Has it been made public what teams have been provided regarding his injury? I'd read somewhere that he'd told them what it was in interviews but yeah records hadn't been provided but I don't know the truth of it.
Either way, I don't think he's there at 18 but there are certainly some nervous teams ahead of us. Up to 9 or so there are players you could argue are ahead of him but then it opens up.
If McQueen drops to 18. I think you have to take him. There are red flags, but that is true of all the players in that range. Tough to pass up a potential dominant Center.
When I have seen him he really reminds me of Eric Daze. Gentle Mr. Glass giant . He has been a prodigy since Atom. I always worry about early big kids who have had it easy because of that.
Bear was Landon Duponts roommate at Everett. Not saying anything but ...
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Lots of injured players have dropped in the draft in the past, so it's very possible that the same happens with McQueen. If Reschny or McQueen are there at 18, I think I would still lean Reschny. If the scouts think the gamble is good enough for McQueen though, I will not be mad at all.
I don't see the need to move up in this draft unless you're trying to select top 5. The difference between 6-18 isn't very much to me in this draft, just see who falls and select them. It happens every draft year. If someone in the top 5 has fallen to 11 or 12 then maybe you find a way to attach an extra draft pick to move up 6 spots. But, I think 18 is still a very good spot to be in.
I would also try and see if any contending team needs help with any cap constraints. I understand the cap is going up, but it wouldn't hurt to see if anyone is willing to move a decent pick to rid some salary. A team like Montreal needing to rid of Anderson or Gallagher to make room for a Hutson extension as an example.
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Lots of injured players have dropped in the draft in the past, so it's very possible that the same happens with McQueen. If Reschny or McQueen are there at 18, I think I would still lean Reschny. If the scouts think the gamble is good enough for McQueen though, I will not be mad at all.
I don't see the need to move up in this draft unless you're trying to select top 5. The difference between 6-18 isn't very much to me in this draft, just see who falls and select them. It happens every draft year. If someone in the top 5 has fallen to 11 or 12 then maybe you find a way to attach an extra draft pick to move up 6 spots. But, I think 18 is still a very good spot to be in.
I would also try and see if any contending team needs help with any cap constraints. I understand the cap is going up, but it wouldn't hurt to see if anyone is willing to move a decent pick to rid some salary. A team like Montreal needing to rid of Anderson or Gallagher to make room for a Hutson extension as an example.
Hutson is still on his initial entry level next season. Not RFA until 26/27. Laine comes off the books that season.
Lots of injured players have dropped in the draft in the past, so it's very possible that the same happens with McQueen. If Reschny or McQueen are there at 18, I think I would still lean Reschny. If the scouts think the gamble is good enough for McQueen though, I will not be mad at all.
I don't see the need to move up in this draft unless you're trying to select top 5. The difference between 6-18 isn't very much to me in this draft, just see who falls and select them. It happens every draft year. If someone in the top 5 has fallen to 11 or 12 then maybe you find a way to attach an extra draft pick to move up 6 spots. But, I think 18 is still a very good spot to be in.
I would also try and see if any contending team needs help with any cap constraints. I understand the cap is going up, but it wouldn't hurt to see if anyone is willing to move a decent pick to rid some salary. A team like Montreal needing to rid of Anderson or Gallagher to make room for a Hutson extension as an example.
Good post. I agree if it comes down Reschny and McQueen at 18 I hope they go Reschny. I don’t think McQueen has shown the production to justify some of these draft projections (I know he had a serious injury this year, but even last year he didn’t dominate). I think Kindel has big upside as well.
The 29-32 pick will be a crapshoot - hopefully Ryabkin is still there (doubtful).
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When I have seen him he really reminds me of Eric Daze. Gentle Mr. Glass giant . He has been a prodigy since Atom. I always worry about early big kids who have had it easy because of that.
Bear was Landon Duponts roommate at Everett. Not saying anything but ...
I was going to say he has the Kirby Dach vibes, personally I never saw the hype in McQueen in the first place, he's the oldest ranked player in the draft and with 85 pts in 127 WHL games he doesn't scream a top line player, hell, not even top 6. for perspective our own injury riddled big guy in Honzek had 87 pts in 76 games. And I still say it was a reach to take him 16th.
I hope Conny and Co stay far away from McQueen.
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Watching this video of McQueen that certainly raises questions. Warrants a deeper look and I am not sure I would love him at 18th any longer. Health risk, but just as importantly, a terrible shot and non-existent playmaking, makes me want to pass on him. However, he is a really toolsy guy - fantastic skater for his size, filthy mitts, and is physical. If he can work on his shot and at least be decent with set-plays within a team's offensive system, he can be an important playoff-type of player.
