[News] With the 54th overall pick the Flames select RW Hunter Smith - Page 15 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Ashasx · 03-03-2015, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

You made fun of this pick yesterday, seemingly writing it (and the McDonald pick) off as a wasted picks for Calgary.

Way too soon to be doing that, so it's a bit rich listening to you criticize others for their early projections.

Historically, forwards that have produced like Hunter at his age have not become NHLers, let alone top 6 players. Nothing about his game projects top 6 upside. Unfortunately.

So, not rich.

Flash Walken · 03-03-2015, 12:21 PM

Can never tell with a guy that big.

Even if he turns out to be just a middling Nystrom-style forward, he's a 6'7 Nystrom style forward.

AC · 03-03-2015, 12:23 PM

While long shots, if 6'7" Hunter Smith and 6'7" Keegan Kanzig turn into ANYTHING at the NHL level... you're laughing.

The Fonz · 03-03-2015, 12:23 PM

Is it fair to compare him to David Moss? I haven't got to watch much of Smith, but from what I read he's a big dude who can move quite well for his size, and likes to hang his ass in the goaltender's face and bang in garbage goals.

The upside over Moss is that Smith is mean.

Sounds like potentially a great 3rd/4th line RW.

Hackey · 03-03-2015, 12:26 PM

If he could turn into a Brian Boyle type player I'd gladly take that.

Ashasx · 03-03-2015, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC

While long shots, if 6'7" Hunter Smith and 6'7" Keegan Kanzig turn into ANYTHING at the NHL level... you're laughing.

I remember reading somewhere (maybe it was flamesnation) that if Kanzig becomes an NHLer, he would be one of the lowest junior scoring players ever to do so.

Odds already stacked against him.

GoJetsGo · 03-03-2015, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Historically, forwards that have produced like Hunter at his age have not become NHLers, let alone top 6 players. Nothing about his game projects top 6 upside. Unfortunately.

So, not rich.

Sorry, but you insinuated our two 2nd round picks from last year were a waste. That was premature, and makes your previous comment that I posted hypocritical.

Way too soon to be drawing those kinds of conclusions.

cannon7 · 03-03-2015, 12:32 PM

Who here predicted Bouma would develop into the player he is today based on his juniors numbers? Right about now I wish we had two more Boumas on this roster.

If Smith commits to improving his skating, like I'm sure the Flames are pushing him to, then I think he has a pretty high ceiling. Can't really teach that kind of a mean streak.

Erick Estrada · 03-03-2015, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Historically, forwards that have produced like Hunter at his age have not become NHLers, let alone top 6 players. Nothing about his game projects top 6 upside. Unfortunately.

So, not rich.

Lots don't make it because they are too small or not physically strong enough to translate their junior game against men. That's never going to be an issue for Smith. He's got an advantage over every player around him producing the same rate because of his size alone. Not saying he's a sure thing but I'll take a 6'7" point a game forward that can skate over a 6' point a game forward in the CHL any day.

Ashasx · 03-03-2015, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Sorry, but you insinuated our two 2nd round picks from last year were a waste. That was premature, and makes your previous comment that I posted hypocritical.

Way too soon to be drawing those kinds of conclusions.

Oh I believe they were poor picks (I've always felt that picking a goalie in the first two rounds is unjustifiable) and you know my thoughts on Smith (though to be fair, the draft appeared to die off considerably after the 50th pick or so).

It may be hypocritical to critique such projections, but the odds are in my favour.

northcrunk · 03-03-2015, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC

While long shots, if 6'7" Hunter Smith and 6'7" Keegan Kanzig turn into ANYTHING at the NHL level... you're laughing.

I believe they said the same thing about Chara. His skating wasn't good enough to ever become a NHL player.

Street Pharmacist · 03-03-2015, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northcrunk

I believe they said the same thing about Chara. His skating wasn't good enough to ever become a NHL player.

They've also said that about thousands of players who didn't make it

ComixZone · 03-03-2015, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashasx

It may be hypocritical to critique such projections, but the odds are in my favour.

...but yeah, Smith is a massive project and is more likely to fail than succeed...but that's the case with most 2nd round picks anyways.

saillias · 03-03-2015, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hackey

If he could turn into a Brian Boyle type player I'd gladly take that.

This is who I thought of as well.

Important to note that he was 24/25 when he became a full-time NHLer, and was considered a "bust" at that point.

Textcritic · 03-03-2015, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Oh I believe they were poor picks (I've always felt that picking a goalie in the first two rounds is unjustifiable) and you know my thoughts on Smith (though to be fair, the draft appeared to die off considerably after the 50th pick or so).

It may be hypocritical to critique such projections, but the odds are in my favour.

Haha. Of course they are. But not because either MacDonald or Smith are bad picks. Its because the majority of second round picks don't become established NHL players.

Ashasx · 03-03-2015, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ComixZone

...but yeah, Smith is a massive project and is more likely to fail than succeed...but that's the case with most 2nd round picks anyways.

You are right, but in many ways (and of course we don't know anything for certain, again I'm still looking at the probabilities) Smith (and especially Kanzig) showed these qualities well before we drafted them. It's not like any of this has been a surprise.

MrMastodonFarm · 03-03-2015, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Oh I believe they were poor picks (I've always felt that picking a goalie in the first two rounds is unjustifiable) and you know my thoughts on Smith (though to be fair, the draft appeared to die off considerably after the 50th pick or so).

It may be hypocritical to critique such projections, but the odds are in my favour.

The odds of predicting failure to prospects will always be in your failure. It's so boring.

If you've seen a guy, say what you like or don't like. Don't just brush a guy off because the odds are in your favour. It's so Damn lame.

Hackey · 03-03-2015, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashasx

You are right, but in many ways (and of course we don't know anything for certain, again I'm still looking at the probabilities) Smith (and especially Kanzig) showed these qualities well before we drafted them. It's not like any of this has been a surprise.

Well what's your issue? You don't like the way the scouts assembled their list?

Fighting Banana Slug · 03-03-2015, 12:47 PM

Always a crap shoot, but it will be fun to watch Smith. He is on a loaded Oshawa team, and it will be interesting to see how he does in the playoffs. I suspect his point total might be more of a reflection on the team he plays for, but that is pure speculation on my part.

Ashasx · 03-03-2015, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Haha. Of course they are. But not because either MacDonald or Smith are bad picks. Its because the majority of second round picks don't become established NHL players.

Relative to what was available, I believe they were poor picks.

I believe goalies are complete wildcards and should not be drafted that high.

As for Smith, I'll be a little more fair and say that it wasn't a bad pick, but a disappointing one. I still think Jack Glover would have been a wise choice with that pick (or we could have picked Hickey at 54, Glover at 64) and considering the team need for right shooting defencemen.