2023 NHL Draft Thread

[serratedmuffin]

I'm interested in seeing who Sandman thinks is the best realistic target for the Flames in round 2.

[Royle9]

Here’s mine:

Axel Sandin Pellikka - long shot
Matthew Wood - long shot
Colby Barlow - long shot
Ryan Leonard - long shot
Gabe Perreault
Brayden Yager
Nate Danielson

[Flamesfan05]

With Sutter gone, we can now draft a talent player instead of size

I trust Tod Button can pick the right one. He has been in the business long enough and seem to have learned something

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by serratedmuffin

I'm interested in seeing who Sandman thinks is the best realistic target for the Flames in round 2.

There’s a few six-foot European forwards that would really hurt to lose out on, namely Leni Hameenaho, Noah Dower-Nilsson, and Jesse Kiiskinen (who is sure to go late-first, early-second), but if by some miracle Mathieu Cataford is available, they HAVE to take him- he’s too good.

That said, I really think we need to take a D-man with our second. Beau Akey, Tanner Molendyk. Etienne Morin, and Theo Lindstein are the best names, but I also have a real soft spot for Quinton Burns, Tristan Bertucci, and Maxim Strbak. Bertucci, IMO, could be a steal.

What are your thoughts?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

With Sutter gone, we can now draft a talent player instead of size

I trust Tod Button can pick the right one. He has been in the business long enough and seem to have learned something

Sutter was never going to be making draft picks.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Sutter was never going to be making draft picks.

I think he meant two things: Sutters influence on what should be drafted or Sutters drafted on what he would play.

[bluejays]

I'd like to know what the thought already is that the Flames will likely trade down in this draft to pick up more capital. They seem to have a history of that. Not sure what to think in this draft at 16, specifically.

[Paulie Walnuts]

The talent that could be available in our range is to good to pass up I think.

Trading down gives me some serious Zajac and Chucko vibes.

[Roof-Daddy]

I'm trying to think of one time this org ever traded down in the 1st round and had it look like they made the right decision 5-10 years down thw road.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Sutter was never going to be making draft picks.

Coaches,especially one like Sutter, have lots of say on what type of players to draft

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I'm trying to think of one time this org ever traded down in the 1st round and had it look like they made the right decision 5-10 years down thw road.

In 2007, they traded down and drafted Backlund


That’s the last time it worked out

[FormerPresJamesTaylor]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

In 2007, they traded down and drafted Backlund


That’s the last time it worked out

The Blues drafted Ian Cole with that pick and he's still a dependable blue liner with two cup rings.

[Toonage]

Backlund worked out just fine. People want him for Captain this upcoming season. And he's beloved in the city.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

-Despite being from PEI, and playing for the middling Cape Breton Eagles of the QMJHL, RW Cam Squires grew up a Flames fan, drawing inspiration from Jarome Iginla for the way he handled himself as a person and a player. Squires even met Iginla as a kid, and always admired his leadership qualities, and strong work ethic- which he applies to his own game, and to growing as a 200-ft player. Squires was third in scoring for the Eagles, with an impressive 30 goals and 64 points in 67 games, followed by a team-leading 6 points in 4 playoff games. He's average sized, at 6'0", and hovers around average for skating, but like his hero Iginla, he plays a hard-nosed style, highlighted by his motor, and high compete level, as well as his top-tier down-low game. He never takes a shift off, and attacks the front of the net, along with all the battle areas, and opens up spaces in high-danger for himself and his teammates. Skating-wise, he is said to have sound agility, and good straight-line acceleration, but his mechanics hold him back from achieving explosiveness, and a good top-speed. 30 goals sells him as a goal-scorer, but it's his elite, deceptive release and his ability to shoot while in full stride that gets him those goals, rather than the power of his shot, which could use work for the next level. He has an excellent offensive toolkit, is very smart and aware, and is capable of threading crisp, tape-to-tape passes through coverage. Defensively, he supports teammates well with a great off-puck game, and he works hard, but he's still working on this part of his game, and must eliminate his miscues, occasional puck-watching, and some percieved deficiencies against the rush. Squires is listed at only 161lbs, so he'll need to get bigger and stronger. Some think he will make a fine top-6 offensive player in the show. 3rd/4th round.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Draft Thoughts:

-Despite being from PEI, and playing for the middling Cape Breton Eagles of the QMJHL, RW Cam Squires grew up a Flames fan, drawing inspiration from Jarome Iginla for the way he handled himself as a person and a player. Squires even met Iginla as a kid, and always admired his leadership qualities, and strong work ethic- which he applies to his own game, and to growing as a 200-ft player. Squires was third in scoring for the Eagles, with an impressive 30 goals and 64 points in 67 games, followed by a team-leading 6 points in 4 playoff games. He's average sized, at 6'0", and hovers around average for skating, but like his hero Iginla, he plays a hard-nosed style, highlighted by his motor, and high compete level, as well as his top-tier down-low game. He never takes a shift off, and attacks the front of the net, along with all the battle areas, and opens up spaces in high-danger for himself and his teammates. Skating-wise, he is said to have sound agility, and good straight-line acceleration, but his mechanics hold him back from achieving explosiveness, and a good top-speed. 30 goals sells him as a goal-scorer, but it's his elite, deceptive release and his ability to shoot while in full stride that gets him those goals, rather than the power of his shot, which could use work for the next level. He has an excellent offensive toolkit, is very smart and aware, and is capable of threading crisp, tape-to-tape passes through coverage. Defensively, he supports teammates well with a great off-puck game, and he works hard, but he's still working on this part of his game, and must eliminate his miscues, occasional puck-watching, and some percieved deficiencies against the rush. Squires is listed at only 161lbs, so he'll need to get bigger and stronger. Some think he will make a fine top-6 offensive player in the show. 3rd/4th round.

I'm told if Cameron lasts past the 3rd round it would be a huge mistake by the teams who didn't take him, not a tonne of flash but far enough skill and work ethic to make a difference much like a Mangiapane, unfortunately it's not likely he will last to the Flames 4th round pick though.

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Coaches,especially one like Sutter, have lots of say on what type of players to draft

I politely disagree.

Coaches are generally around a team for roughly three years. When drafting a player you are looking at his impact 3-5 years down the road.

Organizations target players with certain attributes that they like but a coach has very little say in things.

You never see the coaches in the draft war rooms, this is usually between scouts and GMs and very few NHL coaches have time to keep up with junior hockey.

Lastly, look at our recent draftees, who screams Sutter type player ?

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

The talent that could be available in our range is to good to pass up I think.

Trading down gives me some serious Zajac and Chucko vibes.

I agree. I think a really good player is likely to drop to us at 16.

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I agree. I think a really good player is likely to drop to us at 16.

Also agree.

If we can leave the draft with a player like Matthew Wood I would be very happy.

Would greally go far in addressing our lack of viable top six RW prospects.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

I politely disagree.

Coaches are generally around a team for roughly three years. When drafting a player you are looking at his impact 3-5 years down the road.

Organizations target players with certain attributes that they like but a coach has very little say in things.

You never see the coaches in the draft war rooms, this is usually between scouts and GMs and very few NHL coaches have time to keep up with junior hockey.

Lastly, look at our recent draftees, who screams Sutter type player ?

Sutter was not around long enough to influence the recent drafts

Obviously they cut tie with him and want to go another direction. If he had stayed around, you can bet he would have his ways including the draft

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

The talent that could be available in our range is to good to pass up I think.

Trading down gives me some serious Zajac and Chucko vibes.

The have their list. If they value who's there when they pick they pick.

If they think they can move down 5 spots, gain a 3rd and draft someone that they deem to have equal value they do it.