If they have a chance should the Flames Draft Ekblad

[Calgary4LIfe]

Asking that question with the 'possibility' of having at least 2 of the top 4 available at the 4th spot is like someone asking if the Flames should draft Ritchie with one of their 2nd round picks.

Ekblad will be gone at least by the 4th spot (Flames will not pass on him if he is there). At that point, he would be the best available player and fills a huge organizational need (and wouldn't be surprised if 3 of the 4 teams rate him as the best player in the draft).

[ForeverFlameFan]

As I posted before, whoever Florida picks can possibly trigger Burke/Treliving to trade with Buffalo before or after the first pick. In my eyes, the only way that the Flames grab Ekblad is if Florida picks Bennett:

1. FLA - Bennett
2. CGY - Ekblad (traded with Buffalo, not sure what we'd give... our 2nd?)
3. EDM - Draisaitl
4. BUF - Reinhart

I don't see Buffalo picking Ekblad, so they might as well grab another pick from us who would want him more.

[Bingo]

If he's there I'd be happy if they selected him but ...

the second the choice was made I'd fret about the history of defensemen taken in the first five and how teams that drafted them tend to overreact to the fact that forwards selected around them progressed faster creating stupid trades that these franchises regretted for a decade.

So take him sure ... but them leave him alone until he's 23 and then assess the draft.

[Gaskal]

Buffalo might take that offer if someone other than Ekblad gets picked at #1. They'll likely still wind up with the player they wanted anyway, but get an additional 2nd too or whatever asset we give them for trading up.

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by Bingo

If he's there I'd be happy if they selected him but ...

the second the choice was made I'd fret about the history of defensemen taken in the first five and how teams that drafted them tend to overreact to the fact that forwards selected around them progressed faster creating stupid trades that these franchises regretted for a decade.

So take him sure ... but them leave him alone until he's 23 and then assess the draft.

Defensemen always seem to take a couple more years too develop. Which is exactly why we should be loading up on them early in this rebuild.

[Scoreface]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

If Ekblad is there at 4, the only thing you make sure you do, is not knock over anyone or anything as you run to the podium to make the pick.

I would be extra sure to run right through the Oilers table with a glancing blow to MacT and/or Lowe and not look back. You'd be able to see the aftermath better from the stage as you flip both fingers when you announce the Ekblad pick.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by ignite09

Defensemen always seem to take a couple more years too develop. Which is exactly why we should be loading up on them early in this rebuild.

Agreed

My fear is that they don't know that (I'm sure they do). Hedman took three years to gain any traction, other guys have been dealt. Just don't want to see that wow factor issue where a prospect isn't doing the Monahan thing so therefore trade him before he works it out.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Interesting to note that because of his exceptional status Ekblad has already played 3 years of junior, a whole year more than some of his predecessors. Combine that extra year of development at a higher level with his physical maturity and it's easy to see why scouts think he'll step in and contribute earlier than your typical top 10 drafted junior defenseman.

[codynw]

Does Ekblad even eat meat and potatoes? I doubt it. I only want defencemen that eat meat and potatoes.

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by codynw

Does Ekblad even eat meat and potatoes? I doubt it. I only want defencemen that eat meat and potatoes.

Have you seen this kid? I'm pretty sure his entire diet consists of cow.

[codynw]

But what about the potatoes?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Agreed

My fear is that they don't know that (I'm sure they do). Hedman took three years to gain any traction, other guys have been dealt. Just don't want to see that wow factor issue where a prospect isn't doing the Monahan thing so therefore trade him before he works it out.

Yeah, the guy holding the first pick is a good example of not waiting for a defenceman to mature or at least a fan base souring on a young player when they didn't understand a young defenceman's development.

[albertGQ]

I wonder if we can get Adam Larson from the Devils if we can't draft Ekblad.

I'd think about doing #4 for Larsson and #30 if NJ was allowed to trade their first rounder.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

I wonder if we can get Adam Larson from the Devils if we can't draft Ekblad.

I'd think about doing #4 for Larsson and #30 if NJ was allowed to trade their first rounder.

For the 4th OA? No thanks. If the Flames are trading, we are trading up in hopes for Ekblad. If not Ekblad, let's welcome our new center.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Bingo

If he's there I'd be happy if they selected him but ...

the second the choice was made I'd fret about the history of defensemen taken in the first five and how teams that drafted them tend to overreact to the fact that forwards selected around them progressed faster creating stupid trades that these franchises regretted for a decade.

So take him sure ... but them leave him alone until he's 23 and then assess the draft.

In my opening post I suggested that it would take 3 years to make an impact... If 5 years is a realistic time frame then it would be really hard for any GM to take him with a top 4-5 pick. They will not be around to get credit for the great pick. The forwards will be expected to make an immediate impact or at worst in their 2nd year after the draft.

If Jankowski turns out to be the best player taken in the 2012 Draft as a 23 year old Feaster will have been out of hockey management for 3 full years.

If Nurse #7 pick last year is splitting time between AHL and the Oilers in 2015-16 (21 year old) that might be enough to get Lowe/McTavish tossed out. Almost any other GM not having photos of the owners on the cocaine boat with the hookers is going to have a rough time surviving with a top-5 pick not at least showing huge potential at the NHL level as a 21 year old

[Scoreface]

I don't see Florida fan(s) being impatient with a young D prospect. I would be surprised if there are any of their fans at the draft, other than the friends and family of who they pick.

If anything, it's a perfect market for a young guy like that to develop.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

I wonder if we can get Adam Larson from the Devils if we can't draft Ekblad.

I'd think about doing #4 for Larsson and #30 if NJ was allowed to trade their first rounder.

Ewwww no.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Ewwww no.

????? Why?

[Locke]

They should go off the board and draft Alexy Sleptsov.

I'd get a Sleptsov jersey.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Scoreface

I don't see Florida fan(s) being impatient with a young D prospect. I would be surprised if there are any of their fans at the draft, other than the friends and family of who they pick.

If anything, it's a perfect market for a young guy like that to develop.

Florida's owners might be impatient with having no fans.... having one of the Sam's scoring 20 goals next year will add more value to the Franchise than having Ekblad in the organization playing in Juniors for a year or two.

From a Forbe's article 2013 The panthers are Valued at $240 M and lost 7.7M. The Flames are valued at $420 M and made 11.5 M.....

The Panthers are paying Luongo (age 35) at lot of money for a long time.... It would be nice to have a winning team in front of him before he is 40.