The Drive for 30th

[Leondros]

Originally Posted by Igster

LOL...the Flames should be picking in the top 3. All 3 are more than ready for the NHL next season.

Look at the Oilers, some of their top picks had no business being in the NHL (RNH). While I agree some player can be rushed into a starting role, for other it can be devestating to their development, especially if we do not have the veteran presence to back them up. Consider it an investment for the future, sacrifice current benefits for far greater future benefits.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Leondros

Look at the Oilers, some of their top picks had no business being in the NHL (RNH). While I agree some player can be rushed into a starting role, for other it can be devestating to their development, especially if we do not have the veteran presence to back them up. Consider it an investment for the future, sacrifice current benefits for far greater future benefits.

I understand what you're saying, but really, the top 3 if not top 4 or 5 are NHL ready from what we've seen. The scouts and team should be able to determine that for sure. If whoever the Flames pick is not ready, then so be it I suppose, but I would hope they pick top 2 or 3 and that player is with the Flames next season.

[Reggie28]

I am worried the Flames will go off script at the draft.

[lifetime_flamesfan]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I won't feel comfortable unless the Flames finish 29 with the lottery. It would be so Calgary Flames to finish 28th and be bumped to the 4th overall pick. I hate to say it but I don't want the Flames to win any more games down the stretch. Ideally all the losses would be close hard fought but it looks like many of the vets have quit playing so if that's the way they are going to be then to hell with them and I will look forward to their replacements being picked in July.

Why would the vets play like the games mean anything to them??? The fans have clearly told them they want the team to get as many losses as possible. Why get hurt playing hard for the team?

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

I will be devastated if the Flames don't acquire Mackinnon.

Don't be. If we're picking in the top 4, as long as we get one of Jones, MacKinnon, Drouin or Barkov, we'll be fine. If we take someone outside of those guys in the top 4, then be concerned.

[lifetime_flamesfan]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yeah but I don't want to see a guy rushed as I feel RNH wasn't physically ready for the NHL in his first season and I don't want to see a guy rushed just to please fans and show off the shiny new franchise player. If the kid isn't physically mature enough then don't waste a year of his ELC until he's truly ready.

I completely agree with this. If it takes some time (whatever amount a time it takes) in the AHL, then do it and make sure whatever player we end up with is mature enough to handle playing in the bigs.

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by lifetime_flamesfan

Why would the vets play like the games mean anything to them???

Pride, you would hope.

Though I'm sending this from my work computer while counting down the minutes until the weekend, so I guess I'm not one to talk.

[MissTeeks]

Colorado Avalanche won't be tanking for a better draft pick, says Matt Duchene

http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/...ter-draft-pick

If the Avalanche wins its final 12 games, costing itself a top-five pick in the NHL draft while disappointing fans with the #tankforseth hashtags, Matt Duchene will be OK with that. The Avs will not be tanking for Seth Jones or any other potential savior in the draft, Duchene said.

"A top pick would be great, but I think a positive feeling going into the summer from a great finish would be even better for us," said Duchene, whose team hopes to beat the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night at the Pepsi Center. "I owe it to every guy in this room and to every person who buys a ticket, who pays good money to come see us and cheer us on, to try to do my best.

"People are playing for future jobs and contracts, and these last 12 games may be meaningless for the playoffs, but for each one of us in here they all mean something. We need to help each other. That's how we have to finish here."

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yeah but I don't want to see a guy rushed as I feel RNH wasn't physically ready for the NHL in his first season and I don't want to see a guy rushed just to please fans and show off the shiny new franchise player. If the kid isn't physically mature enough then don't waste a year of his ELC until he's truly ready.

What's the alternative? If a player is picked in the top 3, then he is already dominating whichever league he is in. What good is it to keep him there any longer? People criticize the Oilers for naming RNH to the team last year, but what else were they supposed to do? Stay in the WHL where he isn't challenged at all? How does that help his game improve?

[$ven27]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Colorado Avalanche won't be tanking for a better draft pick, says Matt Duchene

http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/...ter-draft-pick

[/LEFT]

Love that kid, great young player.

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by Reggie28

I am worried the Flames will go off script at the draft.

Hunter Shinkaruk

[FlamesFanStrandedInEDM]

When I was In Edmonton, I recall the unofficial campaign

"The Fall for Hall"

After seeing the terrible performance in person on Wednesday, I suggest

"Mail-It-In for Mackinnon with a shoe-in for Drouin"

[PeteLFan]

Nathan is going to be amazing, and he already fits in guys misspelling his name like they did with jarome.

The Nate Mac attack.

He's more if our type of center we have had more of a even goal scoring to assist guy. Joe scored more goals then assists, and I can see Nathan doing the same.

As much as I love drouin his game and IQ, you can't pass up on mackinnon he's going to be a superstar.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

Nathan is going to be amazing, and he already fits in guys misspelling his name like they did with jarome.

The Nate Mac attack.

He's more if our type of center we have had more of a even goal scoring to assist guy. Joe scored more goals then assists, and I can see Nathan doing the same.

As much as I love drouin his game and IQ, you can't pass up on mackinnon he's going to be a superstar.

Here's hoping other teams disagree with you. The order these kids go in will depend entirely on the lottery results. Teams are going to choose based on positional need, because all 3 (Jones, Drouin and Mackinnon) are basically the BPA.

With the new format, there's no guarantee the Flames will have a crack at the kid, even if they finish 30th overall.

[Teroy]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

Nathan is going to be amazing, and he already fits in guys misspelling his name like they did with jarome.

The Nate Mac attack.

He's more if our type of center we have had more of a even goal scoring to assist guy. Joe scored more goals then assists, and I can see Nathan doing the same.

As much as I love drouin his game and IQ, you can't pass up on mackinnon he's going to be a superstar.

Spelling,,,,,,,,,,,,kind of like "then" instead of "than".

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Teroy

Spelling,,,,,,,,,,,,kind of like "then" instead of "than".

We need to stop with the grammar police. Smartphones aren't always smart. Posting from one on a forum can be a pain in the ass, especially one like CP that doesn't offer a mobile alternative.

[Scooter]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I won't feel comfortable unless the Flames finish 29 with the lottery. It would be so Calgary Flames to finish 28th and be bumped to the 4th overall pick. I hate to say it but I don't want the Flames to win any more games down the stretch. Ideally all the losses would be close hard fought but it looks like many of the vets have quit playing so if that's the way they are going to be then to hell with them and I will look forward to their replacements being picked in July.

Where you gonna send vets like Cammi, Tanguay, Hudler and the rest of them? No one else wants a bunch of quittin losers!

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanStrandedInEDM

When I was In Edmonton, I recall the unofficial campaign

"The Fall for Hall"

After seeing the terrible performance in person on Wednesday, I suggest

"Mail-It-In for Mackinnon with a shoe-in for Drouin"

the last bunch of picks were a gold mine for these...fall for Hall, cryin for Ryan, fail for Nail. Mackinnon rhymes with winnin' but it's a bit awkward to say not winnin for Mackinnon. shoe-in for Drouin and death for Seth roll off the tongue eaiser.

[Teroy]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

We need to stop with the grammar police. Smartphones aren't always smart. Posting from one on a forum can be a pain in the ass, especially one like CP that doesn't offer a mobile alternative.

Agreed but you brought up the subject.

[Hatter]

It doesn't much matter where we finish. We all know the Oilers will finish 9th in the west and win the lottery.