"A strong passer who delivers pucks with good timing and accuracy…has the ability to read the play and pick-and-choose his spots…has a powerful stride that generates power but could improve the overall quickness in his feet…willing to join the offensive attack…handles the puck well…not a big point shot but gets it on net consistently…reads the play well in his own zone and defensively he has the size and reach to close off lanes…good transition defender that moves the puck up ice." - Future Considerations
"A silky, smooth skater, Chabot shows high potential as puck moving defensive prospect. He has the speed to join or lead the rush, and get back defensively. He has the edgework and agility to pivot quickly and cover large areas of the ice, or to walk the line and open up passing and shooting lanes. He is calm and composed with the puck, has good stickhandling ability and can make a strong pass either to start the transition, or set up a play from the blueline. His shot is decent, and he has good accuracy, but he could stand to add some more muscle, and make it even harder.Defensively he has good positioning and is willing to play a physical game in front of the net and in the corners.” - Ben Kerr - LWOS
“An offensive forward that makes an impact in the game every time he touches the puck…improved skater this season and possess more jump in his step…not big by any stretch but shows a willingness to throw his weight around…impressive hockey sense and ability to think the game…very creative and crafty with the puck…plays a complete 200-foot game…a strong playmaker with impressive vision and touch on his passes…willing to take the puck to the net…has an effective shot that is quick off his stick." - Future Considerations
“In the mold of a true playmaker, Nick Merkley’s vision, anticipation and imaginative passing abilities are in the top echelon of the draft. Kelowna’s top scoring forward is a very good skater with elusive puck skills and he’s shown to be one of the WHL’s most consistent producers. Blessed with a fantastic motor and relentless work ethic, Merkley has the ability to push the pace of the game and force turnovers on the attack. He doesn’t shy away from traffic and engages physically with one focus on his mind – getting possession of the puck. At times, he overcomplicates the game but his competitive nature and playmaking abilities will ensure he becomes a first round selection. Merkley’s 16 goals and 70 points in 51 games with Kelowna has him ranked among the WHL’s top scorers.” - Brendan Ross - Dobber Sports
“Last season Merkley won the WHL Rookie of the Year award. He is another member of Canada’s 2015 Ivan Hlinka winning squad, and a quick riser on draft boards. After scoring four points in five games in the summer tournament, Merkley has exploded in Kelowna putting up 77 points in 56 games, good for third in WHL scoring. Merkley is a big reason why Kelowna was a WHL favorite even before they bolstered their lineup at the trade deadline. Merkley is currently listed at 5’10” and size is the major knock against him right now. Despite the size, Merkley isn’t afraid to go to the net, and to battle in the dirty areas of the ice. With his excellent balance, and good lower body strength, he is hard to knock off the puck. He’s got excellent offensive skills including superb vision and passing ability; a hard shot and good release; and high-end hockey IQ. Merkley is tenacious in the backcheck and uses his hockey IQ to anticipate plays and create turnovers. He has very good speed and gets the transition game going when he does steal pucks or intercept passes. He could stand to shoot the puck more though, as he has an accurate shot that he just doesn’t use enough. He could stand to add some strength and power though.“ - Ben Kerr - LWOS
JAKUB ZBORIL
Defence - Shoots Left - 6"2' - 185 lbs - Saint Johns Sea Dogs
__________GP - G - A - PTS - +/-
2014-2015 - 44 - 13-20 - 33 - 2
“A good two-way blue liner…plays a complete game and relies on his impressive footwork to maintain defensive coverage as well as put himself into the offensive play…has a good top speed and all-round mobility…has a dangerous point shot that is both accurate and hard…has a physical element to his game and will step up to make a hit…clears the crease and separates opponents form the puck with his body in the defensive zone…has an active stick…good upside as an all-round NHL defender." - FC
“Broke out at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka tournament (5GP-4G-2A-6P), Czech defenseman Jakub Zboril has the makings of an offensive defenseman. He is a creative passer and displays inspiring four-way mobility offering good offensive zone upside. Zboril has struggled with his game-to-game consistency and will need to continue to improve on his defensive play but he mixes his offensive tools and physicality too well to not be considered a first round talent. The rookie import shows an ability to play a North American style combining grit, mobility and a boomer of a shot. He’s missed some time in his draft year to injury but Zboril has notched nine goals and 23 points in only 34 QMJHL games.” - Brendan Ross - Dobber Sports
“Along with Pavel Zacha, Zboril is part of one of the best Czech draft classes in years, as the country has really turned around their hockey program following a number of dark years. Zboril was part of the silver medal winning squads at the 2013 U18 World Championship last spring, and the Ivan Hlinka this past summer. Drafted 5th overall in the CHL Import Draft, Zboril has put up 22 points in 33 games for the Saint John Sea Dogs Zboril is living up to the hype and looks like the total package on the blueline this season. He is an excellent powerplay quarterback, with strong poise with the puck and good vision and passing skill. He also has a rocket of a slap shot, and has already scored three goals. Zboril has good skating skill and his excellent pivots, edgework, and agility allow him to cover a ton of ice. He’s also not afraid to be physical in the defensive end of the ice.“ - Ben Kerr - LWOS
Nik Merkley is a very skilled right handed shooting forward and has been playing on the wing, and a Calgary kid to, likely headed to the Memorial Cup. He's not the biggest guy out there so not sure if his size will turn teams away, but he is projected as a first rounder.
