2016 NHL Draft

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Am I the only one who thinks that drafting 8th-9th ISN'T the end of the world? Vancouver, Edmonton and Toronto would all likely be pushed out of the top 3. That would be sweet. The schadenfreude alone makes it worth it as 4-9 is really, really close.

If the top 3 go

1. Matthews
2. Laine
3. Puljujarvi

I won't care, if one of them drops.......

Watching the world Juniors, Puljujarvi was fantastic (I know, I know, limited viewing).

[Caged Great]

Regardless of where we pick this is how I would go. Take the highest remaining name on the list when it's time to select.

1. Matthews
2. Laine
3. Puljujarvi
4. Dubois
5. Chychrun
6. Nylander
7. Sergachev
8. Tkachuk (not a fan even though I think he'll likely be the Jets pick if they finish behind us and don't lotto pick)
9. Juolevi

If the Flames walk away at the end of all of this with McLeod, that'll be a huge disappointment due to the fact that we already have four Centers that are equal to him or better. I guess if the Flames want to make Bennett a winger with McLeod that could work, but I think it would be a largely redundant move. I'd possibly take Gauthier over him because at least he fits an area of weakness (although that would require the Flames trading down a few spots from 8 --> 12 or so, which may be a possibility)

I think at the end of the day if the Flames slide down to 8th, I think they may be better off trading down a few spots and grabbing another pick to take Gauthier. Say to NJ for 11 + 41. Might work.

[Canada 02]

~81% chance the Flames draft in the top 7; if one D-man goes in the top 6, the Flames will likely have a shot at Tkachuk or Nylander
if not, the Flames will have first crack at who ever is the best Dman in the draft -Chychrun, Juolevi or Sergachyov

any of those five names would be a great addition to the Flames prospect pool

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Am I the only one who thinks that drafting 8th-9th ISN'T the end of the world? Vancouver, Edmonton and Toronto would all likely be pushed out of the top 3. That would be sweet. The schadenfreude alone makes it worth it as 4-9 is really, really close.

It's far from the end of the world. Sounds like a lot of scouts think there's no drop off from 4th through 12.

But ideally you'd get your pick of the litter because you might be able to get someone who fits your immediate and long term needs the best. Ideally you might get a guy who can instantly contribute. And of course there is a slightly higher chance you win the lottery and get an elite prospect. And of course there would have been a small chance of trading up from #4 or #5 to get into that top 3 that is now lost IMO.

But you're right. We'll still get a top prospect. It is less likely to be one that steps in right away if we're picking 7-8th vs 5th. But the sun will still rise tomorrow

[icecube]

I'll be back on April 30th after the lottery win to say the following words: "I told ya so".

[Jacks]

If Chi can beat Stl we have a real shot at getting Dal's 1st rounder. Dal has mostly owned Chi this year but loses more often than not to Stl. The odds get even better when you consider that Stl usually chokes in the playoffs.

[Yoho]

If we get Dallas first, any chance we make an attractive package to move up to top 3?

[Calgary4LIfe]

McLeod's most NHL comparable (in my opinion) is Mike Fisher.

Now, that isn't a terrible thing at all. He is a center who plays a very, very good 200ft game, and is very dependable and flexible. He can play up and down the lineup in a pinch. He is a guy that does a lot of heavy lifting in order for a team to win. That to me is McLeod. I think McLeod will be a 3rd line center - a really good 3rd line center that does a lot of heavy lifting. I don't think he will be on a scoring line, but he will pitch in and give you good numbers from the depth.

I just think with guys like Backlund and Jankowski coming up the pipe, and with Bennett and Monahan, McLeod will be a pick that sees the Flames adding depth, not filling a hole.

If the Flames are going to pick a center, he better have the ceiling to displace an existing center, or at least have a high enough offensive ceiling to compliment the existing centers as a winger. Or, I want the Flames to draft a guy that has the ceiling of a top-line winger. Or, I want the Flames to draft a future top-pairing defencemen that is both physical and has a strong 2-way game to compliment the existing core.

