[News] Flames finish 4th last in the NHL for the 2013-2014 season

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

The draft lottery has 1001 combinations so there is one combination which would merit a redraw. The Devils have 16 possible combinations to win. I tend to agree with Lebrun's assessment, if Devils win the Sabres win essentially.

Here's the official word from the NHL press release, and it agrees with the dodgy site and not with Lebrun:

To ensure that the odds of all 13 Clubs eligible to win the Draft Lottery are enhanced equally to reflect the Devils' situation, the Draft Lottery this year is being modified as follows: the Devils will still be included in the Draft Lottery drawing on the same basis and with the same odds that would have normally been assigned to the Club based on and consistent with its regular-season finish. However, in the event the Devils win the Draft Lottery, an immediate re draw will be conducted to select a different recipient of the first overall selection in the First Round. The same process will be conducted as many times as necessary to ensure that the first overall selection is awarded to a team other than New Jersey.

Source: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=714727

[Table 5]

If the Devils win the lottery, Lamoriello will find a way to make the NHL let him keep it.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by nik-

Jesus, you're quickly approaching most annoying poster level.

I'm finding the people who've developed an irrational hate of Ritchie for no good reason that I've been able to discover yet are the annoying ones in these draft threads.

[djsFlames]

People don't hate Ritchie.

It's that there simply are 5-6 better prospects than him in this draft class. You people getting offended over it need to realize the difference.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

I'm finding the people who've developed an irrational hate of Ritchie for no good reason that I've been able to discover yet are the annoying ones in these draft threads.

I don't know if not wanting to select him at 4 or 5 over Dal Colle or Draisaitl is what I'd call irrational hate.

[ForeverFlameFan]

If we want Ritchie so bad, trade the Ducks for their both of their first rounds and a third rounder if you want him that bad.

If someone else picks him at #10, then we can still pick Virtanen or Fleury.

I think trading up would be more beneficial though.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by nik-

I don't know if not wanting to select him at 4 or 5 over Dal Colle or Draisaitl is what I'd call irrational hate.

It isn't. Some of the stuff said about him in the Craig's list thread was embarassing.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

It isn't. Some of the stuff said about him in the Craig's list thread was embarassing.

I said that him being overweight was a problem in my eyes and you jumped all over me.

If this is the standard you have about this kid, then you're going to find a lot embarrassing.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

People don't hate Ritchie.

It's that there simply are 5-6 better prospects than him in this draft class. You people getting offended over it need to realize the difference.

There is likely some scouts and perhaps some teams that have Ritchie top 5. Whether there are 5-6 guys better than him is a matter of opinion and not fact. With the way Burke brings him up you have to think the Flames may consider him in the top grouping of forwards. I hope that doesn't offend the guys who keep saying "anybody but Ritchie". So far Burke hasn't really brought up anyone besides Ekblad, Bennett, Reinhart, Draisaitl, Dal Colle and Ritchie. That may be our top 6 right there and Ritchie may not be the lowest on the list.

The embarassing comments on him have slowed down though so CP has probably reached a more balanced opinion on him than there was a few weeks back.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by nik-

I said that him being overweight was a problem in my eyes and you jumped all over me.

Well the way the conversation went people were writing him off due to being slightly overweight while assuming everything would go just fine with the underweight prospects. Which made no sense to me since better conditioning can fix both problems quite easily.

But we don't have to revisit that debate. I think it was hashed around enough. He's one of the top prospects for this draft and it's not inconceivable he goes in the top 5-6. That's really the bottom line. I highly doubt we take him at #4 but if we get bumped to #5 tomorrow I think the likelihood he's our pick goes up for sure.

It's hard to get a read on the Flames opinion of Ritchie vs Dal Colle so far but we know Ritchie is far more truculent and may not be significantly behind in terms of skill.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

People don't hate Ritchie.

It's that there simply are 5-6 better prospects than him in this draft class. You people getting offended over it need to realize the difference.

This. I have no animus toward any prospect.

I could see Ritchie if we were in the 8-10 range, I would not be thrilled at all, but I could understand. However we're picking #4 most likely, there are better players.

If the big 3 are gone (Bennett/Reinhart/Ekblad) then I would much rather have Michael Dal Colle. Impartially, MDC's skill level is at least at par with Ritchie, and I think it's significantly higher, but the two players are the same height. Yes, MDC weights 50 pounds less, but he's going to put on weight by the time he's 20. He should be 215-220 by the time he fills out properly.

This year's 1st is not likely going to be in the NHL next season unless we get Reinhart or Ekblad, so it doesn't really matter immediately that MDC is a little on the thin side at the moment.

[Roof-Daddy]

I just salivate at the thought of a 6 foot 3, 225 pound power forward, with silky hands, a deadly shot, and the ability to fight and crunch people.

Let Hesketh get a hold of him and burn off the 10-15 pounds of baby fat, and he could be a BEAST. Stick him on Gaudreau's other wing for years.

[Da_Chief]

Would Caps trade Tom Wilson for Glencross? He's exactly the type of player needed on JG's line.

In couple of years

Sven-Monahan-Poirer
Gaudreau-4th pick- Wilson
Bouma-Backlund-Colborne
Any combo of Heat players with Big Ern

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I just salivate at the thought of a 6 foot 3, 225 pound power forward, with silky hands, a deadly shot, and the ability to fight and crunch people.

Let Hesketh get a hold of him and burn off the 10-15 pounds of baby fat, and he could be a BEAST. Stick him on Gaudreau's other wing for years.

I honestly don't know much about him, but when you put it this way... well, you had me at "salivate"

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by the2bears

I honestly don't know much about him, but when you put it this way... well, you had me at "salivate"

If his game was as good as he was implying he'd be the runaway #1 overall pick.

[Ashasx]

Yeah the Jets should just let Rob Milette get a hold of Byfuglien to beat him into shape.

It's just that easy.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Would Caps trade Tom Wilson for Glencross? He's exactly the type of player needed on JG's line.

In couple of years

Sven-Monahan-Poirer
Gaudreau-4th pick- Wilson
Bouma-Backlund-Colborne
Any combo of Heat players with Big Ern

I think it should be:

Sven - Monahan - Colborne
Gaudreau - Backlund - 4th pick (if a winger)
Granlund - Arnold - Reinhart
BVB - Bouma - Big Ern

EDIT: Slot Reinhart where Bouma is, and have Bouma on the 4th line as center, with BVB as the LW

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I think it should be:

Sven - Monahan - Colborne
Gaudreau - Backlund - 4th pick (if a winger)
Granlund - Arnold - Reinhart
BVB - Bouma - Big Ern

EDIT: Slot Reinhart where Bouma is, and have Bouma on the 4th line as center, with BVB as the LW

Gaudreau with Monahan, like Sven better with Backlund. However don't rule out Granlund pushing Baertschi out of a roster spot in camp. He arguably looks the most NHL ready of the Abbotsford kids.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Gaudreau with Monahan, like Sven better with Backlund. However don't rule out Granlund pushing Baertschi out of a roster spot in camp. He arguably looks the most NHL ready of the Abbotsford kids.

After nearly 30 years of terrible drafting, this is what it feels like to actually have prospects.

It feels good to have multiple options for potential top 6ers instead of hoping Saprykin or Lombardi figures it out.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

After nearly 30 years of terrible drafting, this is what it feels like to actually have prospects.

It feels good to have multiple options for potential top 6ers instead of hoping Saprykin or Lombardi figures it out.

But it's ok if you're still hoping for that... right?