2016 NHL Draft

[Erick Estrada]

I'm not anti-Brown but it seems every year there is a talented big kid (Nichushkin, Ritchie, etc.) who is enticing because of his size but has question marks around him and for the most part teams resist picking them over higher ranked prospects so the bottom like is that it makes for good pre-draft conversation but I don't see the Flames picking this kid at 6.

[CliffFletcher]

Another comparable for Brown is Martin Hanzal.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I'm not anti-Brown but it seems every year there is a talented big kid (Nichushkin, Ritchie, etc.) who is enticing because of his size but has question marks around him and for the most part teams resist picking them over higher ranked prospects so the bottom like is that it makes for good pre-draft conversation but I don't see the Flames picking this kid at 6.

First off I'm not an expert at all, just collecting information as I go along.

But the Ritchie comparison is way off as he was a powerforward that leaned on kids in the OHL. Brown is the opposite, and the question is what will he become.

I think some see perimeter and have doubts. If the Flames are in that camp they won't take him because of his size.

Others see a kid that is "getting it" right now. And if that's the case you want that late riser to the top 6 and nab him.

The Rocky Thompson interview stuck with me. He used Lemieux to alter Brown's game and it worked. It's one thing to tell a kid where he needs to be as he won't go there if that's not how he plays. But to put him with a guy that shoots first all the time forced him to change. He would give the puck to Lemieux and then stand there waiting for it back, but the puck never came. After a few weeks he started going to the net to bang home rebounds because he didn't like standing there not being involved.

That's systemic, and it somewhat won me over.

[Erick Estrada]

When I compare Brown to Ritchie I'm not comparing their styles as I'm saying they got extra interest because of their size. There were smaller, more skilled players than Ritchie that were ranked higher and were picked higher just as is the case this season. It's all opinions here but I feel he's a reach and represents poor value at 6th overall.

I was really worried the Flames would reach for Ritchie given Burke's comments pre-draft and the same old mantra by the team and fans that the Flames need to get bigger. They ended up taking the better prospect in Bennett and I'm confident they will pick the better prospect this time around whether it be Tkachuk, Nylander or even Keller.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

When I compare Brown to Ritchie I'm not comparing their styles as I'm saying they got extra interest because of their size. There were smaller, more skilled players than Ritchie that were ranked higher and were picked higher just as is the case this season. It's all opinions here but I feel he's a reach and represents poor value at 6th overall.

I was really worried the Flames would reach for Ritchie given Burke's comments pre-draft and the same old mantra by the team and fans that the Flames need to get bigger. They ended up taking the better prospect in Bennett and I'm confident they will pick the better prospect this time around whether it be Tkachuk, Nylander or even Keller.

I'd agree with all of that.

My caveat however, would be that if they pick Brown I wouldn't assume they did so on size alone as I agree with you that they seem to value skill and haven't been foolish to date.

But Brown isn't just big and strong. He has an undeniable skill set.

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by cral12

Latest mock draft is live.
Mocking permitted. (Including where PLD lands and how Flames chose to let him slide)

Full 2 rounds with notes on all prospects.

Link to Round 1

Link to Round 2

Run by a Habs fan?

[Vinny01]

Wild Brown be brought in with the intention to shift him to the wing? Would he be battling Backlind and Jankowski for the third line centre spot down the road?

I think they take whoever is left of Nylander, Tkachuk, or Dubois. Nylander is probably 3 on their list of those players so if the Oilers or Canucks take a D then we get a big winger if they don't we get the skilled right shot winger

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Wild Brown be brought in with the intention to shift him to the wing? Would he be battling Backlind and Jankowski for the third line centre spot down the road?

I think they take whoever is left of Nylander, Tkachuk, or Dubois. Nylander is probably 3 on their list of those players so if the Oilers or Canucks take a D then we get a big winger if they don't we get the skilled right shot winger

Is that like Fun Bobby from Friends?

I do wonder if they take Nylander and a lot of this discussion is over thinking things.

