2016 NHL Draft

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[Flames Draft Watcher]

Q and A with Dubois

https://www.nhl.com/news/pierre-luc-...?tid=277764372

"I like playing center, but if I were put on wing I'd probably prefer right wing. But wherever I'm needed, I'm willing to play at that position."

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

I get what you are saying and its true that our depth in defensemen and centres are much, much, greater than our depth at wing. But best player available may come in at some point. If Dubois/Tkachuk went 4th/5th and they Chychrun is the highest guy left on their list (lets say he's top 5 for the Flames) then you can happily pick him. Young defensemen can be traded to solve any current problems on the roster. Having an excess of them will never be a problem.

Biggest thing for me is that Chychrun is a defenseman unlike what we have in the system. While we have a critical mass of young d-men prospects, I think only a few of them have top 3 potential (Kylington and Andersson most likely). And those two guys are puck moving, puck rushing style d-men. Chychrun would give us a big, strong, mobile, physical all around d-man who can shoot, pass, rush the puck, defend and hit. Arguably we don't have that in our top 4 unless Hamilton continues to improve on his physicality. A top 4 long term of Brodie, Hamilton, Gio and Chychrun could be amongst the best in the league. Chychrun could replace Giordano long term.

If Chychrun has Ekblad type upside then he's a fine pick regardless of our depth at that position. If they think he's closer to a Bogosian then I think we would prioritize forward over him. Hard to tell how much the Flames might like Juolevi or Sergachev, for all we know they might be the top d-men.

Basically what this comes down to is where the Flames scouts see the draft tiers, how close the players in the 4-9 range are and how they tiebreak those close players. There could be scenarios where the top guy left on their list is a defensemen so be prepared to be pissed. That said I think there's a good chance a defenseman goes in the 4-5 range and one of the top forwards in the second tier could fall to us at #6. If we're drafting 7th I think there's a decent chance one or two d-men will go in the 4-6th range.

See, there's the problem. I don't see Ekblad when I watch Chychryn. I don't see anything any more impressive than what we already have in our system in Hickey. Chychryn is a really good skater. Top notch. Just like Hickey. Chychryn is not a big physical player like Ekblad was. His shot is not booming. I didn't see a player that made a ton of great reads that took plays away. To me, he looks a lot like Hickey and not the 2nd coming of a physical defenseman. When people say he's NHL ready I can't believe we're watching the same player. I don't see his style working in the NHL without major adjustments.

This year is another season where I think the basement bloggers have done a disservice to the evaluation process. They have repeated the same stuff they read from other sources, rather than view and evaluate for themselves, and that has created a false consensus in the draft order. I think the fact that the major, and long trusted, services have come out with such diverse opinions tells you how up in the air this draft is. Yes, the top three is in a tier by themselves, but after that it gets very interesting where players have risen and dropped erratically. To think there is some consensus list right now, and that there is some consensus in who is where in that draft order, I think is greatly flawed. I suspect the draft order from every team is going to be jumbled mess after the first three players, and there is nothing hard and fast to say one guy is better than the next. I Would be very confident to say that the Flames list will have McLeod above Nylander, because McLeod embodies every characteristic the Flames have drafted in the past few years. This applies to a number of players in this draft as well. Unless you are the Edmonton Oilers I think the blogger published lists will have little bearing on this draft and only create a false sense of outrage come draft day.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Well Chychrun is in the 7-10 range on a lot of lists right now so you may be right that he's just not the same caliber of prospect as Ekblad was.

I'm not as convinced they'd have McLeod ahead of Nylander but I could certainly see it.

Dubois and Tkachuk both seem to fit our needs very well. Hard for me to guess who they would have top 8 outside of those two.

[Vulcan]

They have repeated the same stuff they read from other sources, rather than view and evaluate for themselves, and that has created a false consensus in the draft order.

While this is maybe true at least the part where viewing and evaluating should be the best rating. Trying to come to a definite conclusion from a highlight film or even a televised game isn't 100% either, so experienced pro scouts opinion carries a lot of weight as well. Now as for you as a fan, I don't put a lot of value to your observations and opinion.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Q and A with Dubois

https://www.nhl.com/news/pierre-luc-...?tid=277764372

"I like playing center, but if I were put on wing I'd probably prefer right wing. But wherever I'm needed, I'm willing to play at that position."

Second sentence "left winger".

Bizarre that they'd call a center, whose favorite wing is RW, a left winger.

Quality journalism.

Sounds like a player that would fit nicely in the Flames




.

