Flames 2013 Draft Discussion

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by Itse

Hard to compare.

The Finnish SM-liiga is not a very good league.

Just look at Mikael Granlund; the guy dominated the league like few others, but in NA it's still IMO too early to say if the guy will be a total bust.

Number of top players out of Finland in the recent years? (That are not goalies).

*crickets*

Players aren't drafted based on their stats. It really doesn't matter whether Barkov plays in Sweden, Finland, or Russia. If there are issues of transition, they are the same issues for players coming from all those leagues.

Some countries' junior systems produce better talent than others in general, but that doesn't mean anything when you're watching an individual player and evaluating his personal talent.

Zero chance of Granlund being a bust. Mike Yeo has just been coaching with his butt clenched all season long and couldn't give him time to adjust in the top-6. They might be suffering from that now that some of the veterans who lack game breaking skill are screwing up plays in the middle of the ice.

[Duke43]

Feasters view of the top 4 person he has not specified is likely whichever player they get no matter where they drop to in the draft order.

[Buck Murdock]

Anyone else a little nervous at the prospect of Jay Feaster dealing some of the 1st rounders for "Pre-Apex" players? personally I hope they keep the picks and get some good young talent to develop internally. I'm not a season ticket holder, but the prospect of the team sucking next year and having another lottery pick doesn't bother me at all.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by Itse

Hard to compare.

The Finnish SM-liiga is not a very good league.

Just look at Mikael Granlund; the guy dominated the league like few others, but in NA it's still IMO too early to say if the guy will be a total bust.

Number of top players out of Finland in the recent years? (That are not goalies).

*crickets*

Granlund dominated FEL because the larger rink made it possible for him to hang on to the puck all day long. It gave him more time and space and hid the problems that he was going to have in NA. He is a pretty typical version of a smaller european player who has tough time to adjust to nhl, though Granlund has elite skill and eventually will be a good player in this league.

Now take Barkov, who did everyting that Granlund did but couple of years earlier and he is 6´3 and has a completely different physical presence. He is pretty much made for nhl. He is not the best skater (not as bad either as some here think), although at the age 17 and at 205 lbs it´s not a suprise, just needs to iron it out without growing and adding more weight and he is good to go.

[bucksmasher]

Originally Posted by Duke43

Feasters view of the top 4 person he has not specified is likely whichever player they get no matter where they drop to in the draft order.

Ya can't wait to hear how player x was their 1st choice blah blah

[bucksmasher]

Originally Posted by Buck Murdock

Anyone else a little nervous at the prospect of Jay Feaster dealing some of the 1st rounders for "Pre-Apex" players? personally I hope they keep the picks and get some good young talent to develop internally. I'm not a season ticket holder, but the prospect of the team sucking next year and having another lottery pick doesn't bother me at all.

When did he say this? is there a link to the blather?

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by Buck Murdock

Anyone else a little nervous at the prospect of Jay Feaster dealing some of the 1st rounders for "Pre-Apex" players? personally I hope they keep the picks and get some good young talent to develop internally. I'm not a season ticket holder, but the prospect of the team sucking next year and having another lottery pick doesn't bother me at all.

I think he might make a deal like that.

I'd be thrilled to see him move one of the later picks in a deal to get a good young player who is already established. Losing sucks.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by bucksmasher

When did he say this? is there a link to the blather?

Haven't heard anything from Feaster... Only strategy divulged was from weisbrod in this article, saying "i think so" when asked if they'll look to trade down to recoup their 2nd rounder.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Buck Murdock

Anyone else a little nervous at the prospect of Jay Feaster dealing some of the 1st rounders for "Pre-Apex" players? personally I hope they keep the picks and get some good young talent to develop internally. I'm not a season ticket holder, but the prospect of the team sucking next year and having another lottery pick doesn't bother me at all.

