Flames 2013 Draft Discussion

[dammage79]

Barkov, MacKinnon I will be very happy with either of them in a Flames Uniform.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Barkov, MacKinnon I will be very happy with either of them in a Flames Uniform.

Not sure if posted earlier

http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=15783

"He will probably miss rest of the season,"

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Yoho

Not sure if posted earlier

http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=15783

"He will probably miss rest of the season,"

Do you think this will hurt his draft ranking? I don't. He is still going top five in my books.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Do you think this will hurt his draft ranking? I don't. He is still going top five in my books.

Doubtful, Galchenyuk missed pretty much his full draft year and still went high, and Barkov seems to be thought of more highly.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Do you think this will hurt his draft ranking? I don't. He is still going top five in my books.

Yeah I highly doubt he drops to 6th. Somewhere from between 4-5 if I had to bet.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Do you think this will hurt his draft ranking? I don't. He is still going top five in my books.

I still think he goes #4.

1. Jones
2. MacKinnon
3. Drouin
4. Barkov
5. Nichushkin/Lindholm
6. Nichushkin/Lindholm
7. Monahan

[dammage79]

Agree. Hoping the only two options the Flames are looking at with a top five pick are Barkov and MacKinnon. Nothing against Jones or Drouin but these two are exactly what the Doctor ordered for the Flames.

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

I still think he goes #4.

1. Jones
2. MacKinnon
3. Drouin
4. Barkov
5. Nichushkin/Lindholm
6. Nichushkin/Lindholm
7. Monahan

I wonder if there's any way for the Flames to get another Top 7 pick?

PHI's pick seem the most likely to be attainable. Does Gio plus the STL and PIT picks get it done? Is that an overpayment?

[Skyceman]

Not sure if this was posted:

Scouts satisfied with final 2013 NHL Draft ranks

"I think what everyone recognizes, and what they accept, is that there are no mistakes that are going to be made," NHL Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr told NHL.com. "There are no wrong choices at the top end of this draft. The top three or four players are all bona fide NHL candidates, and this year there is a variance on it because a team is going to take who they want (based on position of need). This is a nice luxury to have, where that caliber of a player you need to service your team for years to come will be available among those first three or four picks."

The team holding a later pick in the opening round also will have plenty to get excited about when all is said and done.

"There's so much talent in that first round, that there's only a little bit of separation from the guys that are 1-2-3 and then 4-5-6," Central Scouting's David Gregory said. "I feel strongly that we got the order right. There was a lot of discussion and a lot of debate over some guys and the years those players had, but I think we had it right."

[frinkprof]

If we are drafting top 3, I'd be happy with any of Jones MacKinnon or Barkov. I'm not as high on Drouin, but I could live with it if we drafted him.

If we were drafting at 4 (I think this is the lowest we will draft, barring trading down), I could include Monahan in there as well, if it were between him and Drouin.

If we trade down to the 5-7 range, I'd look at Monahan or Nurse.

I know there are a lot here who would very much rather we take MacKinnon over Jones if we have the choice. At the end of the day, I'd be thrilled with either.

Buffalo holds 2 picks in the first round and given current standings will draft 6th. Say Jones and MacKinnon go 1-2 and Flames brass have Monahan, Nurse or Nichushkin higher than or equally rated with Drouin and Barkov, whereas Buffalo covets Barkov or Drouin. Maybe we trade down to 5-7 and pick up the Minnesota 1st in the process and flip them a third to even it out (or maybe just their 2nd).

Or another scenario. We end up in 3rd last but win the lottery. Flames like Jones well enough but really want that centre. We trade down with Colorado, Florida or Tampa Bay to end up with either MacKinnon or Barkov. Similar to Florida in the 2002 (trade down and draft Bouwmeester while Columbus drafts Nash) and 2003 (trade down to draft Horton while Pittsburgh drafts Fleury) drafts.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

I wonder if there's any way for the Flames to get another Top 7 pick?

PHI's pick seem the most likely to be attainable. Does Gio plus the STL and PIT picks get it done? Is that an overpayment?

Yes. PHI would have to add something. Probably a "good" roster contract, given cap implications of taking on Giordano.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

If we are drafting top 3, I'd be happy with any of Jones MacKinnon or Barkov. I'm not as high on Drouin, but I could live with it if we drafted him.

