Flames 2013 Draft Discussion

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by gilligans_off

Nichuskin isn't coming over right away... or so I thought at least.

Nope. After looking into it, he apparently wants to come over but only for the NHL and won't play in the AHL. Only because he was traded last year in the KHL and has sour grapes about it. Sounds self entitled

Actually, it isn't about him being self-entitled. His current KHL team traded for him, and then Nichushkin approached his team wanting out so he could play in the NHL this season. Usually this costs the player loads of cash (which me may not have anyways). They agreed that if he doesn't make the NHL, then he has to return to the KHL and play for them. Seems fair enough to me.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

He was looking to answer doubters at the combine and flopped as some senior scouts said he was the worst interview they had ever seen and he performed poorly in the physical testing. If anything the combine raised more doubt regarding him.

I heard he bombed some interviews, did well on some - but his interpreter was horrible and did not convey what Nichushkin was saying well at all. Curious to see how he did with the Flames and what they thought of him.

[nik-]

I wonder if his interpreter was a KHL staffer sent to torpedo his draft status.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I heard he bombed some interviews, did well on some - but his interpreter was horrible and did not convey what Nichushkin was saying well at all. Curious to see how he did with the Flames and what they thought of him.

I can totally see that. In general, Slavic languages do not directly translate to English that well. Direct translations often sound blunt because Slavic languages use cases that denote nuances that would normally be conveyed in English with tones or additional words. A bad interpretter may not be able to convey the nuances into English.

For example:

Daj mi novac and Dajte mi novac litterally mean the same thing (Give money to me), but the latter has a case ending on the verb that denotes respect and a more cordial attitude. That's Croatian, but from my understanding, Russian has similar rules.

That's the easiest example I can think of, but there are many instances where misundertandings in translations can occur. Tones are also quite different (i.e. a "sarcastic" tone here isn't the same as there and >50% of communication is non-verbal). It drives my wife nuts when she talks to native speakers I know because she can't read them well.

[sureLoss]

Andy Strickland says the Flames have heavy interestin Nichuskin:
http://www.truehockey.com/articles/C...t-to-Come-Soon

Calgary Eyeing Russian...
The Flames hold the 6th pick in the upcoming June 30th NHL entry draft. Word is they have heavy interest in 6'4 200 pound winger Valeri Nichushkin.

[dammage79]

Cue the meltdown in 3....

[Roof-Daddy]

Haha. Hopefully smoke and mirrors. Talented player, but I find the thought of building around an enigmatic Russian very frightening.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Andy Strickland says the Flames have heavy interestin Nichuskin:
http://www.truehockey.com/articles/C...t-to-Come-Soon

I would hate the pick on draft day but would be willing to wait and see. If they took Nichushkin, Fucale and a USHL dman in the first round though, I might be out for a bit.

[SuperMatt18]

Depends who is on the board.

IMO the Flames draft list (in terms of realistic potential at 6) looks like:

Barkov
Monahan
Nichuskin

If both Barkov and Monahan are gone at 6 I would have no issue with taking the player that is a top 3 talent.

[sun]

I would prefer Lindholm if Monahan isn't available, but I think Nichuskin is the more likely pick. I would be slightly disappointed, but he's a hugely skilled player that fills an enormous hole on the roster. Slightly higher risk for a few reasons, but probably a higher upside as well.

[FlamesAddiction]

I'm in the minority, but I would be fine with that. Even if it was just to farm assets by flipping him within a few years before he does the "Russian thing".

If he is indeed in the group of talent as MacKinnon, Drouin and Barkov, then it's worth the risk. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[dammage79]

It's possible they have him ahead of Monahan. And I would not argue that call either. Yes we need centers but Nichushkin is IMO on another level. Like MacKinnon and Drouin's. Guy is a Beast and I am calling it now, will be a star in the NHL.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Andy Strickland says the Flames have heavy interestin Nichuskin:
http://www.truehockey.com/articles/C...t-to-Come-Soon

On the upside, he could step into the roster on day 1, which apparently both he wants for himself and the Flames management want to see happen with the #6 pick.

On the downside, everyone would be waiting for him to become the next Radulov instead of the next Malkin/Ovechkin. Also on the downside, even if he does turn into a Malkin or Ovechkin, both of those guys have made it pretty clear they are looking for big money.

Mainly though, I would be dissappointed that we are not picking the #1C that this team so clearly and so badly needs. Acquiring a future #1C is so much more important than getting a flashy winger that can play in the NHL next year.

[nik-]

Please no

[Miniac]

Go with BPA, if its Nichushkin I'm okay with that.

[_Q_]

Yes to the Russian. If this guy is as good as they say he is, then it's a no brainer to draft him. Regardless of position, the thing this team needs desperately is elite talent. Plus, I have read somewhere that he plays both RW and LW, so having him slot into the RW spot would be ideal since we are really thin at that position.

[Table 5]

I hope to god that's not true, but I wouldnt be surprised if it was the Calgary Flames who pick the biggest question mark in a round full of fantastic talent. It's just what we do. We're just smarter.

[Muta]

Well, didn't Feaster say they want someone at that pick who can step in right away? V-Nuts is the guy that can do that the easiest...

[nik-]

If immediate impact has any sort of bearing on this pick, then it's just another check in the Moron column for Feaster.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Muta

Well, didn't Feaster say they want someone at that pick who can step in right away? V-Nuts is the guy that can do that the easiest...

Still don't understand why we need someone to step in right away. Do we need those extra two wins so we don't pick 1st again?