[News] With the 59th OA pick, the Flames select C Topi Rönni

[Bingo]

Two things that I feel are true.

1. You want a scouting staff with conviction. If you like someone take him. Don't worry about some fake consensus that doesn't exist, especially in a draft like this.

2. Flames scouts have done very well in the last four or five drafts in finding value. I know nothing about this player, but if they like him their recent success suggests I'm willing to give them the benefit of the result, and not over react to simple internet summaries and rankings.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

Super low upside players are not who you should be shooting for when you have 3 picks in the draft. Hate it.

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[Sylvanfan]

Obviously I know nothing about the player, but it's close to where McKenzie had him ranked which is a good indicator that NHL teams liked his game more than scouting services did.

I think at this point in the draft it's like 1 in 6 guys playing 200 career games type of thing. Wait and see what happens. We should have the answer by 2028.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

What would you project as potential upside?

I would say middle 6 center ala Backlund.

[Royle9]

Yes, all the scouts/hockey minds who put "projections" or "comparisons" out are completely wrong all of the time.

He's projected as a "safe" 4th liner in the NHL as his upside.

When you have 1 pick in the first 4 rounds, would it not make more sense to swing for the fences and go for a potential impact player? You guys can flame all you want, but at the end of the day this pick is a "safe" pick.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Hockey-and_stuff

Super low upside players are not who you should be shooting for when you have 3 picks in the draft. Hate it.

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I disagree. You want to get at least some NHL plays in each draft. If you've got a bunch of picks you can go for riskier guys because if they miss, you got 7 other guys who can hit.

[bax]

Not a huge fan based off who was available, but Flames scouting staff has earned my trust over the past few years so

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Yes, all the scouts/hockey minds who put "projections" or "comparisons" out are completely wrong all of the time.

He's projected as a "safe" 4th liner in the NHL as his upside.

When you have 1 pick in the first 4 rounds, would it not make more sense to swing for the fences and go for a potential impact player? You guys can flame all you want, but at the end of the day this pick is a "safe" pick.

I disagree, he is only 18, a lot can happen in the next few years especially if he is a fast skater and a big guy. I wouldn't say it was a safe pick.

Who is the guy you wanted in this spot that is "swinging for the fences"?

[SportsJunky]

From Pronman:
59. Topi Ronni, C, TAPPARA JR. (FINLAND-JR.)

May 5, 2004 | 6′ 2″ | 181 pounds

Tier: Has a chance to play games

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Background: Ronni has been a good junior player the last few years in Finland and was quite productive versus men when he got called up this season. He was also a top player for Finland’s U18 team.

Analysis: Ronni is a 6-foot-2 center with offensive ability. He has very good stick skills and vision, allowing him to create a lot of chances inside the offensive zone and be able to run a power play at the junior level. He’s not electric with the puck so I don’t think in the pros he’ll be a primary play driver but he’ll be able to score at higher levels. His compete is good enough. Ronni won’t run guys over but he uses his size to win battles and be reliable defensively. His skating will be the one area that will hold him back versus better players and why I can’t yet stamp him as an NHLer despite the rest of the tool kit looking strong enough.

[Macho0978]

The Flames have drafted well so I trust their scouts as well but this to me looks like a good trade down scenario and try and snag another pick.

Also like every other decision that needs to be made it depends how on Johnny. Don’t mind lower ceiling potential 3rd or 4th liners if we have our guys resign. You will need to replace guys if your losing guys if Johnny makes over $10 mil per year

If we lose guys like Johnny or Tkachuk then I’d rather go for higher end talent heading into a rebuild

[ResAlien]

As a disgraced former member whose name shall not be mentioned once said: there is no board.

I bet he’s super good so it’s a good pick.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

From Pronman:
59. Topi Ronni, C, TAPPARA JR. (FINLAND-JR.)

May 5, 2004 | 6′ 2″ | 181 pounds

Tier: Has a chance to play games

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Background: Ronni has been a good junior player the last few years in Finland and was quite productive versus men when he got called up this season. He was also a top player for Finland’s U18 team.

Analysis: Ronni is a 6-foot-2 center with offensive ability. He has very good stick skills and vision, allowing him to create a lot of chances inside the offensive zone and be able to run a power play at the junior level. He’s not electric with the puck so I don’t think in the pros he’ll be a primary play driver but he’ll be able to score at higher levels. His compete is good enough. Ronni won’t run guys over but he uses his size to win battles and be reliable defensively. His skating will be the one area that will hold him back versus better players and why I can’t yet stamp him as an NHLer despite the rest of the tool kit looking strong enough.

Skating is below average? Guy's out to lunch on this one.

[dammage79]

6'2" Center. Has speed and does all of the things well. I'll take it.

[sureLoss]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1545440534704951296

https://twitter.com/user/status/1545441352644640768

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Skating is below average? Guy's out to lunch on this one.

Skating is something that these reports usually don't agree on. Especially if they aren't projected 1st round picks and don't get a lot of viewings.

[cannon7]

2pts in 1gp, what's not to like?

[Boreal]

Originally Posted by Hockey-and_stuff

Super low upside players are not who you should be shooting for when you have 3 picks in the draft. Hate it.

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So you’re “saying” the Flames should “shoot” for a potential Roman Josi in Tim Ramholdt rather than taking a “safe” pick like Shea Weber.

That or you have no clue as well.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

https://twitter.com/user/status/1545440534704951296

https://twitter.com/user/status/1545441352644640768

I like the fact he used the term "overall-ness"

[gvitaly]

I have no idea how someone can simply say any pick is a bad pick without hindsight. The most I can do is compare the scouting average rankings to where the Flames picked a player.

I can watch some highlights, but most players look great on those. All in all I can’t project an 18 year old’s development, injuries, and career trajectory… I trust that the scouting staff that spent a year preparing those picks knows something I don’t.

Welcome to the organization kid, hope you’ll be a great player for us.

[Tkachukwagon]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1545436790823104512