Thats the thing... drafting wise. I know many will say "our drafting is better lately" (unproven) but look at how many forwards we have drafted successfully in the past 15 years. I flip flop whether I think the three 1st for McKinnon is a good idea, but I'm leaning towards "yes" and go with the sure thing.
While I don't disagree, there is no guarantee that McKinnon will be a star either - that's a projection. There have been #1 picks who haven't done particularly well either.
The point is moot anyways, since COL rejected the trade
When you have as many holes as Calgary....Fill up the abyss with as many quality prospects as you can over the next 3 or 4 years.
I can sort of understand giving up this for MacKinnon because he has the looks of a franchise player but I sure hope out of desperation of losing out on him they don't repackage this offer for Barkov who to me doesn't sound like a sure thing. I would rather the three picks than Barkov as this team has too many holes to plug with one guy who may or may not be a franchise player.
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Erick Estrada For This Useful Post:
I'm happy this didn't happen. MacKinnon will be a great player but 3 first round picks in a deep draft is huge for a team with a sub-par prospect pool. Over the years, some great players have been taken mid to late first round. I would hate to be sitting and watching Sportscentre three years from now looking at two players we could have had lighting it up with other teams all because Jay Feaster was pitching a tent for a top three pick. Use the abundance of cap space to grab a vet to mentor these young guys for two or three years, even if he is a little overpaid. Not my money.
That's right. I forgot...this team is only a #1 C away from contending for 8th place. That has been the mantra over the last few years. Right?
When did I say that?
Right now, we don't have elite talent. We have a couple prospects with elite potential (Baertschi, Gaudreau), but nothing is close to a guarantee.
I know one thing. This team isn't a handful of 3rd and 4th liners away from contending. Outside of our 6th pick, it is unlikely that we draft that elite talent.
Good players attract other good players. We can fill the smaller holes in more than one fashion. We already have 9 picks in this draft, after all.
Right now, we don't have elite talent. We have a couple prospects with elite potential (Baertschi, Gaudreau), but nothing is close to a guarantee.
I know one thing. This team isn't a handful of 3rd and 4th liners away from contending. Outside of our 6th pick, it is unlikely that we draft that elite talent.
Good players attract other good players. We can fill the smaller holes in more than one fashion. We already have 9 picks in this draft, after all.
When you have 2 "B" impact players ( Sven and Brodie) in your lineup under 28 years old with ZERO "A" impact players over 28... You take as many swings as possible in the draft.
I think some people are underestimating the value of having a franchise player. When you have one, the depth players are much easier to get as free agents. Having an elite franchise player is like have a few extra picks every draft if you consider how it affects the ability to attract assets.
It doesn't need to be this season, but if this team is ever going to build towards being a top contender, they are going to have find a star franchise player from somewhere. The Flames somewhat lucked out with Iginla as he wasn't a top 1st rounder and was acquired in a trade, but you can't rely on that as a strategy.
__________________
"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to FlamesAddiction For This Useful Post:
I wonder if Philly wants to save some money on a buyout.
Briere + 11th for (player/prospect) + 28th
Then at the draft after Col takes Jones 1st overall
6th, 11th & 22nd to Florida for 2nd
Flyers dump Briere, clear 6.5M in desperately needed cap space and still get a first round pick.
Flames have Briere for 2 years while Mackinnon develops.
Edit: Forgot Briere has a no trade and wants to stay out East.
I think some people are underestimating the value of having a franchise player. When you have one, the depth players are much easier to get as free agents. Having an elite franchise player is like have a few extra picks every draft if you consider how it affects the ability to attract assets.
It doesn't need to be this season, but if this team is ever going to build towards being a top contender, they are going to have find a star franchise player from somewhere. The Flames somewhat lucked out with Iginla as he wasn't a top 1st rounder and was acquired in a trade, but you can't rely on that as a strategy.
The Oilers have what 3 of them and how has it worked for them? Doesn't mean squat if you don't have a solid supporting cast and their problem is that when they aren't picking in the first round they miss on most of their picks and have little organizational depth because of that. MacKinnon will likely spend the first half of his career with the Flames the same way Iginla did on a bad team that misses the playoffs every year for a long stretch. Get a lot of organizational depth and the team will improve much faster and have less holes to plug.
The Oilers have what 3 of them and how has it worked for them? Doesn't mean squat if you don't have a solid supporting cast and their problem is that when they aren't picking in the first round they miss on most of their picks and have little organizational depth because of that. MacKinnon will likely spend the first half of his career with the Flames the same way Iginla did on a bad team that misses the playoffs every year for a long stretch. Get a lot of organizational depth and the team will improve much faster and have less holes to plug.
The Oilers don't have franchise player the calibre of what MacKinnon or Jones project to be. End of story.
__________________
"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
__________________ https://www.reddit.com/r/CalgaryFlames/
I’m always amazed these sportscasters and announcers can call the game with McDavid’s **** in their mouths all the time.
People don't really appreciate how significant a top 3 pick truly is. Our 22nd and 28th picks will probably be with our team for a while but they will most likely be a replaceable player that you could pick up in the free agent market
I hope we keep the picks. We're gonna be pretty lousy the next few years, and a couple top 5 picks in that time period is not out of the question. Take the depth now, star power then.
Without Iginla & Kiprusoff, this team is going to suck real bad over the next couple of seasons. High draft picks are definitely in the offering for 2014 & 2015, at least. So, it's not as if acquiring MacKinnon would make the Flames an instant contender.
Isn't that statement a little chicken before the egg though? MacKinnon hasn't even played a game in the pros.
Which is why I said "projects to be".
I don't think it's a secret that most experts project him to be better than the 1st overall in a typical draft (i.e. a true franchise forward). No one on the Oilers was drafted with that much clout.
If we limited the discussion to players that have played in the NHL, might as well not talk about the draft at all.
The 22nd and 28th pick haven't played in the NHL yet, but many people have them penciled in for long term depth despite the odds of both actually being NHLers are not that great.
__________________
"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
