[News] With the 60th OA pick the Flames select D Oliver Kylington UPD: CHL rights to Brandon

[Trailer Fire]

The more I hear about this kid and read about him... I cannot WAIT to see what he brings in the next few years.

I talked to a Swedish family member this afternoon about Kylington and AIK, and she told me that Oliver is somewhat of an outsider from the older core. Nylander and Blomdahl are very close to head coach Franzen and Kylington didn't fit in with them very well. From my understanding he was misused and felt like he was being misused too.

[dammage79]

Folks that go to the Development camp are going to be blown away. I suspect by both Andersson and Kylington.

[Itse]

Floor of Justin Schultz, ceiling of Erik Karlsson?

[kn]

Originally Posted by Bunk
After he moved up and drafted him at 60 a couple GMs called and "yelled some profanities" at him.

I've always wondered how GMs can know that teams are about to select the player they're interested in? I mean, why 60? Why not move up to 59 or 61?

[kn]

Originally Posted by Itse

Floor of Justin Schultz, ceiling of Erik Karlsson?

The more I read and watch videos, I don't think the "bust" component has anything to do with attitude or injuries, but with Hockey IQ. That WJC shift-by-shift video dramatically exposed his weakness in the defensive end. Hopefully this can be rectified with coaching because if he remains a defensive liability, he won't be making it.

Offensively, Karlsson is definitely a comparable. If he can just become an average NHL defender, his offense will make up for the rest.

[Anduril]

No doubt being average defensively would be a fantastic result realistically but curious to what extent teams have looked at potentially moving him to wing. Just seems like something a coach would resort to if he really doesn't get the D part of being a defenseman.

[Roughneck]

Would have been pretty sour with the pick at 15, but at 60 I'm pretty happy with it. Turns a 'high risk' into a relatively low risk pick just like that. I'm always skeptical of "steals" that have such a sharp fall in the draft, teams don't usually pass over a player multiple times when it is something they feel they can fix, but maybe I'm just too happy about getting Hamilton to care too much about it now.

Basically seems like the kind of guy we'll be bragging about getting late in the 2nd Round or a player who we will never hear about again. I'm used to the latter, so I guess I'm a little excited about potentially having the former.

[Caged Great]

I am hoping that the Flames decide to bring Kylington over and have him play in Stockton. Normally I would be against such a move, but having him learn from Huska would be great. Huska has a long track record of working with D and making them NHL calibre players. Kylington needs work on the defensive side of the game and he would benefit heavily from added time with a good defensive teacher like Huska.

It would cause a small problem with the lower end prospects that are in Stockton, and might lead to someone like Ramage or Acolatse not being retained, but I think the long term benefits would out weight the hindrances from having him play there sooner than later.

[Red Menace]

I wanted him in Rd 1 and Andersson in rd 2, so I am beyond thrilled.
Can we expect them both at WJC?

[FlameZilla]

Yeah, considering there was a contingent of fans who wanted to pick him at 15th I think Kylington at 60th is a great roll of the dice.

It was worrying to see him fall from grace, though. Last year he was on everyone's radar to go top 10. Reminds me of Jiri Hudler in his draft year, who I wanted to see the Flames pick in the 1st round but he fell to Detroit much later on.

From FC's 2014 guide:

Exceptionally poised, mature, two-way defenseman...handles the puck well and likes to join the rush...plays with impressive confidence and is absolutely fearless with the puck on his stick...doesn’t possess a bomb of a shot, but knows how to put the puck on target...quite impressive top speed and acceleration, especially in offensive situations...not overly big and has some defensive positioning issues to sort out...minute-munching ability as this kid just has ice water flowing through his veins.

The scouting report hasn't changed much in that year, only his draft position. I bet he'll be fun to watch on the PP, anyway. Pair him with Dougie in a couple of years & he'll paper over the cracks in Kyller's game.

[Rick M.]

Kylington turned 18 last month, so it's not like he's running out of time to prove he can make the NHL.

