Who of the 2013 draft could slot in next season?

[djsFlames]

Alright, so being in the situation that we're in with the full "rebuild"underway, do we see any of our 2013 draftees make the jump next season? Being that we've got more roster spots "up for grabs" per say, than in past years, does management send the first rounders back to juniors/euro leagues for development, or try to infuse some/all the new talents right off the bat (looking at what Oilers did with Hall, Eberle, Nuge, Nail, Avalache with Landeskog, O'Reilly etc.)? A lot of it obviously depends on who is taken by the team.

From what I've heard, MacKinnon, Drouin, Jones, Nichuskin, *Barkov, Monahan, Lindholm (to a lesser degree)* and Nurse are all said to be possibly NHL ready, or close to it. Are there any other potential top 30 picks that could be able to help an NHL team next season?

Or are you of the opinion that the club should take its time with its new prospects, even our 6th overall, and ensure proper development for all picks..

Since it's such an exciting time for the club with the upcoming draft/season, I thought it would be worth discussing how the team will approach this.

[bluck]

I think any of the guys you mentioned have a chance to make the NHL next year... after that it's pretty thin. I think whoever the Flames draft will get a good look in training camp and if they are ready I don't see why they wouldn't get a chance to crack the lineup. Conroy did say they were looking for players who were about 2 years away form the NHL and were gonna stay away from "project" type players.

[djsFlames]

I actually didn't have a chance to hear Conroy talk about that. Interesting. I'm glad they're not going for any "projects" this time around. If they're looking at a 3 year window to get this team back to being considered competitive, then they've got to be looking at guys who are physically and mentally built for NHL hockey in the very near future.

Personally, I think our #6 pick will see some NHL time next season, whether it be for the first 9 games of the season, or for the season as a whole (with a limited, development oriented role). The other two will be sent for more playing time in their respective leagues and might get a look in the following training camp.

[sureLoss]

Lindholm has stated that he will play next year in Sweden.

Barkov has publicly said that he is unsure if he will come to NA. The one year remaining on his deal in Finland seems to indicate he will most likely play there as well.

You forgot to put Nichushkin, who will play in the NHL next year for sure if you believe he is free from his KHL contract.

Nurse is near NHL ready? All that I have read on him indicates he is going to be a project and will take time to develop.

Mackinnon, Drouin and Jones are likely gone by the time the Flames pick.

Realistically of the players that will be available to the Flames at 6, only Nichuskin and Monahan (perhaps Barkov if you can convince him) will have a chance to be on the 2013-2014 Flames.

That being said I think we may see the players picked at #6, #22, and #28 get a 9 game audition if they aren't in college or playing in Europe by the time the season starts.

[djsFlames]

Yeah, that sounds about right. Oops, I forgot Nichuskin. He does sound pretty well set on making the move right away, which could intrigue the likes of Nashville and Carolina. (or so one can hope). I wouldn't consider him a strong candidate for a Flames pick, not because of the Russian factor but because he's a winger.

But yeah I wouldn't rule out one of the 3 making a strong enough case in their camp/early season audition to warrant staying the year, but it is unlikely.

Imo the one guy that is 1. a realistic pick and 2. is mentally and physically matured enough to translate to the NHL right away is Monahan.

[dammage79]

Ristolainen could make the jump as well.

[Daradon]

Do we really see many more than the top three (maybe) ever play in their first year? I mean, I know it happens, but over the recent history we don't usually get more than two players who jump up in the first year.

I know this draft is a bit stronger, but I don't think it's so strong that we'll see six players the first year. I think we'll just see Jones and MacKinnon.

[djsFlames]

I think we'll see more than 2 this season.

The reason we could see our pick is because of how weak our roster current is, talent wise.

[PlayfulGenius]

I'd be willing to place money on Nichuskin being on an NHL roster next season.

[Ped]

Once you get out of the elite prospects, then most of the time these players are far better being served going back to junior or whatever rather then playing in the NHL.

That's why its such a surprise when a player like Couturier sticks.

Not to say someone like Ristolainen or whoever might or might not be able to play, but whether its a good idea to.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Ped

Once you get out of the elite prospects, then most of the time these players are far better being served going back to junior or whatever rather then playing in the NHL.

That's why its such a surprise when a player like Couturier sticks.

