[Rumour] Buffalo's and Florida's 1st round picks are in play

[JiriHrdina]

Ekblad isn't a slam dunk to be a #1 dman. But none of the forwards are slam dunks to be elite first liners. That's the thing with this draft - the top end is a little weak.

The Flames are horribly weak on the blueline - and if the asking price isn't massive - trading up to address that merits consideration.

Ekblad will be a quality dman in the NHL - we can say that with near absolute certainty. So even if he tops out as a #3 or #4 - it isn't a disaster as the Flames don't even have a lot of those types.

[MJK]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Ekblad isn't a slam dunk to be a #1 dman. But none of the forwards are slam dunks to be elite first liners. That's the thing with this draft - the top end is a little weak.

The Flames are horribly weak on the blueline - and if the asking price isn't massive - trading up to address that merits consideration.

Ekblad will be a quality dman in the NHL - we can say that with near absolute certainty. So even if he tops out as a #3 or #4 - it isn't a disaster as the Flames don't even have a lot of those types.

Trading up means giving up 4OV and additional assets. If we end up with a #3 or #4 dman out of it we lose.

The safest and smartest move is to stay at 4, draft one of the forwards and target a D in the 2nd who can be the #3 or #4 guy for you.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by MJK

Trading up means giving up 4OV and additional assets. If we end up with a #3 or #4 dman out of it we lose.

The safest and smartest move is to stay at 4, draft one of the forwards and target a D in the 2nd who can be the #3 or #4 guy for you.

Sure but how can evaluate if it is the right move or not if we don't know what the additional assets are.

If it is 4OV+Sven - I pass
If it is 4OV+2nd - I probably do it.

[MJK]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Sure but how can evaluate if it is the right move or not if we don't know what the additional assets are.

If it is 4OV+Sven - I pass
If it is 4OV+2nd - I probably do it.

Considering the hype around the 1stOV and from reports of the asking price, it's safe to assume the cost to acquire is high.

If it costs us a 2nd round pick in additional to #4, that's a good deal to take the guy you want, I just hope it's a forward!

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by MJK

Reinhart/Ekblad could turn into Stamkos/Doughty...who would you rather?

For some reason, after Doughty being picked at an such an early spot, the best defenseman being picked at every draft have turned out quite well.

Starting with Doughty:

2008 - Drew Doughty (#2 OA), behind Stamkos
2009 - Victor Hedman (#2 OA), behind Tavares
2010 - Erik Gudbranson (#3 OA), behind Seguin, Hall
2011 - Adam Larsson (#4 OA), behind Huberdeau, Landeskog, RNH
2012 - Ryan Murray (#2 OA), behind Yakupov
2013 - Seth Jones (#4 OA), behind Drouin, Barkov, MacKinnon

The forwards picked before the first defenseman usually were projected to be picked first, (cue the Oiler fail in 2012). Other than that, most of those were clear #1's, such as Tavares, Stamkos and MacKinnon.

As much as I would love to add another center to our team (especially Reinhart), I think they are all equal and bring something different. Ekblad on the other hand, is the best defenseman and might be the only defenseman to be picked in the top ten. He is steps ahead of Fleury and others, which is why I would be thrilled to pick him at #1.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by MJK

Trading up means giving up 4OV and additional assets. If we end up with a #3 or #4 dman out of it we lose.

The safest and smartest move is to stay at 4, draft one of the forwards and target a D in the 2nd who can be the #3 or #4 guy for you.

Not if those assets don't amount to much, which is more likely than Ekblad not amounting to much.

[VladtheImpaler]

I think Doughty is the best defenseman to come along since Bourque, give or take Lindstrom, so that is a red herring in terms of the choice available.
Personally, I would never trade up in this draft, since the difference between player A and player B is not worth the cost. One of these guys may turn out to be head and shoulders the best, but it is impossible to say which of the 4 (or 8) it will be. I just know I don't want Virtanen ( because you can't fix "stupid"), but otherwise...

[strombad]

And guys:
Just think of that playoff beard.

[smalltownref]

I am just going to say this...

Traditionally they say that it takes a defenseman longer to develop in the NHL then a forward. I think we all agree that with the Flames youth, we are still a couple key pieces away from being a legitimate playoff contender and we are more likely to be in the running for a lottery pick then we are a playoff spot next year.

With that said, and looking at the projected draft lineup for next year, 11 of the top 15 players are forwards. This is off of draftsite.com. But, in the top 8 (which is where I assume the Flames will be drafting next year), 3 of them are defensemen. The site even lists Noah Hanifin at #2 overall, sandwiched between McDavid and Eichel. So there will be quality D men available at that time, but there is also going to be some franchise altering players like McDavid and Eichel.

