Arm-Chair GM: Three 1st round picks for Nate McKinnon

[macrov]

Originally Posted by Poe969

The more I think about it, the more I think next years pick should be on the table too... good point. Whatever it takes to get MacKinnon, do it

Im starting to lean into the whatever it takes camp, except I'd only give up 1 of Calgary's 2013 and 2014 picks:

Calgary's 2013 OR 2014 1st rounder + St Louis First + Pittsburgh First + 2014 Second Round pick + Any roster player except Brodie, Sven, or Reinhart + any prospect

Just throw the kitchen sink to get him. Honestly, this team hasn't had a franchise centre in close to 2 decades. I'd be quite happy if the team built around McKinnon, Brodie, Sven and Reinhart

[Vinny01]

That 2014 pick certainly holds less value than this years 6th overall. I don't see why that entices the Avs unless they get both picks

[Poe969]

Well if that was the sticking point, you give them both picks. Whatever it takes...

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Poe969

The more I think about it, the more I think next years pick should be on the table too... good point. Whatever it takes to get MacKinnon, do it

That would not be wise in my opinion. A team is more than one player. While Nate McKinnon is a great young player he is not a guarantee to be a superstar or franchise player. I would hope Flames fans would have wisened up to the mess building around one player is all about. Keep the draft picks and select three very good young players to compliment the young players we already have in the mix and you have the makings of a potentially good team, even if one of the, busts. Take one guy and that guy doesn't turn out and you have very little to show. This is supposed to be a deep draft so the quantity will also equal quality. Add in next year's early first round pick and you have another key piece to the puzzle. Throwing everything into one player is, well, just plain stupid in the big picture. I hope the Flames have learned something from the past 16 years of trying to build around one player. It isn't a wise strategy.

[Bonded]

This thread is basically everyone wanting to give away spare parts for the 2nd overall. We simply do not have the assets. Why would Florida trade for a chance at a top 2 pick next year when they have that pick now. They also need impact players now, so they can play together.

Maybe Brodie + 2014 1st for Nashville/carolina pick, but even then it is a big risk and I see neither team doing it.

Also, I feel bad for this draft class if people are expecting a franchise centre, top 6, and another top 4/6 player.

I think we will be lucky to get a first line centre and other players who can contribute.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Next years pick should easily be on the table. People are saying that might turn out to be a #1 pick, so what?

It might also be the 14th pick and who is to say that the #1 pick next year will be better than MacKinnon?

I wouldn't give up this year AND next years picks but one of either is okay with me. Depending of course on what else they have to throw in.

Couldn't disagree more. Given the roster we're going to be starting next season with, especially the huge question mark in net, there's a strong likelihood next year's pick will be higher than six. MacKinnon is not a head-and-shoulders-above-the-rest first overall pick. I think the Flames have a decent chance of drafting a player of his calibre next season.

[Flame Of Liberty]

We'll get our McKinnon in next year's draft, no trades needed. Don't worry, Feaster's got it.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Couldn't disagree more. Given the roster we're going to be starting next season with, especially the huge question mark in net, there's a strong likelihood next year's pick will be higher than six. MacKinnon is not a head-and-shoulders-above-the-rest first overall pick. I think the Flames have a decent chance of drafting a player of his calibre next season.

Rather than having a "decent chance" at a comparable player I'd rather just draft him this year. Is anyone next year even close to MacKinnon?

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

[powderjunkie]

I'd do this in a heartbeat...no way Florida would. Not saying he will be there, but there is an outside chance MacKinnon is a phenom and marketable like Crosby/Ovechkin/Gretzky in LA...for business and hockey it makes sense. I think he'll end up more like a Toews/Tavares - a terrific player, but not enough to catch attention in Florida.

[kyuss275]

After reading in another thread that the flames plan to spend to the cap next year, they might as well through in 2014 pick for McKinnon. Don't think the flames will make the playoffs next year, but if they get a couple of quality players while spending to the cap, they probably will not be drafting in the top 3.

[Mister Yamoto]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

After reading in another thread that the flames plan to spend to the cap next year, they might as well through in 2014 pick for McKinnon. Don't think the flames will make the playoffs next year, but if they get a couple of quality players while spending to the cap, they probably will not be drafting in the top 3.

If the Flames spend to the cap next season they will draft top 3 for sure. Last year 2 days before July 1 Feaster had 18 million in cap space. HE SPENT IT ALL and came away with Comeau, Stempniak, Sarich, Wideman and Hudler.

The more he tries to make the Flames better the worse they become.

The 2013 Flames weren't in a playoff spot for one single day, traded their best forward, their best defenseman and are likely losing their best goalie for nothing. And if it weren't a few garbagetime wins down the stretch they would easily be picking top 3 this year.

That 2014 pick is the most valuable asset the Flames have. They aren't going to get better anytime soon, especially if Feaster goes shopping on July 5.

[Cheerio]

Absolutely not. Look at the final 5 teams in the playoffs, they all either have 2 superstars or insane depth especially down the middle, trading our picks this year and next years pick eliminates any chance of us getting either. Pittsburgh has Malkin & Crosby, Chicago has Toews & Kane, Detroit has Zetterberg & Datsyuk. LA has Carter, Richards, Kopitar, & Doughty as really good players, Boston has Bergeron, Chara, Krejci, and Lucic who are really good players.

By trading away all our picks we are left with MacKinnon, Brodie & Baertschi as really good players and that is all with no chances to add any more great players. And most likely we will end up in a Tampa Bay like situation with one superstar and nowhere near the playoffs.

