2019 NHL Draft Thread

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

Where is Knight projected to go?

I've seen mocks have him anywhere from 12 to the early 2nd. Average slotting is about 16-20.

[Robbob]

listening to the Button interview it sounds like the consensus is that if Knight is there at 26 they will run to the podium without second thoughts.

I also liked how Button admitted they don't have a goalie whisper so they just have to keep trying. I thought that was funny.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

Where is Knight projected to go?

It’s hard to say. Anywhere from 10-25 I guess?

Given it’s the best goalie in a few years I’m guessing he’ll go early teens but that’s just a guess.

[dammage79]

Sounds like they're high on Knight.

Matter of fact, if I read between the lines on buttons interview, if it's not knight, they're trading down.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I've seen mocks have him anywhere from 12 to the early 2nd. Average slotting is about 16-20.

Recently I've seen a lot of mocks with him going to Florida at 13.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Recently I've seen a lot of mocks with him going to Florida at 13.

Dale Tallon was talking about various scenarios where that pick was in play. The Panthers are willing to deal to move up or move down.

[icarus]

Now I feel old... Juuso Parsinnen's dad, Timo, was drafted in 2001...

[getbak]

Originally Posted by icarus

Now I feel old... Juuso Parsinnen's dad, Timo, was drafted in 2001...

If it makes you feel any better, he was 24 at the time. He was first eligible for the draft the same year as Iginla.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Loubo and Sam Cosentino have the Flames taking Edmonton Oil Kings defensemen Matthew Robertson on Sportsnet 960's Mock Draft show.

[oldschoolcalgary]

loubo had buyer's remorse after that pick though... seemed like Poulin could've have been the pick if he repicked...

he really wanted Leason though.

sure hope calgary gets a 2nd rounder

[868904]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

That’s some questionable logic.

1) our development team seems to have developed Rittich just fine which kind of invalidates your logic from the very start
2) you don’t seem to acknowledge the other parts of the equation, the goalies themselves are a bigger part of the equation than the development team.

Can’t have it both ways. You can’t blame our development team for Gillies and then give all the credit to Rittich for his development. Both the development team and the goalie are parts of the equation.

So the idea that we shouldn’t draft a goalie is quite a silly one.

Rittich came over as an older prospect. He played 43 games in the AHL under the Flames "development".

McDonald was the first goalie taken in his draft year. He has languished in the ECHL.

Gillies was highly rated and touted and had a disasterous season last year.

Parsons was highly touted, considered by many to be a top 50 prospect in the NHL a few years ago and has had two terrible seasons. I know injuries have played a big part but even when playing, he hasn't put up great numbers.

If we go even further back, the Flames have never developed their own goalie, other than Vernon.

Kipper was acquired in trade.

Some teams are really good at developing and churning out goalie prospects. The Flames are not. Developing goalies is not their strength. If you say they are good at developing goalies, then ok, sure, whatever you say.

But I think it's a waste of a first round pick given their track record. Especially seeing how many other prospects are available. Especially defense prospects, who the Flames are actually good at developing. Developing defensemen is their competitive advantage and they should utilize it.

I just realized that in this thread, Tod Button is quoted as joking that they don't have a goalie whisperer so they have to just keep trying. I think that says it all. Not even their own scouts are confident in their goalie coaches.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by 868904

Rittich came over as an older prospect. He played 43 games in the AHL under the Flames "development".

McDonald was the first goalie taken in his draft year. He has languished in the ECHL.

Gillies was highly rated and touted and had a disasterous season last year.

Parsons was highly touted, considered by many to be a top 50 prospect in the NHL a few years ago and has had two terrible seasons. I know injuries have played a big part but even when playing, he hasn't put up great numbers.

If we go even further back, the Flames have never developed their own goalie, other than Vernon.

Kipper was acquired in trade.

Some teams are really good at developing and churning out goalie prospects. The Flames are not. Developing goalies is not their strength. If you say they are good at developing goalies, then ok, sure, whatever you say.