Not to say someone like Ristolainen or whoever might or might not be able to play, but whether its a good idea to.

The young players today are better prepared for the pros than even 5 years ago, guys who were offense players in junor like Couturier and Galchenyuk stick because they play a nice 2-way game in the NHL. junor coaching is great these days

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by T@T

The young players today are better prepared for the pros than even 5 years ago, guys who were offense players in junor like Couturier and Galchenyuk stick because they play a nice 2-way game in the NHL. junor coaching is great these days

Especially in Red Deer

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Do we really see many more than the top three (maybe) ever play in their first year? I mean, I know it happens, but over the recent history we don't usually get more than two players who jump up in the first year.

I know this draft is a bit stronger, but I don't think it's so strong that we'll see six players the first year. I think we'll just see Jones and MacKinnon.

Looking back to 2008 it looks like usually 4-5 play in their first season.

2009 had all the top four of Tavares, Hedman, Duchene, and Kane step in. As well as Kulikov(14) and O'Reilly(33).
2010 had Fowler at 12.

I looks like the top two are usually locks to play and then you will see one or two more out of the top 5, and 5-10 area. Anything beyond that is really unusual.

If the draft is as deep as some are claiming I would expect to see 4-5 playing in the NHL this season. I think Jones, Mackinnon, and Drouin are basically locks to play. Nichushkin, Lindholm, Monahan, and Barkov are possibilities.

There may be a "surprise" guy that steps in and plays like Ristolainen or Horvat.

[devo22]

Craig Button in his TSN live chat last week:

Q: Just wondering other than the top 3, which players you think are most NHL ready and have the chance to play as and 18 year old?

A: In no particular order. I will qualify that I am listing those players who I feel can contribute to some extent next season, not necessarily 'play' games in the NHL. Barkov, Nichushkin, Monahan, Ristolainen. Perhaps Lindholm but I feel he would benefit tremendously by playing another year in Sweden at center, he played RW this past season.

[FlameZilla]

Jeff Skinner (#9 in 2007) & Logan Couture (#7 in 2010) stick out to me as guys that made an immediate impact & were not top 5 picks.

Monahan is sometimes compared to Logan Couture in the scouting write-ups. Wasn't there an OHL scout who came out on Twitter and said Monahan & Couture were the best OHL talents he'd ever scouted?

If we pick him I see him slotting straight into the lineup. Other guys in our range? Nichushkin comes over to the NHL now or never, in my mind (just intuition, nothing to back that up). Barkov & Lindholm are both capable of making the NHL, but contracts would probably hold that up. Ristolainen is the D-man people talk about being physically ready. How about Hunter Shinkaruk? I really see this kid making a splash in the NHL.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I looks like the top two are usually locks to play

yeah, Ryan Murray was the first top 2 pick since 2007 that didn't make the jump immediately ... and without his injury, I guess he would have played in the NHL this season too. Seems like a trend that the top picks make the jump immediately - but in the 200x years, there were more top 2 picks that didn't go right away:

2000 - #2 Dany Heatley - played college hockey for a year
2001 - #2 Jason Spezza - played in the OHL for a year
2002 - #2 Kari Lehtonen - played in Finland for a year
2005 - #2 Bobby Ryan - played in the OHL for two years
2006 - #1 Erik Johnson - played college hockey for a year
2007 - #2 James van Riemsdyk - played college hockey for two years

[FFF]

Ristolainen has said he will come over and compete for a roster spot if drafted. I don't think he's ready though. Physically he probably is - rumor has it that he's worked very hard and added about 20 pounds. He's listed at 207 but is now apparently closer to 227 (and 6'3''). Otherwise, however, I don't think his game is NHL-ready.

[djsFlames]

That's a hell of a frame for an 18 year old (Ristolainen), wow.

Jeff Skinner is probably the biggest standout for immediate impact players. Scored 31 goals in his first eligible season. Then Couture, (who was of the 67s) has been huge for the Sharks. Had 32G in his second NHL season (1st if you don't count 24 games before). Both #5-10 picks. So it's definitely not unheard of to find instant return players where we're drafting.

Monahan is another example of a player who could convert his offense and game to the NHL with more ease than others. I'd see him playing 3rd/2nd line time next season if we draft him. Could center Baertschi. I'd love to see the two play together and what kind of chemistry they could possess..