In my mind one of the Blues or Penguins pick will be traded for a player. I rather they draft instead, but you know Feaster is going to want to add something to this team. UFA market is bleak, Feaster does not want to trade youth( good thing) and i doubt any team wants our "mey" players in trade. That pretty much leaves one of our late first round picks because i doubt they can get anything for the 3rd round pick.

I don't think it will be for some young up comming stud. More likely a 3rd line big, gritty player ( Feaster will try and sell him as a 2nd line player) in the age of 25-27. Or it will be a young (22-24) former 2nd/3rd/4th pick that is ready to make the jump from the AHL ( again Feaster will try and sell him as 2nd line potential).

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by bucksmasher

When did he say this? is there a link to the blather?

it's what i gathered when listening to him interviewed by millions in the intermission the other night.

btw when roger mentioned "oil change" i loved jay's response
"gonna make me throw up"

[Teroy]

In his interview between periods the other night I'm sure that Feaster said "defence" when asked what the Flames needed. I wouldn't be surprised if Nurse was on his list.

[bucksmasher]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

In my mind one of the Blues or Penguins pick will be traded for a player. I rather they draft instead, but you know Feaster is going to want to add something to this team. UFA market is bleak, Feaster does not want to trade youth( good thing) and i doubt any team wants our "mey" players in trade. That pretty much leaves one of our late first round picks because i doubt they can get anything for the 3rd round pick.

I don't think it will be for some young up comming stud. More likely a 3rd line big, gritty player ( Feaster will try and sell him as a 2nd line player) in the age of 25-27. Or it will be a young (22-24) former 2nd/3rd/4th pick that is ready to make the jump from the AHL ( again Feaster will try and sell him as 2nd line potential).

Maybe feaster is targeting some player they think will go in the 2nd round and is trying to outsmart everyone and acquire another pick and who knows what else by dealing Pit/Stl first. We don't even really know if Jankowski was the player they wanted last year.

I wonder if another problem flames brass can see arising is that getting decent players from cap trouble teams wont be as easy as once thought. Teams like the oilers (unfortunately) that have better assets than the Flames to trade will command the top notch players like a St Luois D-man etc. I often wonder if feasters open mouth policy, like talking about taking advantage of other teams in cap trouble, has them looking elsewhere first for trading partners that don't openly announce their planned exploits.

[PlayfulGenius]

I hope Feaster has the courage to show a lot of patience...I don't thinks its a good idea to start trading away picks... This team should be accumulating picks... And that's what they e been doing of late, so no reason to panic.

[PlayfulGenius]

I'd like to see Feaster move a roster player at the draft for another pick in the top 60, depending on which player is moved, of course.

[SuperMatt18]

Feaster will keep the picks IMO.

Last year they were willing to trade our first because they didn't like the draft.

This year Feaster was adament that we got a first rounder back in trades, and could be argued he took worse packages to make that happen.

I have a feeling our scouts really like this draft and have players we want at each part of the draft.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I'd like to see Feaster move a roster player at the draft for another pick in the top 60, depending on which player is moved, of course.

Agree, I really hope we are able to move Tanguay at the draft, a mid-second would do.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Teroy

In his interview between periods the other night I'm sure that Feaster said "defence" when asked what the Flames needed. I wouldn't be surprised if Nurse was on his list.

I took that as current needs.

Nurse is at least 3 years away from playing an NHL game.

We need to get that number one centre with our first pick.

[PlayfulGenius]

Is Barkov AHL eligible for next season?

[Matty81]

Yes getting more picks for vets would be excellent.

Though I don't think the likes of tanguay will be here when we contend again but his contract is way too long, doubt he has that value. Stempniak and Stajan both with one year left will be in demand all year right up to the deadline.

Also hoping we don't see the classic, quality for quantity Flames draft moves. 3 top prospects is lots to add to the stable in one draft and there should be no pressure to add a 2nd. Too bad we seem to give them away like candy every year to begin with.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

Is Barkov AHL eligible for next season?

Wouldn't Barkov make the Flames next year if drafted by them?