If we were drafting at 4 (I think this is the lowest we will draft, barring trading down), I could include Monahan in there as well, if it were between him and Drouin.

If we trade down to the 5-7 range, I'd look at Monahan or Nurse.

I know there are a lot here who would very much rather we take MacKinnon over Jones if we have the choice. At the end of the day, I'd be thrilled with either.

Buffalo holds 2 picks in the first round and given current standings will draft 6th. Say Jones and MacKinnon go 1-2 and Flames brass have Monahan, Nurse or Nichushkin higher than or equally rated with Drouin and Barkov, whereas Buffalo covets Barkov or Drouin. Maybe we trade down to 5-7 and pick up the Minnesota 1st in the process and flip them a third to even it out (or maybe just their 2nd).

Or another scenario. We end up in 3rd last but win the lottery. Flames like Jones well enough but really want that centre. We trade down with Colorado, Florida or Tampa Bay to end up with either MacKinnon or Barkov. Similar to Florida in the 2002 (trade down and draft Bouwmeester while Columbus drafts Nash) and 2003 (trade down to draft Horton while Pittsburgh drafts Fleury) drafts.

First, no trading down, just take our guy. Second, wingers player with great centers can be scary, but Drouin's hands are ridiculous, and his PPG went up when he wasn't playing with MacKinnon. And it was 10 games, which is a pretty decent, albeit obviously not conclusive, sample size.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by nik-

First, no trading down, just take our guy. Second, wingers player with great centers can be scary, but Drouin's hands are ridiculous, and his PPG went up when he wasn't playing with MacKinnon. And it was 10 games, which is a pretty decent, albeit obviously not conclusive, sample size.

It's partly that, but it's also things I see in the other three that I don't in Drouin.

Jones - size, athletic pedigree, right handed shot (huge plus as a defenseman)

MacKinnon - elite hockey sense, speed, good shot, right-handed shot that plays the circle on the power play much like Stamkos or Iginla.

Barkov - size, terrific hands down low, good shot

Drouin's good no doubt, but if I had to choose him or MacKinnon (very similar in many ways, size, hockey sense, etc.), I choose the one with the better shot and I prefer the right-handed shot too.

[Jing]

I think people are really dismissing Jones here. If he does live up to expectations (a franchise D that can influence the game like Pronger did), then I wouldn't have a problem picking him over a center. Yes, we haven't had a #1 center for a while, but if Jones is projected to be the best player in the draft, you take him. Flames need help in all areas, so they need to draft BPA and not by position.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Jing

I think people are really dismissing Jones here. If he does live up to expectations (a franchise D that can influence the game like Pronger did), then I wouldn't have a problem picking him over a center. Yes, we haven't had a #1 center for a while, but if Jones is projected to be the best player in the draft, you take him. Flames need help in all areas, so they need to draft BPA and not by position.

Too much pressure on Flames to address center. I agree Jones is really good, but Flames management have to be getting tired of being referred to as a punchline and poster child for what a team with no centers looks like.

I would be very surprised if they don't take Mackinnon or Barkov

[Dienasty]

I would rather go offense first at the top of this draft. D men take usually 2-3 more years to develop then a forward would and I think there is pressure to develop something that the fans can get excited about. As for team need the Flames are lacking at both positions in the system, however with Giordano and Brodie being young (enough) NHLers they should be able to contribute for the foreseeable future. I really like the College FA route to get D men, they have 2-3 more years of development and can jump right into the NHL game (Dekeyster and Schultz).

