[News] With the 166th OA pick the Flames select C Matthew Phillips

[EldrickOnIce]

Because the amount of undersized players who have enjoyed significant success in the NHL is, well, very few. Like count on your fingers few.
The interesting part is that Calgary has a highly disproportionate amount of the successful ones.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

Love to pick. I would love to know why a player like Phillips can be ranked so deep in the draft, while a player like Keller is top 10. I'm not saying Phillips is in the same tier, but the gap is massive for similar players. Why was Marnee drafted so high, and Mangipane so low ? Why was Gaudreau ranked so late ? Seems like their is no consistency on small skill players.

5'10" is considered a lot taller than 5'7" which is considered smurf-like. I have no problem with the pick as, obviously, Conroy loves the kid.

[flamesfan6]

I really enjoyed watching this player with the Royals, he's exciting to watch. Excited for this pick.

[Flamescuprun2018]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

By the way this is the pick from David Jones to Minny trade. Jones was useless in his time in Calgary but hopefully the pick we got for him can turn out to be a steal.

A classic example of Treliving's tireless energy. That 6th round pick deal was a remarkable effort to get something of return for Jones by trading with a playoff bound team. That trade was super last minute going way past the trade deadline awaiting Backstrom's blessing since NTC.

We even gained currency by helping Backstrom end his NHL in honor by playing a great final game (even though it cost us a lottery winner!). Backstrom will always pick up on the phone now when called by the Flames.

It's the little things that this organization is doing every day that add up. So fun to see.

I think we should always pick a small super skilled guy with 166. Fleury/Mangiapane it's our thing!

[Krynn]

I think we should always pick a small super skilled guy with 166. Fleury/Mangiapane it's our thing![/QUOTE] fla mes cup run great idea I think so 2

[Krynn]

Doh

[Conroy4Mayor]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

I don't understand how people don't get Burke.
He distracts, deflects, and just speaks out as he sees fit. It's awesome.
But that anyone takes what he says as speaking for the Calgary Flames, I find really amusing.

I believe his strong opinions about size indirectly led to the Brandon Bollig trade, Hunter Smith drafting, and Deryk Engelland signing. He is the President of Hockey Operations. To think he is just there to blow smoke is being a bit naive. He really does believe what he says and wants the team run that way.

I am sure that if Tkachuk had not been there at #6, we would have passed on Nylander because of Burke's desire for truculence, even though for many in the organization Nylander might have been seen as the best player available.

We were very fortunate that the guy that fell to us at #6 had both size and skill. Otherwise we might have ended up with a guy like Logan Brown (who has more size and less skill).

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Loubo adores this kid. That's good enough for me.

Loubo adores EVERY kid.

[Moneyhands23]

I'll probably catch at least 20 Royals games this year! I'll update how he is doing from my not so pro scout viewings! ☺

[Tbull8]

Not sure if this was posted yet. Welcome to the flames Matthew Phillips

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=887457

[T@T]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Loubo adores this kid. That's good enough for me.

A kid with a hockey stick could take a crap on his living room floor and Loubo would still love him.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Conroy4Mayor

I believe his strong opinions about size indirectly led to the Brandon Bollig trade, Hunter Smith drafting, and Deryk Engelland signing. He is the President of Hockey Operations. To think he is just there to blow smoke is being a bit naive. He really does believe what he says and wants the team run that way.

I am sure that if Tkachuk had not been there at #6, we would have passed on Nylander because of Burke's desire for truculence, even though for many in the organization Nylander might have been seen as the best player available.

We were very fortunate that the guy that fell to us at #6 had both size and skill. Otherwise we might have ended up with a guy like Logan Brown (who has more size and less skill).

So the acquisitions or signings that fit your narrative are Burke's.
And the rest, or are they Burke too?

[bax]

Originally Posted by Conroy4Mayor

I believe his strong opinions about size indirectly led to the Brandon Bollig trade, Hunter Smith drafting, and Deryk Engelland signing. He is the President of Hockey Operations. To think he is just there to blow smoke is being a bit naive. He really does believe what he says and wants the team run that way.



I am sure that if Tkachuk had not been there at #6, we would have passed on Nylander because of Burke's desire for truculence, even though for many in the organization Nylander might have been seen as the best player available.



We were very fortunate that the guy that fell to us at #6 had both size and skill. Otherwise we might have ended up with a guy like Logan Brown (who has more size and less skill).

Arguing that Burke has some controlled mandate on only acquiring big, tough players in a thread about the Flames drafting a 5'6 137 pound player? Hmmmmm

Some people only see what they want to see I guess. And in your hypothetical situation where Tkachuk doesn't fall to us, I disagree 100%.

Maybe we don't take Nylander but I believe it would be between him, Keller, or a defenseman. The Flames have shown how highly they value skill and hockey IQ.

It definitely wouldn't have been Brown. He doesn't even fit the Burke stereotype. Sure, he's huge but he doesn't play a very tough game. He more so uses his size to protect the puck Joe Colborne style.

You're acting like Burke is going to overrule an entire scouting department because he sees how tall some prospect is. That's ridiculous.

[homestand]

Victoria Royals visit the Hitmen on Friday January 20, 2017.

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by T@T

A kid with a hockey stick could take a crap on his living room floor and Loubo would still love him.

One word - "look out"

[GranteedEV]

"What Scouts Say"

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=887678

[driveway]

I think it's much more that when Burke was hiring a GM he looked for someone who (among other qualities) had similar thoughts about the efficacy of size and toughness in the NHL, but not identical thoughts.

