Bob McKenzie's 2013 Top 60 Draft Eligible Players

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I really wonder who the Flames were targeting when they were thinking of trading their first last year. I remember Feaster talking about looking at trading the first last year, but then supposedly after Weisbrod watched Jankowski, he told Feaster not to trade their 1st.

Some big upcoming free agents might get traded this deadline - I wonder if Feaster would think of packaging a 1st and 'gamble' on one of them thinking he has a good chance at signing someone. For instance, I would assume a 1st would be part of a package in getting Getzlaf.

Anaheim is sitting pretty this year. Though I am sure they do not want to be going through another rebuild, this year would be a great one to do just that. Getzlaf, Perry and even Bobby Ryan would command a first round pick each in different packages.

Conversely, the Flames themselves if out of the playoff picture by the trade deadline could potentially find themselves with a couple of extra 1sts (Iginla, Kipper, possibly Bouw if he keeps playing well). With Hartley's more offensive system, it SHOULD translate into better offensive numbers for the Flames, and thus should increase the relative value for a number of them on trade deadline day. If the Flames stumble this year, it would seem a good year to do so. I think the Flames make the playoffs personally, but fun to play the 'what if' scenario. Best year to do a 'traditional rebuild' anyways. I still think the Oilers were 'unlucky' to have tanked when they did. Though their young players are good, and though it is still a bit early to judge them, it seems to me they rebuilt during a bit of a lull in the draft quality.

Columbus might just be a force 3-4 years from now.

They would command WAY more than that

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

They would command WAY more than that

Yes - a first as part of a package for each.

[jeffman]

NononoNWe need to trade our 1st for clutter buck so we can make the playoffs

[Tinordi]

So risky taking a defenseman first overall. Almost better to pick second this year.

[Phaneufenstein]

I don't think we'll have top 5 pick, but if we can get Monahan, that'd be awesome in my books

[AR_Six]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

So risky taking a defenseman first overall. Almost better to pick second this year.

Yeah I wouldn't do it. I don't even think I'd take one top 5. Please note the last time a d-man went #1 - Erik Johnson. Followed by Jordan Staal, Jonathan Toews, Nick Backstrom and Phil Kessel. One of these things is not like the others.

I'm surprised, Curtis Lazar is way down there.

[kyuss275]

I want Barkov on the flames big time. I am almost hoping the flames tank. They key word is almost.

[darthma]

Originally Posted by EddyBeers

If the Flames get a 2nd rounder I would love to see them take a flyer on Petan. Not a big guy but he has scored at every level he has ever played in.

Ha. I just spoke to his mom two days ago. She mentioned he is ranked 35th (or around there) in North America. He plays the top line in Portland now, but has always played with some pretty good players. I worry that his numbers are inflated. Portland seems to churning out top prospects lately. My take is he's more of a playmaker than scorer.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Ezio

I personally think Sean Monahan is far too high. Nichushkin a bit too low and I have Barkov #3 behind Jones and MacKinnon.

Centres > Wingers

Not to mention NA players much less risky than Russians

[Caged Great]

There are a bunch of good options this year. If we are in the 8-10 range, I'd like Gauthier just looking at it on the surface.

[EddyBeers]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I want Barkov on the flames big time. I am almost hoping the flames tank. They key word is almost.

The next 6 games are huge for the Flames, if they are under .500 after the first ten they have a real uphill battle to make the playoffs and management may finally make some tough decisions. It is tough to be a Flames fan right now, as they seem to be in no man's land. Not good enough to compete for the Cup but in management's eyes not bad enough to rebuild. It does seem pretty obvious that if the status quo remains that the Flames may be going down the road of the Dallas Stars/Toronto Maple Leafs eventually, at least to me.

[pseudoreality]

The vibe I get from management is the Flames are starting to think longterm. They aren't about to blow things up and take a dive, but they aren't going to be trading away all their picks either.

[AR_Six]

Originally Posted by pseudoreality

The vibe I get from management is the Flames are starting to think longterm. They aren't about to blow things up and take a dive, but they aren't going to be trading away all their picks either.

It's not about that, though. It's about the assets you have and the position you're in. If you're not going to be making a run this year, you look at guys on expiring contracts who may not be a part of the solution going forward but have significant value to other teams. The best thing for the team at any given time may strongly resemble "blowing it up" - i.e., trading the star goalie and all-time leading scorer for younger players who can contribute over the course of the next decade. For me the Flames franchise is better served having Simon Despres (as an example) as an asset right now than Jarome Iginla.

[$ven27]

I think no matter what happens we have a good shot at a center. If we really implode this season, then were in McKinnon, drouin and Barkov range. If we do poorly but not awful then we're in Monahan range, if we just miss the playoffs like the past 3 years then theres always Gauthier and a few others. And that's not counting the defensemen and wingers. l'm quite excited on whoever we pick.

[Caged Great]

I still think that it's going to be a forward in the first round regardless. If you look at our players, we have enough D-men that are still in their prime that we don't absolutely need one right now, but with our forward group, outside of Baertschi and Backlund, it still looks thin. Most of the good ones are over 30.

[dammage79]

I do not know where they are projecting Miro Aaltonen, but I would like the Flames to use a pick on him in this upcoming draft. Finland was clipping along fine through the pre-tourney and the first game until he broke his ankle. then they went to crap. Outside of Granlund of course. Ristolainen is another player that could pay dividends. This is truly a deep deep draft year.

[Flame19,289]

Seth Jones may be #1 on the list, but another Winterhawk is worth noting...

Centre Nicolas Petan at #48 on McKenzie's list, while small by NHL standards (5'9" - 166 Lbs.), has some eye-popping stats playing for Portland.

51GP 35G 55A 90P 27PIM +53

At 90 points, he's been on the scoresheet for 38% of the goals scored by the Winterhawks!

[Bourque's Twin]

The Flames aren't going to be able to draft the players you're listing.

It's tough to draft those guys 30th overall.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Even though it doesn't fit the team's most pressing needs, I'd love to see them draft Drouin.

I don't think Drouin is that good. He does not have great hockey IQ, unlike Mac.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Ezio

I don't think Drouin is that good. He does not have great hockey IQ, unlike Mac.

He has amazing hockey IQ, he oozes it. It is one of his strong points. Are you trolling us? Pretty obvious from the world juniors how much hockey sense and skill Drouin has. From your comment it appears you didn't watch the world juniors or weren't watching Drouin closely at all.