[dammage79]

Neat little write up on McLeod:

http://thehockeywriters.com/the-winn...ichael-mcleod/

If you take into consideration how the Flames play the game i.e stretch passes and the need for FW's to get back on D and help out, Mcleod is a perfect fit.

One of the single greatest failures this year for the Flames was special teams. Namely PK, again with McLeods defensive game and I quote:

McLeod is also leaps and bounds ahead of the average draft eligible forward in his own zone. He plays responsibly in the defensive end and is a fixture on the penalty kill for the Steelheads. He has a long reach, a long stride, and fast legs, which make him ideally suited for the penalty kill, something the Jets have had far too much need for at present.

I cannot see how this player at the Flames pick will not address the Flames future on PK and defensive play.

And offensively this Jets writer comes to the same conclusion I do, His offensive numbers aren't the prototypical "red flag" you see with other prospects. His offense is just tapping in now. I'm willing to wager that by the end of the next OHL season McLeod is going to explode in the goals and assists department. But that is not the key for me here. The key for me is the Ryan O'reilly effect. A guy who can put up offense but his over all strength is PK and his 200 ft game.

I'll argue that McLeod is a better pick for a team building to win a cup than a lot of other picks in the top 10. And even if he ends up a C I don't see many RH Centers flying around the league or more specifically the Flames these days. EDIT Theres a lot of great RH/C in the league, and I want most of them on my team. I.E Carter, Stepan, Bergeron, Pavelski, Krecji, Seguin.

And that speed. Thats top 3 speed in this draft, if not the best.

6'2" already, 180 lbs at the very least. How this guy slots in out of the top 6 is confusing as C is the most highly coveted spot in drafting and the only other legit C above him is Matthews. If the Flames stick at 5, BPA defaults to C by a majority of metrics. RH/C with potential to convert to RW? Bennett/McLeod 2018. Who cares who centers on that line. It'll be deadly and at the same time, responsible.

EDIT: It's almost as if they're treating his 61 points akin to being an undersized prospect. Pushing him down when he really shouldn't be.

Anyways, There's been a lot of in depth discussion about other draft eligibles I wanted to put a little more out there on one of my favorites.
Even if the Flames do not take McLeod, I'll bet he goes top 6.

[dammage79]

Want some Anti-Nylander stuff? After reading this I got a little iffy:

http://thehockeywriters.com/is-alex-...y-of-the-hype/

Not all doom and gloom but some objectivity is always a good thing.

I will disagree with the "Soft play" aspect of this story though. From what I have seen that is the opposite of the truth. Add in a plethora of other scouts/bloggers saying the opposite, I suppose you can take a lot of this story with a grain of salt.

[GranteedEV]

If not for his sweet one-timer Nylander would not make my top 10 either.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by New Era

See, there's the problem. I don't see Ekblad when I watch Chychryn. I don't see anything any more impressive than what we already have in our system in Hickey. Chychryn is a really good skater. Top notch. Just like Hickey. Chychryn is not a big physical player like Ekblad was. His shot is not booming. I didn't see a player that made a ton of great reads that took plays away. To me, he looks a lot like Hickey and not the 2nd coming of a physical defenseman. When people say he's NHL ready I can't believe we're watching the same player. I don't see his style working in the NHL without major adjustments..

I get that too. It's a hard sell when you the youtube scouting on the big 3 d men and the other 2 (Juolevi/Sergachev) appear to drive the play more out of their own zone and more so in the offensive zone.

Sergachev sticks out more in that department. Skating too.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Want some Anti-Nylander stuff? After reading this I got a little iffy:

http://thehockeywriters.com/is-alex-...y-of-the-hype/

Not all doom and gloom but some objectivity is always a good thing.

I will disagree with the "Soft play" aspect of this story though. From what I have seen that is the opposite of the truth. Add in a plethora of other scouts/bloggers saying the opposite, I suppose you can take a lot of this story with a grain of salt.

After reading that, wow does Tkachuk ever have a lot of secondary assists.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

After reading that, wow does Tkachuk ever have a lot of secondary assists.

Yeah, I kind of glanced over that but didn't make anything of it. That is a big number though. I'd be curious as to a direct percentage comparisson though between he and Nylander. As London is the far superior goal scoring team.

Someone better at number crunching may be better suited to that. Like what's Tkachuks percentage of secondary assists to the overall output of the Knights vs. Nylanders and the overall output of the Steelheads?

