[News] With the 16th selection, the Flames select LW Samuel Honzek

[Strange Brew]

I love the fact that he’s big. To me that’s the opposite of high floor, low ceiling. I’m definitely on board with this pick.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Honzek was on pace for 94 points over a full season through the first 31 games and then he got injured. That would have put him 8th in the league in scoring. Production dropped after he was injured for two months.

Wow! Thanks for this info!

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

It sure is! You nailed it!

Few...I thought whoever did your reading and typing for you had left the room.

[sketchyt]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

Few...I thought whoever did your reading and typing for you had left the room.

It’s ‘phew’. Way to go champ.

[Dion]

I'm going to reserve judgement until I've seen this kid play.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

98% of fans here are going based off very little right now.



So skiddadle.

That's not true. Probably more like 40% in this thread are going off very little right now. The other 60% are admitting they don't know nearly enough about the prospect, and so can't criticize the pick.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

It’s ‘phew’. Way to go champ.

Good catch corky

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

A lot of people respect McKenzie's rankings and Honzek was taken near where he was ranked by him. But McKenzie also had Barlow at 12 and Moore at 13 (inside the interchangeable 16-20). I think that's why people are leery of the pick.

This is true. But they were fallers for a reason, and the GMs may, in time say why.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Is anyone complaining that we haven’t landed more 1sts, are you watching this draft and listening to the things the GMs are saying?

No, what are they saying?

[cral12]

Hockey Prospect had him ranked 15th fwiw.

They also had Simashev ranked 5th overall, interesting.

ICYMI - Sandman's profile as well that we featured at Upside Hockey.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1674229048086794240

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Honzek projects to be a dynamic power forward with a shot that can beat goalies form a distance.

Nah total garbage pick. Fire Conroy am I right?

I don't have any time to watch any pre draft prospects so I'm just going to hope that he becomes the dynamic power forward they wrote about.

[Jiggy]

Sam Cosentino who watches more junior hockey than anyone had Honzek going 16th to the Flames.

[PuckSlap]

I'm not a hockey analyst nor do I calme to be. Maybe this young man is the future if the franchise, maybe not. But let's wait and see.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[GioforPM]

Thing about the rankings - while they assign numbers because they have to, if you read them many say there is not much to pick between some of the groupings.

[Buzzard]

I think anytime a kid this young comes from another country to play junior, especially European, their first year over they need to be cut a lot of slack. Another world away from family, friends plus a different language would equal a lot of distractions and reasons to not play at their optimal level. He also suffered a fairly significant injury in his draft year. A lot for a young guy and still remained a high ranked prospect. Lot's of character building there. He's big, going to get bigger and he's skilled. This is not Keegan Kanzig

We might have a real good one. I like it a lot.

[DJones]

Pronman had him #13

[FlamesAddiction]

When I first started looking at the 2023 draft, Honzek was the guy I wanted at the time out of players expected within that range. I liked other players too, but most of them were gone already.

I love this pick at #16.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

What? I wasn't sure if that was sarcasm. Tom Wilson would have been an incredible pick in 2012.

Sorry, I should have been more clear. With hindsight, that was a very good pick. At the time however, I imagine there would have been a lot of anger over picking yet another 'goon'.



More thoughts about him (and some history).



People are still livid about the Keegan Kanzig and Hunter Smith picks, and what was said was: "We picked a goon this early??". If the reviews were read, and if those prospects were followed, they took huge steps in their progression (and leadership). They didn't work out, and that sucked, but nobody complains about the 'midgets' that never made it over the years either. I think it cuts both ways.


It just seems that sometimes, size is fixated on weirdly in a negative way. However, people shouldn't worry - Honzek is vastly more productive and talented than Kanzig and Smith were at the same age, so I am not comparing them. It is just weird that I think players like Eric Lindros and Jaromir Jagr would still dominate this league in their primes as easily as they did back in the day.



Size is an advantage, not a weakness. I would be livid if the Flames selected a Hunter Smith or a Keegan Kanzig with this talent level left, but that's not the case. I think this was a good pick when you look at the talent level he has, and the size is just a bonus.



I also don't think he used his size nearly enough. You have to really scout players well to figure out if someone like..hmm... Brendan Gaunce was productive because he was skilled, or because he had a distinct size/strength advantage. I don't see that as the case with Honzek. What is noticeable about him is his skill, his shot, his speed/edges (for a big guy, really great edges), and his apparent hockey sense. I would have liked to see a more aggressive player, and hopefully he works that into his game as he fills out more. I would like to see him run guys over at times, but there isn't a whole lot of evidence for this - but it was apparent that he doesn't shy from contact either. He engages physically and even had a few big hits. Just doesn't do it enough.

[Royle9]

Legitimate question, because I only saw him live twice and watched a bunch of YouTube highlight video.

Where are we seeing his elite shooting?
Most of his assists were secondary and his goals reminded me a lot of Monahan, garbage goal guy (not a bad thing)

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

To those that have followed Honzek, does he have an "elite" quality?

Saw playmaking and scoring were given an 8/10 on the earlier chart which seems encouraging, but I wonder how tough the grading is and how much that 9 or 10 counts for in the conversation about NHL projection.