Flames 2014 NHL Entry Draft selections: observations & preliminary verdicts?

[JJ1532]

Hmm, kinda interesting that people wanted Dougherty or McKeown at #34, yet 5 D-men got selected over them between #34 and #50 and #51 when they finally got taken. Lots of opportunities for teams to take them, but didn't and in 5 cases selected someone else, 6 in Doughertys case. Something about them clearly put a few teams off.

In McKeowns case, he dropped 12 spots in the prospect rankings. Why was that? I know not that many are against Smith, but he shot up 100 places. Sorry if both players have already been discussed elsewhere, but there for me is a reason why we passed on McKeown at least and took McDonald.

Before we start losing our ####(well some of us anyway), lets wait and see from Brad why we did what we did today.

[Buzzard]

"You evaluate drafts with a calendar, not a stopwatch."

- Brian Burke

[Red Menace]

With the position of ouf picks this year, the 1st was more important than the rest combined. On that front, the draft is a success no matter who was taken in the later rounds.
Intrigued by Smith & Mattson in particular, generally would have preferred an emphasis on getting higher skilled players, particularly some defenceman. All in all, a good weekend for the Flames.

[Wastedyouth]

Love it. Typical CP. Voice a dissenting opinion on what is going to probably end up being a very mediocre draft for this organization (outside of Bennett) and get absolutely #### on.
This draft reminds me of young guns era "take a lottery ticket and trade it for the mystery box."

You guys are awesome. As usual.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Because they just aren't very good.

Because you have no clue what these players will do given time and further development.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Love it. Typical CP. Voice a dissenting opinion on what is going to probably end up being a very mediocre draft for this organization (outside of Bennett) and get absolutely #### on.
This draft reminds me of young guns era "take a lottery ticket and trade it for the mystery box."

You guys are awesome. As usual.

Can your crystal ball give me the winning numbers for the next Lotto 6/49 draw

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I knew nothing of any player outside of the 2nd round, so really, anything from that point on I observe with progression from their draft date, rather than where they are at this moment.

Bennett was an absolute steal, and fits the Flames ideology perfectly. Couldn't have asked for a better turn of events (unless Ekblad dropped to 4, but you can't have everything).

Mason McDonald is a big athletic goalie…that's good, but as we've seen, goalies take forever to develop so having several options in the system is a great idea. I'm happy with where we took him.

Hunter Smith is a power forward who can add some scoring…fantastic. Just what we needed, especially on the right wing. He's a good project so let's see how he develops. At the very least he could be turned into a checker with his size and skating.

Brandon Hickey…know nothing about him, but he's been accepted to one of the better hockey programs in the U.S. so that should say something. Give him 3-4 years and see where he's at.

Trading the late 3rd round pick for Bollig. Good to great. I don't think you can find NHL ready talent at 80 something, especially not someone who can skate and hit as well as fight. McGrattan isn't going to last forever and Bollig provides some tenacity and other intangibles as well as his raw skill. I like this move quite a bit.

Adam Ollas-Mattson…has size and aggression and adequate d-zone play. Has some significant holes in his game, but nothing that can't be fixed with coaching. I think this is a great sleeper pick who has actual NHL potential in the 6th round. Can't ask for more.

Austin Carroll…didn't look that out of place at last year's summer camp and looks like he's progressed since then. Has an NHL body and some decent all-around instincts. Talk to me in a year to see how we did with a 7th round selection that almost never makes the NHL.

My first impression and gut instinct is that the Flames went after guys they actually wanted and didn't compromise by picking just anyone. To me, that at least indicates that they have a clear team building agenda in mind and that's positive. This wasn't a particularly deep draft, so if only Bennett makes it I'll be completely satisfied. There are still plenty of intriguing players that add depth to the organization going forward. Development is more important now than who got drafted where. Let's hope these guys are all handled the right way and can contribute to the club in the near future.

[mile]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Love it. Typical CP. Voice a dissenting opinion on what is going to probably end up being a very mediocre draft for this organization (outside of Bennett) and get absolutely #### on.
This draft reminds me of young guns era "take a lottery ticket and trade it for the mystery box."

You guys are awesome. As usual.

How do you know it'll end up being a mediocre draft? Most of us have never seen these players play.

And getting #### on has more to do with the way people are stating their opinions, not the opinions themselves.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by Dion

Because you have no clue what these players will do given time and further development.

But that's just it. I hadn't said they were never going to be good. I said right now they just aren't very good compared to many of their fellow draftees.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Love it. Typical CP. Voice a dissenting opinion on what is going to probably end up being a very mediocre draft for this organization (outside of Bennett) and get absolutely #### on.
This draft reminds me of young guns era "take a lottery ticket and trade it for the mystery box."

