[News] Flames fly in top prospects for private vists

[sureLoss]

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...medium=twitter

And, picking up where Feaster and Co. left off, new GM Brad Treliving and his group have done the same these past few weeks, entertaining a select few from the 2014 crop. Among the players receiving the White Hat-treatment were highly-touted forwards Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart, and defenceman Aaron Ekblad.

“Yeah, we’ve had a few players here,” the Flames current general manager was saying on Wednesday. “And the theory is just to get to know them more. We had a small window at the combine in terms of the interview process, so you spend a little time with some guys and really get a better feel for them.”

It’s not an uncommon practice for teams to do this. Treliving did so with the Phoenix Coyotes, his former employers.

With the nature of the NHL scouting combine, interview processes can be brief and can still leave teams wondering who the heck a kid is.

But, according to Treliving, the recent hosting of prospects isn’t the team’s only encounter with them this year.

“We’ve seen players at other times, too,” he said. “A lot of it is scheduling . . . for a lot of these kids, it’s a busy time for them. They have commitments. In some cases, school . . . we spent time with other players, too, whether it be at their homes leading up to the draft.”

Also updates on coaching searches in Adirondack and goalie coach

[Poe969]

I'd be really happy with any of those 3 but Ekblad would be my first pick. I hope they find a way to get him. I also think it's really cool that they're doing this.

[Peanut]

Those kids must be crazy busy right now, probably lots of teams calling and wanting to do visits and extended interview type situations. I like what I'm hearing about Treliving so far.

[Soliak]

Originally Posted by Peanut

Those kids must be crazy busy right now, probably lots of teams calling and wanting to do visits and extended interview type situations. I like what I'm hearing about Treliving so far.

I wonder if any of the kids managers refuse the invite from some teams (lets say ones way out of draft position) or if that is a no no. I guess you need to consider that some teams may be looking to trade down, you might get traded to some in the future etc. I find it hard to believe players like Ekblad would go and spend time with each team though.

[Ashasx]

Good to see we have the top 3 correct.

[nik-]

So, it says "among the players" ... so I assume there were more? I wonder if Draisaitl was there? It would be a little awkward if he was the one we ended up selecting and he wasn't brought in

I wish they reported all the names.

[Vulcan]

Draisaitl could be back home in Germany.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Draisaitl could be back home in Germany.

Or so the Germans would have us believe.

[Jacks]

What, no Ritchie?

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I'd be really happy with any of those 3 but Ekblad would be my first pick. I hope they find a way to get him. I also think it's really cool that they're doing this.

I think if there is a lower team than us that Florida would have an interest in trading down with, the Flames are in a prime position to trade down to, and then trade our 4th OA down to whoever is interested.

If we get the 1st overall I think it's a given we'll use it on Ekblad anyway, and assuming EDM and BUF don't move their picks - big, big chance of that 4th overall turning into a Sam. That's huge, and it gives our pick (Reinhart/Bennett) noticeably more value when compared to 5th, 6th overall. (MDC, Ritchie) So there's still a big incentive to trade down again for a pretty decent package with our 4th OA, and contrary to expectation it shouldn't take too much from Calgary if they're just going to trade our pick down again - the difference between #1 and #4 is negligible unless you're madly in love with Ekblad.

To CGY: 1st OA
To BUF: 4th OA, COL 2nd, PIT 3rd

So they'd get two additional picks within the first three rounds in addition to whatever they can get for our 4th overall, which should be very respectable.

[genetic_phreek]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I think if there is a lower team than us that Florida would have an interest in trading down with, the Flames are in a prime position to trade down to, and then trade our 4th OA down to whoever is interested.

If we get the 1st overall I think it's a given we'll use it on Ekblad anyway, and assuming EDM and BUF don't move their picks - big, big chance of that 4th overall turning into a Sam. That's huge, and it gives our pick (Reinhart/Bennett) noticeably more value when compared to 5th, 6th overall. (MDC, Ritchie) So there's still a big incentive to trade down again for a pretty decent package with our 4th OA, and contrary to expectation it shouldn't take too much from Calgary if they're just going to trade our pick down again - the difference between #1 and #4 is negligible unless you're madly in love with Ekblad.

To CGY: 1st OA
To BUF: 4th OA, COL 2nd, PIT 3rd

So they'd get two additional picks within the first three rounds in addition to whatever they can get for our 4th overall, which should be very respectable.

That's an insane trade. Assuming we get Bennett at 4 like most experts say, you would basically trade Bennett, our 2nd, and 3rd to get Ekblad even though some still say Bennett is still good enough to be a number 1 pick? No thanks.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

That's an insane trade. Assuming we get Bennett at 4 like most experts say, you would basically trade Bennett, our 2nd, and 3rd to get Ekblad even though some still say Bennett is still good enough to be a number 1 pick? No thanks.

It depends on how you view the top 3. Some like you see it as even, but others like me give Ekblad the clear #1.

So yes, I'd trade the Berra and Stempniak picks to pick Ekblad up. No, I don't think it's insane - especially considering that Burke and Treliving seem to love their defencemen.

[dammage79]

It's going to be a Sam or Draisaitl. Ekblad won't be a Flame. In fact as much as I love Ekblad and think they should trade up for him, I am also very excited that Bennett or Draisaitl fall into the Flames' laps on draft day.

I don't include Reinhart because I seriously believe he's a Sabre. I'll bet my new socks on it.

[jesters91]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Good to see we have the top 3 correct.

True, but unfortunately we currently draft 4th.

[gartman]

I wish there was a "proposed trade" filter on cp.

Then I cab actually find remotely interesting tidbits after sifting through mounds of pure trash

Please just turn on your Xbox and play NHL
And stfu


Have good day

/rant off

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I think if there is a lower team than us that Florida would have an interest in trading down with, the Flames are in a prime position to trade down to, and then trade our 4th OA down to whoever is interested.

If we get the 1st overall I think it's a given we'll use it on Ekblad anyway, and assuming EDM and BUF don't move their picks - big, big chance of that 4th overall turning into a Sam. That's huge, and it gives our pick (Reinhart/Bennett) noticeably more value when compared to 5th, 6th overall. (MDC, Ritchie) So there's still a big incentive to trade down again for a pretty decent package with our 4th OA, and contrary to expectation it shouldn't take too much from Calgary if they're just going to trade our pick down again - the difference between #1 and #4 is negligible unless you're madly in love with Ekblad.

To CGY: 1st OA
To BUF: 4th OA, COL 2nd, PIT 3rd

So they'd get two additional picks within the first three rounds in addition to whatever they can get for our 4th overall, which should be very respectable.

[TheDebaser]

Draisaitl would be one hell of a consolation prize.

[FAN]

How many would be upset if the Flames bypassed one of Bennett, Ekblad, Reinhart, and Draisatl with the #4 pick to draft Dal Colle? Or perhaps someone else who is expected to go lower but has high end potential?

[calgarywinning]

Treliving has a massive amount of experience in dealing with and evaluating young talent. Not only that, but he is able to develop them. At the STH meeting when talking about choosing new players, he got really intense. He said organizations shouldn't draft for what they need today or what they think they need in the future. They should draft the best player present and then develop that player in the best possible manner. If they needed a position today, they felt they should trade a well developed player for the best person in that position.

[Hatter]

Draisaitl was in Edmonton as of a day or two ago hanging at Katz's house. Per MacT on the radio today.

[bluck]

Originally Posted by Hatter

Draisaitl was in Edmonton as of a day or two ago hanging at Katz's house. Per MacT on the radio today.

Pretty sure Katz showed him his bedroom. Isn't that how they get players to sign in Edmonton?