I would love to see the Flames draft this way:
3rd overall- Nathan Mackinnon (C)/ Aleks Barkov (C)
18th overall (St Louis)- Rasmus Ristolainen (D) 6'3 200+lbs
26th overall (Pittsburgh)- Kerby Rychel (LW) or Valentine Zykov (RW)

I also think it would be cool if we won the draft lottery, and Colorado got 3rd, and wanted Seth Jones desperately, and we traded 1st overall to Colorado for 3rd overall + there 2nd round pick. Pick up Robert Hagg/Mirco Mueller/Niclas Petan

Note* I used Craigs list as of March 3rd, the only reach from what I mentioned above would be Kerby Rychel at 26.
Mackinnon ranked 3rd, Barkov 4th, Ristolainen 20th, Rychel 22nd, Zykov 29th, Hagg 30th, Petan 28th, Mueller 35th.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

I would rather go offense first at the top of this draft. D men take usually 2-3 more years to develop then a forward would and I think there is pressure to develop something that the fans can get excited about. As for team need the Flames are lacking at both positions in the system, however with Giordano and Brodie being young (enough) NHLers they should be able to contribute for the foreseeable future. I really like the College FA route to get D men, they have 2-3 more years of development and can jump right into the NHL game (Dekeyster and Schultz).

I would love to see the Flames draft this way:
3rd overall- Nathan Mackinnon (C)/ Aleks Barkov (C)
18th overall (St Louis)- Rasmus Ristolainen (D) 6'3 200+lbs
26th overall (Pittsburgh)- Kerby Rychel (LW) or Valentine Zykov (RW)

I also think it would be cool if we won the draft lottery, and Colorado got 3rd, and wanted Seth Jones desperately, and we traded 1st overall to Colorado for 3rd overall + there 2nd round pick. Pick up Robert Hagg/Mirco Mueller/Niclas Petan

Note* I used Craigs list as of March 3rd, the only reach from what I mentioned above would be Kerby Rychel at 26.
Mackinnon ranked 3rd, Barkov 4th, Ristolainen 20th, Rychel 22nd, Zykov 29th, Hagg 30th, Petan 28th, Mueller 35th.

Exactly my thoughts. Well said.

[dammage79]

Zykov fits the bill in terms of positional need going forward as well. Good size again with good skill for a RW righty. I hope that Ristolainen land at the Flames second pick. Would be a blessing. I see him being a better fit on the Flames D than Jones. Again no offense to Jones but Rasmus has a nasty streak and love to clear out the front of the net. which is sorely needed agian on this team.

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by Dienasty

I would rather go offense first at the top of this draft. D men take usually 2-3 more years to develop then a forward would and I think there is pressure to develop something that the fans can get excited about. As for team need the Flames are lacking at both positions in the system, however with Giordano and Brodie being young (enough) NHLers they should be able to contribute for the foreseeable future. I really like the College FA route to get D men, they have 2-3 more years of development and can jump right into the NHL game (Dekeyster and Schultz).

I would love to see the Flames draft this way:
3rd overall- Nathan Mackinnon (C)/ Aleks Barkov (C)
18th overall (St Louis)- Rasmus Ristolainen (D) 6'3 200+lbs
26th overall (Pittsburgh)- Kerby Rychel (LW) or Valentine Zykov (RW)

I also think it would be cool if we won the draft lottery, and Colorado got 3rd, and wanted Seth Jones desperately, and we traded 1st overall to Colorado for 3rd overall + there 2nd round pick. Pick up Robert Hagg/Mirco Mueller/Niclas Petan

Note* I used Craigs list as of March 3rd, the only reach from what I mentioned above would be Kerby Rychel at 26.
Mackinnon ranked 3rd, Barkov 4th, Ristolainen 20th, Rychel 22nd, Zykov 29th, Hagg 30th, Petan 28th, Mueller 35th.

With cap and UFA age etc, I too would hesitate rating D over Fs... They're less likely to make a significant impact while on their ELC.

[Brewmaster]

Had an interesting thought today after looking at how Burke managed to land both Sedins at 2nd and 3rd after entering the draft with only a 3rd overall.

What if the Flames traded away next years 1st round pick plus another player or pick to land an additional top 5 pick in this years draft? If Feaster truly believes this team will be able to turn it around and push for playoffs next season, this could be a an opportunity to grab 2 potential franchise players. The big negative would be next season, if the Flames are tanking again it would be really tough on the fans as there would be no early pick reward for finishing at the bottom.

Would a team like Tampa or Carolina make a trade like that seeing that the Flames are likely favorites for 30th place in 2013/14? In 1999 Vancouver traded McCabe and their 2000 1st rounder for the 4th overall pick, which enabled them to draft both Sedin brothers.