I see him as a checker at the NHL level, and because he doesn't have playmaking ability, maybe a winger. I think he will be a fantastic forechecker, and the option on PP2 you want carrying the puck into the offensive zone, who then works the net-front. Great size, but a terrible shot from distance, but he can elevate quickly. Will be great at puck retrievals along the boards too, as I am sure over time he will become very effective along the boards. Colborne at first was a fairly weak along the boards, but I felt he started becoming dominant there - McQueen will figure that out as he gets stronger, especially since he has great hand coordination too.
Also not crazy to think that he can really work on his shot over time. It seems to be a complete muffin right now (both his wrist and one-timer). Will it remain that way his whole career like Stajan's was? Or Hanifin's? Or will he be able to do what Lindholm did and turn his muffin into that of a lethal sniper? I think it is much easier to fix a shot than to develop vision as a playmaker - at this stage, I think I will cross-off McQueen from becoming a top 6 center. I think a center HAS to have a certain ability to be creative in finding his wingers and controlling things in the offensive zone. I see him more of a net-front guy.
Definitely worth watching a few more on this kid though. I would be really happy to bring him into the organization, I just don't think I would be very happy at 18th. I think it isn't a shot at 1st line center. Ryabkin for me would be a better 'swing' than McQueen. I love size in players and make no secret about it, but I much prefer Ryabkin as a potential #1 center if we are comparing these two players head-to-head.
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Watching this video of McQueen that certainly raises questions. Warrants a deeper look and I am not sure I would love him at 18th any longer. Health risk, but just as importantly, a terrible shot and non-existent playmaking, makes me want to pass on him. However, he is a really toolsy guy - fantastic skater for his size, filthy mitts, and is physical. If he can work on his shot and at least be decent with set-plays within a team's offensive system, he can be an important playoff-type of player.
I see him as a checker at the NHL level, and because he doesn't have playmaking ability, maybe a winger. I think he will be a fantastic forechecker, and the option on PP2 you want carrying the puck into the offensive zone, who then works the net-front. Great size, but a terrible shot from distance, but he can elevate quickly. Will be great at puck retrievals along the boards too, as I am sure over time he will become very effective along the boards. Colborne at first was a fairly weak along the boards, but I felt he started becoming dominant there - McQueen will figure that out as he gets stronger, especially since he has great hand coordination too.
Also not crazy to think that he can really work on his shot over time. It seems to be a complete muffin right now (both his wrist and one-timer). Will it remain that way his whole career like Stajan's was? Or Hanifin's? Or will he be able to do what Lindholm did and turn his muffin into that of a lethal sniper? I think it is much easier to fix a shot than to develop vision as a playmaker - at this stage, I think I will cross-off McQueen from becoming a top 6 center. I think a center HAS to have a certain ability to be creative in finding his wingers and controlling things in the offensive zone. I see him more of a net-front guy.
Definitely worth watching a few more on this kid though. I would be really happy to bring him into the organization, I just don't think I would be very happy at 18th. I think it isn't a shot at 1st line center. Ryabkin for me would be a better 'swing' than McQueen. I love size in players and make no secret about it, but I much prefer Ryabkin as a potential #1 center if we are comparing these two players head-to-head.
Not me would take the big center over the headcase 7 days a week and twice on sundays. If were pushing on chances then grab a riker lee, top 15 skillset bottom fifteen skating.
Big centers typically go higher than projected in the draft. They rarely go lower.
I really don't think McQueen will be available at 18. I don't think he even gets out of the top 10.
I was going to say he has the Kirby Dach vibes, personally I never saw the hype in McQueen in the first place, he's the oldest ranked player in the draft and with 85 pts in 127 WHL games he doesn't scream a top line player, hell, not even top 6. for perspective our own injury riddled big guy in Honzek had 87 pts in 76 games. And I still say it was a reach to take him 16th.
I hope Conny and Co stay far away from McQueen.
Agreed. The red flags are one thing but the scouting report on him makes it seem like he’s a soft big guy who is a safe player.
Joe Colbourne vibes for me.
I get what everyone is saying but this player just screams like a wasted pick TBH.
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Agreed. The red flags are one thing but the scouting report on him makes it seem like he’s a soft big guy who is a safe player.
Joe Colbourne vibes for me.
I get what everyone is saying but this player just screams like a wasted pick TBH.