But I think it's a waste of a first round pick given their track record. Especially seeing how many other prospects are available. Especially defense prospects, who the Flames are actually good at developing. Developing defensemen is their competitive advantage and they should utilize it.

I just realized that in this thread, Tod Button is quoted as joking that they don't have a goalie whisperer so they have to just keep trying. I think that says it all. Not even their own scouts are confident in their goalie coaches.

You made a lot of great points. I'd like to point out that prior to Andersson, Kylington, and I guess Kulak, the Flames had been struggling with defensemen as well. Since From 2005 to 2015, basically only Brodie was drafted and developed by the Flames and played over 200 games. You can also argue that the Flames drafted and developed Curtis McElhinney and Trevor Kidd.

I think the Flames should continue to draft a goalie every other year. Until they draft and develop a goalie, I don't think they should be using first round picks on them. They've already wasted like 5 first round picks on goalies over the years. Second/Third round? Go ahead.

But based on the Flames' track record, 1st round picks are too much of a gamble when it comes to goalies. Guys like Irving, Parsons, Gillies all had good seasons after their drafts. They seemed like good picks. It seems like maybe development is the larger problem.

[oldschoolcalgary]

if Knight falls to 26, it would be a no brainer, and that's coming from someone that is not a fan of drafting goalies in the first...wouldn't move up to pick him though and i don't think there's a goalie i'd risk picking at 26.

Loubo and Constino had an interesting discussion wrt to goalies; of the 17 goalies in the playoffs (they said McE and Mrazek esesntially split the duties) only 3 were first rounders... maybe Knight is different, but i'd rather see someone else roll the dice

[sureLoss]

Steinberg on 960 says he knows for a fact Robertson is high on the Flames list

[neo45]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Steinberg on 960 says he knows for a fact Robertson is high on the Flames list

That’s cool. He sounds like he has no weaknesses but is getting underrated because he isn’t flashy

Watching the Stanley Cup Finals you can see how valuable tall shutdown guys are. He plays like Parayko

*assuming he means Matthew Robertson?

[1qqaaz]

And speaking of historical drafting and developing, the Flames have always been extremely effective at picking small-skilled players.

My top 5 choices for forwards are:

1) Bobby Brink - I think he has the highest upside out of anyone who might be available. Even his "downside" is probably higher than that of guys like Leason. I also like how he's a RW who scores goals.

2) Ryan Suzuki - Not that small or skilled, but I like how he has a high hockey IQ and forces turnovers. Seems to be the type of player than can help a team win. Has consistency issues, but sometimes this can improve with age.

3) Nils Hoglander - Seems to have Hudler-like upside and Byron-like downside. I think that would be a fine pick for 26. I'm guessing that he'd be a pretty good possession player in the NHL. He's fast, but also strong with the puck for his size.

4) Connor McMichael - I wouldn't be surprised to see his numbers explode next season. The London Knights are great at developing. My only worry is that seems he slowed down as the season went on.

5) Raphael Lavoie - He's big and skilled, but I doubt he'll be available at this spot.

In terms of defense, potential options are Vladislav Kolyachonok, Lassi Thomson, Tobias Björnfot, Ville Heinola, or Matthew Robertson.
I'm not too sure what to think about these players. I'd be interested to hear what you guys have to say

[ComixZone]

Reading the Future Considerations report on Brayden Tracey makes him sound like the perfect late 1st round pick. Raw talent that could “pop”.

I’d be happy to see it happen tomorrow.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Steinberg on 960 says he knows for a fact Robertson is high on the Flames list

Pretty much the only D-man I'd be thrilled with at 26.

A lot of flashy smaller forwards that have top 6 upside if he's not there.

[dustygoon]

Can we get both Tracey and Robertson? Trade down would be so great.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by neo45

That’s cool. He sounds like he has no weaknesses but is getting underrated because he isn’t flashy

An eventual replacement for Hamonic perhaps?