[News] Flames considering up to 8 guys for #4

[sureLoss]

didn't want this to get buried in the Combine thread:

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Hope this isn't a fata.

Tod Button on the Flames' fourth overall. Don't know if I should be worried or not about this:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=29795

"It would be easy to say whoever is there at four we'll take at No. 4, but our group is bigger," Flames director of amateur scouting Tod Button said. "We have six, seven, eight guys and we're still sorting that out and this is part of the process."

Making the job harder for scouts is the unique skill sets some of the top prospects bring. Samuel Bennett, Sam Reinhart and Leon Draisaitl all are centers, but each brings something different to the table.

You've got three really good centers, but they're all different style centers," Button said. "So I think you're trying to sort out the styles as much as anything to figure out how to close that gap. If you had three like-minded or three with similar playing styles then it's a little easier, you just do it. But they're different style players so it's a little more to sort out. It's exciting. It's not easy and it's not supposed to be easy. But it's fun to do. It's a fun process to go through."

Button also says neither Burke or Treliving has directed him to rank players any differently or based on size or truclence.

[Jacks]

This is scary, sounds like setting up an excuse to trade down.

[mile]

I doubt we are trading down, regardless of whether or not we are picking someone outside the top 4. In the small chance the Flames want someone outside the top 4/5 we'll probably pick them at 4 anyways.

[Da_Chief]

Good.

[dammage79]

Flames won't be trading down. At least I hope. I suppose if an absolute grand slam of a deal came their way they'd do it, but a team would have to absolutely buy what the prospect available at #4 is selling to give up that much to get him.

There's still a month left to go in the process for the Flames, I fully expected that their scope on the players they're watching is as open as it is right now. They're just doing their homework and going through their paces. It's a good thing.

[ToraToraTora]

I can see the Flames potentially trading down for Virtanen. In that interview Burke seemed pretty high on the fact that he fought and can pot goals.

I like him myself, he's the type of guy who is a leader, both by example and motivation, but I don't think he's the right choice at 4.

[Scoreface]

I said in another thread where Conroy had their list expanded to 6 that they may trade down and maybe snag Ritchie. I got jumped on a bit for that. Doesn't seem too far fetched now.

[Aarongavey]

If this was Feaster going off the grid a bit and drafting Jankowski it would be crazy, but since it is Burke and crew thinking of expanding their list to include players that nobody has really considered for the top 4 well then that is them doing their due diligence. If they pick someone other than the remaining player left in the top 4 that is ridiculous.

[Duke43]

Sounds like a mini Mark Jankowski move.

[ignite09]

Meh, I have faith in the scouting staff right now. I'll differ to thier judgement even if I don't agree with it.

[dissentowner]

Every team has that many guys around the position they are drafting unless it is a clear cut #1. Nothing to see here.

[Ashasx]

Every where else says there is a clear top 4 or 5 guys in this draft.

It worries me that the Flames think Ritchie and Virtanen are of the same calibre as Draisaitl or Dal Colle.

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, I suppose.

Draisaitl had more assists per game than Virtanen had points per game. And Virtanen played on a great team.

[Roof-Daddy]

So, in no particular order.....

1. Ekblad
2. Bennett
3. Reinhart
4. Draisaitl
5. Dal Colle
6. Ehlers
7. Ritchie
8. ?????

Assuming those are 7 of the 8 for their list, who would number 8 be?

Perlini? Nylander? Vrtanen?

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Duke43

Sounds like a mini Mark Jankowski move.

I wonder if it means we will be going after a second pick in the top 8.

[Scoreface]

I think the likelihood of moving down is a bit higher than trading up. Tallon mentioned he has had offers from 6 or so teams which would probably drive the price up even more. Maybe a trade with Buffalo at #2 would be more affordable.

I'll take a Ritchie or Ehlers while gaining another pick if they feel the field is pretty level at say the Islanders pick. If they do move down, I think it'll only be one spot with the Isles. Plus, it would be Snow we're dealing with. I wouldn't expect a Reinhart or Strome from him, but they may really be hungry for a certain guy especially without having their own 2015 first.

This could and probably will be a very entertaining draft!

[saXon]

They mention the 8 guys they are looking at, but the conversation goes right back to the 3 centers available in the top 4, and no mention of any wingers or D-men.

The Flames will pick @ 4 and it'll be one of the 'big 4'.

[Scoreface]

The conversation only shifted back to the top centers becuase it was mentioned again in the interview. I'm sure the Flames are keying in on those guys with their own pick, but it doesn't really establish that they will take one of them. They may do that, but the door is really wide open IMO.

[googol]

It's always good to consider guys that are outside your draft position in case a trade occurs. You never know what can happen and it would be foolish to rank all the prospects.

However in this case, I believe the flames are just saying that they are considering 8 kids for the #4 pick to keep their hand hidden.

[sureLoss]

Yeah I am not sure how the article talking about only the top 3 centers means anything. It could just mean the author specifically asked about them.

Some journalists don't know how to ask proper followup questions.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

So, in no particular order.....

1. Ekblad
2. Bennett
3. Reinhart
4. Draisaitl
5. Dal Colle
6. Ehlers
7. Ritchie
8. ?????

Assuming those are 7 of the 8 for their list, who would number 8 be?

Perlini? Nylander? Vrtanen?

You would have to think that Virtanen is on that list.