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

[dammage79]

I really have to agree with Ashax here, there is a definitive gap between Ritchie and Leon. With Leon being he better player. the extra inch or inch and a half on top of the extra 20 lbs means a whole lot of nothing.

[ComixZone]

Hey, if you want to build your team on the wing - by all means, spend the highest draft choice in franchise history on a winger ranked lower than 3 centres by almost every outlet.

I mean...having the best winger in the league for ten plus years and poor centre depth totally won us...oh wait...nothing.

Great teams are built upon depth at centre. Drafting a winger at 4 tomorrow would be the biggest mistake this organization has made since drafting Kidd instead of Brodeur. Draft a centre, build a winner. The centre ice spot is the most impactful position on all 200 feet of the ice. Centres can become wingers if we ever end up with too many high end centres (see the Kings), but it doesn't work the other way.

[JMN]

I will cry if Ritchie is taken at #4. This nonsense needs to stop.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Hey, if you want to build your team on the wing - by all means, spend the highest draft choice in franchise history on a winger ranked lower than 3 centres by almost every outlet.

I mean...having the best winger in the league for ten plus years and poor centre depth totally won us...oh wait...nothing.

Great teams are built upon depth at centre. Drafting a winger at 4 tomorrow would be the biggest mistake this organization has made since drafting Kidd instead of Brodeur. Draft a centre, build a winner. The centre ice spot is the most impactful position on all 200 feet of the ice. Centres can become wingers if we ever end up with too many high end centres (see the Kings), but it doesn't work the other way.

What??? You mean when we tried tanguay and Cammi at center , it didn't win you over? Lol just kidding .

I really wouldn't worry about it. Our GM said he likes to build from back end first followed by center depth.

[Wolfman]

Any pick you make is a gamble. The last week or so I've been wanting Ritchie...before that was Draisaitl. Flames could use a dynamic speedy C in Bennett and a playmaking C in Reinhart. I just want this draft to be over so I can complain about who the Flames pick! Lol

[Erick Estrada]

Why would anyone want Ritchie at #4? I'm personally hoping the Canucks pick him as he has bust written all over him.

[saXon]

Originally Posted by JMN

I will cry if Ritchie is taken at #4. This nonsense needs to stop.

Hypothetically, if Ritchie is their target, and they pull the trigger on him at 4, its because they truly believe he's the best decision for the future of the club.

I'll trust the paid professionals over fan preference; even my own preference. Especially with a tenured guy like Burke heading the whole operation, a very prospect connected young GM in Treliving, and a head scout who's survived 3 GM changeovers.

The same logic can be applied to anyone they choose at 4, or whether they choose to move up or down.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Why would anyone want Ritchie at #4? I'm personally hoping the Canucks pick him as he has bust written all over him.

tunneling on size, that's the only legit reason that I can think of. I don't see how anything else makes him a good selection at 4.

[dino7c]

If they were hell bent on Ritchie it would still make no sense to pick him at 4, trade down


not saying I want this to happen, picking him at 4 would be a disaster of monumental proportions no matter how it turns out. You could easily have him and an asset for #4

[MissTeeks]

I hope I never have to hear the words "Nick Ritchie" and "the Flames" together again after tomorrow unless it's "Gee, didn't Nick Ritchie look awful against the Flames last night".

19 hours and 17 minutes until draft time.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by missteeks

19 hours and 17 minutes until draft time.

the anticipation is killing me!!!!

[The Fonz]

It's really too bad that I'm going to have to start hating one of these nice young men in about 19 hours.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

It's really too bad that I'm going to have to start hating one of these nice young men in about 19 hours.

Correction: two of these nice young men.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Correction: two of these nice young men.

Correction, 3, (T.O picks at 8)

[Caged Great]

My perfect scenario is Edmonton takes Ritchie, Van takes Nylander or Virtanen and Toronto takes Perlini

[Ashasx]

I'll be honest, I hope everyone busts except the player we pick.

Screw all other teams.

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

It's really too bad that I'm going to have to start hating one of these nice young men in about 19 hours.

Yeah, it's gonna suck having to hate Draisaitl. I actually really like the kid.

[JMN]

Originally Posted by ignite09

Yeah, it's gonna suck having to hate Draisaitl. I actually really like the kid.

Same. He's the player I really wanted besides Ekblad. Hope they both suck now.

[djsFlames]

Jumping the gun a bit, kids. Ekblad and Draisaitl are both still possibilities. We just don't know for sure how this could go down. All it takes is one team going off the board and it can have a ripple effect.

[Read Only]

Hopefully Draisatl goes to Edmonton so we aren't stuck with him and the Oilers get a crappy pick.

Leaving the draft without Draisatl will be a win in my books even if for some crazy reason they go with one of the other guys if a Sam is available.