[News] Burke says he is unlikely to trade up... hasn't watched Bennett

[Vinny01]

I am so happy the Flames got Monahan last year. He is a big body C so we could easily take Bennett or Reinhart and it would be awesome. Edmonton working with Nuge and Ganger hasn't worked as they are both tiny. They want size and it is tough to trade for so they might/hopefully opt to draft it on Draisaitl.

I think the flames have a better chance at one of the Sams is Reinhart falls opposed to Bennett as Bennett is known for his sandpaper

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by opendoor

He put up 51 assists in 56 games in 10-11 in the OHL and in his junior career had an almost 2:1 ratio of assists to goals. Ritchie is more of a 1:1 guy, at least so far.

And watching him in the NHL he's shown some excellent playmaking abilities for a young power forward.



He hasn't been disappointing. Despite getting only 13 minutes a night mostly with scrubs he finished the season top 40 in ES points at his position, around guys like Vrbata, Semin, Doan, and Eriksson. With an increased role next year and some PP time I expect we'll see a jump towards decent 2nd line production. He already showed that in the 2nd half of the year scoring at a 47 point pace over the 2nd half of his season. There's no reason he can't be a 20-30 guy which is an enticing package for a player of his size.

That said, Ritchie is a better prospect than Kassian ever was, so the projections and expectations should be higher.

I missed that year - but that was also 2 years post-draft. He was drafted by Buffalo in 2009. Not trying to knock Kassian down (he has been improving) as much as trying to show that Ritchie is a vastly superior prospect to what Kassian was at the same age, as Kassian seems to be the guy that always seems to get compared to Ritchie.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by OzSome

I hope the Oilers will pick him so we can have one of the Sam. Preffered Reinhart over Bennett but I don't think it will happen. Florida will be too crazy to pass on Ekblad so I definitely think he'll be the first pick unless he suck in the OHL playoffs. How is Barrie Colts doing in the playoffs this season?

Barrie Colts eliminated in 6 in the second round by North Bay. He got 2g, 4a for 6p in 9gp

[opendoor]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I missed that year - but that was also 2 years post-draft. He was drafted by Buffalo in 2009. Not trying to knock Kassian down (he has been improving) as much as trying to show that Ritchie is a vastly superior prospect to what Kassian was at the same age, as Kassian seems to be the guy that always seems to get compared to Ritchie.

Yeah Ritchie's ceiling is definitely higher so I'm not sure the comparison makes a ton of sense. Other than playmaking he's probably better in pretty much every way than Kassian was, which makes sense given that Kassian was taken in the mid 1st round while Ritchie is being considered for the top 5.

But I guess my point is that a better version of Kassian who progresses a little quicker could be a damned valuable player. If Kassian's best case scenario is a 20-25 goal 50-55 point guy, Ritchie's is probably a 30-35 goal 60-70 point guy which would be phenomenal for a guy with his size. He could be the kind of player all 30 teams would fall over themselves to get.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Barrie Colts eliminated in 6 in the second round by North Bay. He got 2g, 4a for 6p in 9gp

He got hurt towards the end of the 1st round.. missed game 1 of the 2nd round and I doubt he was close to 100% for the games he did play as well after returning.

[dying4acup]

I think Kassian has shown he can be a Bertuzzi-lite. He's a very good passer but he is definately lacking a few iq points.

The truth is, and I have to be honest, I can't wait for a "series thread: XXXXXX @ Calgary Flames". Reading draft and prospect threads is killing me ATM.

Barring trade, we aren't getting Reinhart or Ekblad. I'm optimistic of an edmonton screwup that leaves Bennett on the board, but not expecting it.

Thing is that whoever we draft NEEDS to become an NHLer. We can't screw up. We have to be safe. I'm not sure who the safe guy is (outside of Ekblad/SAMs), but the Flames can't take a "Jankowski" here.

That said, it's clearly a top 3 draft to me. But if we get one of them it's a win.

If those 3 are gone, I'd consider the Kane+9 for Hudler+4.

[icecube]

I will wager my red practice jersey worn by Jeff Shantz and signed by entire 2000/2001 team (minus Bure and Vernon), that Draisaitl won't drop past four. Even Wiemer signed this jersey so it must be worth a fortune. Anybody want to wager some cash or some other cool item?

Centre's with his skill and size should not drop in the draft. Getzlaf and Kopitar were the last two that happened to and I don't see it ever happening again. I can't believe people are paranoid of picking fourth. Relax. We are getting a stud centre regardless. Burke will pick whatever Centre is there. We should be thrilled that we get to pick this high.

