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

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by Mitch

Not sure if it was mentioned but Conroy mentioned in an interview that he expects the Vancouver Giants to name him captain for this upcoming season. That's incredible for an import guy coming off his rookie season.

I agree with posters that have said this seems like Craig Conroy’s pick in the senses that he knows a lot about him, he wanted him, and he is the one primarily responsible for the decision. I think we have to trust Conroy because he’s a great scout, and he knows a lot about this kid.

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

https://twitter.com/mitchlbrown/stat...122821632?s=12

Some more highlights of Honzek, he was 4th in even strength points per 60, behind Bedard, Benson and Cristall.

He's got some cheeky moves for a big guy. Looks very smooth out there. You can tell he is a problem for defenders. Very tough to get off the puck in those highlights. I'm excited to see what the big guy does this season.

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by Stampede2TheCup

Sam Cosentino wrote this article the morning of the first round:

Prospect of Interest: Why Samuel Honzek has potential to be a steal in Round 1

I’m excited about him because it isn’t easy coming over to a new country on a different ice surface. Lots of adapting to do. Despite that, still a very strong season. I bet he rips it up in Vancouver this year.

[transplant99]

My favorite "stat" about this kid is that he was 3rd in rookie scoring in the entire dub, even though he missed 23 games after getting that nasty cut.

Would have been the runaway leader if that didnt happen.

Big (which seems to really bother some people for reasons), can skate really well, can produce offense while playing a 200' game, and seems like a high character dude.

No idea what else people wanted to see at 16.

[devo22]

I won't pretend I wasn't a little disappointed when I saw he was the pick. Not necessarily because of Honzek himself, but given the players who were still available. Moore, Perreault and ASP all would have been intriguing options IMO. Time will tell if passing on these guys was a good call.

Slowly warming up to the pick though and obviously rooting for the kid.

[SportsJunky]

Now, Easton Cowan, that's a reach.

[transplant99]

From NHL.com

Honzek (6-3, 195) had 56 points (23 goals, 33 assists) in 43 games in his first season in the Western Hockey League after leaving his native Slovakia. The 18-year-old is considered a versatile forward who can play all situations. He played two games for Slovakia at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship but sustained a skate cut to his left calf that sidelined him for two months. Despite that, he finished the season with 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 12 regular-season games and four points (one goal, three assists) in four WHL playoff games, and also tested well at the 2023 NHL Scouting Combine presented by adidas.

NHL.com analysis: Honzek's strength and hockey IQ stood out this season, his first in the Western Hockey League after coming over from his native Slovakia. He can make plays off the rush and use his big body to hold off defenders to create time and space to use his quick, heavy shot. Were it not for the skate cut to his left calf that sidelined him for almost two months, he might have gone even earlier. Honzek projects to be a dynamic power forward with a shot that can beat goalies form a distance.

[Fan69]

I think we drafted a stud. High end skill is great if you can skate. My fear with a guy like crystall is that he becomes an offense only winger. Huge price tags but a guy like nylander while being a talented winger isnt the type of guy that could really lead a team.

A guy like Honzek as a center really could. a lot if people seem to see a lack of skill. I see a mature game that doessnt waste effort. In other words an nhler.

Then put in the size and ability to hold onto the puck i think we have a beast. This guy breaks down multiple facets if the game give it a watch.

https://youtu.be/94FZpTQ0a2E

[Nelson]

At the very least, it’s perfectly clear that this pick is not a reach, at all. It’s a solid pick. Some may prefer other players. But I think we as fans just need to trust the expert (Craig Conroy) in a situation in which reasonable people may disagree on who should have been picked. If this was an off the board pick like Jankowski, then I think we fans would be right to be outraged.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Nelson

At the very least, it’s perfectly clear that this pick is not a reach, at all. It’s a solid pick. Some may prefer other players. But I think we as fans just need to trust the expert (Craig Conroy) in a situation in which reasonable people may disagree on who should have been picked. If this was an off the board pick like Jankowski, then I think we fans would be right to be outraged.

