[News] Burke says he is unlikely to trade up... hasn't watched Bennett

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

If we're going on scouting reports, Draisaitl seems to be the #4 (if not higher) pick. Also, in my opinion I'd always tend to lean towards the Centre rather than the Winger, unless the winger is significantly better (which by most accounts, in this case he is not)

This year there seems to be less 'consensus' in mock drafts and scouting services rankings. Even in a good year where there is much more consensus amongst them, they are usually just a rough approximation.

Jones last year was a very high 1st overall consensus pick from the most (or was it all?) scouting services final rankings by the draft combine. He fell to #4.

This year, the more scouting reports I have read, the more this jumps out at me more than in the past years (seemingly to me, anyways):

"This prospect has the potential to be the best player in the draft."

I am 100% sure I have seen this being mentioned in Ekblad, Reinhart, Dal Colle, Ritchie's list, and I THINK I have seen it in a Nylander report as well. Can't remember (and really, I can't remember, so don't assume it wasn't there) about Bennett and Draisaitl.

These quotes have mostly been from anonymous NHL scouts being asked their opinions.

This draft, I am 'ready' for some big surprises - from Calgary or from other teams. I rolled my eyes and laughed when mock drafts had Reinhart falling past #2 or 3 - now it wouldn't shock me. Wouldn't shock me to see Dal Colle being taken #2. I don't necessarily agree with them - just that right now, the first 6 or 7 picks wouldn't shock me with regards to the order they are selected. I think Ekblad is gone first with Florida picking - but after that it is fair game to speculate on which highly touted prospect(s) get dropped a bit lower than expected, and which prospect(s) get bumped up.

I think there is less consensus this year than there even was last year amongst NHL teams, and last year had Jones 1st on most scouting service rankings IIRC.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

If we're going on scouting reports, Draisaitl seems to be the #4 (if not higher) pick. Also, in my opinion I'd always tend to lean towards the Centre rather than the Winger, unless the winger is significantly better (which by most accounts, in this case he is not)

Dal Colle has been listed as a C/LW so perhaps he can move back to the middle.

As much as people think otherwise I think the Flames are still in the McDavid/Eichel mix next year.

I have heard Draisaitl listed as a riskier pick. I prefer the Canadian big body forward with a NHL shot over the German who has been compared to Kopitar but there have been questions about his foot speed

[Rick M.]

There were questions about Kopitar's foots speed in his draft year, and Getzlaff's too for that matter. Sam Reinhart's foot speed has been questioned also. Only Bennett is considered speedy, of the top centers. I don't see any of them as slow and skating can be improved with coaching. All are said to possess excellent vision with Reinhart having the edge.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Dal Colle has been listed as a C/LW so perhaps he can move back to the middle.

As much as people think otherwise I think the Flames are still in the McDavid/Eichel mix next year.

I have heard Draisaitl listed as a riskier pick. I prefer the Canadian big body forward with a NHL shot over the German who has been compared to Kopitar but there have been questions about his foot speed

I don't think nationality should be a factor. Just take the best player. The list of big-bodied Canadian's I'd take over Kopitar is extremely short. Not that it's likely that Draisaitl turns into a Kopitar equivalent.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

There were questions about Kopitar's foots speed in his draft year, and Getzlaff's too for that matter. Sam Reinhart's foot speed has been questioned also. Only Bennett is considered speedy, of the top centers. I don't see any of them as slow and skating can be improved with coaching. All are said to possess excellent vision with Reinhart having the edge.

Monahan also has mediocre foot speed so while it would be great for our top 2 C to be big I really would like to have some speed in the lineup. Bennett has surpassed Reinhart for me now he seems like a player you win with and has passion that can become infectious in the locker room

[theoforever]

I like Bennett too, great heart.
I think they will go Ekblad, Bennett, Reinhart.
No idea, who we should pick.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

I must have missed something but why do people think Bennett will be available but Reinhardt will be gone?

Most people and the majority of scouting services seem to rank Reinhart as the #1 forward. Makes sense to me he will likely go ahead of Bennett.

[djsFlames]

FWIW the two fastest skaters in the top 5 are Bennett and Dal Colle.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

There were questions about Kopitar's foots speed in his draft year, and Getzlaff's too for that matter. Sam Reinhart's foot speed has been questioned also. Only Bennett is considered speedy, of the top centers. I don't see any of them as slow and skating can be improved with coaching. All are said to possess excellent vision with Reinhart having the edge.

