[Rumour] Boomer: Flames are kicking tires to trade up to #2. Draisaitl might be the target.

[Day Tripper]

I actually had a dream once that the Flames moved up to #1 and took Draisaitl.

Anyway, while I'd prefer either Sam, the idea of having two big skilled centers in the Pacific Division is nice...

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Makes sense. Neither Ekblad or Draisaitl will slip past Edmonton, so if they want one of them they have to get ahead.

One of Ekblad or Draisaitl could slip past Edmonton. Simple mathematics, my friend.

[TurdFerguson]

I could see this happening.
-If Ekblad goes #1 and the Flames have one of the remaining forwards meaningfully ahead of the rest and buffalo has the forward group all ranked pretty tight.

if you are buffalo and you see the Sams and Draisaitl all as a coin flip and Calgary came along and said move down and we'll give you, say #34. why not make that move.

If buffalo has a strong preference amongst the three centers though then it all goes out the window.

[Rhubarb]

If they want to trade up then they must think that their man is worth the risk to expend some assets. If it is Draisaitl, I personally don't have a problem with it and the scouts have earned enough of my trust to go with the decision.

Monahan - Draisaitl - Colborne as our center depth looks pretty good to me. Hartly mentioned moving Colborne to the wing was not there favourite idea but more necessity. Backlund on the wing, J.H. and Granlund on the wing. Starting to like how this is all looking for the future for sure.

[Tinordi]

I believe Draisatl has the highest NHL-E of any draft eligible prospect.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Originally Posted by DropIt

how is sven the cost moving 2 places?

He's not/shouldn't be. That would be overpayment. Hopefully if true - it's something like a second rounder or a roster player.

[IgiTang]

.... At #4 you're gonna fill a need. Period. Even if the BPA is Reinhart. He's a stud and will be a top 6 fwd in this league.

If it Bennett, great! If its Draisaitl, awesome!

But why waste assets to get one of 4 you know you're already gonna get?

[dammage79]

It's a two fold pick I think, Taking Ekblad and Draisaitl in the top two eliminates what the Oilers are in dire need of in one fell swoop.

I get that folks aren't as high on Draisaitl as myself or some others, but his size and playmaking are game breakers and something that equals the other Centers that are available best attributes. All of have something teams covet. Just so happens that Leon has great size and skill. Skating can be fixed.

I've said it before and there's only 32 hours to go but we should be excited to get any of the top four. Any of them! They're all deserving.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

But why waste assets to get one of 4 you know you're already gonna get?

Because you think the player you get for sure by doing this is worth more than the assets?

[Read Only]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

On HF someone posted that Loubardias said one scout told him picking Reinhart top 3 would cost someone their job.

That seems like an odd comment since Reinhart is widely regarded as a top 5 prospect at least so if he doesn't end up turning out it would be pretty stupid to blame someone for taking him with a high pick.

Unless the scout meant he would be so uncoachable and not develop that they would fire the development guys.

Firing a guy for drafting a highly rated player in a draft which is already noted as being weak seems pretty short sighted.

[undercoverbrother]

I don't put a lot of faith in Boomer, but am torn as Sureloss posted this.......

[DropIt]

Originally Posted by Rhubarb

If they want to trade up then they must think that their man is worth the risk to expend some assets. If it is Draisaitl, I personally don't have a problem with it and the scouts have earned enough of my trust to go with the decision.

Monahan - Draisaitl - Colborne as our center depth looks pretty good to me. Hartly mentioned moving Colborne to the wing was not there favourite idea but more necessity. Backlund on the wing, J.H. and Granlund on the wing. Starting to like how this is all looking for the future for sure.

Colborne improved when he was moved to the wing and Backlund was our best center for most of last year. Would not expect them to swap out positions

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

.... At #4 you're gonna fill a need. Period. Even if the BPA is Reinhart. He's a stud and will be a top 6 fwd in this league.

If it Bennett, great! If its Draisaitl, awesome!

But why waste assets to get one of 4 you know you're already gonna get?

But that's just your opinion. If the flames organization thinks one of those 3 players is going to be a better player or better fit then they should explore on how to get that player. I will agree they should not spend much to do so.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

This smells like getting Edmonton to overpay for #1.

[chalms04]

I was perfectly okay with just picking whoever was left out of the "Top 4."

Damnit, hope we don't give up too much if that's the case.

[Read Only]

Originally Posted by dammage79

It's a two fold pick I think, Taking Ekblad and Draisaitl in the top two eliminates what the Oilers are in dire need of in one fell swoop.

I get that folks aren't as high on Draisaitl as myself or some others, but his size and playmaking are game breakers and something that equals the other Centers that are available best attributes. All of have something teams covet. Just so happens that Leon has great size and skill. Skating can be fixed.

I've said it before and there's only 32 hours to go but we should be excited to get any of the top four. Any of them! They're all deserving.

If he actually used his size maybe it would be an asset but he plays so soft that I am not sure his size is much of an advantage at all.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by DropIt

how is sven the cost moving 2 places?

Sven + 4th OA for Chris Stewart + 2nd OA... Buffalo would be stupid not to take that trade. It would result in a CP meltdown, but I could live with it (especially if we picked Ekblad instead of Draisaitl).

Honestly, I think I'd rather just stand pat at 4th OA. Draisaitl is my least favourite of the top 4.

[loob job]

Originally Posted by DropIt

how is sven the cost moving 2 places?

Well the rumour out there is that Gagner is the cost for Edmonton to move up two spots so Sven as our cost seems like a bargain.

[Henry Fool]

Wouldn't surprise me. Just last year some were surprised that Barkov went second overall. Lots of love for the big centers out there.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by DropIt

how is sven the cost moving 2 places?

It isn't. But I was trying to think of a way to also get a 2nd from them :P