Summer 2014 Prospect Ranking Poll Rd24 - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Cali Panthers Fan · 08-06-2014, 12:46 PM

I think the only guys with NHL potential in their future are Hanowski and Adam Ollas Mattson…and just barely for both. IMO, AOM takes it because he can have more impact as a physical defender than Hanowski can as a 3rd or 4th line grinder.

tvp2003 · 08-06-2014, 12:54 PM

Pickking #24 and there are still three guys on the board who actually played in the NHL for the Flames last year. Crazy to think...

EDIT: Actually, four guys (forgot about Billins)...

saillias · 08-06-2014, 12:56 PM

Should be Van Brabant, he's the victim of being undrafted and an unknown commodity.

Calgary4LIfe · 08-06-2014, 01:04 PM

I think Rafikov might have the highest potential left. Loves to play physical and chippy, but is very good defensively, and has some offensive ability. Seems like the kid skates well and passes very well too. Doesn't seem to have any big holes in his game, just needs to keep developing.

Rest of the defencemen left seem to have bigger holes - too offensive not enough defensive awareness, too much defence not enough offence, step backs, etc. I really like Ramage - heart and soul guy - but getting demoted to the ECHL is a step back. Roy I was very excited about, but he hasn't improved since his draft, though hopeful he can. Kid needs to learn how to be more defensive. AOM has solid potential and I am glad the Flames drafted him, but question marks about his skating and his offence lead me to believe that Rafikov is probably the best defencemen left in terms of projection and development.

Cali Panthers Fan · 08-06-2014, 02:01 PM

^ I forget about Rafikov, but I'm not sure he'll ever have enough incentive to come over to North America. I think he plays the bulk of his career in the KHL.

Calgary4LIfe · 08-06-2014, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

^ I forget about Rafikov, but I'm not sure he'll ever have enough incentive to come over to North America. I think he plays the bulk of his career in the KHL.

From what I recall, he was trying to come over this year to the CHL, but apparently his VISA didn't happen, or something something.. There were rumors about him coming over anyways.

Cali Panthers Fan · 08-06-2014, 02:36 PM

That's encouraging. At least tells me he wants to play in the NHL for a time. Hopefully it all gets sorted out and he gets a shot at the Flames.

thymebalm · 08-06-2014, 05:01 PM

From those remaining I think:

Billins, Cundari, Hanowski, Ramage and Jooris have NHL potential.

Other the other end I would say Deblouw, and Elson have the least potential.

I don't know enough about any of the other guys.

Scoreface · 08-06-2014, 05:12 PM

So due to Rafikov's visa issues, is he ruled out from playing in the CHL this year? Was he inelegible for the import draft?

Rick M. · 08-06-2014, 07:33 PM

Rafikov was quite noticeable in tonight's World Junior camp exhibition game between Russia and Canada. He's getting my vote in the next round.

JiriHrdina · 08-06-2014, 09:02 PM

Voted Rafikov and then remembered I should have voted Ramage.
But I do think Rafikov is a guy that could end up being an NHLer if he comes over.

JiriHrdina · 08-06-2014, 10:20 PM

Not sure if this was posted already but updated top ten from THN with how much higher or lower compared to our poll

1. Bennett (+1)
2. Johnny (-1)
3. Sven (-)
4. Poirer (-)
5. Gillies (+5)
6. Klimchuk (-)
7. Ortio (+2)
8. Janko (+3)
9. Granlund (-4)
10. Reinhart (-1)

We have Wotherspoon at 7...he isn't on THNs list

MarkGio · 08-06-2014, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I think Rafikov might have the highest potential left. Loves to play physical and chippy, but is very good defensively, and has some offensive ability. Seems like the kid skates well and passes very well too. Doesn't seem to have any big holes in his game, just needs to keep developing.

Rest of the defencemen left seem to have bigger holes - too offensive not enough defensive awareness, too much defence not enough offence, step backs, etc. I really like Ramage - heart and soul guy - but getting demoted to the ECHL is a step back. Roy I was very excited about, but he hasn't improved since his draft, though hopeful he can. Kid needs to learn how to be more defensive. AOM has solid potential and I am glad the Flames drafted him, but question marks about his skating and his offence lead me to believe that Rafikov is probably the best defencemen left in terms of projection and development.

Roy hasn't improved since he was drafted? He's been a top pairing defenseman all year and has been so clutch for the Wheat Kings. Even during the playoffs he was scoring big goals. He fell huge after the draft but has since increased his point percentages and has been a huge anchor for the Wheat Kings, along side fellow draft class member Ryan Pulock, who was selected 15th overall. Pulock and Roy actually have similar junior careers, only Pulock is a better well rounded defenseman.

gargamel · 08-07-2014, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoreface

So due to Rafikov's visa issues, is he ruled out from playing in the CHL this year? Was he inelegible for the import draft?

He expressed interest in the CHL and was eligible for the import draft but he wasn't selected.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

From what I recall, he was trying to come over this year to the CHL, but apparently his VISA didn't happen, or something something.. There were rumors about him coming over anyways.

The visa issues prevented him from coming to the Flames developmental camp, which he had been planning to attend for the first time this year.

ricardodw · 08-07-2014, 08:51 AM

Is this the end of the prospect ranking?

Any player that is a worse prospect than someone who was just drafted #175 in the draft.... can be grouped together as guys who should be looking at career alternatives that do not include NHL contracts.

Is there any other guys in the 2014 6th round; guys drafted by other teams ahead of the next Robin Regehr; guys you would look at without homer glasses on and say lets trade Hanowski /Billins/Jooris/Van Brabant/Cundari for say the #150th guy picked in this last draft?

There has been a lot of wow somebody said this guy should go in the the top 50 and not a lot of why the heck did all the NHL talent evaluation teams (including the Flames) let him drop 125 spots.

kehatch · 08-07-2014, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Is this the end of the prospect ranking?

Any player that is a worse prospect than someone who was just drafted #175 in the draft.... can be grouped together as guys who should be looking at career alternatives that do not include NHL contracts.

Is there any other guys in the 2014 6th round; guys drafted by other teams ahead of the next Robin Regehr; guys you would look at without homer glasses on and say lets trade Hanowski /Billins/Jooris/Van Brabant/Cundari for say the #150th guy picked in this last draft?

There has been a lot of wow somebody said this guy should go in the the top 50 and not a lot of why the heck did all the NHL talent evaluation teams (including the Flames) let him drop 125 spots.

Everyone on the list is either a late draft pick or far enough away from the draft that draft position is irrelevant. Stop pouting because you don't like the guy that was picked.