[cowtown75]

Sometimes a franchise turns around with that one guy. Every successful team who has won a Cup has that one elite centerman, with the exception of Boston who had two really good centermen who put up great points that year (Krejci, Bergeron). Elite centermen are next to impossible to acquire unless you draft them. As some have undervalued MacKinnon here, he has been the one guy who has been followed for a long time because of his talent through the junior ranks. Not comparing players, but the last guy I remember that happening to was Crosby.

MacKinnon is the most complete player, competitor, skater and is NHL ready now. I want quality over quantity. Next year is not deep like this year is. Also, as deep as the draft is this year, the likelyhood that all 3 picks will pan out for this year is not guaranteed. Even if 2 guys panned out it would be like trading two maybe prospects for one elite one. MacKinnon is an ELITE player and is one you build around. We already have some decent prospects in the system like Gaudreu, Grandlund, Sven, Reinhart, Jankowski, Ferland, Gillies, Brossoit, Sieloff, Ramage and a few others. Remember, we will also have other drafts after this as well- this is not our last draft. I believe MacKinnon showed during the Memorial Cup that he is head and shoulders the best gamer when it counts and leads by example. He also makes everyone around him great which is another star quality.

I think the trade has to be done with Colorado, not Florida because I think there is a good chance Colorado will jump on MacKinnon despite other reports and you can't risk loosing MacKinnon. We most likely be drafting between 5-10 the next few years so we will have plenty of picks to help stock the shelves with talent to build around MacKinnon.

I think if you can pull it off, you need to do it for the future of the Franchise. As a side note (owners would like this), MacKinnon would generate a lot of jersey sales, merchandise sales, hype, and would help make the owners and team make money- and owners like that. And if the owners have money, they have money to invest in the team. Sometimes to got to break a few eggs to make an ohmlette and I think it's one of those times.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

Absolutely not. Look at the final 5 teams in the playoffs, they all either have 2 superstars or insane depth especially down the middle, trading our picks this year and next years pick eliminates any chance of us getting either. Pittsburgh has Malkin & Crosby, Chicago has Toews & Kane, Detroit has Zetterberg & Datsyuk. LA has Carter, Richards, Kopitar, & Doughty as really good players, Boston has Bergeron, Chara, Krejci, and Lucic who are really good players.

Crosby, Malkin, Toews, Kane & Doughty were all top 3 picks.
Bergeron, Lucic and Krejci were second round picks.
Chara was a third rounder, Zetterburg & Datsyuk were late round picks.
Carter and Richards were acquired through trade.
The only player you mentioned who was drafted by his current team in the mid to late first round was Kopitar.

Much better chance of getting a star player like one of them in the top 3. Unless of course your scouting delivers you a diamond in the rough which is not affected if we trade up.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Crosby, Malkin, Toews, Kane & Doughty were all top 3 picks.
Bergeron, Lucic and Krejci were second round picks.
Chara was a third rounder, Zetterburg & Datsyuk were late round picks.
Carter and Richards were acquired through trade.
The only player you mentioned who was drafted by his current team in the mid to late first round was Kopitar.

Much better chance of getting a star player like one of them in the top 3. Unless of course your scouting delivers you a diamond in the rough which is not affected if we trade up.

The point I was making doesn't have to deal with the exact spot where those players were drafted, it's more about how you think you can build the best team possible. I believe the Flames will be a bottom 5 team next year and will be able pick up a potential superstar to go along with the depth they have a chance to acquire in this draft.

Richards and Carter were both mid first round picks, and look at the price paid to acquire them. Richards was moved for a prospect who had been drafted fifth overall a couple seasons earlier. Carter was moved to Columbus for a top 10 pick and a player who had been drafted in the top 10 a few seasons earlier. If the Flames moved all their picks for MacKinnon they would have nowhere near the assets needed to acquire a very good 2C like Richards or Carter.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Anybody see the post memorial cup clip with Bob Mackenzie? He says he's talked to one scout who has Barkov ahead of MacKinnon and Drouin. I wonder if Barkov is in our top grouping or not. Could be much easier to trade up to get him.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

If you're willing to move 3 first rounders, you can do better than some kid from juniors who may or may not actually pan out. Thats a Big Time return.

If you're throwing three 1sts (and are presumably willing to move roster players as well) at a team, you should be talking about guys like Seguin, Duschene, Cutoure, Hodgeson, etc.

I suspect that the list of NHL players who CAN'T be acquired with 3 first rounders and a roster player is a pretty short list.

Why spend those kinds of assets to get a draft position, when they can probably get you the player straight up?

[Lanny_McDonald]

^^^But what about the Memorial Cup hangover? That top center playing in the NHL didn't just put in a dominating performance in the Memorial Cup? Never discount flavor-of-the-week in the decision making of fans. I say trade every pick we have then draft Zykov. Kill nine stones with one bird.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Anybody see the post memorial cup clip with Bob Mackenzie? He says he's talked to one scout who has Barkov ahead of MacKinnon and Drouin. I wonder if Barkov is in our top grouping or not. Could be much easier to trade up to get him.

Last October, Craig Button was making a case for Barkov to be worthy of a 1st overall selection. There has been some speculation that Craig Button gets some scouting information from Tod Button (although it's also just as plausible that they have similar thought processes without actually discussing details).

[FlameZilla]

Mackinnon is an impressive talent. I would certainly table an offer to Florida when they are on the clock. I would think the #6 pick, another 1st & a decent roster player would be fair value for the #2 pick. I would be hesitant to pay way over the odds for him, especially considering the state our franchise is in. We need as many assets as we can get, and 3 solid 1st round prospects would will be equally as valuable as 1 potential all-star.

I like the look of the centres available at 6 as well. Lindholm, Monahan or Barkov could potentially be available & they have all-star potential too. Less than a month to go until we find out. Bring it on so we can stop flogging/dead/horse & start complaining about how Feaster &@%#ed up.