2015 NHL Draft

[lanny9]

Provorov looks to be having a great season in Brandon, I am going to try to get out and see him when they come to town as he is catching the eye of the scouts and if we keep playing like we are we could be picking where he is projected to go. He isn't into the higher echelon of dmen that could get top 5 but I think we could do alright with picking him.

[pgsieve]

I get really frustrated with people using the word generational talent like it's their job. Why don't people just say that that this guy is the top of his grad class and has a good shot at having a legitimate NHL career.

Taylor Hall, Nathan McKinnon and many others have all been given this title before. I'm not disputing their ability to be a great player, but these players are not "generational" talent.

[Hackey]

Projections for the first overall pick are pretty accurate these days. To me Hall and Mackinnon are doing pretty much what they were expected too. What McDavid was doing before the injury was pretty impressive and I think warranted the hype that has been there for a while. They say he is the best prospect since Crosby which he very well could be. Even if he is on a Tavares or Stamkos level that's still an unbelievable player. Seems unlikely he's a bust. Don't see why people care so much about defining generational talent anyways. From what I've seen and many others the kid looks like he will be a special player. Where exactly he ranks who knows but adding a top level talent to the league is always exciting and does nothing but help the game.

[dammage79]

Nikita Korostolev . If the Flames keep up this pace, This guy is my choice for their 1st.

[waner]

Originally Posted by pgsieve

I get really frustrated with people using the word generational talent like it's their job. Why don't people just say that that this guy is the top of his grad class and has a good shot at having a legitimate NHL career.

Taylor Hall, Nathan McKinnon and many others have all been given this title before. I'm not disputing their ability to be a great player, but these players are not "generational" talent.

I am sure there were a few people throwing around the term but for the most part I don't remember people thinking that Hall or MacKinnon were generational talents.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by waner

I am sure there were a few people throwing around the term but for the most part I don't remember people thinking that Hall or MacKinnon were generational talents.

McKinnon yes. I don't remember anyone saying it about Hall

[waner]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

McKinnon yes. I don't remember anyone saying it about Hall

I remember that a year or two prior to the draft year but I found that a lot of that talk quieted down in his draft yera, but I also could mis remember or a lot of that could have been to hype up Jones to make the draft more interesting as it seems some experts do.

[Bunk]

I think they should just be classified informally as say tiers of first overall talent. They don't come along in generations, you could have them back-to-back.

For example from last decade or so:

Tier 1 (clear franchise game-changing, league dominating players)
Crosby, McDavid

Tier 2: (Very likely franchise players)
Stamkos, Tavares, Ovechkin, MacKinnon (maybe tier 3)

Tier 3: (possible franchise players)
Hall, Ekblad, Erik Johnson, Kane

Tier 4: (Edmonton is no good)
Yakupov, Nugent-Hopkins

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Nikita Korostolev . If the Flames keep up this pace, This guy is my choice for their 1st.

I'd like to go for Mikko Rantanen, a big Finnish (6'4, 195 lbs) that loves to crash the net.

[Hackey]

A lot of the hype was around Seth Jones and how he was the number 1 rated prospect. A lot of people thought Colorado would take him because they needed d. If there was talk of Mackinnon being a generational talent it definitely quieted closer to the draft. He has already proven quite a bit in his rookie season and playoffs. He very well could be in that Stamkos/Tavares territory in a few years.

[sureLoss]

for those who think Strome is a byproduct of McDavid:

Mike Morreale @mikemorrealeNHL
.@stromer19 has 6-4-10 in 5 gms since @ErieOtters lost @cmcdavid97 w/ a hand inj. He has an 8-gm pt streak; 4-gm goal streak. Gettin it done

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

for those who think Strome is a byproduct of McDavid:

Mike Morreale @mikemorrealeNHL
.@stromer19 has 6-4-10 in 5 gms since @ErieOtters lost @cmcdavid97 w/ a hand inj. He has an 8-gm pt streak; 4-gm goal streak. Gettin it done

I think I'd rather have Strome or Eichel than McOiler anyway.

[pgsieve]

Call me a homer but what about Jansen Harkins?

[Caged Great]

Jakub Zboril would be a decent option as a D-man if we're picking in the teens. Plus we could modify Zorba the greek to make it his theme song.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by pgsieve

Call me a homer but what about Jansen Harkins?

Todd, his father, was a Flames 2nd round pick in 1988. He played 20 games for the Flames.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by pgsieve

Call me a homer but what about Jansen Harkins?

Harkins will be a player - the silent assassin type who exhibits great hockey instincts and smarts. Would be a solid addition to the Flames.

