Trying to get a good understanding of the players in this draft. Can anyone with more insight give their opinion as to which forward(s)- of the ones likely to be available within the range of the flames’ pick - has the most raw/pure skill? Even if they have other “warts” to their game such as being small/poor defensive game, etc.
Obviously this draft is tough to judge… but I’m looking for that player that people seem to find excuses not to draft even though they are a true top end talent... resulting in them falling outside the top ten or even into the second/third round. I’m seeing guys like Barzal/Point/Kucherov looking so dominant in the playoffs and I’m sure there were lots of teams that found reasons not to draft them despite the pure raw talent they had. I think you have to take the risk when drafting outside the top 10. Getting a sure-fire 3rd liner is fine sometimes but it’s obvious from this years playoffs that those types of players can be found easily through trade/veteran signings with guys like staal/perry/palmeri/pageau/zajac, etc.
A great example of a player that I’m certain many teams will regret skipping over is Hendrix Lapierre from the 2020 draft. I think he’s going to be an offensive star in the league and he got drafted with the 22nd pick. Draft the guys with high-end skill… and try to fix the problems in their game. It’s easier to fix those problems than to try to find scoring in players that just don’t have the talent.
Trying to get a good understanding of the players in this draft. Can anyone with more insight give their opinion as to which forward(s)- of the ones likely to be available within the range of the flames’ pick - has the most raw/pure skill? Even if they have other “warts” to their game such as being small/poor defensive game, etc.
Obviously this draft is tough to judge… but I’m looking for that player that people seem to find excuses not to draft even though they are a true top end talent... resulting in them falling outside the top ten or even into the second/third round. I’m seeing guys like Barzal/Point/Kucherov looking so dominant in the playoffs and I’m sure there were lots of teams that found reasons not to draft them despite the pure raw talent they had. I think you have to take the risk when drafting outside the top 10. Getting a sure-fire 3rd liner is fine sometimes but it’s obvious from this years playoffs that those types of players can be found easily through trade/veteran signings with guys like staal/perry/palmeri/pageau/zajac, etc.
A great example of a player that I’m certain many teams will regret skipping over is Hendrix Lapierre from the 2020 draft. I think he’s going to be an offensive star in the league and he got drafted with the 22nd pick. Draft the guys with high-end skill… and try to fix the problems in their game. It’s easier to fix those problems than to try to find scoring in players that just don’t have the talent.
Another player that’s not getting enough love is Oskar Olausson, mostly because he’s a winger, as opposed to a Center. Dude put up amazing numbers in Sweden, and has it all-size, speed, high-end hands, and vision. I would be delighted to pick him at 12.
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Another player that’s not getting enough love is Oskar Olausson, mostly because he’s a winger, as opposed to a Center. Dude put up amazing numbers in Sweden, and has it all-size, speed, high-end hands, and vision. I would be delighted to pick him at 12.
Definitely a riser that I've seen lately.
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RHD Ryan Mast,6'4"190lbs (Sarnia,OHL) 2019-20: 58gp/1g/10a/11pts,31PIM. Mast was a 9th round pick by the Sting in 2019, made the team last year as a long shot, and became more than just a complimentary player-he became the focal point of the team's defense. Physically gifted and intelligent, he pushes the pace from the back-end with a myriad of translatable skills. If the OHL was playing this year, this kid would be in the top-2 rounds of this draft, as he has the tools to take a few steps forward. This is the type of player that watches a ton of film in an effort to constantly improve. In his rookie year, he was one of the OHL's scholastic players of the month, so he's very intelligent off the ice as well as on.
Mast's skating stands out, as he has elusiveness, an impressive first-step, and proficiency in skating out of congestion. Long, powerful strides, and a good burst when hustling after a puck. Very impressive mobility for a guy his size. Though he hasn't put up the numbers to show it, he has sound offensive instincts, and he's choosy about when to join the rush, and when to hang back, as he wont sacrifice his defensive duties-he will only invest in low-risk/ high-reward scenarios. Skates with his head up, always processing the play, and exhibits good puck control through traffic. Creates smart, clean zone exits with his vision, timing, and smooth passing ability. His stretch pass is an asset-he gathers the puck, takes a few strides, assesses the play, and delivers hard, accurate two-line passes. His puck distribution is top-notch-he can dish 45 degree angle passes through multiple layers of defense consistently. He understands how getting the puck into open space can lead to positive plays. Great passer off the rush, and off the cycle, and shows good acumen in finding difficult seams.
