[Rumour] Boomer: Flames are kicking tires to trade up to #2. Draisaitl might be the target.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

I think Boomer's report is true, and we should obviously be kicking tires on moving up to #2.

However I think his speculation is probably wrong. IMO the main reason to move up to #2 is if Ekblad is passed over by whoever picks #1. I think at that point we'd be willing to pay to move up and grab the big defenseman. I think both Burke and Treliving believe in building a strong defense and Ekblad brings a lot of elements that we lack long term.

If Ekblad goes #1 I don't think it is worth it to move up unless Buffalo is willing to do it for a single second rounder.

Even though Florida should probably take Ekblad I can see them taking a forward.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Harvey Fialkov @hfialkov
Nylander Bennett Reinhart Ekblad all have meetings with Tallon tonite. Kapenen Doesn't #flapanthers

Nylander should be there at 6-8... perhaps Florida will indeed sell the #1 to Vancouver/Toronto?

Could Nylander be the dark horse first overall pick?

No Draisaitl or Kapenen... hmmm... maybe that's a smoke screen by Tallon?

My brain ~26 hours before the draft starts.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

I think Boomer's report is true, and we should obviously be kicking tires on moving up to #2.

However I think his speculation is probably wrong. IMO the main reason to move up to #2 is if Ekblad is passed over by whoever picks #1. I think at that point we'd be willing to pay to move up and grab the big defenseman. I think both Burke and Treliving believe in building a strong defense and Ekblad brings a lot of elements that we lack long term.

If Ekblad goes #1 I don't think it is worth it to move up unless Buffalo is willing to do it for a single second rounder.

Even though Florida should probably take Ekblad I can see them taking a forward.

That's exactly how I see it too. If Ekblad isn't taken at #1 - I see the Flames trying hard to get to #2 - and putting in the groundwork now to have a deal in place. Buffalo needs a forward far more than another D after last year's draft.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Jonathan Huberdeau ?? Must of got him for the rights to Cammalleri rather than the other panther high draft pick prospect..... And just when I thought that window of opportunity was closed.


or could be Johnny Hockey

I thought they were using Cammy's rights to take a run at Drouin? Or is it too late to make sense for TB?

Oh well, I guess Jonathan Huberdeau will suffice.

[sureLoss]

For those looking for an official weight and height on LD

Dustin Nielson @nielsonTSN1260
Draisaitl won me over today. Very well spoken and mature. Says he is 6'2 213 right now.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

I think Boomer's report is true, and we should obviously be kicking tires on moving up to #2.

However I think his speculation is probably wrong. IMO the main reason to move up to #2 is if Ekblad is passed over by whoever picks #1. I think at that point we'd be willing to pay to move up and grab the big defenseman. I think both Burke and Treliving believe in building a strong defense and Ekblad brings a lot of elements that we lack long term.

If Ekblad goes #1 I don't think it is worth it to move up unless Buffalo is willing to do it for a single second rounder.

Even though Florida should probably take Ekblad I can see them taking a forward.

^ we have a winner

[MissTeeks]

“@KristenOdlandCH: Consensus pick among media for most comfortable and engaging: C Leon Draisaitl and RW Jake Virtanen.”

[Demaeon]

Originally Posted by Rhubarb

Yes, Johnny Hockey.

Oh, I had just assumed it was Hudler in all those posts.

[sureLoss]

Harvey Fialkov @hfialkov
however Draisaitl doent have another meeting sked with Panthers. Was on vacation with dad in Cape Corallast 3 weeks. #flapanthers

Harvey Fialkov @hfialkov
Michael Dal Calle talked to Panthers at combine but no further talks scheduked #flapanthers

[sureLoss]

Jim Matheson @NHLbyMatty
Draisaitl is up to. 213 lbs now and mactavish says kid's hips come up to his chest so centre still growing.#oilers

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I thought they were using Cammy's rights to take a run at Drouin? Or is it too late to make sense for TB?

Oh well, I guess Jonathan Huberdeau will suffice.

those 3rd round overalls are so hard to keep straight.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Jim Matheson @NHLbyMatty
Draisaitl is up to. 213 lbs now and mactavish says kid's hips come up to his chest so centre still growing.#oilers

Have to admit it would be kind of funny if we snagged Draisaitl right from Edmonton's claws. Especially if Ekblad goes first as well.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Interesting scenario is if FLA takes Ekblad and then BUF takes Draisaitl.

Would EDM snatch up Reinhart even though he's so similar to RNH? Would they grab Bennett? They've been vocal about their need for a Lucic type player, is there a chance they could grab Ritchie at #3?

Wouldn't it be crazy if we had our choice of the Sams at #4!?

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

#1 centres on eastern conference playoff teams averaged under 6' and 200 lbs this year

In the west, I'm sure that average would be over 6'2" and 215

Doesn't mean he can't be that #1 guy in the west, but to say Bennett's size is better suited to the East is valid.

I don't think it is valid...

The average height in the NHL last year was 6'1 and the average weight was 203.

There were zero teams that had an average weight at 215 and only one that had an average height of approx. 6'2 (It was an eastern conference team).

In terms of centers I don't have the time to check the CV's on every center in the league but I went to NHL.com and checked the top 30 (in terms of point production) of the 30 only ten were 6'2 or taller (of those ten 6 were in the WC and 4 were in the EC).

Sources:
http://mirtle.blogspot.ca/2013/10/20...eight-and.html
http://NHL.com

[sureLoss]

Oilers meet with Draisaitl:

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sport...622/story.html

article also mentions that he couldn't make it to Edmonton for a personal visit because of flight troubles... possibly the reason he couldn't make it to Calgary like the Sams and Ekblad as Boomer reported

[Vinny01]

If we draft Drasaitl at 4 I am all good with that but do not want to trade up to get him.

My draft eve wishlist is:
1. Ekblad
2. Reinhart
3. Bennett
4. Drasaitl.

[ComixZone]

sounding more and more like Draisaitl won't make it to #4.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

sounding more and more like Draisaitl won't make it to #4.

That is ideal. If buffalo takes him I really like the flames chance at getting Reinhart

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

If we draft Drasaitl at 4 I am all good with that but do not want to trade up to get him.

My draft eve wishlist is:
1. Ekblad
2. Reinhart
3. Bennett
4. Drasaitl.

Yeah, Flames should just pick who of those 4 is left at #4... we're getting a great player regardless of who it is and one who's probably really close to as good as whomever is at #1.

My Wishlist is:
1. Ekblad
2. Bennett
3/4. Reinhart
4/3. Drasaitl

Reinhart and Drasaitl are basically tied and Bennett is just a tad (so small it's not worth giving up assets for) higher.

[timbit]

Just a hunch but I can see Calgary passing on Reinhart if he drops to 4.