If the Flames management were mapping out a plan on where they want to be in the next three to five years, the 'smart' move right now would be to draft Ekblad and give him the extra year to develop before we draft another forward. If we land in a spot next year to draft McDavid/Eichel, AND we take a forward at this years draft, it would be a bit of overkill would it not?

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by smalltownref

If the Flames management were mapping out a plan on where they want to be in the next three to five years, the 'smart' move right now would be to draft Ekblad and give him the extra year to develop before we draft another forward. If we land in a spot next year to draft McDavid/Eichel, AND we take a forward at this years draft, it would be a bit of overkill would it not?

Although I do see your point, I don't think next year's draft factors in to the equation. That would be getting pretty damn cute with a slew of indeterminable variables.

[loob job]

I was talking to a scout with a team in the top 3 draft positions (don't want to say which team because i don't want to get anyone in trouble). He said that the rumour he keeps hearing is Florida trades number one to Edmonton and in return gets Gagner and the Third pick.
He said Florida is waiting to see if anything else comes up and that they'd be crazy not to do that deal with the Oil. I guess i should have posted this in the Trade speculation thread as well since that is what it is. Fits both threads.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by loob job

I was talking to a scout with a team in the top 3 draft positions (don't want to say which team because i don't want to get anyone in trouble). He said that the rumour he keeps hearing is Florida trades number one to Edmonton and in return gets Gagner and the Third pick.
He said Florida is waiting to see if anything else comes up and that they'd be crazy not to do that deal with the Oil. I guess i should have posted this in the Trade speculation thread as well since that is what it is. Fits both threads.

Ugh, I really hope this is just a fart in the wind. It's bad enough that the grease-stains get yet another top 3 pick, but to get 1st again? I think I just mouthvomed a bit.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by loob job

I was talking to a scout with a team in the top 3 draft positions (don't want to say which team because i don't want to get anyone in trouble). He said that the rumour he keeps hearing is Florida trades number one to Edmonton and in return gets Gagner and the Third pick.
He said Florida is waiting to see if anything else comes up and that they'd be crazy not to do that deal with the Oil. I guess i should have posted this in the Trade speculation thread as well since that is what it is. Fits both threads.

That is a ridiculous over payment to move up two spots in a draft, so I hope it happens because the Oil are no good.

[Burke Salad]

Originally Posted by loob job

I was talking to a scout with a team in the top 3 draft positions (don't want to say which team because i don't want to get anyone in trouble). He said that the rumour he keeps hearing is Florida trades number one to Edmonton and in return gets Gagner and the Third pick.
He said Florida is waiting to see if anything else comes up and that they'd be crazy not to do that deal with the Oil. I guess i should have posted this in the Trade speculation thread as well since that is what it is. Fits both threads.

And then they draft Reinhart - I could see it happening.

[Flames_F.T.W]

I don't think it would cost what some posters are suggesting, to move up to first overall. Teams not in the top 4, or even top 10 would have to pay a lot. If we made the move to 1OA, Florida would still have their choice of whoever is left at 4. I'm thinking our 1st and our 2nd (probably not Colorado's) would get it done.

I'm fine sitting at #4. I want Reinhart or Ekblad, in that order. Moving up to 1stOA or even 2nd OA would be fine by me if it doesn't cost much. Anything more than a 2nd or a B prospect wouldn't make it worthwhile IMO

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

That is a ridiculous over payment to move up two spots in a draft, so I hope it happens because the Oil are no good.

Gagner is not an overpayment for anything or anyone.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by Burke Salad

And then they draft Reinhart - I could see it happening.

Or Bennett because he fits the Oilers MO.

We then proceed to trade #4 + Colorado's 2nd to Buffalo for #2, where we pick Ekblad. Starting from preseason and for the next 15 years, Ekblad sets up his own version of the tunnel of doom and crushes Bennett 3 times per period.

Bennett then realizes that maybe he should have worked on his pull ups a bit more.

[JiriHrdina]

If the Oil move up I'm sure it will be to grab Ekblad

[bubbsy]

i think that's a smart move by the oilers if they are goign for ekblad, and have it on good authority that he won't drop to 3.

Gagner is NOT part of their long term plans, and it's unfortunate it took them this many years to figure that out. i don't think teams are shelling out massive value in any trade negotiations, so if he is the big piece they have to give up to get ekblad, good move.

That being said, i wonder if mactavish has tried the alternate route and looked at what the 3rd overall pick + gagner package could get you as far as NHL ready talent.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

That being said, i wonder if mactavish has tried the alternate route and looked at what the 3rd overall pick + gagner package could get you as far as NHL ready talent.

This makes more sense to me, from an Oiler perspective. They apparently still believe they are so close.
I just don't think any NHL team would see Gagner as particularly valuable.