The Drive for 30th

[Saqe]

I´d just like to see a skilled center in the Flames uniform for once.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

No size isn't everything. But if you like two prospects about the same I think you take the bigger one every time. Bigger, stronger players are harder to shut down, they are more likely to power through checking. If a big, strong player is skilled it gives them two ways to beat defenders, through their size/strength and their skill. Bigger, stronger players can more easily protect the puck as well. Big, strong centres are needed to defensively handle the Getzlaf's, Toews's, Malkin's, etc. The Flames clearly lack size up front and strength on the blueline.

A big #1 centre fits our long term needs far more than TT.

my fear is the kid doesn't play big. a la Jaybo... i guess we'll see

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

They've already tried to trade the pick.

I don't think it's irrational at all.

Who said anything about trading? This is a thread about drafting in the top 5. Actually, the thread title makes it about drafting in the top 2. Save your fearmongering for one of the many, many threads already dedicated to it.

I am entirely opposed to the idea of cheering to tank the season but I am okay with discussing drafting with other knowledgable people (Hi, Flames Draft Watcher!).

[MissTeeks]

Hey look! We're famous!

Roger Millions‏@RogMillions54s
#Flames most ardent Fan Forum Calgary Puck..now boasting "The Drive for 30th" Yikes its come to that has it? #fanstroubled

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I take the big centre already playing against men over the flashy scorer playing next to the potential 1st overall.

Barkov seems Sundin-like in his ability to keep up with the play while not being even close to top speed.

The new GM of Columbus Jarmo Kekalainen said couple of months ago that Barkov reminds him of Olli Jokinen... with the exception that he is, quote: "significantly more complete player at his age than Olli was". If you consider that OJ was drafted third overall, I don´t really get it why Barkov is not considered to go even first in the entire draft.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

my fear is the kid doesn't play big. a la Jaybo... i guess we'll see

Exactly my thoughts when I saw that clip from the Juniors. Looked a lot like JBo to me.

[GreenLantern]

Hrmm... so you're saying Barkov will put the smile to the face for Flames fans?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Saqe

The new GM of Columbus Jarmo Kekalainen said couple of months ago that Barkov reminds him of Olli Jokinen... with the exception that he is, quote: "significantly more complete player at his age than Olli was". If you consider that OJ was drafted third overall, I don´t really get it why Barkov is not considered to go even first in the entire draft.

In other years, with a thinner group, he would be. But this year, there are several studs. Barkov's skating isn't as good as MacKinnon's. Drouin is special as well. And Jones is a stud.

All 4 of those guys go ahead of Yakupov if they were up last year. Ryan Murray would probably be in the 6-10 range this year.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Hey look! We're famous!

Roger Millions‏@RogMillions54s
#Flames most ardent Fan Forum Calgary Puck..now boasting "The Drive for 30th" Yikes its come to that has it? #fanstroubled

Jesus Christ, Roger... one guy started the thread and had a lot of blow back after that.

Christ almighty...

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Wolven

Even the Feaster haters have to admit that when he is given a high draft position and an obvious choice as to who to pick, he picks the right guy (Stamkos). There is nothing real to suggest that the Flames will do otherwise, just hate and fear.

The team built an ad campaign around Stamkos before the draft even happened. I'm not saying he wouldn't have picked the consensus number one, but that was ownership down. The rest of his drafting is a train wreck.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Wolven

Even the Feaster haters have to admit that when he is given a high draft position and an obvious choice as to who to pick, he picks the right guy (Stamkos). There is nothing real to suggest that the Flames will do otherwise, just hate and fear.

Stamkos? Wasn't he a stone cold lock to go first overall for a year prior to the draft?

I think my 82 year old grandmother couldn't have blown that pick.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Hrmm... so you're saying Barkov will put the smile to the face for Flames fans?

I´d think so! My only concern is how a young kid like him would be able to make an impact right away with all the cultural changes etc. coming from Finland. I´d think people here would expect the moon from him if he was drafted as the first pick.

[red sky]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Hey look! We're famous!

Roger Millions‏@RogMillions54s
#Flames most ardent Fan Forum Calgary Puck..now boasting "The Drive for 30th" Yikes its come to that has it? #fanstroubled

What a joke! I am not on twitter but I may just sign up to start a tweet war, or whatever it is called.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Saqe

The new GM of Columbus Jarmo Kekalainen said couple of months ago that Barkov reminds him of Olli Jokinen... with the exception that he is, quote: "significantly more complete player at his age than Olli was". If you consider that OJ was drafted third overall, I don´t really get it why Barkov is not considered to go even first in the entire draft.