Nobody is busting at our pick. Have some faith in our scouts.

[Buzzard]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

I think Kassian has shown he can be a Bertuzzi-lite. He's a very good passer but he is definately lacking a few iq points.

Sounds like a Bertuzzi clone to me.

[PeteMoss]

Maybe a homeless mans Bertuzzi. Bertuzzi was pretty darn good for a while there.

[navarz]

I really want the Flames to draft Michael Dal Colle.

[d_phaneuf]

I don't get the hate for Ritchie, it's like people are actively dismissing him solely because he's big when what has people putting him in the top 6-8 prospects for his draft is all the other stuff

great shot, good skating etc.

[Ped]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I don't get the hate for Ritchie, it's like people are actively dismissing him solely because he's big when what has people putting him in the top 6-8 prospects for his draft is all the other stuff

great shot, good skating etc.

I suspect it's a lot of things. Bigger players in junior who use their size as an advantage don't always have that same advantage in the pros. Some adapt, some don't.

And I think some people don't trust size because it's not a skill really (although using it properly is), it's more of an attribute.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

I think Kassian has shown he can be a Bertuzzi-lite. He's a very good passer but he is definately lacking a few iq points.

The truth is, and I have to be honest, I can't wait for a "series thread: XXXXXX @ Calgary Flames". Reading draft and prospect threads is killing me ATM.

Barring trade, we aren't getting Reinhart or Ekblad. I'm optimistic of an edmonton screwup that leaves Bennett on the board, but not expecting it.

Thing is that whoever we draft NEEDS to become an NHLer. We can't screw up. We have to be safe. I'm not sure who the safe guy is (outside of Ekblad/SAMs), but the Flames can't take a "Jankowski" here.

That said, it's clearly a top 3 draft to me. But if we get one of them it's a win.

If those 3 are gone, I'd consider the Kane+9 for Hudler+4.

this a rumour or just speculation by CPers?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by fotze

Wh of the players are still playing in the playoffs? I know dal colle is lighting it up in the playoffs.

Of the CSS North American Top 10, Dal Colle is the only one who's still playing.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

this a rumour or just speculation by CPers?

It's an HF thing that got imported over to CP.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by icecube

I will wager my red practice jersey worn by Jeff Shantz and signed by entire 2000/2001 team (minus Bure and Vernon), that Draisaitl won't drop past four. Even Wiemer signed this jersey so it must be worth a fortune. Anybody want to wager some cash or some other cool item?

Centre's with his skill and size should not drop in the draft. Getzlaf and Kopitar were the last two that happened to and I don't see it ever happening again. I can't believe people are paranoid of picking fourth. Relax. We are getting a stud centre regardless. Burke will pick whatever Centre is there. We should be thrilled that we get to pick this high.

Nobody is busting at our pick. Have some faith in our scouts.

Considering how well our scouting seems to be working lately, I think we have to have confidence in their recommendations and the team's pre-screening of the prospects.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I don't get the hate for Ritchie, it's like people are actively dismissing him solely because he's big when what has people putting him in the top 6-8 prospects for his draft is all the other stuff

great shot, good skating etc.

You said it yourself. Great shot, good skating.

Not much else.

Has the makings of a good NHLer but not likely a top line player. Also, what Ped said. The top 5 have put up more points while being 40-50lbs smaller. I'd be more hopeful about a player who doesn't have the size advantage, yet can dominate in the league, and still has yet to fill out their frame.

[PlayfulGenius]

Are there any players in this draft that resemble Landeskog's ability and style?

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

Are there any players in this draft that resemble Landeskog's ability and style?

200 lbs LW
-Left shot

-Quick skating
-Leadership skills
-Quick release
-Drives the net well
-Gritty with a slight mean streak


Michael Dal Colle & Sam Bennett are probably the closest playstyles.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

You said it yourself. Great shot, good skating.

Not much else.

Has the makings of a good NHLer but not likely a top line player. Also, what Ped said. The top 5 have put up more points while being 40-50lbs smaller. I'd be more hopeful about a player who doesn't have the size advantage, yet can dominate in the league, and still has yet to fill out their frame.

Ritchie is also an excellent playmaker.

I've heard it said he could have the highest ceiling in the draft. Worst case scenario he's a second liner. Best case he's another Rick Nash.