2016 NHL Draft

[SebC]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Edmonton would naturally match anything McDavid receives, but think what would happen if the Flames offered 7/$75M.

If it works, we get Connor McDavid. If it doesn't work, we still make Edmonton pay McDavid VASTLY more than they want.

I'm all for this.

The downside of this plan is that would you really want Connor McDavid at a price that's VASTLY more expensive than would be good for Edmonton - and give up draft picks to do so?

If the deal's no good for Edmonton, then it would be also no good for us.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by flamesforcup

if we were offered OEL straight accross for #1 if we won would u guys do it?
gio-brodie
OEL-hamilton

that dcore would make up for any deficiencys the forwards have

Absolutely not.

[flamesforcup]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Absolutely not.

hes a top 10 dman (arguably top 5) and younger than brodie. I dont see why not. Although arizona would never offer that

[flamesforcup]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Edmonton would naturally match anything McDavid receives, but think what would happen if the Flames offered 7/$75M.

If it works, we get Connor McDavid. If it doesn't work, we still make Edmonton pay McDavid VASTLY more than they want.

I'm all for this.

that would be hilarious. But we should make sure all our important RFAs are locked up before we do.

[JiriHrdina]

You aren't taking into account cap considerations though. OEL is already at big bucks - Matthews wouldn't be for 3 years.

[flamesforcup]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

You aren't taking into account cap considerations though. OEL is already at big bucks - Matthews wouldn't be for 3 years.

thats a good point.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

What makes you so sure?

The cost would be something along the lines of Domi, Duclair, OEL, + 2017 1st rounder. Not a chance do I see ARZ making that trade.

Are you suggesting all 4 assets, or one of the 3 players + the 1st?

I assume the latter. If it's the former, that is ridiculous over-payment

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

What makes you so sure?

The cost would be something along the lines of Domi, Duclair, OEL, + 2017 1st rounder. Not a chance do I see ARZ making that trade.

Not even remotely close.

[SportsJunky]

Matthews should be the pick if Calgary is (un?)lucky enough to get a shot at him. The more I watch Bennett the more he screams winger to me. Matthews would be a great fit down the middle.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by KipperFaNaTic

Would drafting Matthews be smart considering we already have monahan and bennet as our future top 2 centers? How much better is Matthews over Laine/Puljujarvi really, because if it's only by a small margin, I rather draft Laine/Puljujarvi as Monahan and Gaudreau need a right winger.

Yeah I think you take Matthews if you think he's the best player available and so far it seems like he is. Centres are more valuable and important to a team's success than wingers. Bennett can obviously do a great job on wing if we need.

We're in a no-lose situation at the top end of this draft because we can use a #1 centre, 1st line winger, or top 2 defenseman. So any of Matthews, Laine, Puljujarvi, Tkachuk or Chychrun would fill one of those spots.

Flames have the luxury of just taking the best player available. We don't need to force any particular position IMO.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Yeah I think you take Matthews if you think he's the best player available and so far it seems like he is. Centres are more valuable and important to a team's success than wingers. Bennett can obviously do a great job on wing if we need.

We're in a no-lose situation at the top end of this draft because we can use a #1 centre, 1st line winger, or top 2 defenseman. So any of Matthews, Laine, Puljujarvi, Tkachuk or Chychrun would fill one of those spots.

Flames have the luxury of just taking the best player available. We don't need to force any particular position IMO.

That's the main reason why a top 5 pick is absolutely necessary. Any of them would be an awesome add to the team. Each player would have its own impact on what the corresponding moves would be. If you get one of the Fins, the need to get a 1st line RW through UFA/trade becomes less important and you could get away with targeting a Hudler type guy instead of an Okposo type. Chickren (pronounced like Children but Chick instead) would eliminate the need to replace any of Russell/Wideman/Engelland/Smid. Matthews would keep Bennett on the wing and Tkachuk would make Bennett a center and the Flames would require an Okposo type RW.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

That's the main reason why a top 5 pick is absolutely necessary. Any of them would be an awesome add to the team. Each player would have its own impact on what the corresponding moves would be. If you get one of the Fins, the need to get a 1st line RW through UFA/trade becomes less important and you could get away with targeting a Hudler type guy instead of an Okposo type. Chickren (pronounced like Children but Chick instead) would eliminate the need to replace any of Russell/Wideman/Engelland/Smid. Matthews would keep Bennett on the wing and Tkachuk would make Bennett a center and the Flames would require an Okposo type RW.

Dunno if a top 5 pick is "necessary." Dubois could be a top 2 line key player. Gauthier may be a 1st line RW in the NHL. Sergachev and Juolevi could be top 3 defensemen. Top 10 pick could solve the same hole a top 5 pick would, its just less of a sure thing, lower upside perhaps. So we're sitting pretty as a top 10 pick looks almost assured and a top 5 pick is reasonably likely.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Yeah, not sure where this "top five" talk is permeating from. Really it's a top one of Matthews, followed by the Finns in the next year. Those three would round out the "top three". After that there are no two players are are clear above the rest that would include in a top five, certainly not enough to worry if we're not in that tier.

