2015 NHL Draft

[getbak]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

as i think the 2 below outcomes cannot co-exist, curious which outcome flames fans would prefer:
1) Gaudreau has an amazing rookie year and wins or is nominated for the calder
2) Flames get a top 2 lottery pick and select mcdavid/eichel

Huberdeau won the Calder in 2012-13 and Florida finished 30th overall, so anything is possible.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by CSharp

Flames and gang don't need to prove anything this year. They need a franchise player. For all I care, Burke should stash Monahan, Geo, and any top 6 players in IR. They just need to tank at the right time this season so that they can entertain one of the top 2 picks in the 2015 draft. The worse thing the team can do is to over achieve and stock up on average talents. It's definitely way more advantageous to under achieve for the upcoming once-in-a-lifetime draft for the Flames.

This is probably pretty obvious to most, but I don't understand the reasoning behind the posts for Gaudreau or Baertschi breakout season. It's like, the Flames are barely into their rebuilding process and some of us are expecting the Flames to be a Cup contender in 3 to 5 years! Maybe some people don't realize that rebuilding an NHL franchise is not the same as rebuilding a WHL team like the Hitmen.

So your idea is to tank? I'd rather play our butts off and draft 4th again than tank. We were rewarded with Bennett because of it, who imo could have easily been drafted 1st OA.

[Hackey]

I'll take McDavid or Eichel over a Gaudreau Calder win without question. Easy decision. I'd take both though.

[sureLoss]

An interesting question that needs to be answered is (and will be through next season), how much of a gap is there between McDavid/Eichel/Hanifin and the next tier.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

An interesting question that needs to be answered is (and will be through next season), how much of a gap is there between McDavid/Eichel/Hanifin and the next tier.

I'd say the gap isn't as small as the gap after the top 5 from 2014. But getting one of the top 3 would definitely be better to get.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Do you have inside info? I would think its way too late for an expansion team to start 2015-2016. I think the earliest would be 2016-2017?

Looking at the last couple rounds of NHL expansion: the Wild, Preds, Blue Jackets, Thrashers, and Sharks were all announced at least the summer before they began to play (in some cases 3 years before). Based on that precedent we should be ok, although the Jets were relocated within a span of a couple months so you never know...

[Red John]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Do you have inside info? I would think its way too late for an expansion team to start 2015-2016. I think the earliest would be 2016-2017?

They are still aiming for 2015-16. It's not a guarantee it happens that quick as there are lots of moving pieces (obviously) but it's a good possibility.

Nashville got to pick 2nd in 1998. Atlanta received 2nd in 1999. Minnesota and Columbus 3rd and 4th in 2000.

So there is precedent in expansion teams getting high picks.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

I will be choked if Calgary gets bumped for some random expansion team. Can't imagine Burke or Edawrds would be to happy about it either. Wonder why they didn't give all expansion teams the top picks? Ottawa and Tampa got them. San Jose got 2nd. Florida got 5th, Anaheim 2nd. As mentioned the newer ones picked 2nd to 4th. I wonder what the rationale is behind that? I assume Quebec would've been mad not to be able to get Lindros. 1992 was kind of weak, no franchise player so there. Same with 94 (why did Florida pick #1 after they almost made the playoffs in year one?)

The quality at the top seems to play a role. I wonder if the teams effected lobby the NHL as to preserve their spot. There must be some reason behind not simply awarding them all #1. This is a deep draft, even if Calgary picking #6 or something it will be frustrating to drop one spot. Could be the difference between getting one of the high end dmen available.

[albertGQ]

Florida and Anaheim got picks 3 and 4 in their expansion years but were guaranteed he first and second picks the following year regardless of standings

[ForeverFlameFan]

I think they should allow the two new teams the #15/16 picks in this years draft, and then gets the #1/2 picks next year. They get the picks after the non playoff teams pick.

[The Yen Man]

Calgary may not get McDavid, but I'm pretty confident that they'll be picking top 3. So in that regard, getting one of either McDavid, Eichel, or Hanifin will be just fine in my books. I know it's not cosher here to cheer for losses, but I'm not gonna lie. Calgary's going to most likely lose a lot of games next season, and I'm fine by it. I'll still cheer on the players to do well, but I won't be disappointed at Flames losses.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Red John

They are still aiming for 2015-16. It's not a guarantee it happens that quick as there are lots of moving pieces (obviously) but it's a good possibility.

Nashville got to pick 2nd in 1998. Atlanta received 2nd in 1999. Minnesota and Columbus 3rd and 4th in 2000.

So there is precedent in expansion teams getting high picks.

No offence but this seems extremely speculative and is causing an undue amount of concern. Surely if they were looking at expansion we'd be hearing about it from the NHL. I'm sure it's coming but can't see it affecting this years' draft. A teams infrastructure would need to be set up well in advance, especially the scouting department.

[calgarywinning]

Have to say the way that the Flames played last year was enjoyable to watch, the outcome in the standings was great from rebuilding. Hope to see more of this and like Trelivings approach to seasoning and developing prospects before NHL play.

The best outcome for the Flames on the rebuild is another top pick.

[Freeway]

The Vegas arena isn't ready until 2016, BTW.

[sureLoss]

Apparently the Sabres have called a press conference tomorrow to announce they will host the 2015 NHL scouting combine.

Also a report that they will host the 2016 nhl draft.

[Poe969]

makes sense since the'll be a bottom team for the next couple years.

[Tinordi]

Eichel is good and all but lets not get carried away here.

McDavid is unique and the guy you want. He has elite scoring player potential.

Was reading on another website that McDavid is closer to Stamkos and Crosby while Eichel looks like an Eric Staal or Mike Modano.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Eichel is good and all but lets not get carried away here.

McDavid is unique and the guy you want. He has elite scoring player potential.

Was reading on another website that McDavid is closer to Stamkos and Crosby while Eichel looks like an Eric Staal or Mike Modano.

I think the ordering of the top 2 (or top 5 for that matter) will greatly depend on how they perform this season.

[sureLoss]

Sabres tank mode = on

already trying to introduce McDavid to Buffalo

Mike Harrington @BNHarrington
#Sabres announce presser tomorrow to discuss plans for Erie Otters game this season at FNC. Uh-huh. #ProjectMcDavid

[ForeverFlameFan]

Wow.