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

[Calgary4LIfe]

I predict in 10 years, other teams' fanbases will be crying about why their team picked 'x' while Honzek was still on the board.



For all the hand-wringing about Jankowski, that still ended up to be a fine pick. Best pick? No, but not terrible either. Definitely not as bad as is often talked about. I can only imagine how this board would have erupted in anger in 2012 if Wilson was the guy selected.



This is a great pick. Size is still a huge advantage in this league, and this kid has that as well as everything else - shot, hockey sense, skating, skill... he is a complete package. The only thing I can think of that is a weakness is he should play MORE physical, and have a bit more consistency (which is a common issue with a lot of prospects). I like this more and more.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Beninho

I mean ya but the rest of the team is huge. Flames have enough shorter guys. I think his profile was needed in the farm

Flames aren't really in a position to draft based on size or position in my opinion. They should be drafting BPA every pick until they have a decent cupboard.

[Sandman]

Look at it this way:

Nate Danielson, who was drafted 9th overall, had 78 points in 68 games in the WHL, for Brandon- the 17th best team, 15th in goals-for.

Pro rated, Honzek would've had 88 points in 68 games in the WHL, for Vancouver- the 16th best team, 21st in goals-for.

[Cheese]

16. Calgary Flames -- Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver (WHL)
NHL Central Scouting ranking: No. 9 (North American skaters)

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.

[Lanny_McDonald]

I can understand the frustration with selecting Honzek. Another left shooting LW seems like we're just stock the same aisle in the super market. We were hoping for a skilled center with some size or a right shooting RW. Honzek doesn't foot that bill, especially when there were some players available that could fill those gaps.

What is to like about this kid? He's huge and he's only going to get bigger. He has a decent but slightly awkward skating stride reminiscent of Sean Monahan but could improve there and gain some speed. The best part about him is he has nice hands and can finish. He uses his size well and finds scoring areas consistently. If even these skills translate he's going to be an NHL player. He's going to be a good prospect that will take some time to develop and could turn into a player. We'll have a few years to watch his development.

[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.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

Flames aren't really in a position to draft based on size or position in my opinion. They should be drafting BPA every pick until they have a decent cupboard.

Im guessing that is exactly what they did in their estimation.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

When the 2% have the opposite opinion you do and most of the other 98% are less confident than you, it might be a sign.

Meh.

If I end up being right in my knee jerk then I get bragging rights on the 98% then.

That would be the unpreferred outcome but would be hardly surprising either.

[flames_fan_down_under]

I am very out of my depth with any prospect analysis so I am stoked to have this absolute beast on our team. Would LOVE to add some more picks to our pile tonight or tomorrow.

[sketchyt]

Wow, there’s a lot of pro scouts on this board looks like LOL.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

I can understand the frustration with selecting Honzek. Another left shooting LW seems like we're just stock the same aisle in the super market. We were hoping for a skilled center with some size or a right shooting RW. Honzek doesn't foot that bill, especially when there were some players available that could fill those gaps.

What is to like about this kid? He's huge and he's only going to get bigger. He has a decent but slightly awkward skating stride reminiscent of Sean Monahan but could improve there and gain some speed. The best part about him is he has nice hands and can finish. He uses his size well and finds scoring areas consistently. If even these skills translate he's going to be an NHL player. He's going to be a good prospect that will take some time to develop and could turn into a player. We'll have a few years to watch his development.

I think he's more of a C than a W.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Im guessing that is exactly what they did in their estimation.

Very probable, was just responding to the "we have enough small guys and need some size" comment.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Jonathan Marchessault would probably disagree.

Seeing as Vegas is one of the biggest teams in the league, I think he probably would agree.

[DoubleK]

I'm ok with the pick. Still would have tried to trade down for Brindley if that was on the table.

Haven't seen any trades, so might not have been a thing.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Samuel Honzek is a big winger who skates well, competes incredibly hard and has a great shot. He’ll be a great complementary piece to help balance out a top-six forward group in Chicago a few years down the line, giving them a dimension of size up front that they don’t yet have in their system. He’s got tons of two-way potential and is likely to spend time on both special teams in just a few short years.

https://thehockeywriters.com/thw-2023-mock-nhl-draft/

Not really a reach at 16.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

Wow, there’s a lot of pro scouts on this board looks like LOL.

So we shouldn't come here to talk about our opinions.

[sureLoss]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1674233467951882243

[KipperFaNaTic]

I remember the oilers fan base imploding over an oversized European being chosen in the draft over Bennett ….. look how that turned out.

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Look at it this way:

Nate Danielson, who was drafted 9th overall, had 78 points in 68 games in the WHL, for Brandon- the 17th best team, 15th in goals-for.

Pro rated, Honzek would've had 88 points in 68 games in the WHL, for Vancouver- the 16th best team, 21st in goals-for.

Let’s not forget:

Originally Posted by Sandman

Thanks for asking! I still want Ritchie or Musty.

EDIT: Oliver Moore would be good too, but he wouldn't be happy. lol

Those 3, Barlow and Perrault were all favoured over Honzek by yourself.
Honzek was safe pick here, and favoured for size.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

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

So skiddadle.

Sure, but 90% of them are being reasonable about it