Splitting Atoms Poll - Cgy pick Draisaitl/Dal Colle

[Locke]

The top end of this draft is so tight that I dont really think we can do much wrong so spin a wheel and lets go.

[Textcritic]

I went with Draisaitl and I honestly believe that he is the better player with a bigger upside than Dal Colle. However, two things give me pause: 1) Dal Colle is better on his skates, and 2) he is among the younger players in the draft. I honestly don't think the Flames can go wrong here: Either one of Bennett, Ekblad, or Reinhart will be available to them, or they will have the chance to draft either Dal Colle or Draisaitl.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Went with Draisaitl. I really want us to have a dynamic center core. Wouldn't be upset with Dal Colle either.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by codynw

Would Jeff Carter be a fair Dal Colle comparable?

I don't think he's as speedy as Carter. Perlini is more of a Carter type IMO.

When I saw him play he reminded me of Corey Perry. Probably not as feisty as Perry can get though.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Does he have the jam to be a powerforward? I don't think he's a fearful player from what I"ve read, but I've certainly seen comments that suggests he steers away from contact or something to that effect.

I have seen it written that both Draisaitl & Dal Colle shy away from physical contact at times. Neither of them are particularly adept at backchecking, and neither of them are particularly fleet of foot. I actually think that they're similar prospects on paper, with Draisaitl more in the playmaker mold & Dal Colle the sniper.

While Draisaitl is already pretty much filled-out, Dal Colle is still very skinny. I think there is a presumption there that he'll be a power forward once he's matured & filled out. That presumption often ends in disappointment.

I really hope one of the other 3 (Ekblad, Bennett or Reinhart) drops to us because the difference between these 2 prospects is frustratingly minimal. I can't make a definitive choice & have yet to vote.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

It's totally a toss up for me. I'd be fine with either guy really. We need size on the wing and Dal Colle looks like a pure sniper with size but he doesn't play the power game that I covet. Draisaitl could make a great 1-2 punch with Monahan. Wouldn't surprise me if the Burke comments were true and that out of the top guys Draisaitl isn't his favourite. Interesting to see if Treliving and Burke share the same thoughts there.

Frankly I highly doubt Draisaitl will be there at #4. It's looking to me like he will go 1st, 2nd or 3rd. I think it's more likely Reinhart is available there and I'm starting to think there's a chance Ekblad could fall to us too. Extremely tough to handicap this draft. Right now Bennett and Draisaitl seem the most coveted players from the quotes I've seen from scouts. Florida potentially wanting Ehlers/Nylander and dropping down to do so could throw a wrench in the whole thing and make it almost impossible to predict ahead of time.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Fire

With things being pretty much equal you take the center, so it should be Draisaitl. Dal Colle playing center in midget doesn't excite me much.

For the record I don't think the Oilers pass on Draisaitl if available. More and more I get the feeling Ekblad will drop to us. I checked the mock drafts for the 2013 draft and I didn't see anyone predicting Jones would drop pass the 2nd spot in the draft, but he ended up drafted at the 4th spot.

I'm guessing Reinhart more and more as the days go by.

Funny how things change ... for a good chunk of the season I was convinced they needed to be top three to land one of the big players. Then within weeks of the season it was top four and there was less to worry about. Since they it seems more likely someone will take Draisaitl earlier, as I've evolved to wishing they don't.

[djsFlames]

It's tough, because I think there's a little more risk with Draisaitl, despite him being the bulkier player. But we have almost an overabundance of left wingers in the system and roster. I've been wanting to see them to shore up our center position for a long time now. With Draisaitl there's a chance to do that. What concerns me is having two centermen that aren't strong skaters. But if our wingers have the wheels to play the speed game, maybe it won't be a big issue, and perhaps it can be worked on. I'm a big Dal Colle fan so this would be hard... But they go with Draisaitl.

[flamesfan55]

I feel like outside of the Sams and Ekblad it really doesn't matter who you take. It drops off after the top three and then 4-8 are all realistically the same.

[djsFlames]

But I think the Oilers would hate to see Draisaitl slip into our hands, as he is highly coveted up there, and I'm not sure they see the same value in the Sams as we do. So I don't think this will be a debate come time.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by flamesfan55

I feel like outside of the Sams and Ekblad it really doesn't matter who you take. It drops off after the top three and then 4-8 are all realistically the same.

If our management feels that way, maybe we'll trade down. However, I disagree... There is a top 4, almost top 5.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

If our management feels that way, maybe we'll trade down. However, I disagree... There is a top 4, almost top 5.

http://pmd.fan960.com/audio_on_deman...-Interview.mp3

Conroy thinks 6 guys could be in consideration for the Flames pick. There is a guy in particular that they'd love to get.

[djsFlames]

I'd bet an arm and a leg that guy is Bennett.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Hearing that interview, I think we really, really want Bennett.

[Scorponok]

Judging from highlights it seems Dal Cole has the big league shot right now. But when all is said and done, I think Draisaitl will end up with the longer career. Elite playmakers seem to last in the league longer than pure snipers. It's close and I'd be happy with either one, though I think Burke and co. will take the center before the winger.

[Miniac]

Draisaitl, I wouldn't be upset with Dal Colle. Really want one of the Sams.

[JurassicTunga12]

Draisaitl. He is probably my favourite player in this draft(a bit of German bias in me too). I love his tool set. Big, skilled, and smart. It's said his puck protection is Jagr like. He is on the slower side skating wise, but that is fixable.

Having two big, skilled centres Draisaitl and Monahan seems too good to pass up.

Baertschi - Draisaitl - Poirier
Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler / ????

Looks sweet.

[Galakanokis]

I don't know much about the draftees other than what CP and tweeeter have to offer. But, my gut says you go with the big center over the comparable winger. Teams that win have center depth. I want the D man first but I go with a centerman next.

[Monahan23]

Draisaitl

Best passer in the draft, protects the puck very well, good skater apart from speed, great release, high Ice Q, great 200ft game

Comparison is a Anze Kopitar/Joe Thornton combo. Plus Draisaitl and Monahan at 1-2 would make me happy

[ForeverFlameFan]

There should be an additional poll on how long it took us to answer the poll. It took me about a minute to figure out which one I wanted more. I think this poll should be closer than what the results are showing.