Now, this is perhaps a bit much, but I rank Laine ahead of Mathews right now. Why? Mathews isn't a playmaking center. He is a sniping center. I think there is nobody better than Mathews in this draft at getting goals 10 feet or closer to the net - he is simply unreal at scoring from in-tight and knowing exactly where to go to get the puck from rebounds.

Laine is the better goal-scorer though. He does have the potential to get 40-50 goals in the NHL - that is his ceiling. He also provides a lot of size and some grit. He can score from distance. He can score in tight. He can make good passes. He can crunch a guy hard. He can make room for Gaudreau by simply being on the line - cheat to cover Gaudreau? Well, Laine gets it and scores. Being able to crunch guys along the boards and come away with the puck will compliment the top line very well too. I have Laine at #1 for the Flames.

[Soliak]

I'm a bit cranky about it but eh not the worst case scenario. Sucky thing is we won't get our top pick of the tier behind the two finns.

How do you guys rate the D?

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Soliak

I'm a bit cranky about it but eh not the worst case scenario. Sucky thing is we won't get our top pick of the tier behind the two finns.

How do you guys rate the D?

I want Sergachyev over Juolevi or Chychrun. Preference really. They're all really close.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Soliak

I'm a bit cranky about it but eh not the worst case scenario. Sucky thing is we won't get our top pick of the tier behind the two finns.

How do you guys rate the D?

Chychrun is close to Ekblad although a bit below and the other guys are pretty much equivalent (Sergachev is better in my opinion, but other people seem to love Juolevi)

Sergachev has similar potential to Provorov from last year.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Soliak

How do you guys rate the D?

Chychrun seems like the most complete package. One of the best skaters in the draft. Physically mature. He'll pass, rush the puck, defend, hit, and has a good point shot.

Sergachev is more raw. Ridiculous point shot. Loves to join or lead the rush. Excellent skater. Does have some physicality. Still needs to improve a bit in the defensive zone. Probably slightly higher offensive ceiling than Chychrun.

Juolevi is the calm, efficient puck mover that just makes good decision. Takes away space more than physically overpowering guys.

That's the impression I get anyways. Juolevi is the least exciting to me because I'd love the Flames to add some physicality to their top 4 long term and Chychrun and Sergachev seem a lot more physical to me while still having great skating and puck moving.

I don't get to see the OHL that much though so perhaps one of the OHL watchers can correct me if I got anything wrong there.

[Soliak]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Chychrun is close to Ekblad although a bit below and the other guys are pretty much equivalent (Sergachev is better in my opinion, but other people seem to love Juolevi)

Sergachev has similar potential to Provorov from last year.

Eh any one of those three would be good it seems. Have watched their highlight videos. Sergachev reminded me of Hamilton with his shot.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

~81% chance the Flames draft in the top 7; if one D-man goes in the top 6, the Flames will likely have a shot at Tkachuk or Nylander
if not, the Flames will have first crack at who ever is the best Dman in the draft -Chychrun, Juolevi or Sergachyov

any of those five names would be a great addition to the Flames prospect pool

Could easily be two dmen go in the 4-6 range and one of Tkachuk/Dubois could fall to 7th.

We should start figuring out who needs D. Seems like VAN, EDM and BUF are three obvious candidates from what I've heard/read. Obviously we'd need VAN or EDM to not win any of the lotteries but if either or both don't I think you could pencil in a d-man going at that spot.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Could easily be two dmen go in the 4-6 range and one of Tkachuk/Dubois could fall to 7th.

We should start figuring out who needs D. Seems like VAN, EDM and BUF are three obvious candidates from what I've heard/read. Obviously we'd need VAN or EDM to not win any of the lotteries but if either or both don't I think you could pencil in a d-man going at that spot.

Toronto needs everything, so they're going to go BPA - If they fall to fourth, I would be shocked if they didn't take Nylander.

