[News] Burke says he is unlikely to trade up... hasn't watched Bennett

[Burke Salad]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

Better be Leon or Dal Colle.

I am going to have a heart attack if Burke takes Ritchie at #4.

Why is there so much hate on Ritchie, is it because of his conditioning?

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by Burke Salad

Why is there so much hate on Ritchie, is it because of his conditioning?

I've wondered the same thing. I think it's because of the player comparisons he has been given.

[strombad]

It's because he's a chub, and the fact that his physical dominance may not transfer over to the bigger, faster NHL.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by saXon

Uh-oh, what does that mean for all you Bennett followers out there?

Not a bad thing that he hasn't seen him because he's got what the Flames need?
or
Not a bad thing that he hasn't seen him because he's not what the Flames are looking for?

No. It means "not a bad thing" in that being suspended is not a bad thing in Burkes opinion.

Jeez people are so quick to try to uncover something negative in everything Burke says they dont even bother get the meaning correct.

[YYC in LAX]

So I really don't know my stuff (don't actually see the players play) and I'm forced to go off "expert" rankings and consensuses.

Craig Button has Edmonton taking Draisaitl which is interesting. IF that happens, that would likely leave Bennet or Reinhart for the Flames depending who Buffalo takes. Ekblad almost certainly will be taken by Florida and probably won't be a Seth Jones case from last year.

[Vinny01]

Sounds like the top tier is Ekblad, Reinhart, Bennett, Dal Colle (Drasaitl is on some teams list but or high on others).

If we end up with one of the first 4 I am happy especially if MDC plays centre

[FanIn80]

What about Virtanen?

If the Sabres and Oilers both take one of the Sams, then that leaves us with nothing but LWs to pick from in the 4-7 spots. Do we skip them and go for the 6' 213lbs RW that got 71pts in 71 games for the Hitmen?

I would think a high-ranking RW would be more valuable to us right now than a higher-ranking LW (if, of course, Buffalo and Edmonton each take a C). There's even a potential to trade down and pick up another 2nd if we go that route.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

What about Virtanen?

If the Sabres and Oilers both take one of the Sams, then that leaves us with nothing but LWs to pick from in the 4-7 spots. Do we skip them and go for the 6' 213lbs RW that got 71pts in 71 games for the Hitmen?

I would think a high-ranking RW would be more valuable to us right now than a higher-ranking LW (if, of course, Buffalo and Edmonton each take a C).

Taking Virtanen when Dal Colle is available is a fireable offense. Virtanen is not a top 4 pick. And Dal Colle is a natural centre.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Taking Virtanen when Dal Colle is available is a fireable offense. Virtanen is not a top 4 pick. And Dal Colle is a natural centre.

Why is he listed as a LW?

[Rick M.]

Even if Dal Colle only plays left wing, best player available is best player available. It might mean we trade some of our left wing prospects or convert them to other positions. Hard to know how well Dal Colle would fit as a center given that he hasn't played that position since before he joined the Generals.

[Wolfman]

I don't see Virtanen getting past Vancouver at 6

[CSharp]

Too many top rated left wingers out there. Flames need center depth. It's either you take the best defenceman or a centerman that's over 6 feet tall for your first pick and I don't see the Flames getting either Ekblad or Reinhart. So, they either gotta trade up or trade down. It's not a deep draft anyway.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by CSharp

Too many top rated left wingers out there. Flames need center depth. It's either you take the best defenceman or a centerman that's over 6 feet tall for your first pick and I don't see the Flames getting either Ekblad or Reinhart. So, they either gotta trade up or trade down. It's not a deep draft anyway.

Draisaitl and Bennett have both played center too even though some rankings list them as LW.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

I am going to have a heart attack if Burke takes Ritchie at #4.

Where are people getting this from? If the Flames take Ritchie at #4 it will be because Button and his team thought he was the best player available at #4. I have a really hard time believing that if Button tells Burke they feel Dal Colle and Draisaitl are the two guys they have ranked at 4 & 5 that Burke will overrule them and pick a guy based on the amount of scouting he's done himself.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Where are people getting this from?

From a quote on Ritchie at luncheon, when the Flames were 6th/7th and could have finished 8th or 9th last?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Ekblad - Will be taken by either Florida/Buffalo (we won't get our hands on him).
S. Reinhart - Possible that he gets dropped to 4th, but I just don't see that happening. He will be picked in the top 2 as well.

Draisaitl - In a way I think he's a wildcard, and I wouldn't be surprised if Edmonton is stupid enough to pick him over Bennett because of his size. 2nd top player in tier 2

My order of preference:
1. Reinhart/Bennett - Assuming Reinhart is gone, I want the other Sam for sure. Looks like a promising player, and if Bennett getting suspended gets him drafted to us, thank you for Sam B.

2. Dal Colle - Just looks like the BPA right after Sam. I agree with many other people, saying that after the top 3, the others are in tier 2. Dal Colle is the top player in tier 2.

3. Ritchie - Honestly think this would be a pretty decent pick if we picked this kid. Has great size and uses it to his advantage. I agree that he is a risk at #4, but he is like the 3rd top player in tier 2.

[ForeverFlameFan]

We either are picking Bennett or Dal Colle.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

We either are picking Bennett or Dal Colle.

So Flames pass on Draisaitl?

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Where are people getting this from? If the Flames take Ritchie at #4 it will be because Button and his team thought he was the best player available at #4. I have a really hard time believing that if Button tells Burke they feel Dal Colle and Draisaitl are the two guys they have ranked at 4 & 5 that Burke will overrule them and pick a guy based on the amount of scouting he's done himself.

This.

The fact that Burke has not even watched Sam Bennett should tell you how much input he is going to have on what our draft list is.

Button and the scouting staff will make their list, rank their players, and pick off that list. Whoever is on the top of that list when the Flames pick at 4 will be who gets selected.

[4oh3]

I think if he gets wind edmonton wants to trade the pick he should offer 1st and a 3rd for edmonton a 1st guarantee a top 3 spot and the oilers will still have a high pick to trade for there defence