You guys are awesome. As usual.

If you don't like this place no one is forcing you to visit here.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

If you don't like this place no one is forcing you to visit here.

This is true. Luckily the other parts of the forum are quite informative and entertaining.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Love it. Typical CP. Voice a dissenting opinion on what is going to probably end up being a very mediocre draft for this organization (outside of Bennett) and get absolutely #### on.
This draft reminds me of young guns era "take a lottery ticket and trade it for the mystery box."

You guys are awesome. As usual.

Says the guy whose had, how many accounts?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

But that's just it. I hadn't said they were never going to be good. I said right now they just aren't very good compared to many of their fellow draftees.

This is what you said..... and the reason people jumped all over you for your comments.



Further to that, making judgements on players before they have a chance to develop is wrong on so many levels. We won't know until years down the road how our picks compare to other players drafted.

[Wastedyouth]

Ps. The thanks on the first post I made was genius.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Love it. Typical CP. Voice a dissenting opinion on what is going to probably end up being a very mediocre draft for this organization (outside of Bennett) and get absolutely #### on.
This draft reminds me of young guns era "take a lottery ticket and trade it for the mystery box."

You guys are awesome. As usual.

If you're going to be a dink, people will be dinks back. Thought you would of figured that out by now. Maybe your next incarnation will, though I doubt it.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by Zevo

If you're going to be a dink, people will be dinks back. Thought you would of figured that out by now. Maybe your next incarnation will, though I doubt it.

Where was I being a dink exactly? I gave my opinion. Is this not the "preliminary verdict" thread?

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

If you don't like this place no one is forcing you to visit here.

Wish people would remember that before posting "typical CP"

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Where was I being a dink exactly? I gave my opinion. Is this not the "preliminary verdict" thread?

You slammed this forum and those who post on it.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

I knew nothing of any player outside of the 2nd round, so really, anything from that point on I observe with progression from their draft date, rather than where they are at this moment.

Bennett was an absolute steal, and fits the Flames ideology perfectly. Couldn't have asked for a better turn of events (unless Ekblad dropped to 4, but you can't have everything).

Mason McDonald is a big athletic goalie…that's good, but as we've seen, goalies take forever to develop so having several options in the system is a great idea. I'm happy with where we took him.

Hunter Smith is a power forward who can add some scoring…fantastic. Just what we needed, especially on the right wing. He's a good project so let's see how he develops. At the very least he could be turned into a checker with his size and skating.

Brandon Hickey…know nothing about him, but he's been accepted to one of the better hockey programs in the U.S. so that should say something. Give him 3-4 years and see where he's at.

Trading the late 3rd round pick for Bollig. Good to great. I don't think you can find NHL ready talent at 80 something, especially not someone who can skate and hit as well as fight. McGrattan isn't going to last forever and Bollig provides some tenacity and other intangibles as well as his raw skill. I like this move quite a bit.

Adam Ollas-Mattson…has size and aggression and adequate d-zone play. Has some significant holes in his game, but nothing that can't be fixed with coaching. I think this is a great sleeper pick who has actual NHL potential in the 6th round. Can't ask for more.

Austin Carroll…didn't look that out of place at last year's summer camp and looks like he's progressed since then. Has an NHL body and some decent all-around instincts. Talk to me in a year to see how we did with a 7th round selection that almost never makes the NHL.

My first impression and gut instinct is that the Flames went after guys they actually wanted and didn't compromise by picking just anyone. To me, that at least indicates that they have a clear team building agenda in mind and that's positive. This wasn't a particularly deep draft, so if only Bennett makes it I'll be completely satisfied. There are still plenty of intriguing players that add depth to the organization going forward. Development is more important now than who got drafted where. Let's hope these guys are all handled the right way and can contribute to the club in the near future.

You saved me a ton a typing. Thanks!

I stumbled on Smith a few weeks ago and read all the press, I think he has the potential to run Bennett pretty close for most popular Flames player picked at this draft in a few years. He won't put up the same numbers, but if he can make the NHL he is exactly the kind of player that sells jerseys in this city.

And every quote from this kid suggests he is very mature and smart. An NHL bloodline via his uncle Brad Smith helps too. I bet he is getting lots of great advice.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Love it. Typical CP. Voice a dissenting opinion on what is going to probably end up being a very mediocre draft for this organization (outside of Bennett) and get absolutely #### on.
This draft reminds me of young guns era "take a lottery ticket and trade it for the mystery box."

You guys are awesome. As usual.

This post is terrible.

As usual.