[ricardodw]

Is using all 6 picks under 83 on d-men an indication that the window of opportunity for Wotherspoon/Sieloff/Kulak/Culkin/Rammage is closing this year or maybe next.

Already Morrison Nadakal and Kanzig are being thrown into the mix forcing some decisions on d-men who were supposed to have a reasonable chance to make it to the NHL

I got the overall impression that Wotherspoon was read the riot act at the end of season reviews and was told that if he was going to make it it would be in 2015-16.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I am hoping that the Flames decide to bring Kylington over and have him play in Stockton. Normally I would be against such a move, but having him learn from Huska would be great. Huska has a long track record of working with D and making them NHL calibre players. Kylington needs work on the defensive side of the game and he would benefit heavily from added time with a good defensive teacher like Huska.

It would cause a small problem with the lower end prospects that are in Stockton, and might lead to someone like Ramage or Acolatse not being retained, but I think the long term benefits would out weight the hindrances from having him play there sooner than later.

It has been noted that Huska did not handle the defencemen in Kelowna but rather his assistant. Hard to say that Huska has been any good for the Flames D prospects at this point, 3 were first year guys (Culkin, Kulak, and Sieloff) and Wotherspoon only improved marginally by accounts.

Having said that, it would be nice to have the developmental coaches and Van Asten having free access to both Kylington and Andersson.

[868904]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Is using all 6 picks under 83 on d-men an indication that the window of opportunity for Wotherspoon/Sieloff/Kulak/Culkin/Rammage is closing this year or maybe next.

Already Morrison Nadakal and Kanzig are being thrown into the mix forcing some decisions on d-men who were supposed to have a reasonable chance to make it to the NHL

I got the overall impression that Wotherspoon was read the riot act at the end of season reviews and was told that if he was going to make it it would be in 2015-16.

I don't know why you would think that, 150 AHL games is pretty good seasoning (this is what Brodie had) and none of the guys you mentioned are even close to that threshold.

Kulak, Sieloff, and Culkin could spend another two full seasons in Stockton and it still wouldn't be a bad thing. Wotherspoon needs to push for a spot by the end of the season.

Realistically those 4 guys will replace Wideman, Russell and Engelland when their contracts are up.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Is using all 6 picks under 83 on d-men an indication that the window of opportunity for Wotherspoon/Sieloff/Kulak/Culkin/Rammage is closing this year or maybe next.

Already Morrison Nadakal and Kanzig are being thrown into the mix forcing some decisions on d-men who were supposed to have a reasonable chance to make it to the NHL

I got the overall impression that Wotherspoon was read the riot act at the end of season reviews and was told that if he was going to make it it would be in 2015-16.

Kulak and Culkin just played their 1st pro seasons. They have more time.

It's make or break season for Wotherspoon, otherwise he'll soon be forgotten like Max Reinhart.

Sieloff needs to stay healthy otherwise he won't be getting another contract. Ramage is likely our AHL captain in couple of years.

With or without these guys we knew we had to bring in more defensive prospects; management and fans both recognized.

So not sure how the new drafted prospects are closing the window on the previous guys. New guys are still couple years away from turning pro even.

[corporatejay]

I think Wotherspoon is a bust. Given how desperate we were towards the end of the season for someone to step up and take 8-12 minutes a game this guy couldn't get on the ice....pretty telling.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

I think Wotherspoon is a bust. Given how desperate we were towards the end of the season for someone to step up and take 8-12 minutes a game this guy couldn't get on the ice....pretty telling.

Yes, because in the heat of a playoff push, and then the playoffs themselves, you want to push a rookie into the lineup on the blue line to see what you have.

[pacde]

So I wonder what happens if Hamilton gets Offer Sheeted
He is a prime target ... do we pay him 7 for 5 if thats the offer sheet?

(We Meaning Flames of course)

[pacde]

Mistaken self quote

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

I think Wotherspoon is a bust. Given how desperate we were towards the end of the season for someone to step up and take 8-12 minutes a game this guy couldn't get on the ice....pretty telling.

Huh?