Summer 2014 Prospect Ranking Poll Rd9

[Nehkara]

Once the goalies are out of the way it is definitely Agostino. He really impressed me at rookie camp... seemed to be on the same level as the top prospects (except Gaudreau).

[Joe Nieuwendyk]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

6. Klimchuk - same as Poirier. Did what was expected.. How this justified a jump from 10 to 6 I can't explain.

I think this is fairly obvious. Prospect rankings are always based on potential versus likelihood to meet that potential. Late first round draft picks are usually high on the first and lower on the second. Every year that the prospect meets expectations, the likelihood of meeting his potential increases, thus the increase in rating.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

Once the goalies are out of the way it is definitely Agostino. He really impressed me at rookie camp... seemed to be on the same level as the top prospects (except Gaudreau).

He's also 22 years old, so he's got 3-4 years on guys like Klimchuk, Poirier, Bennett etc. I like him and think his skating separates him from Hanowski etc but not close to getting a vote yet.

[nik-]

Yeah, Agostino is just kind of meh imo

[FlamesAddiction]

Last year, I would have said Gillies over Ortio, but now I am leaning towards Ortio. I just thought Ortio progressed well last season.

I can see the argument for Gillies though too. This poll should as close as it is. I almost think we should call it a tie.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

He's also 22 years old, so he's got 3-4 years on guys like Klimchuk, Poirier, Bennett etc. I like him and think his skating separates him from Hanowski etc but not close to getting a vote yet.

It's like when Van Der Gulik and Nystrom were super impressive at summer camps in the past. They were experienced college players and thus looked better than their younger CHL counterparts but it didn't mean they had big upsides.

[djsFlames]

It should've been the goalies, then the bottom 6 forward group - Reinhart, Arnold, Agostino, Knight etc as well as our other potential NHLer d-men Kulak, Culkin, Seiloff.

CP has a real hard on for forwards.

[BlackWallStreet]

I thought billins wasn't part of flames organization any longer??

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

It should've been the goalies, then the bottom 6 forward group - Reinhart, Arnold, Agostino, Knight etc as well as our other potential NHLer d-men Kulak, Culkin, Seiloff.

CP has a real hard on for forwards.

So in the end you're whining about Reinhart going ahead of the goalies? Whoop-dee-doo. Not worth whining about IMO. You sure do a lot of complaining about everybody else's opinion in these poll threads.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by BlackWallStreet

I thought billins wasn't part of flames organization any longer??

I think we still own his rights, but he's playing in the KHL. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

[nik-]

Knight is another that doesn't strike me as being in the long term plans. We've got a whole lot of average to lower end prospects that keep getting pushed down by more high end ones coming in.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

It should've been the goalies, then the bottom 6 forward group - Reinhart, Arnold, Agostino, Knight etc as well as our other potential NHLer d-men Kulak, Culkin, Seiloff.

CP has a real hard on for forwards.

You don't think it possible our erections for forwards is because the strength of our prospect base is far and away, forwards?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by fotze

Is there a point where we have too many prospects? Can only graduate 3 per year max it seems.

Players that could play in the NHL next year:
Gaudreau
Baertschi
Poirier
Granlund
Wotherspoon
Reinhart
Arnold
Agostino
Ferland
Hanowski
van Brabant
Sieloff
Billins
Knight
Cundari

Is there a point where we hold players back and they get disenfranchised? Or am I assuming they are better than they really are?

We used 44 players last year due to injuries/trades. It's conceivable that all the players you listed could get some games (except Billins who is in the KHL.) So no, I don't think anybody has to feel like they're held back.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by fotze

Can you win an NHL playing 5 forwards and a forward in goal? I rest my case.

Okay, I judge your argument nonsensical and you lose

This is not a team-building game.

[Joe Nieuwendyk]

Originally Posted by nik-

Yeah, Agostino is just kind of meh imo

I'm pretty high on Agostino. He, Reinhart and Arnold seem to play very similar games - players that aren't overly skilled (though they do have skill) but play a smart enough game to complement any line. These are the types of players that will be the difference between the Flames being another Oilers or being a winner.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by fotze

Is there a point where we have too many prospects? Can only graduate 3 per year max it seems.

Players that could play in the NHL next year:
Gaudreau
Baertschi
Poirier
Granlund
Wotherspoon
Reinhart
Arnold
Agostino
Ferland
Hanowski
van Brabant
Sieloff
Billins
Knight
Cundari

Is there a point where we hold players back and they get disenfranchised? Or am I assuming they are better than they really are?

The hockey world is littered with players who as prospects, probably deserved a chance to try their game in the NHL, but they just never get the call. So much of it has to do with luck (injury call-up to fill specific niches or positions, not being injured as the same time they are calling someone up, not being in a slump at the wrong time, internal politics, etc...).

I do think that if we have good prospects that are unlikely to get the call because of depth, we should entertain the thought of trading them for other assets. There is no point in letting them stall their development by never getting the call.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by fotze

I'm curious who DjsFlames think we are idiots for picking. That and who does MattyC vote for?

I've been following all you like-minded sheep since round 6.



Ortio here...for the 3rd time in a row.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I do think that if we have good prospects that are unlikely to get the call because of depth, we should entertain the thought of trading them for other assets. There is no point in letting them stall their development by never getting the call.

You only do that when you are a contending team and start filling holes with your prospects. Right now, our focus is to continue building a strong prospect pool and continue taking the BPA.

[SuperMatt18]

One thing I do agree with is we probably underrated Reinhart and Granlund's season.

Last year in the AHL this is the ppg ranking for players under 22 that played more than 30 games in the AHL

Ryan Strome (1.32 ppg)
Linden Vey (1.12 ppg)
Mark Stone (1.08 ppg)
Emerson Etem (1.08 ppg)
J.T. Miller (1.02 ppg)
Tomas Jurco (1.00 ppg)
J.G. Pageau (0.96 ppg)
Max Reinhart (0.95 ppg)

Pretty good company for Reinhart as that list includes a few first rounders, and a couple of highly touted prospects.

Granlund not far off the pace with a 0.84 ppg for a rookie is his first season in North America.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

You only do that when you are a contending team and start filling holes with your prospects. Right now, our focus is to continue building a strong prospect pool and continue taking the BPA.

You can do it any time. I am not saying to trade them for veterans. Trade them for draft picks or younger prospects.

For example, there is a diminishing chance that a forward not playing in the NHL at 23 years of age will ever become a full-time NHLer. If we have prospects approaching that age that would potentially make another team but is far down the call-up list for us, it's in both parties best interests to move on.