Top 5 Draft Poll - 4. Calgary Flames

[SportsJunky]

I voted Bennett because he is the last player from what in my mind is the top 4. My guess is that Buffalo is more interested in Bennett than in Reinhart though which would leave a choice of Reinhart or Drasaitl for Edmonton. Either way, Calgary gets another great prospect.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Except according to Conroy the Flames scouts think there's 6 guys who should be in consideration. Treliving thinks there's a consensus top 5 but that every team may have them in a slightly different order.

Dal Colle is ranked #3 by ISS I believe.

I know most people around here think there's a clearcut top 4 but it doesn't sound like the Flames agree with that assessment. Prepare to be suprised at the draft, something unexpected usually happens. Who knows maybe a guy like Dal Colle goes top 3. Stranger things have happened.

Some fans maybe haven't paid enough attention to him but I have been saying for a while that I believe Dal Colle may go in the top 4. He just came off a dynamite playoff showing with the Generals and he's rated higher than Draisaitl in a few rankings. He's got some of the best hands in the draft, skates really well, and has a big frame to get bigger as he ages and IMO he's the type of player that Burke will be coveting to offset the smaller wingers already in the system. If he was a RW I would say it would be a slam dunk that he wouldn't make it past the Flames but I think he's very much in the mix depending on how the first three picks go.

[nik-]

I'd prefer a center, but if Reinhart and Bennett were gone at 4, I'd be ok with Dal Colle.

[codynw]

There are people that think if Bennett is somehow still available at 4, the Flames won't pick him.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by nik-

I'd prefer a center, but if Reinhart and Bennett were gone at 4, I'd be ok with Dal Colle.

I'd still take Draisaitl over Dal Colle. He should not be over looked.

Ekblad
Bennett
Reinhart
Draisaitl

is my order.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Not with the rumblings of his entitled attitude

+1

For the Flames developing euro kids takes longer unless they come here for junior. IMO flames should target euro players via trade and FA to supplement a home grown core of NA developed kids (I.e Chicago adding Hossa when the rebuild was complete). But they won't need those kinds of players for 2-3 years.

[Ashasx]

For me, this draft is quite simple.

If one of Ekblad, Reinhart, or Bennett are available at 4, pick that player.

If those 3 are gone, I will be content with either Draisaitl or Dal Colle.

[Day Tripper]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

I voted Bennett because he is the last player from what in my mind is the top 4. My guess is that Buffalo is more interested in Bennett than in Reinhart though which would leave a choice of Reinhart or Drasaitl for Edmonton. Either way, Calgary gets another great prospect.

Well, inside man Sidney Crosby's Hat voted for Bennett in the #1 Florida thread. He also said:

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

I was told that Draisaitl will almost certainly be taken higher than one of Ekblad or Reinhart and perhaps both. Some teams have him first overall on their list.

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

How do you know the Oilers don't have Draisaitl rated ahead of Ekblad anyway?

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

I would say the likelihood of the top three picks being Bennett, Reinhart and Ekblad in any order is actually quite low from asking around.

Referring to Ekblad:

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

I don't think the Oilers take him, even if he's on the board, unless they pick 4th or later. They like him but I don't think they love him. Just my thoughts.

(but the Oilers are picking 3rd)

So...

1. Bennett gone by the time the Flames pick
2. Draisaitl gone by the time the Flames pick
3. Flames pick either Reinhart or Ekblad (unless they like Dal Colle or Ritchie more, then CP explodes)

I think Bennett is the best prospect in this draft, but I have a gut feeling the Flames will end up with Sam Reinhart.

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Some fans maybe haven't paid enough attention to him but I have been saying for a while that I believe Dal Colle may go in the top 4. He just came off a dynamite playoff showing with the Generals and he's rated higher than Draisaitl in a few rankings. He's got some of the best hands in the draft, skates really well, and has a big frame to get bigger as he ages and IMO he's the type of player that Burke will be coveting to offset the smaller wingers already in the system. If he was a RW I would say it would be a slam dunk that he wouldn't make it past the Flames but I think he's very much in the mix depending on how the first three picks go.

I'm guessing the top 6 for the Flames are (in no particular order) Ekblad, Reinhart, Bennett, Draisaitl, Dal Colle, and Ritchie.

[thethumwood]

Originally Posted by Day Tripper

Well, inside man Sidney Crosby's Hat voted for Bennett in the #1 Florida thread. He also said:







Referring to Ekblad:



(but the Oilers are picking 3rd)

So...

1. Bennett gone by the time the Flames pick
2. Draisaitl gone by the time the Flames pick
3. Flames pick either Reinhart or Ekblad (unless they like Dal Colle or Ritchie more, then CP explodes)

I think Bennett is the best prospect in this draft, but I have a gut feeling the Flames will end up with Sam Reinhart.



I'm guessing the top 6 for the Flames are (in no particular order) Ekblad, Reinhart, Bennett, Draisaitl, Dal Colle, and Ritchie.

If we somehow get Ekblad at #4... I will freak out. I do not think he will fall to #4. No way BUF and EDM pass on him.

[codynw]

I really think that if one of the Sams falls to 4th, it'll be Reinhart. I don't see Edmonton passing on Bennett if he's there, but they would probably take Draisaitl over Reinhart.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by _Q_

So... Should we move on to pick 5?

Does anyone care beyond #4?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by getbak

Does anyone care beyond #4?

I doubt it haha

[thethumwood]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Someone suggested smaller polls pitting two players against each other to get a better read on who the Flames should take.

Dal Colle vs Draisaitl
Draisaitl vs Bennett
Reinhart vs Draisaitl

Might be a good idea

Dal Colle < Draisaitl
Draisaitl < Bennett
Reinhart > Draisaitl

[flamesfan55]

Originally Posted by thethumwood

Dal Colle < Draisaitl
Draisaitl < Bennett
Reinhart > Draisaitl

What about Reinhart vs Bennett?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by flamesfan55

What about Reinhart vs Bennett?

We won't have to worry about that because the decision will be made before us, but I take Reinhart. His game is "safer". Bennett is a banger with a slight body, which is awesome, but who knows if it will lead to durability issues. That's basically the tie breaker for me, even though they're both awesome.

[ForeverFlameFan]

My tie breaker between both Sams is the right handed shot... It's pretty much a tie until the handedness of the stick (and also that we have the other brother). Like nik said, the decision will be made for us, there is no way those two are both available when it's our turn to pick.

[thethumwood]

Originally Posted by nik-

We won't have to worry about that because the decision will be made before us, but I take Reinhart. His game is "safer". Bennett is a banger with a slight body, which is awesome, but who knows if it will lead to durability issues. That's basically the tie breaker for me, even though they're both awesome.

Agreed it is safer, but I prefer Bennett. But as you said, we won't have to make that choice.

[thethumwood]

What about for Buffalo's pick though? Assuming Ekblad goes to Florida...
Reinhart vs Bennett

[nik-]

Originally Posted by thethumwood

What about for Buffalo's pick though? Assuming Ekblad goes to Florida...
Reinhart vs Bennett

I think they take Bennett

[NewFan]

Easy choice - Bennett. But 2015 draft has lots of C prospects. Hopefully we can draft our 1a,b Center next year. So if we can draft Ekblad this year I'll be so happy.