After Matthews and the Finns you've got a plethora of guys that could be slotted into the fourth and fifth spot. The go to guys seem to be Matthew Tkachuk and Jakob Chychrun but would no one be surprised if Michael McLeod, Pierre-Luc Dubiois, or Alexander Nylander sneak into those spots.

Not a top five IMO, it's top three. And if the Flames finish outside that we're still in great position to get a top player.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Bob Mackenzie's mid-term rankings come out next week I believe should be interesting.

It does seem to be a top tier of 3 (Matthews, Laine, Puljujarvi). But as always expect difference of opinion. There's probably some teams that have Chychrun top 3. There's probably some teams that have Tkachuk top 3. There's maybe some teams that have Nylander top 3. There's probably some teams that like Juolevi top 5.

I don't think its a top tier of 3 and then a huge drop off. I see a top 10 of really attractive players. As always the Flames could get a guy they have top 3 at #4 or 5. They could get a guy they have top 5 at #6 or 7. Looks like a great top 10-15 this year.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

You aren't taking into account cap considerations though. OEL is already at big bucks - Matthews wouldn't be for 3 years.

Lots of cap money coming off in the next 2 seasons, not an issue in my eyes for what could be the best D man in the NHL. Look at his numbers on the crappy Arizona team, unreal. The Yotes would never do it though so it doesn't matter.

[Vulcan]

Somehow I get the feeling we'll end up with Alexander Nylander. He's not the power forward we'd like but he's greatly skilled and for whatever it's worth born in Calgary.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Somehow I get the feeling we'll end up with Alexander Nylander. He's not the power forward we'd like but he's greatly skilled and for whatever it's worth born in Calgary.

Depends where we're drafting. It could happen if we're picking 8-10 and he slides to there. If we're drafting any higher I'd find it hard to believe he'd be the best player available on our list. I think the Flames value work ethic, physicality, etc higher than some teams so the pure skill guys often are ranked slightly lower for us I would guess. I would guess a Treliving run team might value top 2-3 defenders higher than highly skilled average sized wingers.

Wouldn't surprise me if the Flames scouts see many of the following ahead of Nylander:
Matthews, Laine, Puljujarvi, Tkachuk, Chychrun, Juolevi, Sergachev, Dubois

So my personal guess is he'd be in the 7-9 range on our list. We'll probably pick high enough that he won't be BPA on our list IMO.

[druetetective]

Will be interesting to see if Juolevi or Sergachev or even a forward not named Tkachuk can surpass Chychrun on Bob's ranking. Doubt it but we'll see.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Dunno if a top 5 pick is "necessary." Dubois could be a top 2 line key player. Gauthier may be a 1st line RW in the NHL. Sergachev and Juolevi could be top 3 defensemen. Top 10 pick could solve the same hole a top 5 pick would, its just less of a sure thing, lower upside perhaps. So we're sitting pretty as a top 10 pick looks almost assured and a top 5 pick is reasonably likely.

Necessary is not the right word, perhaps heavily preferred would be better.

The top 4 guys - Matthews, Laine, Puljujarvi, and Chychrun are all looking like legit first line guys of the same caliber of potential as Bennett and Gaudreau.

After that, question marks start to creep in. Several of the next group could become legit 1st line talents like Dubois and Sergachev, but there's more of a chance that they'll be quality 2nd line/pair players. I'd be pleased with pretty much any one of the top 10, but getting a star calibre prospect is obviously better than someone who is a step down from there.

Lots of good players in the top 10 and some quality guys extending through the back half of the first round if the Flames acquire a second first.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

The top 4 guys - Matthews, Laine, Puljujarvi, and Chychrun are all looking like legit first line guys of the same caliber of potential as Bennett and Gaudreau.

I know some definitely won't agree because of player preferences but I would be pretty thrilled to get Tkachuk as well. I think he's the type of player that could make room for a Gaudreau. I think he's the type of player that would compliment our skilled centres, make room for them, finish plays, make nice little passes, get garbage goals, win board battles, screen the goalie, make us harder to play against. He looks like a legit 1st line power forward. Powerforwards are always complimentary guys but the work they do is invaluable and so are they. So for me there's 5 guys I'm more excited about rather than 4. People ask if Tkachuk can drive the offence himself. I wouldn't be looking for him to do that based on what I know about his game. He just has to play that complimentary, power forward style game. Crash the net, win board battles, make nice shots and passes in tight. Imagine him with Gaudreau and Bennett, wowza that line would be deadly. Adding Tkachuk would allow us to have a power forward on each of the top two lines if Ferland continues to develop. That would be ideal.

Right now for me its a top tier of 2 guys (Matthews/Laine) and then a small drop off to the next 3 (Puljujarvi, Tkachuk, Chychrun). That said I haven't seen these guys a ton so my confidence on that opinion is so so