not an incredibly talented group of 2007 born players it feels like. Calgary is going to need to get right to the top of the draft to pick up some talent this year. I don’t think anyone with Parekh’s or even Coronato’s talent will be there at 8-10 or so. Gonna need to be in the top 5 which should be achievable.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

Canada wins the Hlinka. Big standouts were d-man Matt Schaefer and goalie Ivankovic. McKenna was good but not absolutely phenomenal like he was at the u18s. He’s 2026 anyways so not too worried about it for now.

Overall not an incredibly talented group of 2007 born players it feels like. Calgary is going to need to get right to the top of the draft to pick up some talent this year. I don’t think anyone with Parekh’s or even Coronato’s talent will be there at 8-10 or so. Gonna need to be in the top 5 which should be achievable.

That seems a bit too early to tell. Many said the 2024 draft was not that great, turned out to have a ton of depth and some good quality in the first half of the 1st round.

[Roof-Daddy]

Plus the Russians weren't at this tourney and the US sends their B team.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

I don’t think anyone with Parekh’s or even Coronato’s talent will be there at 8-10 or so.

Nobody thought Parekh was going to be there at 8-10 this year.

[sureLoss]

Missing from the Hlinka: Frondell, Ryabkin, Hagens, Martone, and Misa. All projected to be top 10 picks at this time.

edit: forgot about McQueen

[Sandman]

I'll do a write-up when I have time...