[News] With the 64th overall pick the Flames select D Brandon Hickey

[Rick M.]

I see a trade for a RHD in our future

[Da_Chief]

None of these guys are playing next year so relax with RHD.

They can be had in the future drafts, UFA, trades.

Gio and Brodie have already shown it doesn't really matter, they both are LHD and playing the top pair together.

These are future assets if they raise in value they will be packaged to upgrade. There won't be enough for everyone.

Gio and Brodie aren't going anywhere as the top pair.

Bottom pair RHD won't be hard to find, that leaves 1 RHD which won't be hard to figure out once all these assets mature and can be traded for one.

[getbak]

I believe it was Treliving who answered the question about the lack of right-handed shots at the STH event a couple of weeks ago. He acknowledged that it's good to have balance, but when they're ranking players, on the list of all the criteria they use, which side the player shoots on is pretty much at the bottom of the list.

[saXon]

Hickey plays with Eichel next year. Hopefully there's a connection there we can make after next season's draft.

[driveway]

I have decided that Brandon Hickey will be my prospect crush. I'm all-in on this kid.

Article from SBNation:

When observers talk about Brandon Hickey, the first attribute that usually comes up is his terrific skating ability. The defenseman who is Boston University-bound is smooth on his skates and possesses offensive upside.

...

Strengths: Terrific, smooth skater who has offensive upside

Weakness: Needs to add strength and play with a little more physicality

Also, apparently the coach at Boston University, David Quinn, is really, really good with teaching defense. He's referred to in a couple places as a 'defensive guru.' He was the #13 overall choice in the 1984 draft, but a form of hemophilia ended his career. Was coach of the Lake Erie Monsters, and an associate coach in Colorado.

Article on David Quinn: http://dailyfreepress.com/2013/10/10...-became-coach/

[sureLoss]

http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/06/28...up-on-coverage

“I grew up loving the Oilers,” Hickey admitted. “I've seen that the Flames have always been tough to play against. The Oilers, they haven't had the biggest teams in the last few years and I've noticed that the Flames have taken it to them physically. They've won the majority of the Battle of Albertas lately, so I'm really excited to be joining the Flames.”

First, he is headed to Beantown to join the Boston University Terriers.

The first prospect plucked from the AJHL in the 2014 NHL Draft, Hickey is a bit of a long-term project with high hopes for himself.

“Duncan Keith is one guy I really try to model my game after. Just the way he skates and moves the puck, I just find him unbelievable to watch,” Hickey said, referring to the two-time Norris Trophy winner and star of the Chicago Blackhawks' blueline.

“Those are my two biggest assets — the way I move the puck and the way I skate. That's what I'm going to bring to Calgary with me.

“I think, when I'm able to play, I'm going to add a lot to the team.”

Very smart kid.

[BigNumbers]

Am I drunk, or didn't they close the "NCAA loophole" in the latest CBA, so any new-draftees aren't grandfathered in and we don't have to worry about flight risk?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by BigNumbers

Am I drunk, or didn't they close the "NCAA loophole" in the latest CBA, so any new-draftees aren't grandfathered in and we don't have to worry about flight risk?

No, they didn't change anything with College players. They did change it for European players (thanks, Erixon).

Hickey is committed to starting BU this fall, so he won't have the out clause that Schultz took advantage of (Schultz played a year in the BCHL after he was drafted before starting college).

If Hickey plays four years of college, the Flames will hold his rights without signing him to a contract until August 15, 2018, which is longer than anyone else they drafted today. I wouldn't worry about him not signing any more than I would any other unsigned drafted player.

[cannon7]

If he's anything like Thomas Hickey I'm happy with this pick. Long road ahead of this guy, expect him to stay all four years in BU. Hopefully we have a nice two-way d-man on the other end.

[herashak]

Another Brodie possibly?

[kobasew19]

Sounds like he's having a very solid development camp, hence the bump to see where he was projected back on draft day.

[Roof-Daddy]

With the rave reviews from camp, I'm starting to think Hickey won't see four years of college hockey.

[Caged Great]

If he continues to develop over the next two years like Kulak and Culkin have, he'll be too good for the Flames not to sign him

[Sandman]

He really was impressive today-solid in all 3 zones, and his world class speed kept him from getting beat. For some reason, he looked bigger than 6'3''. The fact he's going to Boston College is an added plus.

[nik-]

BU not BC.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by nik-

BU not BC.

whoops! my bad!

[868904]

This kid sounds like Bouwmeester.

[TheDebaser]

So I'm hearing tons of good things about this kid, but what are his drawbacks. Why did he go in the third round?

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by 868904

This kid sounds like Bouwmeester.

From his interview or are you speaking of his playing style?

I'm assuming his playing style as his interview held many different things in comparison to a Bouwmeester interview.

Like character, lack of mumbling, upbeat. Really well spoken.

I haven't really seen him play yet so I'm resigned to say anything regarding that.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by dammage79

From his interview or are you speaking of his playing style?

I'm assuming his playing style as his interview held many different things in comparison to a Bouwmeester interview.

Like character, lack of mumbling, upbeat. Really well spoken.

I haven't really seen him play yet so I'm resigned to say anything regarding that.

The way the kid described himself it sounded like he was describing how Bouwmeester plays. Wheels are his biggest asset, can cup in offensively but his biggest strength is getting back to break up chances due to his speed