2024 NHL Draft Thread

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Plus, they can't play in the AHL until they're 20, right? Or does that only apply to drafted players?

Sureloss probably knows more about it, but I think it has to do if whether a CHL team still owns their rights. If the CHL team relinquishes their rights, they could play in the AHL earlier, but I have no idea if that is a thing that actually happens.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Plus, they can't play in the AHL until they're 20, right? Or does that only apply to drafted players?

I believe that only applies to players drafted or signed out of the CHL.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

I believe that only applies to players drafted or signed out of the CHL.

Yeah, I think that's right, because of the transfer agreement.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by traptor

Wouldn't be the worst, and I hope they take BPA, but we really need centers.

We did a pretty good job boosting up our D prospect pool with these trades.

Some of the Ds in this draft are elite. The ones Conroy got would be lucky to make the team.

I definitely would try to get into the top 10 to get one of these Ds. There are a couple of good centers and Iginla also

Top 10 is a must

[1qqaaz]

It will be interesting to see where Liam Greentree goes.
He has generally been ranked #15 to #20 by most sources for most of this past year. But I'm starting to see more experts rank him in the #10 to #15 range.

Greentree has 27 more points than the next highest scorer on his team. Compare that to someone link Lindstrom, who only has the 4th highest point per game production on his team. Greentree, 210 lbs, is the second heaviest player that is projected to go in the top 20 (after Lindstrom who is 216 lbs). He even weighs more than 6'7 Silayev (207 lbs).

Lindstrom is still larger, a better skater, and plays with more of an edge. But Greentree is an interesting consolation prize for a team looking for a larger forward with skill. I think Greentree's biggest weakness is his inability to accelerate - or his generally lack of agility overall. Both Lindstrom and Greentree appear to be very difficult to knock off the puck. And this is a trait that tends to translate well to the NHL. It's what kept a guy like Jagr in the league for so long.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Some of the Ds in this draft are elite. The ones Conroy got would be lucky to make the team.

I definitely would try to get into the top 10 to get one of these Ds. There are a couple of good centers and Iginla also

Top 10 is a must

Likely the only way to get their is to fall down the standings, which can easily occur.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Yeah lack of quickness is my concern with Greentree. I think he's a guy you target in the 20s, not higher than that. Maybe late teens.

[UKflames]

Could one of you prospect/draft specialists answer me a question that's been going round my head.

Is this draft weak in D, as Conny sems to have been targetting D with his trades. Does this mean he can concentrate on C & W, as the draft is stronger in those positions?

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by UKflames

Could one of you prospect/draft specialists answer me a question that's been going round my head.

Is this draft weak in D, as Conny sems to have been targetting D with his trades. Does this mean he can concentrate on C & W, as the draft is stronger in those positions?

I would say that in the Flames expected range, this isn't true. The draft, relatively speaking, and compared to other drafts, is stronger at the defense position.

As per Conroy's recent interviews, he has stated that he has acquired defensemen because he knew that Zadorov, Tanev, and Hanifin were likely to going to be on their way out. The Wranglers have lacked solid D depth for a while as well. Defense take a while to develop, so it's proper to have them at a variety of different ages.

With that said, it is likely that the BPA at the Flames latter 1st round pick will be a forward. Basha, Parascak, Howe, Artamonov, Hage, and Ritchie could be options.

[CalgarySames]

Can't remember the source on this but I recall reading that this years draft basically shapes up like this:

Macklin Celebrini is the run away number one pick this year, though he doesn't stack up to the top three from last year in Bedard, Fantili, Carlsson

Dropoff to 2-9 who still shape up well and are projected to be top line/pair potential or solid 2nd line/pair players on the low end

Bigger drop off to 10-40, projected for second line/pair potential or solid 3rd line/pair players on the lower end.

If this is for the most part accurate, and the Flames don't end up with one of the top 9 picks. I would be interested in seeing if the Flames could potentially make a trade to get the number one pick. Obviously it would require a fairly steep cost, but if Chicago gets the number one pick I could see them being open to a deal considering they already have Bedard. Would Celebrini be worth making a move for? What would the cost be? Our two 2024 1st round picks, plus a 2025 2nd, and maybe one of our recently aquired defense prospects?

Personally I'd be open to taking a chance like that (assuming we don't have one of those picks in the top 9). I think the Flames are fairly well stocked with guys who can play 2nd and 3rd line rolls, so I don't think we are missing out too much on guys from 10-40.

Celebrini would give us our number 1 center who could really benefit playing with a guy like Huberdeau and likely get the best out of Hubby too.

Zary could potentially fill in that slot if given the chance but Celebrini would be more of a "sure thing". Zary has also been phenomenal on the second line and would still slot well there. Zary could also be used as a future third line Center when Backlund either leaves or retires.

Coronato has 1st line potential with how deadly a shot he has, with development I think he could really be a top end contributor.

I think Pelletier has second line potential as well but could be a really good third liner if we move or move on from Mangiapane during or after the 2024-25 season.

Been liking Pospisil a lot but he realistically slots as a 4th line player long term (a very good 4th line player mind you)

If we do pull the trigger for Celebrini the following lines could look very very good!

Huberdeau-Celebrini-Coronato
Zary-Kadri-Sharangovich
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman
Pelletier-Rooney/Duehr-Pospisil

Kuzmenko the odd man out here

or

Huberdeau-Celebrini-Coronato
Kuzmenko-Kadri-Sharangovich
Mangiapane-Backlund-Kadri
Pelletier-Zary-Pospisil

Again this is all based on what I've heard about this years draft, but what are your thoughts on making a bold deal for Celebrini?

