Report: McKenna wants to play for The Flames

[FanSince'01]

As much as I would love for Backs to win a cup, I also want him to be a career Flame. With the number of star players we've had here who could have been career Flames in an alternate timeline, it'd be nice to see one actually happen.

As for McKenna, if all things are equal and there's minimal separation between the top 4 picks, I think you absolutely take him if he's available. Having a potential star who openly wants to be here available to draft is not something we get very often around these parts.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

You know they aren't trading Backlund right?

I know, but the team would tank a lot harder without him. I was obviously just being a bit silly. Backlund offers a lot to the team in a mentorship role. He's also 3rd in points on the Flames (somehow)....

[InternationalVillager]

I think both McKenna and Stenberg are going to be players.

All I can hope is that Flames land a top 2 pick to guarantee one of those players.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by blankall

I know, but the team would tank a lot harder without him. I was obviously just being a bit silly. Backlund offers a lot to the team in a mentorship role. He's also 3rd in points on the Flames (somehow)....

In a fair world, Backlund should net a great return from a contender looking for a 3rd C who can relieve their offensive weapons, but he's not valued like he should be so he's not worth trading. More valuable as veteran Captain in transition than the 2nd round pick he would return.

[Samonadreau]

Clickbait

[442scotty]

If McKenna has let it be known that he wants to play with the Flames at least he has more control over his team choice by playing in the NCAA . If he knows the Flames want him all he needs to do during pre draft interviews is firmly state his preference.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

If McKenna has let it be known that he wants to play with the Flames at least he has more control over his team choice by playing in the NCAA . If he knows the Flames want him all he needs to do during pre draft interviews is firmly state his preference.

It's a preference as I would imagine almost every player drafted has a handful of teams they would rather be drafted by. They all end up playing for the team that drafted them.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It's a preference as I would imagine almost every player drafted has a handful of teams they would rather be drafted by. They all end up playing for the team that drafted them.

Well not all.. Fox and Lindros come instantly to mind...

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

If McKenna has let it be known that he wants to play with the Flames at least he has more control over his team choice by playing in the NCAA . If he knows the Flames want him all he needs to do during pre draft interviews is firmly state his preference.

The article doesn’t say he wants to play with the Flames as a preference.

At best this article would tell the Flames they are safe in drafting him and it won’t turn into an issue.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by FanSince'01

As much as I would love for Backs to win a cup, I also want him to be a career Flame. With the number of star players we've had here who could have been career Flames in an alternate timeline, it'd be nice to see one actually happen.

As for McKenna, if all things are equal and there's minimal separation between the top 4 picks, I think you absolutely take him if he's available. Having a potential star who openly wants to be here available to draft is not something we get very often around these parts.

I don't really get wanting someone to be a career Flame. Never have. If the player is useful and still wants to be here, great. If they are aging, and not really aligned to the direction of the team then its probably best for everyone to move on.

Backlund, or anyone else for that matter playing 1-2 seasons elsewhere at the end of a career does nothing to taint their legacy as a Flame. Case in point Giordano, Iginla etc.

[calumniate]

Can I apply as lottery ball selector? The guy that worked for the oilers needs replacing

[Swayze11]

[FlamesNightmare]

Originally Posted by FanSince'01

As much as I would love for Backs to win a cup, I also want him to be a career Flame. With the number of star players we've had here who could have been career Flames in an alternate timeline, it'd be nice to see one actually happen.

As for McKenna, if all things are equal and there's minimal separation between the top 4 picks, I think you absolutely take him if he's available. Having a potential star who openly wants to be here available to draft is not something we get very often around these parts.

I agree. If we get 1st pick and McKenna is available we should draft him. He actually wants to play here, and we don't get that often with drafting. Look at Fox that wanted to play for New York as I recall.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

If McKenna has let it be known that he wants to play with the Flames at least he has more control over his team choice by playing in the NCAA . If he knows the Flames want him all he needs to do during pre draft interviews is firmly state his preference.

I really doubt it's this simple, but if there is a pretty clear consensus top 2 and the Flames are picking second, just this rumor / sentiment floating around could add points to the Stenberg column for the team picking first. And they would never ever admit it, they would pick Stenberg and say it's who they always had first, even if it is equal or Stenberg was a 1B on their list.

If it's a consensus top 2 and the flames are picking 3rd or 4th, I don't think it goes that way. I think the top 2 go top 2, and 95% of the time end up playing for those teams, of the 80 picks in the last 40 years Lindros is really the only example of a top 2 pick forcing a teams hand.

If there is a consensus number 1, same thing I think the number team takes the number 1, either way.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I don't really get wanting someone to be a career Flame. Never have. If the player is useful and still wants to be here, great. If they are aging, and not really aligned to the direction of the team then its probably best for everyone to move on.

Backlund, or anyone else for that matter playing 1-2 seasons elsewhere at the end of a career does nothing to taint their legacy as a Flame. Case in point Giordano, Iginla etc.

I don’t care about the legacy part but I think from a human perspective it would kind of suck to uproot a young family that’s lived here their whole lives the last 1-2 years of his career just for a 4th round pick. Probably worth more to keep around as a mentor at that point.

[FlamesNightmare]

I love career Calgary Flames players who've played most of their time with us. The ones that come to mind is Jarome Iginla, Mikeal Backlund, and Mark Giordano. If draft players have a preference to play here that makes things more exciting and great!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by calumniate

Can I apply as lottery ball selector? The guy that worked for the oilers needs replacing

How are your sleight of hand skillz? Maybe some three-card monty?

"And the first pick goes to...*palms ball and replaces it* the CALGARY FLAMES!!"