I think that's much more likely the explanation of Trelevings decisions than that there is some mandate from Burke that we meet some sort of big guy quota.

[Calgary4LIfe]

There was a mandate from management this year - the scouts were told to look for big guys who had skill and a shot to play in the NHL throughout the draft.

Anything wrong with that? Look at the large players selected - anything wrong with these? Are they unskilled, low-ceiling types?

People still make the Hunter Smith is a goon and Keegan Kanzig is a goon because they were both huge.

Smith was productive in juniors, and took huge steps one year to the next. Smith had 30 games played with 1 assist in his draft eligible season (and only 22 PIMs). He got passed over. The next season, he shot up to 64gp and 40 points (with 100 PIMs). There were a lot of scouts that were fairly high on him. He killed penalties, and he was utilized with skill players as the net front presence who could actually not stifle the offence from the skill players.

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=724430

NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING
"He's made himself into a player. He came into the league as a role-type of player and worked hard to develop his skill set. He's one of the toughest guys in the Ontario Hockey League, but complements that with good puck-handling and passing ability. Big guys who are tough and skilled are very valuable in the NHL." - Chris Edwards

What was Kanzig? A similar player. 1st year, he was absolute garbage out there, and was barely a 6th defencemen. Next season - his draft eligible and second season in the WHL - what did he do? A MASSIVE step forward in development, and became the shutdown guy on the top pairing near the end of the season.

http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/07/10...zig-is-no-goon

Proof of Kanzig’s contention could come in the fact he was named to Team Pacific — a squad made up of players from Alberta and B.C. — for the World Under-17 Challenge during the 2012 Christmas season.
It’s not like a blueliner was added to that team if he was just a thug.

http://calgaryherald.com/sports/hock...e-flames-picks

67. D Keegan Kanzig (six-five, 240, WHL Victoria): “A huge defenceman, but the first thing we noticed about him? We thought he understood the game very well and that he had high character, high intangibles. Off the ice leadership. On the ice leadership. He’s a great teammate. For us, it was an area we talked about — getting rough and tumble on the back end — but he’s got a good brain, too.”

There was a better article that I read on Kanzig, and what made the Flames notice him. They never went to scout him. All the scouts happened to be in Vancouver for some reason (maybe not ALL the scouts, but a group of Calgary scouts were there), and they decided to take the ferry and take in the Victoria game. Everyone came away impressed with how cerebral Kanzig was, and that is when they started tracking him more closely for the season. They saw him as a physical defensive defencemen with high IQ, and made strong plays with the puck (though not a puck mover, he isn't a throwback 'hand grenade' guy either).

This year's crop of big guys look to be even more skilled as a whole.

So yeah, there was a mandate to find big guys with skill and potential. However, Philips, Fox, Lindstrom, etc., are all average to undersized skill players. There wasn't a single pick this draft that wasn't skilled, regardless of size.

Edit: I would also like to add with regards to Phillips. Conroy fought for this guy (as well as 2 of the Flames' WHL scouts). Remember Howse? Conroy was sent to keep tabs on him, and it was Conroy that identified Horak as the driver on that line, which resulted in Horak being included in the Erixon deal. Horak did indeed go much further than Howse did, so I do think that Conroy has a decent eye as a talent evaluator, and I imagine his ability to evaluate has become more refined as Horak was a find in his first year when Feaster was getting him to do 'a little bit of everything'.

[jg13]

https://www.nhl.com/flames/video/one...404/c-44317803

Some highlights in this video at 1:50, 2:00, 2:20.

Going to be a very exciting player to watch this week at camp

[dustygoon]

Tough not to like this kid. Comes across as very bright, and acts/talks older than he looks.

But this rookie of the year accolade. I didn't pick up on this. Look at the past winners...some flops, some tenderness, but some pretty damn good players too:

Season Player[1] Team
2015–16 Matthew Phillips Victoria Royals
2014–15 Nolan Patrick Brandon Wheat Kings
2013–14 Nick Merkley Kelowna Rockets
2012–13 Seth Jones Portland Winterhawks
2011–12 Sam Reinhart Kootenay Ice
2010–11 Mathew Dumba Red Deer Rebels
2009–10 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Red Deer Rebels
2008–09 Brett Connolly Prince George Cougars
2007–08 Brayden Schenn Brandon Wheat Kings
2006–07 Kyle Beach Everett Silvertips
2005–06 Peter Mueller Everett Silvertips
2004–05 Tyler Plante Brandon Wheat Kings
2003–04 Gilbert Brule Vancouver Giants
2002–03 Matt Ellison Red Deer Rebels
2001–02 Braydon Coburn Portland Winter Hawks
2000–01 Scottie Upshall Kamloops Blazers
1999–00 Dan Blackburn Kootenay Ice
1998–99 Pavel Brendl Calgary Hitmen
1997–98 Marian Hossa Portland Winter Hawks
1996–97 Donavon Nunweiler Moose Jaw Warriors
1995–96 Chris Phillips Prince Albert Raiders
1994–95 Todd Robinson Portland Winter Hawks
1993–94 Wade Redden Brandon Wheat Kings
1992–93 Jeff Friesen Regina Pats
1991–92 Ashley Buckberger Swift Current Broncos
1990–91 Donevan Hextall Prince Albert Raiders
1989–90 Petr Nedved Seattle Thunderbirds