Really? I haven't come across this. Usually when I hear them dissecting his skating, they say stuff like "Good speed, but not high-end", or something similar. I have heard his skating is 'average' to 'above average', with elite-level edges.

Interesting if true. I would agree he isn't speedy though - just 'adequate' but shifty from all the games I saw him in.

[bucksmasher]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

FWIW the two fastest skaters in the top 5 are Bennett and Dal Colle.

Starting to lean towards Dal Colle over Draisaitl fairly heavy now based on nothing other than listening to some scouting reports etc.

[icecube]

I prefer Draisaitl over Dal Colle. Big Centers do not grow on trees.

[mrdonkey]

I'm starting to get the sense that the Oilers are picking Draisaitl. Fans and local media are acting like it's a foregone conclusion.

I would really love it if Bennett were there at 4 as a result. Like, sunshine and rainbows shooting out of my butt kind of happy.

[Roof-Daddy]

Yeah, I will be one happy MOFO if Reinhart or Bennett are there for us at #4. If not, let's snag Dall Colle and see if his junior team will move him to center for next season.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Yeah, I will be one happy MOFO if Reinhart or Bennett are there for us at #4. If not, let's snag Dall Colle and see if his junior team will move him to center for next season.

That's my line of thinking as well.

At 6-2 and likely 210 when he fills out (170 now), he would definitely have the size necessary to be a center.

[Rick M.]

I've seen him (Dal Colle) listed at 185 recently. A lot of times they just keep reprinting the height and weight stats from the start of the season.

[The Original FFIV]

Anyone else have the draft blahs this year? Don't get me wrong I will be happy with the pick at 4 but I don't know if it's the weak draft class or the lack of 3 1sts but doesn't have the zip that it did last year.

I guess the steep drop off after the top 15 makes our 2 2nds not as exciting unless Burke can swing a deal to get another first however this might be the type of draft where u can get the same player at #34 that u could in the 20-30 range.

I'm sure it will pick up when we get closer but right now it's pretty much a given we take the last remaining if the top 4

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Anyone else have the draft blahs this year? Don't get me wrong I will be happy with the pick at 4 but I don't know if it's the weak draft class or the lack of 3 1sts but doesn't have the zip that it did last year.

I guess the steep drop off after the top 15 makes our 2 2nds not as exciting unless Burke can swing a deal to get another first however this might be the type of draft where u can get the same player at #34 that u could in the 20-30 range.

I'm sure it will pick up when we get closer but right now it's pretty much a given we take the last remaining if the top 4

I just have the "blahs" because we have to wait two months for these pesky playoffs to be done. Only way that'll go by quick for me is if Iggy and the Bruins have a nice long run at it.

As for the draft itself, I'm pretty stoked. Flames should be adding another high level prospect to the system, someone who will likely slot in between Monahan and Sven/Poirier on the prospect depth chart.

Plus, the last few drafts IMO Button and company have been doing a real nice job of finding talent past the first round, so two 2nd's and two 3rd's is also something to look forward to as well IMO.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I think Burke is intending to use all of his picks this year. I think he'll be aiming for defenseman in the second round since we will acquire either a center or a LWer in the first.

[moon]

I would say the opposite I am very excited about the draft this year especially with the potential of one of the Sam's dropping to us. Now that excitement will drop if we end up with Draisatl but for now I am pretty pumped to see who we are getting at 4.

Or it may just be because Feaster is no longer here to screw the team up anymore and I have an overall more optimistic view of the Flames future with competent management in place.

[A Shot Wide]

Originally Posted by moon

I would say the opposite I am very excited about the draft this year especially with the potential of one of the Sam's dropping to us. Now that excitement will drop if we end up with Draisatl but for now I am pretty pumped to see who we are getting at 4.

Or it may just be because Feaster is no longer here to screw the team up anymore and I have an overall more optimistic view of the Flames future with competent management in place.

Yeah, the potential of having Monahan/Bennett or even Draisaitl is insanity. The flames have been very weak at center for a long time, and giving Burke two potential number one centers is something he would have killed for in Toronto.