News from the Draft combine

[JayP]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Weisbrod is also starting to increase the value of our late first round picks. This type of interview will create all sorts of media chatter, and talk around the likelihood of these late first rounders becoming impact players. Subtle play, but a good one.

So other team's front offices aren't going to do their own research about how deep the draft is and come up with their own conclusion on the relative value of a late first rounder? They'll just take Weisbrod's word on it?

Weisbrod's comments are, unfortunately, pretty irrelevant. Do you really expect him to say that it's not a very deep draft and how they're worried about what type of prospect will be available later in the first round? I'm sure teams picking in the 8-12 range have already made statements in the local media about how deep the draft is and how there isn't a big drop-off after the first couple picks. These statements are purely for media and fan consumption and to build excitement around the organization.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Red Wings Scout says Jones, MacKinnon and Drouin are NOT heads and shoulders above everyone else:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=18033

Hearing stuff like this makes me believe the Flames should hold on to their three picks and use them rather than trying to trade up and only getting one player out of the first round.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by JayP

So other team's front offices aren't going to do their own research about how deep the draft is and come up with their own conclusion on the relative value of a late first rounder? They'll just take Weisbrod's word on it?

Weisbrod's comments are, unfortunately, pretty irrelevant. Do you really expect him to say that it's not a very deep draft and how they're worried about what type of prospect will be available later in the first round? I'm sure teams picking in the 8-12 range have already made statements in the local media about how deep the draft is and how there isn't a big drop-off after the first couple picks. These statements are purely for media and fan consumption and to build excitement around the organization.

The only thing teams care about in regards to the Flames is what players they may be interested in relation to players they may also covet. They all know the draft is deep and aren't going to do a 180 on the consensus their own scouts and managmenet have already made regarding depth of the draft.

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Hearing stuff like this makes me believe the Flames should hold on to their three picks and use them rather than trying to trade up and only getting one player out of the first round.

Agreed, I would prefer they draft 3 quality first rounders, the 6th pick hopefully filling our need for a potential franchise centerman. I still think Monahan is perhaps the best fit for Calgary.

[Flames_F.T.W]

With the mandate from ownership to be competitive and challenge for a playoff spot next year, coupled with this reluctant admission of a rebuild, I believe the Flames will use their 6th overall to select someone who is able to step in and play next year (ie: Monahan over Lindholm....hopefully maybe even Barkov). The process of the rebuild will seem less drawn out if the 6th overall can step into the lineup next season.

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by Flames_F.T.W

With the mandate from ownership to be competitive and challenge for a playoff spot next year, coupled with this reluctant admission of a rebuild, I believe the Flames will use their 6th overall to select someone who is able to step in and play next year (ie: Monahan over Lindholm....hopefully maybe even Barkov). The process of the rebuild will seem less drawn out if the 6th overall can step into the lineup next season.

I don't believe for a second that's an actual mandate...There's no way anyone in the NHL is that naive.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Flames_F.T.W

With the mandate from ownership to be competitive and challenge for a playoff spot next year, coupled with this reluctant admission of a rebuild, I believe the Flames will use their 6th overall to select someone who is able to step in and play next year (ie: Monahan over Lindholm....hopefully maybe even Barkov). The process of the rebuild will seem less drawn out if the 6th overall can step into the lineup next season.

Strongly disagree. I don't think they will be drafting based on who can step in earliest. Won't be a significant factor in the decision making process.

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by Flames_F.T.W

With the mandate from ownership to be competitive and challenge for a playoff spot next year, coupled with this reluctant admission of a rebuild, I believe the Flames will use their 6th overall to select someone who is able to step in and play next year (ie: Monahan over Lindholm....hopefully maybe even Barkov). The process of the rebuild will seem less drawn out if the 6th overall can step into the lineup next season.

People who attended the recent season ticket holders' meeting have quoted Feaster as saying they won't stray from drafting whoever will become the best player in the long run, even if he's not around by the time the picks pan out.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Flames_F.T.W

With the mandate from ownership to be competitive and challenge for a playoff spot next year, coupled with this reluctant admission of a rebuild, I believe the Flames will use their 6th overall to select someone who is able to step in and play next year (ie: Monahan over Lindholm....hopefully maybe even Barkov). The process of the rebuild will seem less drawn out if the 6th overall can step into the lineup next season.