Well I hope Columbus finishes above us or they might just pick him lol.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Hey look! We're famous!

Roger Millions‏@RogMillions54s
#Flames most ardent Fan Forum Calgary Puck..now boasting "The Drive for 30th" Yikes its come to that has it? #fanstroubled

Unfortunately if the last two games of this road trip are any indication I would say yes it has come to that. Last night looked like a team that was preparing for spring golf.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by nik-

The team built an ad campaign around Stamkos before the draft even happened. I'm not saying he wouldn't have picked the consensus number one, but that was ownership down. The rest of his drafting is a train wreck.

It seems Feaster leaves a lot up to the guys he hired to handle drafting and scouting. Now we can obviously debate the merits of the other guys but I don't know how involved Feaster actually is on viewing and picking guys. Though it does seem Feaster set the course for players, skill and hockey smarts over brute force and grit etc.

Jankowski seemed to be a Weisbrod pick, a guy he viewed and loved and targeted after. Mind you, that's if you go by what Feaster said... and that guy loves to talk.

bah!

[genetic_phreek]

Originally Posted by dammage79

In order of preference

Barkov
McKinnon
Lindholm
Monohan
Nichushkin

Totally agree. Barkov all day for me. Kids a beast and it would probably help developing Granlund as well.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

It seems Feaster leaves a lot up to the guys he hired to handle drafting and scouting. Now we can obviously debate the merits of the other guys but I don't know how involved Feaster actually is on viewing and picking guys. Though it does seem Feaster set the course for players, skill and hockey smarts over brute force and grit etc.

Jankowski seemed to be a Weisbrod pick, a guy he viewed and loved and targeted after. Mind you, that's if you go by what Feaster said... and that guy loves to talk.

bah!

Well it's the Jankowski pick that worries me. I mean, it's ok to target a guy, but sometimes something else happens and you need to adapt, which I believe is the case with Teravainen. I just hope that if we get a high pick, the drafting group doesn't go into "we're more clever than everyone else" mode and get cute with the pick.

And my order of preference in this draft is open because I don't really care out of the top 4 of MacKinnon, Jones, Drouin, Barkov, I'd prefer a center, but I'd be happy if we got to take any of those guys. Starting at pick 5, I want Lindholm, Monahan, Nurse in that order.

[KOgear]

Good analysis between Mackinnon and Drouin

http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index...ists&Itemid=98

quick hands of Jonathan Drouin have really stood out. Although he didn’t score on the play, Drouin undressed a Baie Comeau Drakkar defenseman with jaw-dropping stick work, a highlight that NHL scouts at the Halifax Metro Centre were talking about for days after.



Edmonton Oilers VP of Hockey Operations Craig MacTavish said “When you're assessing stick skill with him, he'd be off the chart in terms of ability to make plays and handle the puck and jaw-dropping displays of skills at time.”

Director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr, he said “(Drouin) plays the game with such accuracy and at such a high tempo, not too many players know what's happening until the puck is on their stick.”



Size and speed

Both Mooseheads are similar in size with MacKinnon measuring 5’11” and 179 pounds while Drouin is 5’11” and 176 pounds. Both players are strong skaters with the ability to separate from opponents leading to plenty of scoring opportunities.

When Kevin Devine, Buffalo Sabres director of amateur scouting, was in Halifax for the CHL top prospects game, he spoke highly of MacKinnon saying “He's the most explosive skater I've seen in a long time. His compete level is through the roof."

Tampa Bay Lightening general manager Steve Yzerman also commented on MacKinnon’s speed when interviewed at the top prospects game. “He's as good a skater as an 18 year-old as I've ever seen. He's a tremendous skater, really powerful. He has good skills and he looks like he competes hard. He's a tremendous prospect."

When they are both healthy, the two players have been on the same line along with Detroit Red Wing draft pick Martin Frk (drafted 2nd round, 49th overall, 2012). Both players see significant time on the powerplay and penalty kill. Drouin in particular has looked good on the penalty kill this season with multiple breakaways while a man down and has four shorthanded goals.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Unfortunately if the last two games of this road trip are any indication I would say yes it has come to that. Last night looked like a team that was preparing for spring golf.

Thats what I was thinking. Who gives a #### at this point, Roger. Why have our noses in the air losers are losers. Time to turn this around. No one talks about Chicago and the Pens sucking crap for a few yrs all people remember is how good they are now. Fat lot of good our pride has done us so far.