flames get 1st overall pick, today who would you pick?

[memphusk]

Mack.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by flamesfan2.0

What about our slacking defense? I honestly dont believe the flames are in a position to pick a prospect just because he is a center when our defense is weak too. When we draft a center, all of us are going to start complaining about the lack of defensive depth we have..

I might be alone, but I dont see why center is our ONLY focus right now.

Disagree, fully.

Defense can be acquired through trade and free agency.

#1 centers? True #1 centers really only come through the draft. We need centers, everything else is secondary.

Nathan Mackinnon or Aleksander Barkov.

[Henry Fool]

It does seem like number centers are the hardest to sign or trade for. Once in a few years there's a Brad Richards but that's about as good as it gets. Go back a bit and there's the Joe Thornton trade, but I can't really think of many examples off the top of my head.

[Cambardi]

Bpa

[Calgary4LIfe]

Based on what another poster came up with in looking back at Defence vs Forwards chosen high, it makes me scared to draft Jones first over-all.

I say the Flames draft MacKinnon. He is good at everything, and has a great motor. The guy doesn't stop skating, and aggressively chases down the puck - something essential for today's NHL.

The real question I think for this organization is:

"If the Flames finish last in the NHL, but lose the lottery, do you take Jones, Drouin or Barkov - considering how there seems to be a bit of a gap between the first two, and the next 2 or 3?"

With that being said, there are people saying that Drouin is the best, and Barkov is not far behind the top 3, with guys like Monahan nipping at the heels.

Nobody wants to see their team finish last, but this is definitely a wonderful year to do it.

[tvp2003]

Obviously the top ranked goalie. What could go wrong?

[CalgaryFan1988]

I'm in the Mackinnon group as well. If not him, then the best forward available.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Nobody wants to see their team finish last, but this is definitely a wonderful year to do it.

yeah. Deep draft and a shortened season - being last in the league will hurt more every other season than this year.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Disagree, fully.

Defense can be acquired through trade and free agency.

#1 centers? True #1 centers really only come through the draft. We need centers, everything else is secondary.

Nathan Mackinnon or Aleksander Barkov.

Some scouts like this guy more than Mackinnon,very skilled and big!

[Johnny Rotten]

Probably Mackinnon because he may be the best player available, NOT just because he's a centre. Otherwise, the best player available, even if it is a defenseman/Jones.


The Flames needed a centre in 1997, and took Tkaczuk. Even before the head injuries, he did not show nearly the development Marion Hossa-the 12th overall pick- did.

[nik-]

I'd even be happy if they took Barkov at number 2. Jones is a better player, but center is just so much more important for us.

[Ezio]

Seth Jones if you want BPA.

Barkov if you want best forward available.

MacKinnon if you want best Canadian available.

[CSharp]

Originally Posted by mustache ride

Because it's been twenty years and the two best centers we have had are Conroy and Langkow.

you gotta go back even further when the Flames had Otto, Gilmore, and Niewendyk. Conroy and Langkow don't even compare. I'd say, if Flames had #1 picks in each round, take a many centermen they can. Then go with d-men in later rounds.

[djsFlames]

The only thing that takes away from Barkov as a potential pick, is that he is apparently a slow skater. But beyond that, the guy is rock solid.

It's always hard to tell with these europeans. Don't see them enough over here. As well as the differences in the game on each side of the pond.

But if we pick in the 4-7 range, he could be an excellent backup plan after Mack.

[playmaker]

Frederik Gauthier

[futures]

Jones is a 6'4" Nick Lidstrom. Can log 30 minutes a night and play in all situations. The best defensive prospect in a decade. No brainer.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by futures

Jones is a 6'4" Nick Lidstrom. Can log 30 minutes a night and play in all situations. The best defensive prospect in a decade. No brainer.

Hahaha. The unproven junior is now one of the best of all time?

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by futures

Jones is a 6'4" Nick Lidstrom. Can log 30 minutes a night and play in all situations. The best defensive prospect in a decade. No brainer.

We already have a 6'4" Lidstrom.

[Stay Golden]

No question Mackinnon is who i would love the Flames take if they had the chance.

[StAlbertFlame]

MacKinnon.