While I agree with you 100% on the red flags, it’s the potential upside of he figures it all out and stays healthy, that makes me think if we can get our hands on this type of potential it is a potential home run swing. Could go badly for sure, but I think the flames need to take some risk here as it is likely the only way they “could” get their hands on a top line center for the next 10 years or more
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While I agree with you 100% on the red flags, it’s the potential upside of he figures it all out and stays healthy, that makes me think if we can get our hands on this type of potential it is a potential home run swing. Could go badly for sure, but I think the flames need to take some risk here as it is likely the only way they “could” get their hands on a top line center for the next 10 years or more
What's the potential upside though? He's tall and can skate?
Again, he's the oldest player in the draft, had he'd been born a month earlier he would have been in last years draft and would have barely been talked about.
The red flags and age should make it a no brainer to pass
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Watching the Florida Carolina series, I think we know what team we need to emulate.
Florida has only 3 roster players under 6’ and one of those is Marchand, who doesn’t play sub 6’. They only have him and Rodrigues in the lineup (Samoskevich is scratched). No d are under 6’.
So I think while size shouldn’t be the predominant factor when making picks, it should be a consideration. Makes sense now when you see the team take swings on huckins and whynot instead of going with safer (and smaller) picks. Hate seeing picks go unsigned but if this is the model they are pursuing, I can understand it better.
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Watching the Florida Carolina series, I think we know what team we need to emulate.
Florida has only 3 roster players under 6’ and one of those is Marchand, who doesn’t play sub 6’. They only have him and Rodrigues in the lineup (Samoskevich is scratched). No d are under 6’.
So I think while size shouldn’t be the predominant factor when making picks, it should be a consideration. Makes sense now when you see the team take swings on huckins and whynot instead of going with safer (and smaller) picks. Hate seeing picks go unsigned but if this is the model they are pursuing, I can understand it better.
Agree and i think the last two drafts have shown that change in philosophy.
I was surprised how many posters wanted kindel, an undersized winger when the ods if undersized wingers becoming nhl regulars is rather low. Stromgren, Honzek, Gridin, I!Dar! Suniev! Basha,Battaglia all six feet plus.
I think they shoot for a Klapka type of pick every draft, but overall size is a consideration has been a philosophy change that i like.
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Agree and i think the last two drafts have shown that change in philosophy.
I was surprised how many posters wanted kindel, an undersized winger when the ods if undersized wingers becoming nhl regulars is rather low. Stromgren, Honzek, Gridin, I!Dar! Suniev! Basha,Battaglia all six feet plus.
I think they shoot for a Klapka type of pick every draft, but overall size is a consideration has been a philosophy change that i like.
Honzek was the Klapka pick.
I don't think there's a philosophy that is a bonified game winner, get you to the cup finals every year.
No other team can build and play the way Florida does right now, they don't just have size, they have skill, speed and snarl. The "insiderrrr's" said it best, they can beat you at every game, no matter how you play they can match it.
They've been called a unicorn team, they're good. Real good.
But you take the best player available every time. Florida was taken to 7 games by one of the softest teams in the league. Had Florida not taken out Toronto's goalie I think they lose that series and nobody is talking about how they're "built the best".
You have to play to your star players strengths, and that's what Florida does. They surround their skilled superstars (of which we have none) with fantastic role players (we have some of these) and their compete level is top notch.
Maurice is also a phenomenal coach.
I think the Flames should select whomever they feel brings the best chance to turn into a top 6 player. I personally don't see McQueen amounting to much, I too feel he's made of glass and has flourished in junior and through the ranks because his raw size has put him in a physical advantage his whole career. Now injury troubles added to an already questionable skillset in the NHL and its got red flags everywhere.
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Thing is, mimmicing cup teams is a fools errand. They're only a cup team until they're replaced. FLA in the Barkov era has only just gotten over the hump with two very fortuitous trades in Chucky and Bennett. And before that, signing Bobrovsky to what at the time was considered the biggest albatross contract. And Maurice was just another run of the mill coach. Wasn't too long ago we were all talking about the "Dallas model". Now it's the FLA model and it could be the Edmo.....hahahah..I can't say it with a straight face. I'll probably stop taking hockey seriously if the Edmonton model wins the cup.
You're not anything until you become something.
Anyways. The Flames will draft who they draft.
And I'll still warn folks from relying too much on "the list" this draft. It's going to be all over the place after ....well I'm guessing after pick #8. And even then there might be some variance within the top 8.
It's not a great draft.
__________________ "Everybody's so desperate to look smart that nobody is having fun anymore" -Jackie Redmond
Last edited by dammage79; 05-24-2025 at 10:11 PM.
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