2016 Draft Combine

[Mass_nerder]

Is comparing every prospect to Colborne not the running joke right now on CP?
If not, I might have to remove my thanks from The Fonz

[Drak]

Nylander combine interview

http://media.wgr550.com/theme/8015/a...he-bulldog.htm

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by New Era

Pure skill player that doesn't do great when the games get physical? How do you not see the similarity?

Better than a point per game in international tournaments. Two points a game in OHL playoffs. Maybe he faded in some games? Overall looks like he does just fine under pressure.

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by New Era

Still torn on him. He reminds me of Ales Hemsky, and that concerns me.

How many players from this draft do you think will play over 800 games in the NHL and put up 565 pts? I think if we get that player at 6 we're doing OK

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Are you saying that because he's European, do you have proof or are just assuming?

Observation? Don't care if he's European, North American, or from Mars, he plays a pure skill game. He'll never be confused for north-south player and is not a guy to engage the opposition in physical play, even at the junior level. Just my perspective on the player. I'm a huge proponent of drafting a pure RW, but I am concerned he won't fit in on the Flames, especially if they bring in a black and blue system coach.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Not even remotely.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by New Era

Observation? Don't care if he's European, North American, or from Mars, he plays a pure skill game. He'll never be confused for north-south player and is not a guy to engage the opposition in physical play, even at the junior level. Just my perspective on the player. I'm a huge proponent of drafting a pure RW, but I am concerned he won't fit in on the Flames, especially if they bring in a black and blue system coach.

Not everyone in the lineup has to play a black and blue style. This team could use some skill players, with Johnny and hopefully Nylander. A team needs snipers and playmakers to do things with the puck that the bruisers work for. It doesn't hurt to have pure skilled forwards on your team at all, a balance is what makes you successful.

[Steve Bozek]

Originally Posted by New Era

Observation? Don't care if he's European, North American, or from Mars, he plays a pure skill game. He'll never be confused for north-south player and is not a guy to engage the opposition in physical play, even at the junior level. Just my perspective on the player. I'm a huge proponent of drafting a pure RW, but I am concerned he won't fit in on the Flames, especially if they bring in a black and blue system coach.

I can't think of any black and blue system NHL coaches that wouldn't want some skilled players on their team. Even neanderthals like Don Cherry recognize the need for a balance of skilled and "north-south" players.

[ignite09]

The Flames would benefit from any of Keller/Nylander/Brown. That's the best part of being a rebuilding team with lots of holes in the lineup, none of these guys are redundant.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Not everyone in the lineup has to play a black and blue style. This team could use some skill players, with Johnny and hopefully Nylander. A team needs snipers and playmakers to do things with the puck that the bruisers work for. It doesn't hurt to have pure skilled forwards on your team at all, a balance is what makes you successful.

Originally Posted by Steve Bozek

I can't think of any black and blue system NHL coaches that wouldn't want some skilled players on their team. Even neanderthals like Don Cherry recognize the need for a balance of skilled and "north-south" players.

You're right. Not everyone has to play that black and blue game. I just want to make sure we draft the right guys, knowing there are only so many slots available for guys who play a small game. Like it or not, the Flames need to get bigger and play a bigger game. You put Nylander in the lineup, what does that mean for Shinkaruk or even Mangiapagne down the line? Is Nylander the right fit in our top six, because Nylander plays top six or he likely doesn't play. This is a concern is it not? You might see two smallish-skilled guys, or guys that play small, in the lineup at any one time. Is Nylander the guy that fills the 2nd spot? That is probably the question the Flames are mulling over too.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by New Era

You're right. Not everyone has to play that black and blue game. I just want to make sure we draft the right guys, knowing there are only so many slots available for guys who play a small game. Like it or not, the Flames need to get bigger and play a bigger game. You put Nylander in the lineup, what does that mean for Shinkaruk or even Mangiapagne down the line? Is Nylander the right fit in our top six, because Nylander plays top six or he likely doesn't play. This is a concern is it not? You might see two smallish-skilled guys, or guys that play small, in the lineup at any one time. Is Nylander the guy that fills the 2nd spot? That is probably the question the Flames are mulling over too.

I don't see Shinkaruk having a problem as he likes to play a sandpaper kind of game. Can't speak for Mangiapane as I haven't seen him play much myself.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by New Era

Like it or not, the Flames need to get bigger and play a bigger game. You put Nylander in the lineup, what does that mean for Shinkaruk or even Mangiapagne down the line? Is Nylander the right fit in our top six, because Nylander plays top six or he likely doesn't play. This is a concern is it not? You might see two smallish-skilled guys, or guys that play small, in the lineup at any one time. Is Nylander the guy that fills the 2nd spot? That is probably the question the Flames are mulling over too.