I have a sneaking suspicion Nylander may be worse off based off a percentage.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

After reading that, wow does Tkachuk ever have a lot of secondary assists.

That's a bit of a red flag as it seems he's the 3rd wheel on that line.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

While this is maybe true at least the part where viewing and evaluating should be the best rating. Trying to come to a definite conclusion from a highlight film or even a televised game isn't 100% either, so experienced pro scouts opinion carries a lot of weight as well. Now as for you as a fan, I don't put a lot of value to your observations and opinion.

That's so cute! Vulcan is still butt hurt over looking foolish in the Jankowski thread! Still burns that you were too pigheaded to put your feelings from draft day aside and focus on whether the player was developing? Keep holding that grudge.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Yeah, I kind of glanced over that but didn't make anything of it. That is a big number though. I be curious as to a direct percentage comparisson though between he and Nylander. As London is the far superior goal scoring team.

Someone better at number crunching may be better suited to that. Like what Tkachuks percentage of secondary assists to the overall output of the Knights vs. Nylanders and the overall output of the Steelheads?

I have a sneaking suspicion Nylander may be worse off based off a percentage.

Those were my observations as well, even though they don't matter because I'm not a real scout. I came away from the steelheads games blow away by McLeod and disappointed in Nylander. Same can be said about Tkachuk with the Knights. I thought he was more of the third wheel than a guy who made stuff happen.

I should mention that when I watch these games I don't look at a program or roster until after the first period. I like to take notes on who I like then take a look at who is who. I think it very valuable to go in without any preconceptions and watch the team's blind to see who impresses you with their play rather than what their name is. Like I say, it makes you come away with a very different take on players.

[dammage79]

Fun fact: Ryan O'Reilly's draft year had him play 68 games and 66 points. 2nd round pick aside and you look at what he is right now, I'd say McLeod is right on par with Ryan O'Reilly and might be better because of the skating.

Anywho, useless thought of the day.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by New Era

That's so cute! Vulcan is still butt hurt over looking foolish in the Jankowski thread! Still burns that you were too pigheaded to put your feelings from draft day aside and focus on whether the player was developing? Keep holding that grudge.

Your response shows you never had an inkling of what my position on Jankowski has been. You just read someone isn't a full blown Jankowski fanatic and you go bat #### insane.

Too put it into perspective, I hope Jankowski turns out as a NHL Flames player. That isn't a proven yet although he's finally looking like a decent prospect. That we took a gamble on him when there were other better prospects available, was IMO a poor choice.

Nobody looked more foolish than you saying Jankowski was going to be the next Joel Otto. Here's a player that one scout said was scared of his own shadow. I wouldn't take it to that extreme but he's been far from a physical player, although that is improving as he gains strength.

Myself I wouldn't compare him to Nieuwendyk, Otto or Colborne, who have been his mentioned comparisons. Like most prospects let him carve his own niche.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Your response shows you never had an inkling of what my position on Jankowski has been. You just read someone isn't a full blown Jankowski fanatic and you go bat #### insane.

Too put it into perspective, I hope Jankowski turns out as a NHL Flames player. That isn't a proven yet although he's finally looking like a decent prospect. That we took a gamble on him when there were other better prospects available, was IMO a poor choice.

Nobody looked more foolish than you saying Jankowski was going to be the next Joel Otto. Here's a player that one scout said was scared of his own shadow. I wouldn't take it to that extreme but he's been far from a physical player, although that is improving as he gains strength.

Myself I wouldn't compare him to Nieuwendyk, Otto or Colborne, who have been his mentioned comparisons. Like most prospects let him carve his own niche.

there are plenty to people that weren't excited about that pick. I put myself firmly in that camp...

it's great that Jankowski has improved to the point where he looks like he has a shot at the NHL... However there's still a long way to go before we know that...

Janko threads tend to generate because people attack others for having a differing opinion... both those who like Janko and those who don't are guilty of doing so.

luckily, all we have to do is wait and see at this point... all the speculation in the world won't matter - only his play on the ice.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

TSN's u18 schedule

Fri Apr 15 6pm Denmark vs. Canada TSN
Sat Apr 16 6:30pm Canada vs Czech Republic TSN3
Mon Apr 18 6:30pm Canada vs Slovakia TSN
Tue Apr 19 2:30pm Finland vs Canada TSN

Bump. Playing today vs Denmark. Chance for everyone to check out Chychrun and McLeod in particular for themselves.

[bucksmasher]

please don't let this thread go Janko. I like hearing about draft prospects