Flames 2013 Draft Discussion

[$ven27]

If we left the draft with MacKinnon, Mantha/Gauthier and Arrturi Lehkonen I'd be very happy. Even happier if we were to package up the STL and PITS pick and manage to somehow leave the draft with MacKinnon/Monahan/Nurse.

[prizefighterinferno]

As has been rehashed at length at this point, Calgary has positional needs all over the ice and thus you can't afford to be overly choosy when it comes to position vs. projection (BPA). However, seeing as center is so critical to team success and the right wing has an absolute dearth of talent, I would target the following (pending draft positions, within a couple spots:

3rd/4th spot (Calgary's): MacKinnon (C/RW)/Barkov (C)

15th/16th: Alexander Wennberg (C) - like his two way game and puck protection skills, decent shot/hands/size, great speed.

29th/30th: Valentin Zykov (RW) - a bit of a risk for the usual Russian/QMJHL-related reasons, but has a great release and is tough to handle in traffic (6'1, 210-215 depending on the source). Reminds me of Vladimir Tarasenko.


Although I prefer to see forwards prioritized at the top end of the draft, if a guy like Pulock or Ristolainen is available at the St. Louis pick, it would be worth the investment in my opinion. Our defense has little to look forward to at this point, and could use an injection of higher-end talent.

There are certainly other players I would be more than happy to pick up as well - Drouin, Monahan, Nichushkin, Hagg, etc. - so at least with (likely) 3 picks, there is the potential to do a number of different things depending on how things shake down positionally/players available or due to trade, etc.

[the_only_turek_fan]

If we pick #3, would any one be opposed to picking Barkov over Drouin? (assuming MacKinnon and Jones go #1 and #2).

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

If we pick #3, would any one be opposed to picking Barkov over Drouin? (assuming MacKinnon and Jones go #1 and #2).

I wouldn't hate it but I prefer Drouin myself. I want a Canadian franchise player

[StrykerSteve]

I believe they should draft 1C, 1RW and 1D in the first round if they have the chance.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

If we pick #3, would any one be opposed to picking Barkov over Drouin? (assuming MacKinnon and Jones go #1 and #2).

I just haven't seen enough of Barkov to be comfortable saying anything over than Drouin > Barkov

[dammage79]

So McKinnon, Zykov and Ristolainen then? 1C, 1 RW and 1 D. Not a bad first round at all.

[Teroy]

Assuming we get 3 first round picks. At the moment it looks more like:

Nathan MacKinnon, Joshua Morrissey and Mirco Mueller.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Brick

I am hoping that the Flames draft BIG skilled players that are the closest available to their picks.

Bo Horvat is worth considering with the St. Louis pick (I have seen mock drafts picking him anywhere from 12th to 20th). His scouting report makes me think of Joel Otto:

Big tank is a force at both ends. Owns the middle of the ice and is a shutdown
defensive centre, while also contributing plenty at the offensive end. Always in the middle of the

action and is best in heavy traffic. Goes hard to the net and is difficult to move in front - creates
traffic and screens around the crease, and is able to cash in on rebounds and deflections often. He has a knack for coming up with big goals at key moments. Workhorse is effective on both special teams units.

http://www.redlinereport.com/wp-cont...ght-Dec-12.pdf

[PeteMoss]

I don't think he's a #1 centre though... more of an Otto type as you mention.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

I don't think he's a #1 centre though... more of an Otto type as you mention.

True, but you are unlikely to get a #1 centre outside of the top 5 in any draft. If you can get a potential Selke candidate, I think it's worth a mid-first rounder.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by dammage79

So McKinnon, Zykov and Ristolainen then? 1C, 1 RW and 1 D. Not a bad first round at all.

Don't think Ristolainen will be around where the St. Louis pick lands. If you want 1 of each of those I think the more realistic call would be McKinnon/Barkov (CGY Pick at 3/4), Hagg (STL Pick), and Lehkonen(PIT Pick).

[$ven27]

Horvat = Hanzal lite?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

True, but you are unlikely to get a #1 centre outside of the top 5 in any draft. If you can get a potential Selke candidate, I think it's worth a mid-first rounder.

I think there are two potentially at 5 and 6 with Lindholm and Monahan. They might not be, but the potential is there.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Don't think Ristolainen will be around where the St. Louis pick lands. If you want 1 of each of those I think the more realistic call would be McKinnon(CGY Pick), Hagg (STL Pick), and Lehkonen(PIT Pick).

Lehkonen is worth a look as well. As is Ryan Hartman given Feaster and Weisbrods penchant for American players lately.

[Dienasty]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

I believe they should draft 1C, 1RW and 1D in the first round if they have the chance.

At this point, best player (not goalie) available with all three picks. The Flames have a lack of talent and it is almost impossible to determine what your organizational needs are 3 years down the road when these players will be effective.

If we have redundant assets, you can always trade to get what you need. (See Penguins Staal trade)

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by $ven27

Horvat = Hanzal lite?

I would put him between Hanzal as a low point and Mikko Koivu as a high water mark. Somewhere in the middle.

Koivu has better skating, but Horvat has more crease presence. It might be a lofty high water mark, but I'm thinking just as current NHL comparables go.

[FlameZilla]

Do you think there's a chance the Flames make a play for #1 overall and Seth Jones? We already have his defence partner Wotherspoon & Jones is of a pedigree the management seems to like.

I like the idea of picking a C, RW & D in the first round. Say we nab Jones, then with the later picks I would target Gauthier & either Erne or Lekhonen. If we nab Mackinnon or Barkov we could target Ristolainen & one of the wingers. As long as we stay far away from goalies and pure stay-at-home defenders I think we'll get some real players this year.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Do you think there's a chance the Flames make a play for #1 overall and Seth Jones? We already have his defence partner Wotherspoon & Jones is of a pedigree the management seems to like.

When you say "make a play" are you talking about trading up? I highly doubt the Avalanche will trade down with the Flames as I believe they have their sights on Jones who is a US boy.

If the Flames win the lottery and get the first pick I would be somewhat disappointed if they picked Jones and not because of the player but because he's American and would likely (my speculation but what big time US player in his prime as ever signed in Canada as a UFA?) go to a US team as soon as he's UFA. I'm hoping the Flames can parlay this pick into a long term top player. I want this pick to be on a Canadian boy.

[Roof-Daddy]

I wish this miserable season would end already, and the draft would get here.

There are always trades at the draft, and I'm hoping after some compliance buy outs some teams have more cap flexibility, and we still move a couple more veterans for more picks. Like some second rounders, or maybe even package a vet up with a first to move up in the first.