I like Merkley as well but i didn't include him because I think he will be gone by 10-12th.
I also cant see Merkley being there at 15. Would be nice though! WHL rookie of the year with 58pts and then follows it up with a 32pt jump to 90pts. Scouts really look for stuff like that. He plays mean for a shorter guy and hes a local boy. I'd love to have him but my guess is he goes in the top 11.
If it wasn't for the Sharks picking at 8, Merkley would have been my thought for them. Merkley's linemate is Rourke Chartier, SJ's 5th round pick last year, and they would know the most about him because of that. Similarly, I wouldn't be shocked if they trade down to pick up an asset or two and draft Merkley anyway.
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I feel differently about all of these players but these are the ones I could see potentially dropping to 15 or projected to go around there.
Crouse
Zacha
Svechnikov
Meier (probably not)
Barzal
Konecny
Roy
Kylington
Looks like a fantastic draft to trade down. Can pick up yet another 2nd rounder + and still snag a top young player like Barzal, Konecny, Roy, Crouse, Guryanov
My favorite player in the draft FOR US is Matthew Spencer from Peterborough
I'd be over the moon if we take him with our 2nd
6'2 191 dman from the petes
Great skater with strong puck handling ability and all around smarts. Nasty to play against and pounds the enemy relentlessly. Makes a solid first pass. Has a quick release. Strong on his pins and is willing to pinch in and then battle through defender after defender and make point of blowing them up. In his own zone he makes a point to explode in contact behind his net, and opposing forwards don’t like venturing into his side of the ice. Utilized his defensive partner when under pressure. May be an up and comer
—Bill Placzek
2nd favorite player for us would be Brandon Carlo but im so sad we dont have any picks where I think he will go - late 1st - very early 2nd.
6'5 185 d-man from tri-city
Projections have a lot to do with selections. When teams see a Colorado-born six foot five defender who handles the defensive side quite well they all look forward to a emerging offensive side to go along with that 200 foot smarts he displays. Very slight for his height, he has plenty of room to grow into a player who can take on into a bigger role. A team will call his name and wait to see if his hockey IQ helps spawn a bigger offensive presence. A member of his homeland’s team roster for the World Junior Under-20 at Christmas 2014.
—Bill Placzek—
Last edited by Crumpy-Gunt; 05-12-2015 at 04:23 AM.
Pipe dream I know, but I'd love it if Crouse fell to us. I've seen him projected outside the top 10 a couple of times in recent weeks. I can't imagine he'd slip past LA though.
We saw the impact Ferland had for us when he was inserted into the lineup. Big power forwards who can actually skate and have decent hands are so important to success in our division. The size/skill combination is tough to beat, as we just saw versus Anaheim.
I bet Treliving has his eye on that player, and if he drops low enough he might be able to swap picks as we have lots of valuable assets.
I definitely can see Trev trading up if they really like a player that might be gone before our pick.... we having a lot of flexibility and assets coming into this draft which is exciting.
Just one guys opinion but Pronman sees the drop offs at 5 and 20. Based on that one would not pay a huge price to go from 15 to 10. He's got Provorov at 14, Kylington at 15, Bracco at 16, and Sprong at 17
Pure speculation, but I think that makes it more likely teams will flip picks in that 5-20 range. Should be interesting.
Drafting 15th overall makes it much easier to accept elimination.
I hope that they pick any sort of defense prospect, since none of the top 4 dmen on the flames are "young" except Brodie. There is also a lack of high-end defense prospects throughout the organization. There is a plethora of decent D-prospects, but no outstanding ones. It might be wise to pick a few d-prospects in the second and third round as well. A lot of defense seemed to be picked in the second round.
If they decide to pick a forward by strictly picking the best player available, which they probably will, I would rather the Flames pick someone with high offensive potential than someone with only size/grit.
Timo Meier or Yevgeni Svechnikov seem a lot more "elite" than someone like Paul Bittner. Meier and Svechnikov are both still have pretty good size as well. These are the type of guys the Flames should get if they decide to go with a forward.
Monahan23's top 3 picks look great. Get er done Brad and Brian!
I think they need to draft the player they think will be the best NHLer big that is a LW or C you still do it. Drafting for need only makes sense if touchable 2 players ranked really close together and one addresses a need and the other is surplus.
You think he would be drafted before Hanifin? I just can't see it Hanafin is getting massive hype for a couple years
Just my bold prediction. I think some scouts might see more of a wow factor with Provorov, and the fact that he's been a huge riser in this year's draft might cause some teams to take him in the Top 5.
Both of my boys have grown up in Lake Bonavista hockey and I've been a try-out evaluator and coordinator in Bonavista over the last 10 years. I remember coming home years ago and telling my wife that I've just seen "the next one" when I evaluated Nick Merkley in Atom. Nick is a joy to watch and is also a great kid with great parents. Fantastic work ethic and a kid that genuinely loves the game. He still comes home during breaks from Kelowna and he's out on the lake playing shinny with the kids every day. I know he's not the biggest kid but I'd be ecstatic with the Flames picking him at 15 if he's there.
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Pipe dream I know, but I'd love it if Crouse fell to us. I've seen him projected outside the top 10 a couple of times in recent weeks. I can't imagine he'd slip past LA though.
I like Crouse's size and skating, but I just don't see the elite skill level that others players that should be available to the Flames have exhibited. I'd pass on Crouse for someone like Meier or Svechnikov if they were available, but that's just my 2 bits.
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