Who's our next diamond in the rough?

[Vinny01]

If Gaudreau hits his potential at the NHL level I would say him. Clearly he has risen the ranks over the last 3 years and is likely our top prospect now but still being drafted at 5'6 135 and in the 4th round would qualify him as a diamond in the rough

[Roof-Daddy]

I would have said Ferland for sure, before he got injured in practice, is going to have knee surgery and will now miss the rest of the season.

Kid had 6g-12a-18p in his last 14 games before getting hurt.

Really sucks.

Other than that, I would pick Brett Kulak to turn some heads in the same way Brodie did when he turned pro.

[Psytic]

Im going to go with someone different than you all and say Brodie. I am hoping that he takes the next step ala Gio and becomes a top D man. Hes already half way there. I think he has a better chance at this point than Kulak or whoever else that haven't even played in the NHL yet.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

That Tyler Toffoli kid, right after we get him for Cammalleri and a pick.

[jg13]

Gaudreau then Ferland.

[Vulcan]

I hope it's Ferland. He has what we need.

[Caged Great]

Brett Kulak would be my unheralded prospect to come out of nowhere to become decent.

He has above average speed, can make a good outlet pass, has a very good slapshot that doesn't take very long to get off, and is responsible defensively. He's still a work in progress, but he is ahead of where TJ Brodie was at the same time in their developmental paths. Whether Kulak can take that next big step like Brodie has is TBD, but he has as good of a shot as any to come out of nowhere to be a top 4 D-man.

[djsFlames]

Markus Granlund. I'm mad they didn't play him during his call up. I bet he turns heads when he finally does get that chance. Next season will be the Gaudreau show though, just wait and see.

[JiriHrdina]

Tyler Wotherspoon

[saXon]

Jankowski.

The kid's been put through the ringers with all the negativity towards his draft year pick, and most other teams' fans are quick to label him a bust without actually watching him play.

He's now 2nd on his team for scoring in his 2nd NCAA year, on a very low offensive output team, without much help from his linemates. 3 points away from his scoring total from last year, with 11(or more) games left. Already a goal above his last season's total.

He's also now playing Center as opposed to the wing last year. Skating has never been an issue, and from highlights and vid reels, neither are his hands.



I'd call that a diamond in the rough.

[btimbit]

Corban Knight

[Phil Russell]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

If Gaudreau hits his potential at the NHL level I would say him. Clearly he has risen the ranks over the last 3 years and is likely our top prospect now but still being drafted at 5'6 135 and in the 4th round would qualify him as a diamond in the rough

Agree. Johnny hockey is a longshot prospect by a lot of measures (look at the story of diminutive Hobey Baker winners over the last decade--they don't make it). But, man, could he be a diamond if he can make it out of the rough.

[Mister Yamoto]

Lance Bouma. I think he will be more than a fourth liner. He reminds me of Doug Risebrough. I could see him having a fistful of rings when he retires.

[tkflames]

Originally Posted by saXon

Jankowski.

The kid's been put through the ringers with all the negativity towards his draft year pick, and most other teams' fans are quick to label him a bust without actually watching him play.

He's now 2nd on his team for scoring in his 2nd NCAA year, on a very low offensive output team, without much help from his linemates. 3 points away from his scoring total from last year, with 11(or more) games left. Already a goal above his last season's total.

He's also now playing Center as opposed to the wing last year. Skating has never been an issue, and from highlights and vid reels, neither are his hands.



I'd call that a diamond in the rough.

He is also second youngest on the team still this year based on hockeydb.

My money is on Byron...

[c.t.ner]

I'm going with Seiloff. I know right now with the infection this kid has a long and difficult road back to where he was, but so much of this kid reminds me of Regher.

I also think Corban Knight is going to be a steal of player next year and will probably pass Colbourne on the Flames roster depth next year.

[sergei_makarov]

Max Reinhart. I think he develops to be the kind of heart and soul leader championship teams need.

[kirant]

Given their draft position, I'd say Gaudreau, Arnold, and Gillies could all fit the mould if they keep developing to their potential. All of them are great players in the NCAA and stand out when I think of Flames prospects.

If we're picking one with really low hype, Arnold still gets my vote. He didn't seem to get any love before this year.

[Freeway]

Brett Kulak could be decent.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by sergei_makarov

Max Reinhart. I think he develops to be the kind of heart and soul leader championship teams need.

I think I originally posted this idea back during Kootenay's run to the Memorial Cup in 2011: I foresee Max being one of those guys who doesn't score a lot of goals, and he isn't a highlight reel guy, but he'll be the guy who scores a memorable series clinching goal sometime (like Joel Otto against Vancouver in 1989, or Bob Nystrom when the Islanders won their first Cup).

In one of the threads this week there was a discussion about which one of the Reinhart brothers is most like their dad, and to me they each got a different aspect of Paul's game. The thing I think Max got was his ability to elevate his game when the games matter most. Paul was a rare breed whose points per game in the playoffs was higher than in the regular season. He was almost a PPG player in the playoffs (77 points in 82 career playoff games). Max brought his game to another level during the Ice's playoff run in 2011 too.

That is absolutely the type of guy you need in the NHL.

[Coach]

Ferland and Seiloff (hopefully his illness from this year doesn't throw too much of a wrench in his development).