Yeah. Basis the reaction at the start of the thread I thought the Flames went way off the board. I’m not really a draft guy and they are all just names so I’m good with who they pick. I think some people were triggered by big = good or just wanted the highest ranked guy picked.
I couldn’t imagine the meltdown if the Flames were Arizona haha

[Enoch Root]

I was curious where he might have ranked, had he been in last year's draft - and would be very interested in hearing Sandman's thoughts on this. Really difficult to compare against guys in other leagues, so I just looked at WHLers, and here are the PPG for the top guys in the 22 draft from the Dub, and their size:

4) Wright 1.49 6'1" 175
9) Savoie 1.38 5'9" 178
10) Geekie 1.11 6'3" 196

Until he got hurt, Honzek was on a 1.42 PPG pace (21 game sample size - but he was also acclimatizing to a new country)

Pretty easy to say he would be more coveted than Geekie, and considering Savoie is 5'9", he probably looks pretty good against him as well. Obviously slotting in after Wright, so my guess is his best comparables would be 5) Gauthier (USDT) and 8) Kasper (SHL). The rest of the top 10 were defensemen.

What do you think, Sandman?

[Spurs]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I was curious where he might have ranked, had he been in last year's draft - and would be very interested in hearing Sandman's thoughts on this. Really difficult to compare against guys in other leagues, so I just looked at WHLers, and here are the PPG for the top guys in the 22 draft from the Dub, and their size:

4) Wright 1.49 6'1" 175
9) Savoie 1.38 5'9" 178
10) Geekie 1.11 6'3" 196

Until he got hurt, Honzek was on a 1.42 PPG pace (21 game sample size - but he was also acclimatizing to a new country)

Pretty easy to say he would be more coveted than Geekie, and considering Savoie is 5'9", he probably looks pretty good against him as well. Obviously slotting in after Wright, so my guess is his best comparables would be 5) Gauthier (USDT) and 8) Kasper (SHL). The rest of the top 10 were defensemen.

What do you think, Sandman?

Wright wasn't from the WHL, he played in the OHL

[Enoch Root]

yeah, meant CHL

don't think it changes the point of the post much

[Royle9]

After sleeping on this, and watching a plethora of highlight videos I'm starting to come around a little bit on the pick.

Admittedly I'm still a bit upset he was taken when guys who were more highly touted with higher ceilings were still on the board (Perrault/Barlow) but he's definitely not a Hunter Smith type projection.

The good news is the guy clearly has the drive to do whatever it takes to win, and he was happy to be drafted by the Flames.

Here's to hoping!

[transplant99]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1674284125526851584

[transplant99]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1674411356026548225

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Royle9

After sleeping on this, and watching a plethora of highlight videos I'm starting to come around a little bit on the pick.

Admittedly I'm still a bit upset he was taken when guys who were more highly touted with higher ceilings were still on the board (Perrault/Barlow) but he's definitely not a Hunter Smith type projection.

The good news is the guy clearly has the drive to do whatever it takes to win, and he was happy to be drafted by the Flames.

Here's to hoping!

I think you are going to be pleasantly surprised

[Monahammer]

Wonder if we work to keep ruzicka now and see if we can get him back on track. Having two Slovakian giants up front may be favorable

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Wonder if we work to keep ruzicka now and see if we can get him back on track. Having two Slovakian giants up front may be favorable

He is under contract for this upcoming season, and RFA after that.

Dont have to work to hard to keep him.

Rosie may be the guy that benefits most with the coaching change as well, but he has to be much more consistent.

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by transplant99

He is under contract for this upcoming season, and RFA after that.

Dont have to work to hard to keep him.

Rosie may be the guy that benefits most with the coaching change as well, but he has to be much more consistent.

Feel like him and Shaggy are going to work very well together on a the third line.