[sureLoss]

Cody Nickolet - WHL scout for Future Considerations
Nov 22 - TSN 1260

https://soundcloud.com/pipeline-show...nickolet-nov22


D Ivan Provorov 6'0'' 201lbs
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=242584

• could be this year's Julius Honka
• many people didn't know what to expect
• 30th overall in the CHL import draft and has been one of the best players picked in that draft
• well rounded player
• great skater, good speed, power forwards and backwards
• has a lot of pro-ready attributes
• passes the puck hard, shoots the puck hard and makes great decisions with and without the puck
• positions himself well, can play defence with his body or stick
• not afraid to play physical
• biggest riser on my draft board so far
• could make the jump to the NHL sooner than some of the other similarly ranked defencemen in the draft
• leads all rookies in the WHL in scoring
• points probably wouldn't have come as well if he wasn't on a team like Brandon, but attributes probably would have still stood out

C Nick Merkley 5'10'' 187lbs
https://soundcloud.com/pipeline-show...nickolet-nov22

• leads the WHL in scoring 43pts in 25 games
• beginning of year lots of people pegged him in the 20-30 range but has done nothing except elevate his status
• has more assists than all except one player in the WHL has points
• will be hurt by his size, not terribly small- no issue in declaring him a top 20 pick
• smart and dynamic - explosive in his skating and processes the game so well - he can see things happening that most other players can't at this level
• proven game after game he can execute plays at top speed
• vision is 2nd to none amongs WHL draft eligibles
• really putting pressure on Matt Barzal as the top WHL prospect - ranks Barzal 1st then Merkley close behind as 2nd

LW Jake Debrusk 5'11'' 168lbs
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=84242

• son of Louie DeBrusk - not the same type of player as his dad
• plays with speed and grit
• can really wire the puck
• has soft hands around the net with regards to his playmaking ability
• moved from a B to A rank by Central Scouting (means he projects to a 1st round pick by Central Scouting)
• doesn't think he will be a 1st round pick but should be a top 45 pick
• lots of substance to his game and fun to watch
• has him ranked as the #10 on his list of WHL draft eligibles

C/RW Glenn Gawdin 5'11'' 179lbs
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=192245

• skating is a bit of a concern but manages to get around
• hard shot, good release
• plays a rugged style of game
• blocks shots
• good in the faceoff circle
• versatility - can play the wing, plays on both PK/PP, also seen him on the point of the PP
• resembles Ryan Getzlaf in a way, does everything well
• has him ranked #15 on his list of WHL draft eligibles, projects him to be a 3rd/4th round pick
• suprised by the A ranking by Central Scouting

D Brandon Carlo 6'5'' 185lbs
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=120965

• skates like someone who is 6'1''
• has power in his stride but does it in a smooth fashion, gets around the ice really well and covers a lot of ground when you combine it with his wingspan
• takes care of his own end - physical defender that takes away time and space with his gap control
• on the offensive side - is capable of taking it up the ice, passes hard, not afraid to jump up into the rush, has good shot
• if offensive game continues to improve his stock will continue to go up
• with his physical and mean style of play, he will be an absolute terror when he gets up to 210-215lbs in a few years
• almost NHL ready when you combine his skating with size

D Parker Wotherspoon 6'0'' 170lbs
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=195951

• sharp contrast to Brandon Carlo - more of a smooth cerebal guy
• gets around the ice - can move when he needs to
• handles the puck well, has composure with it
• smart and level headed player
• offensively he is a step above Carlo
• good hard shot
• plays in every situation - pk and quarterbacks PP
• should deserve 1st round consideration but will have to see how that goes

The more I hear about Brandon Carlo, the more I like him. (PS he is also a right handed shot)

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I'd like to go for Mikko Rantanen, a big Finnish (6'4, 195 lbs) that loves to crash the net.

Name sounds like it has too much bust potential.

[Wingman17]

Originally Posted by pgsieve

Call me a homer but what about Jansen Harkins?

Harkins is a smart hockey player. Good playmaker who plays all situations and is leading PG in points. He is in tough to crack the first round. Probably will be a steal to some team in the early second round. If he played pretty much anywhere else his stock would rise. PG has a hard time getting anybody drafted let alone a first rounder.

[devo22]

Pavel Zacha is quickly racking up an impressive record of receiving disciplinary action in the OHL. After coming back from a 2 game suspension for slew footing an opponent, he was now suspended for 6 games after a boarding call against the Otters. Here's the video:

http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/v...9dd125b0298626