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by CalgarySames

Can't remember the source on this but I recall reading that this years draft basically shapes up like this:

Macklin Celebrini is the run away number one pick this year, though he doesn't stack up to the top three from last year in Bedard, Fantili, Carlsson

Dropoff to 2-9 who still shape up well and are projected to be top line/pair potential or solid 2nd line/pair players on the low end

Bigger drop off to 10-40, projected for second line/pair potential or solid 3rd line/pair players on the lower end.

If this is for the most part accurate, and the Flames don't end up with one of the top 9 picks. I would be interested in seeing if the Flames could potentially make a trade to get the number one pick. Obviously it would require a fairly steep cost, but if Chicago gets the number one pick I could see them being open to a deal considering they already have Bedard. Would Celebrini be worth making a move for? What would the cost be? Our two 2024 1st round picks, plus a 2025 2nd, and maybe one of our recently aquired defense prospects?

Personally I'd be open to taking a chance like that (assuming we don't have one of those picks in the top 9). I think the Flames are fairly well stocked with guys who can play 2nd and 3rd line rolls, so I don't think we are missing out too much on guys from 10-40.

Celebrini would give us our number 1 center who could really benefit playing with a guy like Huberdeau and likely get the best out of Hubby too.

Zary could potentially fill in that slot if given the chance but Celebrini would be more of a "sure thing". Zary has also been phenomenal on the second line and would still slot well there. Zary could also be used as a future third line Center when Backlund either leaves or retires.

Coronato has 1st line potential with how deadly a shot he has, with development I think he could really be a top end contributor.

I think Pelletier has second line potential as well but could be a really good third liner if we move or move on from Mangiapane during or after the 2024-25 season.

Been liking Pospisil a lot but he realistically slots as a 4th line player long term (a very good 4th line player mind you)

If we do pull the trigger for Celebrini the following lines could look very very good!

Huberdeau-Celebrini-Coronato
Zary-Kadri-Sharangovich
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman
Pelletier-Rooney/Duehr-Pospisil

Kuzmenko the odd man out here

or

Huberdeau-Celebrini-Coronato
Kuzmenko-Kadri-Sharangovich
Mangiapane-Backlund-Kadri
Pelletier-Zary-Pospisil

Again this is all based on what I've heard about this years draft, but what are your thoughts on making a bold deal for Celebrini?

That proposed package would make Chicago laugh and hang up. Let’s say we’re drafting 12. The cost to go to 1, especially for the consensus #1 guy in celebrini, would cost AT LEAST both 2024 1st, 2025 1st unprotected

Also why would Chicago even think about doing that? Bedard Celebrini down the middle for the next decade is a championship core

[Roof-Daddy]

Every year people talk about packaging up a bunch of stuff and moving up to 1st overall, and it doesn't ever happen.

Discuss away, but I feel safe saying it ain't happening.

[Royle9]

Nobody is trading the #1 pick, it’s not even worth debating.
Maybe if you had 2 top 5 picks and say Chicago didn’t want Celibrini.. even then I doubt it.

Chicago building with Bedard and having Celibrini as their 1-2 is too damn ideal.

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Every year people talk about packaging up a bunch of stuff and moving up to 1st overall, and it doesn't ever happen.

Discuss away, but I feel safe saying it ain't happening.

2013 the flames tried to trade 6, 22, 28 for 1 and Colorado said no. To give you an idea of how impossible it is

[Fan69]

Flames miss the playoffs. Pick 13. Win draft lottery. Celebrini scores 700 goals 1400 points. 150! against the oilers.

You heard it here first.

[UKflames]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Nobody is trading the #1 pick, it’s not even worth debating.
Maybe if you had 2 top 5 picks and say Chicago didn’t want Celibrini.. even then I doubt it.

Chicago building with Bedard and having Celibrini as their 1-2 is too damn ideal.

I think this worked for Chicago in the past because they had Toews at C and Kane at W, but two #1 picks, both at C, how do you keep both of them happy with ice time, exposurse ( think endorsements here), even ego, I think you struggle.

Chicago might trade down to 2-3 for that reason, but no lower.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by UKflames

I think this worked for Chicago in the past because they had Toews at C and Kane at W, but two #1 picks, both at C, how do you keep both of them happy with ice time, exposurse ( think endorsements here), even ego, I think you struggle.

Crosby and Malkin got along OK. I grant you, Malkin was just a lowly #2 overall.

[Groot]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Flames miss the playoffs. Pick 13. Win draft lottery. Celebrini scores 700 goals 1400 points. 150! against the oilers.

You heard it here first.

Other teams let Celebrini drop to 3rd overall? I guess it could happen.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Every year people talk about packaging up a bunch of stuff and moving up to 1st overall, and it doesn't ever happen.

Discuss away, but I feel safe saying it ain't happening.

Because it happens in the NFL people think it can happen in the NHL but totally different leagues and different draft processes. It rarely ever happens because there's only a small handful of blue chip prospects every year in the NHL draft and trading out of a top pick equates to quantity over quality which is usually a losing proposition.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by UKflames

Could one of you prospect/draft specialists answer me a question that's been going round my head.

Is this draft weak in D, as Conny sems to have been targetting D with his trades. Does this mean he can concentrate on C & W, as the draft is stronger in those positions?

My view is that this is a strong draft for d. Unusually strong even
Weaker up front and awful in goal
Overall average to above average
But it presents an excellent chance to get a blue chip d prospect