[News] With the 4th overall pick the Flames select C Sam Bennett

[StrykerSteve]

Test

Yay, new page, problem gone now hopefully.

[lanny9]

With a very good chance at one of the top two in next year's draft as well as a couple more seasons of slowly adding to our pool I think we will be OK. I truly think we have a couple more seasons of sucking before we see any real improvement as our young guys get bigger and more experience. By then our prospect depth could be up there with the best organizations in the league.

[devo22]

https://vine.co/v/OzOnajMvm7O

impossible to dislike this kid.

[BlackWallStreet]

That's awesome ^

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by lanny9

With a very good chance at one of the top two in next year's draft as well as a couple more seasons of slowly adding to our pool I think we will be OK. I truly think we have a couple more seasons of sucking before we see any real improvement as our young guys get bigger and more experience. By then our prospect depth could be up there with the best organizations in the league.

It already is (I think ranked 6th in the league?)

Hence why I think you're overestimating the amount of time it'll take.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

It already is (I think ranked 6th in the league?)

Hence why I think you're overestimating the amount of time it'll take.

The one thing that's really lacking is a great defensive prospect or two. I like them both and think at least one of them will be a good NHL player, but Wotherspoon and Sieloff being your top defensive prospects isn't a very good thing.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by codynw

The one thing that's really lacking is a great defensive prospect or two. I like them both and think at least one of them will be a good NHL player, but Wotherspoon and Sieloff being your top defensive prospects isn't a very good thing.

Gio and Brodie are a legitimate NHL top pairing. Wotherspoon and Sieloff project to be top 4 guys if they hit their potential.

When we're ready to contend, we can dip into the UFA pool or trade market - the assets will be there to move.
Someone is always unhappy, and when our window of contention opens up again, we can grab another top pairing guy to bump our other players down the depth chart. And they'll get the favourable matchups as a result.

[Gaskal]

We could just nab Hanifin/Kylington.

[Azhouse]

Maata would have been nice. Ooh did i just say that?

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Azhouse

Maata would have been nice. Ooh did i just say that?

I hope Jankowski walks through Maata like he's not even there to score the OT winner against the penguins and end a 30 year championship drought.

[Bourque's Twin]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I hope Jankowski walks through Maata like he's not even there to score the OT winner against the penguins and end a 30 year championship drought.

It may be tough for Janko to crack the lineup with McDavid, Bennett, and Monahan on the depth chart.

[lanny9]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

It may be tough for Janko to crack the lineup with McDavid, Bennett, and Monahan on the depth chart.

It is easy to move guys to the wing, it all depends on needs, if we were to get an Eichel or McDavid I would guess one of Bennett or Monahan would be shifted to wing anyways so as to keep them in the top six. Who knows the way Jankowski is being trained in a defensive role plus his offensive touch, he could very well be the perfect third line centre.

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Gio and Brodie are a legitimate NHL top pairing. Wotherspoon and Sieloff project to be top 4 guys if they hit their potential.

When we're ready to contend, we can dip into the UFA pool or trade market - the assets will be there to move.
Someone is always unhappy, and when our window of contention opens up again, we can grab another top pairing guy to bump our other players down the depth chart. And they'll get the favourable matchups as a result.

Thinking it is easy to 'grab a top pairing guy' or just 'dip into the trade market' to get good defenders is exactly how the Oilers ended up with the defensive core they have at this stage of their rebuild..... Would rather address that area sooner than later

[bubbsy]

i think it is inevitable that the flames have to bulk up their d through trades/free agency. Our young forwards should be making their push to play meaningful roles on the team in 2-3 years. Unless we grab a top 3 pick dman that is able to jump into the league (which itself is questionable) i would imagine that any defense draft pick is roughly 5 years away from actually playing top 4 minutes, not just the sheltered bottom pairing/PP time.

The oilers problem isn't as simple as not drafting dmen. Sure they got some good picks in the 2nd round onwards, then nurse coming in. The issue is that young dmen, no matter how great they are prospect wise, usually require a strong veteran presence of guys who know how to successfully play the position in this league to learn from. that is what will help the shultz's, petry's, klefbloms, etc, actually become good players in the league.

Sure the oilers didn't go out and get the top pairing dmen that they need, but at least they realized ference isn't the guy, they need guys that are in the prime that can show the guys how to play in front of hte net, when to pressure the pucks, what kind of angles to play certain guys, etc.

flames will be smart to ensure guys like giordano, smid, and an influx of others throughout the rebuild are always on the roster, regardless of how many picks are used on dmen.

[ForeverFlameFan]

After the 2015 draft, depending on how well we do in the standings in '15/'16 (or'16/'17), I think we will see our weaknesses and maybe trade some of our forward prospects/picks for some big RW/D players. All we have to do right now is focus on our solid drafting for the next year or two. 2015 has quite a few solid defensive prospects. I think 1/3 of the 2015 1st round will be defenseman.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Gio and Brodie are a legitimate NHL top pairing. Wotherspoon and Sieloff project to be top 4 guys if they hit their potential.

When we're ready to contend, we can dip into the UFA pool or trade market - the assets will be there to move.
Someone is always unhappy, and when our window of contention opens up again, we can grab another top pairing guy to bump our other players down the depth chart. And they'll get the favourable matchups as a result.

When was the last time a legit top pairing defenceman actually hit free agency? And if one actually does, they're going to get paid way too much money. Filling major holes on your team through free agency is a terrible idea. You either overpay, or the players you want sign elsewhere and you end up with nothing.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by codynw

When was the last time a legit top pairing defenceman actually hit free agency? And if one actually does, they're going to get paid way too much money. Filling major holes on your team through free agency is a terrible idea. You either overpay, or the players you want sign elsewhere and you end up with nothing.

Bouwmeester was a pretty good signing... Just saying. We just didn't utilize Jays' offensive skill on Sutter's defensive system. When Bouwmeester played with Hartley, you could see we had a good defenseman on a good contract. It doesn't happen all the time, but it's possible. Trading would be more ideal.

[killer_carlson]

Boumeester was a good signing, but I dont think anyone could predict how uncomfortable JB was in the spotlight or the microphone in his face on a daily basis.

It comes as no surprise to me that his play picks up when he returned to a non-traditional hockey market, where he looks like a computer tech or accountant on off days. Very small media requirements there as well.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I hope Jankowski walks through Maata like he's not even there to score the OT winner against the penguins and end a 30 year championship drought.

2018-2019, eh? Not a bad guess, time will tell...

[Hackey]

Were just starting year 2 of the rebuild and were projected to be one of the worst teams in the league again. I don't think there is any need to worry about any specific position at this point. Were gonna be bad for at least another 2-3 seasons. Just stock up quality assets and develop correctly and we can address specific needs when it's necessary. We have no idea who or how our prospects will pan out at this point. A little more patience is all we need to worry about.