2015 NHL Draft

[lanny9]

Originally Posted by C_of_Red28

Am I the only one that doesn't think Buffalo will be as bad as everyone says.. I don't see Buffalo finishing in 30th..

I think they will be a lot better, need a goalie but maybe one of theirs will have taken a big step forward?

[sureLoss]

Pronman released his top 30 rankings for September:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/story...draftprospects

His top 10:
1. McDavid
2. Eichel
3. Kylington
4. Hanifin
5. Konecny
6. Zacha
7. Barzal
8. J. Roy
9. White
10. Strome

[Poe969]

I agree that most of the bottom teams improved. I still think the coilers and buffalo finish outside of top 5 picks.

[Poe969]

wow, he has Kylington above Hanifin????? I guess Kylington plays more of an offensive game where I thought Hanifin was more all around game. Still, those are some pretty good young players.

[lanny9]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I agree that most of the bottom teams improved. I still think the coilers and buffalo finish outside of top 5 picks.

I agree, although I will want to see the Flames compete nightly, I will not be too upset at the end of the day to get one of the top two picks this year. We have never picked top three before and if we are ever going to do it this is the year for it to happen.

Realistically our lineup does not look good, future is looking good but right now I will not be surprised if we finish dead last. Our youth aren't ready yet and our veterans don't have the skill level to win against a very tough western division imo.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

That would be a really strong group of top 5 prospects, and i would be pretty surprised if we weren't bottom 5 this year (bottom not "top"). Will always cheer for wins, but I think we are in for another long year in the points department. Hopefully they continue to play hard and entertain.

[sureLoss]

Great Article on McDavid vs Eichel

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...raft/15639547/

Although McDavid and Eichel have different styles, both are projected to be elite-level scoring centers.

"There is little to pick between the two," Flames general manager Brad Treliving said. "They are both just talents. ... They are both gifted offensively.

"Eichel is a prototypical big centerman with the long reach. He shoots the puck a ton. McDavid is an elite thinker."

Red Line Report, an independent scouting newsletter, had McDavid rated No. 1 and Eichel No. 2 this summer. But Button has them rated even.

Button said he had talked to six or seven prominent scouts who thought both centers were the kind of players who come along once every couple of decades.

Button said one scout told him that when he saw Eichel at the U.S. national junior team evaluation camp this summer he thought, "No one is better than this guy."

Then he went to Canada and saw McDavid and said, 'No one is better than this guy,'" Button said. "He told me, 'It's whoever I see last that I think is better.'"

McDavid is 6-0, and Eichel is 6-2. Eichel might be more powerful, McDavid slicker. But Eichel can look slick, and McDavid can seem powerful.

"The one thing that stands out with both players is that they both know how to maximize their skill and their physical traits," Button said.

[nik-]

^ Please hockey gods, let this happen. We deserve one

[Gaskal]

I'd be more than happy with Hanifin/Kylington - looking at the early mock drafts that's who we're expected to get.

[Poe969]

Do you have links to any mock drafts? I'd be happy with Hanifin or Kylington but the thought of getting one of the other two is pretty exciting... The Flames are due to get a "face of the franchise" player soon.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Because I am very high on how Bennett and Monahan turn out, I would love to take Kylington or Hanifin this year, since we are needing a top defensive prospect. We haven't had one since Phaneuf. I would take McDavid or Eichel if we are in the 1/2 position though, because we still need top 3 talent as well.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I'd be more than happy with Hanifin/Kylington - looking at the early mock drafts that's who we're expected to get.

Expected to get? By who? Pretty sure no one knows how good or bad this team will be. More importantly no one knows how good or bad the rest of the teams will be. People guessing 1 or 2 aren't any further off than people guessing 3 or 4. I'll be happy with any of them but definitely extra happy for McDavid or Eichel.

[Poe969]

(I think that's why they're called mock drafts)

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Do you have links to any mock drafts? I'd be happy with Hanifin or Kylington but the thought of getting one of the other two is pretty exciting... The Flames are due to get a "face of the franchise" player soon.

DraftSite has us getting Kylington.
MyNHLDraft has us getting Eichel.

Plus all the ones on HFboards have us getting one of the stud D-men.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Poe969

(I think that's why they're called mock drafts)

Because you should mock people that take them seriously?

[Poe969]

I don't think they're taking them too seriously, more creating conversation. I don't see anywhere on them that they are sure these will be the results or anyone guaranteeing these outcomes.

I enjoy these because it gives another persons opinion and a potential outcome.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by Poe969

(I think that's why they're called mock drafts)

I think we all know a mock draft before the season even starts is pretty useless.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Hackey

I think we all know a mock draft before the season even starts is pretty useless.

Unless it's only purpose is to generate conversation much like it's doing now. What place do you think the Flames will finish and who do you think they'll draft?

[Hackey]

When you use a word like "expected" that sounds a lot more difinitive than an open discussion. For discussion purposes I really have no idea where we will finish but I expect bottom 5 so I think were gonna get a solid player. Personally hope it is McDavid or Eichel but one of the dmen would be a good consolation prize as well.

[Poe969]

Agreed. Last years team played really well all things considering and they still finished with the #4 pick. I see this years team as a step back quality wise from last years team but who knows how they'll play. I'm honestly going to say I think the sabres and panthers got better this off season and we got worse. I really wouldn't be surprised if we finished dead last and got McDavid. I'd say the odds of us finishing last are better than us making the playoffs or even 10th in the west.