Top 5 Draft Poll - 4. Calgary Flames

[Roof-Daddy]

I really won't be shocked if the first three picks in this draft are Reinhart, Bennett and Draisaitl....in no particular order.

If that happens I hope the Flames take Ehlers, to be honest. Sounds like he's going to be an electric player.

[bluejays]

I don't have an opinion about the particular big 4, but I do think Florida would be making a mistake by drafting a d-man to build around given their current situation of no support (aside from Luongo). That's way too much pressure on a d-man of all positions. Having said this, I think Florida understands this, Buffalo gets a d-man (or trades up to get him), Edmonton gets a hard working guy with skill, and the Flames get the leftover.

1. Florida - Reinhart
2. Buffalo - Ekblad
3. Edmonton - Draisaitl
4. Calgary - Bennett

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by fleury

I don't have an opinion about the particular big 4, but I do think Florida would be making a mistake by drafting a d-man to build around given their current situation of no support (aside from Luongo). That's way too much pressure on a d-man of all positions. Having said this, I think Florida understands this, Buffalo gets a d-man (or trades up to get him), Edmonton gets a hard working guy with skill, and the Flames get the leftover.

1. Florida - Reinhart
2. Buffalo - Ekblad
3. Edmonton - Draisaitl
4. Calgary - Bennett

They wouldn't really be building around Ekblad, they already have quite a few young, talented players on that roster. It's more about filling out the future core in Florida, which Ekblad does.

[Miniac]

Bennett!

[thethumwood]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I really won't be shocked if the first three picks in this draft are Reinhart, Bennett and Draisaitl....in no particular order.

If that happens I hope the Flames take Ehlers, to be honest. Sounds like he's going to be an electric player.

Why do you not think Ekblad will be drafted in the top four? If he is still available to Edmonton at #3 they will FOR SURE take them.

...
then again it is edmonton...

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

There is lots of room to make choices within the top four, but I think that when it gets down to the #4 pick, it almost has to be whomever is left available of Ekblad, Draisaitl, Bennett, and Reinhart.

Except according to Conroy the Flames scouts think there's 6 guys who should be in consideration. Treliving thinks there's a consensus top 5 but that every team may have them in a slightly different order.

Dal Colle is ranked #3 by ISS I believe.

I know most people around here think there's a clearcut top 4 but it doesn't sound like the Flames agree with that assessment. Prepare to be suprised at the draft, something unexpected usually happens. Who knows maybe a guy like Dal Colle goes top 3. Stranger things have happened.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Except according to Conroy the Flames scouts think there's 6 guys who should be in consideration. Treliving thinks there's a consensus top 5 but that every team may have them in a slightly different order.

Dal Colle is ranked #3 by ISS I believe.

I know most people around here think there's a clearcut top 4 but it doesn't sound like the Flames agree with that assessment. Prepare to be suprised at the draft, something unexpected usually happens. Who knows maybe a guy like Dal Colle goes top 3. Stranger things have happened.

I hope Dal Colle gets some consideration, because he strikes me as a pure goal-scorer who could add a serious powerforward aspect to his game when he bulks up. We don't have anyone in that mold in the prospect pool.

Nylander is also ranked #3/4 on some lists (Pronman and FC). When I read the words 'some question his attitude' I hope we steer clear.

I think the collective CP braintrust has decided that one of Ekblad/Reinhart/Bennett/Draisaitl suits us better than the rest.

If Bennett is on the board at 4 I hope it's a no-brainer. Dynamic offensive centres like him are few and far between. If it's only Draisaitl left out of that top 4 then I think Dal Colle should get some consideration.

[Bingo]

Someone suggested smaller polls pitting two players against each other to get a better read on who the Flames should take.

Dal Colle vs Draisaitl
Draisaitl vs Bennett
Reinhart vs Draisaitl

Might be a good idea

[flamesfan55]

I still see the draft going, its not the way I would want it to go but just a feeling.

1. Florida - Reinhart
2. Buffalo - Bennett
3. Edmonton - Ekblad
4. Calgary - Draisaitl

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

If Bennett is on the board at 4 I hope it's a no-brainer. Dynamic offensive centres like him are few and far between. If it's only Draisaitl left out of that top 4 then I think Dal Colle should get some consideration.

I wonder if Bennett will actually play center in the NHL. When I look at highlights, it seems like he plays a lot on the wing and that most of the highlight reel stuff is when he is on the wing.

I know highlight reels can be misleading though, but it seems like he is already on the wing a lot in junior.

[Burke Salad]

Watching Kopitar dominating his opponents in all three zones this playoff's, I am starting to think maybe Draisatl could become that for us?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Someone suggested smaller polls pitting two players against each other to get a better read on who the Flames should take.

Dal Colle vs Draisaitl
Draisaitl vs Bennett
Reinhart vs Draisaitl

Might be a good idea

One of these days, we're gonna poll ourselves to death!

[ForeverFlameFan]

Looking at Edmonton's depth in defensive prospects, I wouldn't be surprised if they passed up on Ekblad. However, it would be a dumb move to not pick him if he falls to #3. But, it's Edmonton.

Just getting a better feel on our 4th pick, what's Sam Reinhart's comparable? I hate the RNH one.

[Vinny01]

I am starting to get the feeling Bennett is the least likely of the top 4 to slide to the flames pick. He is getting so much love out there and has the intangibles that every team covets.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Someone suggested smaller polls pitting two players against each other to get a better read on who the Flames should take.

Dal Colle vs Draisaitl
Draisaitl vs Bennett
Reinhart vs Draisaitl

Might be a good idea

The draft is one month a way we definitely have time for these discussions

[thethumwood]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Except according to Conroy the Flames scouts think there's 6 guys who should be in consideration. Treliving thinks there's a consensus top 5 but that every team may have them in a slightly different order.

Dal Colle is ranked #3 by ISS I believe.

I know most people around here think there's a clearcut top 4 but it doesn't sound like the Flames agree with that assessment. Prepare to be suprised at the draft, something unexpected usually happens. Who knows maybe a guy like Dal Colle goes top 3. Stranger things have happened.

Where did Conroy say this?

[_Q_]

So... Should we move on to pick 5?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by _Q_

So... Should we move on to pick 5?

Nah, this is a close poll.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by thethumwood

Where did Conroy say this?

Radio interview on the fan in the last two weeks.

[Day Tripper]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Just getting a better feel on our 4th pick, what's Sam Reinhart's comparable? I hate the RNH one.

David Krejci, perhaps.