If that were the case, they would never have drafted Jankowski last year. He's the epitomy of thinking long term.

[sureLoss]

Sounds like the Panthers are unlikely to trade down:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=18077

Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon is at the NHL Scouting Combine this week with an open mind as to who his team will select with the second pick of the 2013 NHL Draft. Though he wasn't going to divulge publicly whom he and his scouting staff have on top of their list, there is one thing Tallon hopes that player can do, and that's step into the NHL lineup immediately.

"We're hopeful," Tallon told NHL.com. "We're going to be a young team. It's going to be a necessary part of our puzzle moving forward. I would hope the guy we select can play for us next year."

[MissTeeks]

Ross Maclean, head scout with ISS, joins Boomer Rhett & Walker to go in-depth on the top prospects and good fits for the Flames.

If the link doesn't work, it's the third clip down on the Fan's page:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/960/on-demand/

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Ross Maclean, head scout with ISS, joins Boomer Rhett & Walker to go in-depth on the top prospects and good fits for the Flames.

If the link doesn't work, it's the third clip down on the Fan's page:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/960/on-demand/

Interesting that he says putting MacKinnon over Seth Jones was a recent decision based on the Memorial Cup. He said they saw things in him and new levels that they didn't think he had before (speaks to his passion).

When asked if he was a 1st overall like a Hall, Sequin or Yakupov, or is he the next level like Crosby, Ross MacLean said he is like a Tavares/Roenick calibre of prospect.

He has high praise for Bo Horvat. Says he is a beast and London's best player and compares his passion to MacKinnon's. He'll do anything to win games. Thinks he has raised his stock more than any other player in the draft.

He also likes Petan and Shinkaruk.

He thinks Monahan is the best fit for the Flames for players likely to be available at 6th. Compares him to Eric Staal and Mikko Koivu. He thinks he could be the most underrated player in the draft and that he is on the rise.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Flames_F.T.W

With the mandate from ownership to be competitive and challenge for a playoff spot next year, coupled with this reluctant admission of a rebuild, I believe the Flames will use their 6th overall to select someone who is able to step in and play next year (ie: Monahan over Lindholm....hopefully maybe even Barkov). The process of the rebuild will seem less drawn out if the 6th overall can step into the lineup next season.

At the season ticket holder event last night both King and Feaster said we are in a rebuild multiple times. Even joking that they now accept the term rebuild

[IgiTang]

Came here for draft combine updates... 4 pages later... Left very disapointed.

[PlayfulGenius]

Has the combine event even started yet?

[nik-]

Interviews have started at least. I don't know when the physical testing starts.

[MissTeeks]

Drouin decided not to do testing at the Combine this morning. Sounds like Jones and MacKinnon won't either.

"@Aportzline: Jonathan Drouin has declined to go through the combine fitness tests. Talk to him in a minute, but likely feels he has nothing left to prove"

"@Aportzline: Indications are that neither D Seth Jones nor C Nathan MacKinnon - the presumed 1-2 overall - will go through testing, either."

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Drouin decided not to do testing at the Combine this morning. Sounds like Jones and MacKinnon won't either.

"@Aportzline: Jonathan Drouin has declined to go through the combine fitness tests. Talk to him in a minute, but likely feels he has nothing left to prove"

"@Aportzline: Indications are that neither D Seth Jones nor C Nathan MacKinnon - the presumed 1-2 overall - will go through testing, either."

Is that normal for the top picks?

To me, that sounds lazy or like they think it might actually hurt their position if they did do the tests.

[Robbob]

I highly doubt the Flames pick from this year makes the team out of camp if we pick at #6. I think players projected in that range could use another year to develop in their current environment.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Robbob

I highly doubt the Flames pick from this year makes the team out of camp if we pick at #6. I think players projected in that range could use another year to develop in their current environment.

I think Monahan might be close. He has a late birthday and is almost a year older than the likes of many of the other high first rounders. One more year of physical maturity goes a long way at that age.