Edmonton needs D, but will take whatever of the top 3 if they pick there. Chychrun or Matthews/Fins would be what I would expect.

Vancouver needs everything, more likely to take a D-man but will go BPA if in top 3.

Columbus has Savard, Jones, Murray, and Johnson on D, don't urgently need another one. Will likely take the best forward available. If in top 3, will take one, if 4th or 5th will likely take Dubois as he's close to Johansen in profile.

Winnipeg has plenty of D and needs forwards. Tkachuk makes a ton of sense both in terms of history and need, but they would easily take one of the top 3 and run.

Arizona needs scoring and defense, so they're going to likely take BPA regardless.

Buffalo could use someone to put with Ristolainen, although they have a ton of middle/bottom end D prospects. Depends on who/what is on the board.

Montreal needs everything, BPA

Colorado has a little of everything, but no real depth so BPA

NJ needs scoring primarily, but would likely take a D-man if the guy was better than the scoring options.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Columbus has Savard, Jones, Murray, and Johnson on D, don't urgently need another one. Will likely take the best forward available. If in top 3, will take one, if 4th or 5th will likely take Dubois as he's close to Johansen in profile.

Agreed. They have Werenksi as well, one of the best d-men prospects outside the NHL. So they are relatively stacked at defense after the Jones trade. I think Dubois could be the fit for them depending if they fall outside the top 3. They may have fixed their problems on defense but perhaps opened one up at centre by dealing Johansen. That Wennberg is a heck of a player though.

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Arizona needs scoring and defense, so they're going to likely take BPA regardless.

They actually have a ton of forward prospects. Almost an embarrassment of riches. That's part of why trading OEL for Matthews makes absolutely no sense at all for them.
http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-hockey-s-top-5...pects-1.436669
On Button's top prospect list they have:
#2 Strome (C)
#3 Dvorak (C)
#22 Garland (RW)
#44 Fischer (RW)
#47 MacInnis (C)

I think ARI could really use a top end d-man prospect.

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Buffalo could use someone to put with Ristolainen, although they have a ton of middle/bottom end D prospects. Depends on who/what is on the board.

Yep, BUF fans seem to think they need a LHD more than anything.

[FlamesNation23]

Okay just read up on Nylander and i'm on board with picking him if he is available at 6 or 7. Dosent address our need to add size but he seems very fast and skilled. Him playing with Bennett would give us great top 2 lines. We can try to address size through FA and trades hopefully

[d_phaneuf]

Crawford was on at the intermission, says he thinks Matthews can step right in to a top 6 and says the differences between him and McDavid would be that McDavid has the better top end speed while Matthews has a shot that he compared to Joe Sakic

[saillias]

Just wondering when does Future Considerations release a draft guide? I bought it off here last year. It was very good.

[BigTuna]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Toronto needs everything, so they're going to go BPA - If they fall to fourth, I would be shocked if they didn't take Nylander.

Edmonton needs D, but will take whatever of the top 3 if they pick there. Chychrun or Matthews/Fins would be what I would expect.

Vancouver needs everything, more likely to take a D-man but will go BPA if in top 3.

Columbus has Savard, Jones, Murray, and Johnson on D, don't urgently need another one. Will likely take the best forward available. If in top 3, will take one, if 4th or 5th will likely take Dubois as he's close to Johansen in profile.

Winnipeg has plenty of D and needs forwards. Tkachuk makes a ton of sense both in terms of history and need, but they would easily take one of the top 3 and run.

Arizona needs scoring and defense, so they're going to likely take BPA regardless.

Buffalo could use someone to put with Ristolainen, although they have a ton of middle/bottom end D prospects. Depends on who/what is on the board.

Montreal needs everything, BPA

Colorado has a little of everything, but no real depth so BPA

NJ needs scoring primarily, but would likely take a D-man if the guy was better than the scoring options.

They really don't need everything. They're pretty stacked upfront. They won't take Nylander 4th just because they have his bro. They'll take the BPA.