2015 NHL Draft

[sureLoss]

Kyle Woodlief breaks down his top 10 forwards of the draft:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...chel/28687005/

Also names a sleeper pick.

[Gaskal]

My big two are Merkley and J. Roy. Both fill needs of position (RW & RD) for the Flames and are also arguably the BPA at around 15th overall. Those are the two names I see most on mock drafts everywhere.

[Mattman]

^ Wow just came into this thread to write about how my Top two choices at 15th Overall are Merkley and Jeremy Roy.

Flames could definitely use either of the two and have them grow into right handed naturals. Jones is our only natural RW and Wideman is our only RH defenseman (Diaz and Potter but neither will probably be back) in our top 6. And by the time Merkley/Roy is NHL ready Jones/Wideman will be super old or gone.

Wouldn't mind it at all if we picked them.

[Racki]

How early does Connor Garland go? I almost want to take a flier on him but not until the 3rd round. Is he still there at 75?

[GranteedEV]

So here's how my draft list goes if I'm the Flames. Assuming McDavid, Eichel, Marner, Provorov, Hanifin, Werenski, Strome are simply out of the question.

1) Barzal - a stud. Hoping he falls to 15, or we trade up with Florida...which still requires him to fall to 11
2) Connor - another stud. Dunno where the fit for him is on the team, the only LW I don't mind drafting.
3) Boeser - just keeps growing on me. I don't mind if the Flames go way off the board and just take him at 15.
4) Roy - He's not Provorov, but looks like the next best thing.
5) Chabot - A lot of reports seem to be saying he's closer to the Werensky/Hanifin/Provorov group than the Roy/Zboril/Kylington group. That's encouraging.
6) Kylington - okay, fine, roll the dice and see if we get a HoFer or a 2nd round pick from the Canucks
7) Sprong - not quite Kovalchuk 2.0, but seems to have a strong skillset for a right wing.
8) Carlo - I don't consider him a reach, even if his offensive upside is more limited, I still like the package he brings.
9) Zboril - Could be the Hjalmarsson to Giordano's Keith and Brodie's Keith.

Any of those 8, preferably taken in that exact order depending on who's on the board, and I will be happy with the draft. Not that I'd be disappointed with Konecny, Crouse, Raantanen, Svechnikov, or Guryanov, Merkley, or Meier.

[FlameZilla]

Is the main knock on Kylington that he's not physically very strong and gets knocked off the puck easily by larger forwards?

It's tough; he obviously has the skill to be elite offensively, and he has elite wheels, but I could see how he might get eaten alive by teams with big, physical forwards. All I'm saying is he might not be a great fit in the Pacific division.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Is the main knock on Kylington that he's not physically very strong and gets knocked off the puck easily by larger forwards?

It's tough; he obviously has the skill to be elite offensively, and he has elite wheels, but I could see how he might get eaten alive by teams with big, physical forwards. All I'm saying is he might not be a great fit in the Pacific division.

That's a legitimate concern but some strength building will surely occur before he gets a look in the bigs.

[868904]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Is the main knock on Kylington that he's not physically very strong and gets knocked off the puck easily by larger forwards?

It's tough; he obviously has the skill to be elite offensively, and he has elite wheels, but I could see how he might get eaten alive by teams with big, physical forwards. All I'm saying is he might not be a great fit in the Pacific division.

He also reportedly performed poorly at all of the international tournaments. If he has one bad tournament, that's understandable, but when he doesn't impress at all international competition, hat has to raise some serious red flags.

Ultimately, you want guys who step up when it matters, and he seems like a guy who has all the skill in the world, but fails when the spotlight is on him.

I don't know if you gamble a high pick on a guy like that.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by 868904

He also reportedly performed poorly at all of the international tournaments. If he has one bad tournament, that's understandable, but when he doesn't impress at all international competition, hat has to raise some serious red flags.

Ultimately, you want guys who step up when it matters, and he seems like a guy who has all the skill in the world, but fails when the spotlight is on him.

I don't know if you gamble a high pick on a guy like that.

He was dealing with a back injury though which impacted his play. To what extent is unknown.

[Burke Salad]

Why are we not considering Brandon Carlo more?

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by Burke Salad

Why are we not considering Brandon Carlo more?

Big, decent skater with little to no offensive upside. Sounds a lot like what we already have in Kanzig so why double up there instead of adding a stud C, RW or offensive dman?

[868904]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

Big, decent skater with little to no offensive upside. Sounds a lot like what we already have in Kanzig so why double up there instead of adding a stud C, RW or offensive dman?

I don't think Kanzig should factor in to any draft decisions. As for why Carlo is not getting the love, offensive players hold higher value to fans, but you are right, maybe there should be greater interest in him. When Shea Weber was drafted he had a measly 18 points in 70 games but had size, mobility and a booming shot, which is basically the description of Carlo. Not saying that is what he will become but you never know how players will develop.

[DropIt]

Paul Bittner seems to be flying under the radar. Good size, skill and skating ability

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

Big, decent skater with little to no offensive upside. Sounds a lot like what we already have in Kanzig so why double up there instead of adding a stud C, RW or offensive dman?

Kanzig is a terrible skater.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by 868904

I don't think Kanzig should factor in to any draft decisions. As for why Carlo is not getting the love, offensive players hold higher value to fans, but you are right, maybe there should be greater interest in him. When Shea Weber was drafted he had a measly 18 points in 70 games but had size, mobility and a booming shot, which is basically the description of Carlo. Not saying that is what he will become but you never know how players will develop.

The scouting reports that I have read said he will have a below average shot and offensive skills at the next lebel

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

The scouting reports that I have read said he will have a below average shot and offensive skills at the next lebel

But Calgary needs a big, mobile, physical defenceman more than anything right now. Doesn't hurt that he's a right handed shot either.

[ForeverFlameFan]

If Carlo is at 45, pick him. We should not be picking him at 15.

[codynw]

Carlo is the reason I want the Flames to acquire another first.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by codynw

Carlo is the reason I want the Flames to acquire another first.

I'd rather pick Boeser/Zboril/Chabot with an extra 1st.

I'm not very high on Carlo.

[Red Menace]

For me Carlo is in the 25 to 35 range....he might fall to 45, but from all accounts he's not quite good enough to pick at #15