The hyperbole around a need for size never ceases to astound me.

This is the top 9 forward group of the team currently leading the NHL Finals:

5'9" Sheary - Crosby - 5'11" Hornqvist
6'0" Kunitz - Malkin - 5'11" Bryan Rust
5'10" Hagelin - 6'1" Bonino - 6'0" Kessel

That's a whopping two players who ever have any physical advantage over their opposition (Malkin / Crosby), and Crosby is not even a big player, he just plays a heavy style not unlike Sam Bennett. This team is suffocating the West champs and came a perfect OT shot away from going up 3-0.

Now if Nylander lacks the motor to succeed at the NHL level, that's a different criticism and has nothing to do with size. Then again, so does Kessel.

Skill, speedy and tenacious forechecking, and tight backchecking are what matter in today's game.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

Is comparing every prospect to Colborne not the running joke right now on CP?

That joke is like a better running version of Joe Colborne.

[Trailer Fire]

Originally Posted by New Era

You're right. Not everyone has to play that black and blue game. I just want to make sure we draft the right guys, knowing there are only so many slots available for guys who play a small game. Like it or not, the Flames need to get bigger and play a bigger game. You put Nylander in the lineup, what does that mean for Shinkaruk or even Mangiapagne down the line? Is Nylander the right fit in our top six, because Nylander plays top six or he likely doesn't play. This is a concern is it not? You might see two smallish-skilled guys, or guys that play small, in the lineup at any one time. Is Nylander the guy that fills the 2nd spot? That is probably the question the Flames are mulling over too.

I don't like Nylander at all, but even I, who to a degree blindly hates him, knows his game is nothing like Mangiapane or Shinkaruk. Both those players have limited but high skill levels and play very gritty despite their size. Nylander is much, much, much more skilled than those two, but isn't as grind-y. A Nylander type player would fit well on our top line, whereas Shink and Eat Bread will likely be more suited for our middle 6. Complete apples to oranges.

[oldschoolcalgary]

anyone can look at the scoring leaders from last season; there's no skew towards guys over the NHL average of 6'1" in the top thirty for forwards....

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by New Era

Pure skill player that doesn't do great when the games get physical? How do you not see the similarity?

I think I have pointed this out before but I don't think you have ever seen him play. Nylander is fine in physical games, he is not afraid to go the dirty areas to score at all. He will take a hit to make a play. His shot is already much better than Hemsky's ever was. His hockey IQ and ability to think the game at a fast pace is much better than Hemsky. I don't see the comparison.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Take the talent at # 6 unless you trade up for a higher pick (which is what I think will happen).

Interesting. What are you thinking the Flames move out to move up?

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Interesting. What are you thinking the Flames move out to move up?

I wonder if the Blue Jackets might be interested in Backlund and/or Colborne. They're a bit weak at C since the Johansson trade.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I think I have pointed this out before but I don't think you have ever seen him play. Nylander is fine in physical games, he is not afraid to go the dirty areas to score at all. He will take a hit to make a play. His shot is already much better than Hemsky's ever was. His hockey IQ and ability to think the game at a fast pace is much better than Hemsky. I don't see the comparison.

I think I've mentioned this before, I think you're a too close to the player in question to be objective. People who become emotionally invested in players routinely look past their most obvious flaws and try to make excuses for their shortcomings. You know, kind of like the Iginla apologists did the last three years of his career in Calgary, and continue to do since his departure. As I have said in the past, I watch the Steelheads and the guy I come away impressed with is Michael McLeaod, because he plays the NHL game. Nylander plays a pretty game, very similar to Hemsky when he as in the QMJHL. Of course you don't see the similarity to Hemsky, that would require you to admit he has shortcomings. Hemsky was decent in junior, but buttery soft in the NHL. Nylander is about as proficient in the dirty areas as Hemsky was. There are going to be people that suggest getting a player of Hemsky in the draft would be a success, but how much has Hemsky contributed to a winner? That is exactly why Nylander scares me. I'm not certain he has what it takes to contribute to a winner. That is my greatest concern about him and why I would consider other players over him.

[Monahan For Mayor]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

I wonder if the Blue Jackets might be interested in Backlund and/or Colborne. They're a bit weak at C since the Johansson trade.

They aren't weak at C depth. They have good C depth. They are just lacking a true #1, which both the mentioned players are not.