[News] With the #67 overall pick the Flames select D Keegan Kanzig

[Azure]

How many people here know a few guys that were over 6'3'' by the time they were 16, and were always clumsy as hell?

I do. It takes a lot longer for big guys to develop. Grow into their frame.

Give him 2-3 years longer than most other guys his age.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by zoom

i watched Chara in the WHL and i didn't think he would ever make the NHL. I am no scout, but i have to think he growing that fast makes it very difficult to be a smooth/coordinated athlete. gotta hope he gets more comfortable and improves his skating over the next couple of years.

side note: he isn't that good of a fighter imo.

This is true. For a long time, most observers (or at the very least, many observers) considered Chara to be a slow moving pylon who would never become a good player.

Size is an asset. If he can develop, it could turn into great pick.

It's a long shot, but you never know

[johnnyluv]

Originally Posted by zukes

I have seen Subban, nothing much there outside he name. The Knights traded him for picks.

Not the right Subban - the Knights traded Marselis Subban, Jordan's cousin, to Saginaw. Jordan was drafted by the Belleville Bulls in the first round.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Azure

How many people here know a few guys that were over 6'3'' by the time they were 16, and were always clumsy as hell?

I do. It takes a lot longer for big guys to develop. Grow into their frame.

Give him 2-3 years longer than most other guys his age.

Chara was a little like that, right?

[Alberta_Beef]

I love when people rip apart draft picks because they think they know more than the people who are actually employed in the trade of scouting players

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I love when people rip apart draft picks because they think they know more than the people who are actually employed in the trade of scouting players

I have no problem if someone has seen a player and doesn't like him, that's fine. It's when they haven't heard of a player and that's why he sucks, that's what's ######ed.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

I have no problem if someone has seen a player and doesn't like him, that's fine. It's when they haven't heard of a player and that's why he sucks, that's what's ######ed.

and out of curiosity, what do you think about the posters that trumpet that same pick, even if they have never watched said pick play?

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Chara was a little like that, right?

I lived in PG and saw a lot of games the year Chara played there. At that point he was a 19 year old and still a bit awkward. But he was still a good enough skater, had a good shot that he could use and was physically dominant. By the end of the season he was looking like a guy who could one day become a pretty good NHL defenceman, although I couldn't have envisioned him being what he became. I know right after they beat out Portland that year I was thinking I'd love to see this guy go up against Lindros in about 5 years...of course 5 years after 97, Lindros was pretty much finished and Chara would have destroyed him.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

and out of curiosity, what do you think about the posters that trumpet that same pick, even if they have never watched said pick play?

It doesn't bother me as much because it's hockey and I think being a fan is totally okay. I haven't seen much of what you're suggesting though. Anyone who is "excited" about Poirier is just noting and enjoying what they've seen in various clips and articles, but it hasn't gone beyond that to annoying ignor-rage.

[evman150]

Okay, a lot of drama here.

I've seen Keegan play probably 30 times the last two years combined.

First year, young big kid, pretty garbage, but you could tell the potential was there. This year, WAY better, made a decent first pass, and made the right plays more often than not. Earlier in the year I thought he'd go 60-90.

Kanzig is not defined by his toughness - he is NOT a goon. He is a hockey player first and foremost. He has a reputation as a tough guy because of how he destroys guys, but that is not his main game. He is a shutdown guy, with OK puck skills, and great leadership abilities.

I hated having him on the ice in year one, but by the next year I found myself hoping he was on the ice in tight situations.

Full disclosure: One of my best friends works with Keegan at Bear Mountain. Plus I love the guy and wish the best for him.

[zukes]

Originally Posted by johnnyluv

Not the right Subban - the Knights traded Marselis Subban, Jordan's cousin, to Saginaw. Jordan was drafted by the Belleville Bulls in the first round.

D'oh, I know better than that. Yeah this Subban would be worth the pick, but I like high risk high reward after the first round we had.

[Fire]

I have to say this is an odd pick, but very intriguing.

[Sandman]

perhaps he was drafted so he could take care of Nurse every time we play the Oilers?

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I love when people rip apart draft picks because they think they know more than the people who are actually employed in the trade of scouting players

I'm a huge cynic of this pick and it has nothing to do with the player at all. I have seen NOT seen him play and will therefore not question the player.

This was a bad pick because the asset wasn't fully leveraged. If you want to pick a sleeper, great, all the power to you.. But do it smart. Feaster could have traded down to make this selection and picked up a 5th rounder or better.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Sandman

perhaps he was drafted so he could take care of Nurse every time we play the Oilers?

"I'm here to send Nurse to the hospital."

[Jason14h]

This was a bad pick because the asset wasn't fully leveraged. If you want to pick a sleeper, great, all the power to you.. But do it smart. Feaster could have traded down to make this selection and picked up a 5th rounder or better.

You realize another team has to want the pick? Theres not just an open market where you trade in picks!

Also, if this is the player they want, do you really want them risking it for a 5th rounder? I know 5th rounder routenly produce NHL's, but I think getting the guy u want is worth the risk

[Sandman]

[QUOTE=getbak;4311214]"I'm here to send Nurse to the hospital"

"KANZIG SMASH!!!!"

[The Swedish Flame]

Originally Posted by evman150

Okay, a lot of drama here.

I've seen Keegan play probably 30 times the last two years combined.

First year, young big kid, pretty garbage, but you could tell the potential was there. This year, WAY better, made a decent first pass, and made the right plays more often than not. Earlier in the year I thought he'd go 60-90.

Kanzig is not defined by his toughness - he is NOT a goon. He is a hockey player first and foremost. He has a reputation as a tough guy because of how he destroys guys, but that is not his main game. He is a shutdown guy, with OK puck skills, and great leadership abilities.

I hated having him on the ice in year one, but by the next year I found myself hoping he was on the ice in tight situations.

Full disclosure: One of my best friends works with Keegan at Bear Mountain. Plus I love the guy and wish the best for him.

Out of thanks. But thank you for those observations.

One thing I love about CP is that there are people all over the place that in most cases actually have seen someone play. It's really valuable/interesting to get input from those people.

[Itse]

I assume that being relatively slow and clumsy and still a decent (or good) shutdown guy requires a fair bit of hockey sense.

I also think we have to assume that the Flames think that there's a lot of talent hidden in an oversized body, or they would never have picked him this high. As somebody already said, big young guys don't necessarily stay slow and clumsy.

Speaking theoretically, I would assume that seeing that kind of "hidden" potential in kids that now don't look like much is the area where professional scouts should shine in comparison to the rest of us.

Time will tell if they're right. Certainly the Flames have set themselves up for criticism with this one.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by evman150

Okay, a lot of drama here.

I've seen Keegan play probably 30 times the last two years combined.

First year, young big kid, pretty garbage, but you could tell the potential was there. This year, WAY better, made a decent first pass, and made the right plays more often than not. Earlier in the year I thought he'd go 60-90.

Kanzig is not defined by his toughness - he is NOT a goon. He is a hockey player first and foremost. He has a reputation as a tough guy because of how he destroys guys, but that is not his main game. He is a shutdown guy, with OK puck skills, and great leadership abilities.

I hated having him on the ice in year one, but by the next year I found myself hoping he was on the ice in tight situations.

Full disclosure: One of my best friends works with Keegan at Bear Mountain. Plus I love the guy and wish the best for him.

Button says he has the brains but can he skate? if not its a useless pick.