Mast's poise in his own end is top-notch, even under duress from a heavy forecheck. He's a defensive workhorse, and knows how to prevent entries-he's in the 85th percentile of the top-300 CHL players in entry prevention, and the 73rd percentile for defensive zone break-ups. Uses his quick, active stick to create turnovers at the blue lines, and can prolong time in the offensive zone, or start the transition the other way. Cleans up in the slot, takes shots away, and eliminates the screen-great net-front presence. Good reach to gain possession, and keep control. One of the most dependable, responsible defenders in this class-he's a problem-solver who outthinks his peers. Mast needs to develop a bigger, and better shot, and more deceptiveness in his game. He could also use a bit more zip in his step, but this kid is a gem-and may be a steal on draft day. Right now, he projects as a bottom-4 defenseman, with puck-moving capabilities, and time on special teams. 4th-6th round.
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C Ethan Cardwell,5'11"181lbs (Barrie,OHL): Started 2019-20 in Saginaw (37gp/12g/9a/21pts), where he was buried on a deep Spirit team. He gained more traction when he was traded to Barrie (26gp/11g/15a/26pts,20PIM), although he was still passed over in last year's draft. This year, with no OHL, he found a spot to play in Sweden's third-tier men's league, the HockeyEttan, where he aquitted himself amazingly well (18gp/9g/18a/27pts,22PIM)-third on his team, despite missing more than half of their games, and 11th in the league with 1.5 pts/gp. His game obviously took a major leap. This is a player that coaches love-he's not afraid of the dirty work, has lots of good tools, never takes a shift off, and is a pest.
Cardwell is constantly moving his feet, has a powerful stride, good first-step, and excellent acceleration. He can execute a tight turn radius, and has superb lateral agility to evade checkers. He has also vastly improved his top-speed. In transition, he can skate and stickhandle through the neutral zone and make clean entries, and he attacks open lanes with his powerful crossovers. He's relentless on the forecheck, and pressures the D into making mistakes. Great along the corners and walls, and plays a physical game. Cardwell possesses great vision and IQ, and is a creative passer-he can spot teammates through traffic, and in high-danger. He's got a powerful array of shots, and a lightning-quick release-with quick hands to change the angle of his shot, in order to fool goaltenders. Good at drawing in attackers to open space for others. He likes to park in front of the net on the PP, and at even-strength-he's adept at pouncing on rebounds, getting tips, and making himself available for passes.
Cardwell is a responsible 200-ft player, and uses his hockey-sense well in the defensive zone-he reads the play well, and gets into passing lanes to intercept, and turn the play the other way. He's aggressive down low, and helps out the D against the cycle. Applies unrelenting backpressure to the rush, causing misplays and turnovers. Many think EC will need a few more years of development, but he sure put up great numbers in Sweden, making me wonder if he's more NHL-ready than they think. He needs to get stronger if he wants to continue playing his style in the NHL, although he's quite good at using his stick against much bigger players, rather than wasting time trying to engage them physically. He also has to learn to be more patient when creating plays-he can rush into making mistakes sometimes-a problem he had in his draft year, that affects his decision-making. He's been pegged for the 5th-7th round, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him gone earlier.
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C/LW Nick DeGrazia,6'1"181lbs (Sudbury, OHL): Turned my head by being rated a "B" prospect by Central Scouting, meaning they expect him to be drafted in the 2nd/3rd round-the same as teammate Chase Stillman. In 2019-20, he played for Rayside Balfour of the NOJHL (46gp/32g/29a/61pts), a Junior A league on the same parallel as the AJHL and BCHL. He was 9th in p/gp (1.33), was named Rookie of the Year, and a first-team All-Star. He also played 4 games for Sudbury, scoring 2pts in 4 games. This year, with no OHL, he went back to Rayside Balfour, scoring 15pts in 10 games-good for 8th in the league for p/gp (1.5). Skilled winger with NHL-calibre speed. Good offensive hockey sense, he's put up big numbers everywhere he's gone. Could develop into a quality power-forward-he's been using his time to work on his 200-ft game, and his play without the puck.