[VladtheImpaler]

What I like about Brown is that he is a finesse player who is big, and is not just a big guy playing against kids. I would be happy with Brown at 6. But I would also be happy with Tkachuk/Jost/Keller/Juolevi/Sergachev/Chychrun/Fabbro.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I'd agree with all of that.

My caveat however, would be that if they pick Brown I wouldn't assume they did so on size alone as I agree with you that they seem to value skill and haven't been foolish to date.

But Brown isn't just big and strong. He has an undeniable skill set.

He's skilled no doubt (his dad was a solid offensive defenseman) but he's not a strong big man and while he "got it" for the back half of a season is this a guy that's going to be able to maintain it or will he be another of these frustrating big guys that can't maintain consistency? I'm confident that the Flames scouts have done their homework and if he's the pick I will be on board but would prefer they trade down a few spots if possible to maximize value.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I'd agree with all of that.

My caveat however, would be that if they pick Brown I wouldn't assume they did so on size alone as I agree with you that they seem to value skill and haven't been foolish to date.

But Brown isn't just big and strong. He has an undeniable skill set.

Wasn't there a quote from a scout that said despite Brown being the being the tallest forward in the draft, he was also the weakest?

Though maybe that's a good thing for untapped ability.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Wasn't there a quote from a scout that said despite Brown being the being the tallest forward in the draft, he was also the weakest?

Though maybe that's a good thing for untapped ability.

I think that's a good thing because strength training you can fix/work on.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Wasn't there a quote from a scout that said despite Brown being the being the tallest forward in the draft, he was also the weakest?

Though maybe that's a good thing for untapped ability.

This is actually why I kind of liked Brown.

He is the opposite of most big junior players.

He isn't dominating due to his size, he was a good player because of his skill, vision, and skating. Using his size, and his drive to dominate were actually on the downside.

If he adds mass to that 6'6" frame, plays with a little more edge (which I saw in that U18 game against Canada), but keeps the skill, vision, and hockey IQ then you are looking at a steal at #6.

Whenever I see him play, and then hear the complaints about his drive, character, and using his size it tends to remind me of the question marks against Getzlaf. A guy who would look dominating while playing for Canada at the WJC but then take stretches of games off at a time for the Hitmen.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I think that's a good thing because strength training you can fix/work on.

Of course, a common complaint made about Brown also questions his work ethic.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Of course, a common complaint made about Brown also questions his work ethic.

Yeah. It's possible he's not strong because he's not as committed as other prospects in regards to strength and fitness. He's definitely one of the more polarizing and interesting of the top prospects for sure as he could be one of those great finds or a swing and a miss. I will say that a 6'6 center will be given every chance to succeed whether it be from the team that drafts him or other teams intrigued by his size and skills.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

This is actually why I kind of liked Brown.

He is the opposite of most big junior players.

He isn't dominating due to his size, he was a good player because of his skill, vision, and skating. Using his size, and his drive to dominate were actually on the downside.

If he adds mass to that 6'6" frame, plays with a little more edge (which I saw in that U18 game against Canada), but keeps the skill, vision, and hockey IQ then you are looking at a steal at #6.

Whenever I see him play, and then hear the complaints about his drive, character, and using his size it tends to remind me of the question marks against Getzlaf. A guy who would look dominating while playing for Canada at the WJC but then take stretches of games off at a time for the Hitmen.

Pretty much what I'm thinking and you put it much better!

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Wasn't there a quote from a scout that said despite Brown being the being the tallest forward in the draft, he was also the weakest?

Though maybe that's a good thing for untapped ability.

Same things were said about Kylington last year too. I think the Flames will do their due dilegence on this kid if they are interested.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

Run by a Habs fan?

Not at all. Ran by yours truly. Flames fan by heart, but try to stay impartial in my articles...

[Ashasx]

I just don't see a situation where the Flames would pass on PLD for Nylander.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I just don't see a situation where the Flames would pass on PLD for Nylander.

Nylander has a twelve inch growth spurt between now and the combine?