C Deni Goure,5'10"159lbs (Owen Sound,OHL) 2019-20: 62gp/11g/14a/25pts, good numbers for a rookie. He doesn't turn 18 until July. Central Scouting changed his rating from a "C" to a "B" in January, and I'm not sure why. He models his game after Mitch Marner-his numbers point to a good offensive player, but his skating and defensive game (when he last played at the age of 16) get mixed reviews. He's not afraid to play physical, or battle in the dirty areas. Like DeGrazia, he says he's been working hard on his 200-ft game. A "B" rating suggests he's expected to be picked in the 2nd/3rd rounds, but I can't see that happening. If he gets chosen, it will be later down the line, if I had to guess.
RHD Simon Motew,6'1"176lbs (Kitchener,OHL) 2019-20: 34gp/1g/10a/11pts,21PIM, again-not bad numbers for a rookie defenseman. This year, with no OHL, he went back home to Chicago to play in the USPHL Premier League, a third-tier junior league. He put up 45pts in 21 games, 5th in the league in p/gp, and 1st for defense by a large margin. CS rates him as a "C" prospect-129th for North American skaters.
Last edited by Sandman; 08-02-2024 at 11:46 PM.
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It would only be an issue if they waited until year 3 to sign him. If he is NHL ready in a year or two, he could probably be enticed by a contract. Being a sure thing 1st rounder, I think it's likely the Flames would sign him before year 3.
With Fox, by the time he looked contract worthy and physically able to handle the AHL/NHL, he was already in year 3. By that time, he could see the UFA door and it was worth it to him to wait.
No. The Flames offered Fox a contract after his second year—a full year before they had signed Gaudreau who had just finished his third year. There was just no way they were signing Fox straight out of his rookie season in college.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woob
"...harem warfare? like all your wives dressup and go paintballing?"
Last year Pronman reported that the Flames were interested in Zary and even predicted the Kuznetsov pick in his expanded mock
From the article, on Lucius:
Quote:
12. Calgary Flames: Chaz Lucius, C, U.S. NTDP-USHL
If both goalies go before Calgary, the Flames have a chance to dictate how the rest of the first round goes. Lucius, Matthew Coronato and Fedor Svechkov are names I’ve heard mentioned with Calgary’s pick. Lucius’ stock dipped slightly in the eyes of teams over the season when he was healthy, but he’s right at the top of next grouping and should go right around this area
His boots may not be the best but everything else is tip top.
And honestly, of all the problem skaters we are looking at in this draft, I don't think we have seen Lucius' full capacity. I think he's going to surprise a lot of folk as early as camp for whichever team he skates for.
The rest of Lucius' game is precisely what we want. Play driver, good forchecking, killer shot from any way you want. Slick hands, playmaker and drives the center of the ice. Like Barzal.
Again, Lysell, Lucius, Schechkov, Sillinger, Raty will all be good picks. But I like Lysell and Lucius the most.
It's gonna be a good draft day.
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Okay here's a commentary on Lucius. I'm posting this because the narrator quotes a bunch of stuff from scouts. He's a Nucks fan and has Tyler Toffoli as his comparison.
Kind of breaks down everything for a casual peruser.
Okay here's a commentary on Lucius. I'm posting this because the narrator quotes a bunch of stuff from scouts. He's a Nucks fan and has Tyler Toffoli as his comparison.
Kind of breaks down everything for a casual peruser.
I thought the video would, you know, show some of Lucius' play....nope! NHL 21 gameplay with an annoying voice talking about Lucius.
I wouldn't take anything Pronman says with any level of seriousness. He too easily falls in love with players and can't weigh their warts with any level of consistency or credibility. He loves small skilled players and elevates them way too far up the draft IMO. When you review his past lists, he's way more miss than he is hit.
Lysell has developed a bit of a reputation of not being very team focused or coachable. That's probably why he's falling.
I wouldn't take anything Pronman says with any level of seriousness. He too easily falls in love with players and can't weigh their warts with any level of consistency or credibility. He loves small skilled players and elevates them way too far up the draft IMO. When you review his past lists, he's way more miss than he is hit.
Lysell has developed a bit of a reputation of not being very team focused or coachable. That's probably why he's falling.
Don't disagree about your observations about Pronman but I also enjoy reading different POVs. Similar to Button - he has his list, and it's his views. He doesn't get caught up in trying to create a list that aligns with others. I like looking across a few different views to help challenge my assumptions about certain players.
What I do like about Pronman is generally he values upside and skill. Which is entirely my view on how you should approach the draft - home run cuts in each round. Draft for franchise altering potential, not guys to play in your bottom 6. Ceiling over floor every time.
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2021 NHL Draft
