Flames 2013 Draft Discussion

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by saillias

Or heaven forbid Nichushkin. If Edmonton can make a core player out of Yakupov why can't we hit a home run with this guy again? Why do Flames fans hate Russians again? When was the last time we had a Russian on this roster anyway. Bure?

Someone enlighten me. This org would kill for an Ovie, Semin, Datsyuk on this team.

Lots of people here are scared of Russian picks. Especially in the top five. I would take him first overall IMO. Only real draw back to me is his two years remaining on his KHL deal. There is a reason he is ranked second by one the biggest scouting firms in the world. He is that good.

That being said, Flames need a center they can build around for years to come. Nichushkin is a LW/C but a greater emphasis on LW. Thats why I choose Barkov or Lindholm or MacKinnon.

[$ven27]

Originally Posted by saillias

Or heaven forbid Nichushkin. If Edmonton can make a core player out of Yakupov why can't we hit a home run with this guy again? Why do Flames fans hate Russians again? When was the last time we had a Russian on this roster anyway. Bure?

Someone enlighten me. This org would kill for an Ovie, Semin, Datsyuk on this team.

This looks to be the highest the Flames have ever drafted. Russian's always have a risk involved with them, I'd much rather go with the safer, and equally good picks of MacKinnon, Drouin, Barkov, Lindholm, Monahan. There's no Ovie caliber player in this draft, Semin is way too inconsistent year to year and Dats was a 8th round pick, so you can't really compare.

[Hair bleach and Vodka]

Nichushkin is a top 3 talent in a lot of scouts eyes.

[PeteMoss]

They don't hate them. They are just worried they'll head over to the KHL at any moment.

[kn]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Lots of people here are scared of Russian picks. Especially in the top five. I would take him first overall IMO. Only real draw back to me is his two years remaining on his KHL deal. There is a reason he is ranked second by one the biggest scouting firms in the world. He is that good.

If he's making $4-5 million in the KHL, what motivation does he have to come here and play for an ELC?

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by kn

If he's making $4-5 million in the KHL, what motivation does he have to come here and play for an ELC?

How would I know? Lots of young Russians have come over to play in the NHL because it is the best league in the world to play hockey in. Cannot see how this would be any different for Nichushkin than it was for Malkin, Yakupov, Kovalchuk or any other good russian talent. Can anyone provide a list of NHL drafted Russian players who have in fact negated their chance to play in the NHL to stay at home?

EDIT: I know of Radulov but that was because he was a spoiled brat not getting what he wanted. And even then, he still came back for another kick at the NHL can.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Originally Posted by saillias

Why do Flames fans hate Russians again?

Oleg Saprykin.

When was the last time we had a Russian on this roster anyway.

Also Oleg Saprykin.

Someone enlighten me. This org would kill for an Ovie, Semin, Datsyuk on this team.

This club would kill for another Valeri Bure right now, never mind a Pavel Datsyuk.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by saillias

Or heaven forbid Nichushkin. If Edmonton can make a core player out of Yakupov why can't we hit a home run with this guy again? Why do Flames fans hate Russians again? When was the last time we had a Russian on this roster anyway. Bure?

Someone enlighten me. This org would kill for an Ovie, Semin, Datsyuk on this team.

There are quite a few risks with him:

1. He has two years left on his KHL deal and he could sign back there again once it's done like Kuznetsov did with Washington.
2. He's a LW and this organization is already filled with those and we've been looking for a #1 center since Nieuwendyk was traded for Iginla.

Yeah i know he's the boom bust player of the draft and that he's suppose to be worth the risk but I'd rather grab a potential #1 center that this team has been waiting for since i was only a year old. So i would say no to him.

[Dienasty]

Curious on thoughts here. If Carolina ended up with the 5th pick and flames had 1st overall, what would it take for the flames to trade down? Assuming Carolina with a ton of money tied up in forwards, and a pretty suspect group of defensive d men, wanted Seth jones. Would you take skinner + 5th overall for 1st overall? With Carolina signing semin, to go with staal, staal, ward, has high contract players, and tlusty needing a raise, ruutu sitting there, would Carolina be intrigued? Would skinner be the odd guy out? Just some food for thought.

[saillias]

Point taken about the KHL contract.

Oleg Saprykin took Chelios out of the 2004 playoffs, scored a GWG against Tampa in the finals and brought us back Langkow in a trade. Not bad.

Don't get me wrong I'm not hung up on drafting the Russian. Best case scenario if we end up 3rd or 4th is that he's already gone, and one or both or Mackinnon/Drouin are available.

[Jake]

Elias Lindholm's SEL stats are sure impressive. The only comparable (stats wise) SEL drafted player in recent memory is Nicklas Backstrom, and Lindholm is putting up better numbers than Backstrom did in his draft year.

Barkov isn't in bad company stats-wise (SM-liiga) either. The only other guy that put up similar numbers in his draft year recently was Michael Granlund.

[Ashasx]

The Flames are not in a position to risk a top 4 pick with a Russian who still has 2 years left on his KHL deal.

Well, actually, it's so stupid that our management might actually do it.

If we're going to pick a winger, I will rage if it's not Drouin.

[dammage79]

Would anyone take Nichushkin with the St.Louis pick? If the russian factor lets him slip all they way down to that pick? I would. Then go Zykov/Hartman with the Pitt pick.

[Hatter]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Would anyone take Nichushkin with the St.Louis pick? If the russian factor lets him slip all they way down to that pick? I would. Then go Zykov/Hartman with the Pitt pick.

I'd have to assume they would. I doubt he makes it past pick #10 though.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Would anyone take Nichushkin with the St.Louis pick? If the russian factor lets him slip all they way down to that pick? I would. Then go Zykov/Hartman with the Pitt pick.

Zykov will not last past 20th. book it.

I want him with the St.Louis pick..he's a beast.

[Francis's Hairpiece]

Originally Posted by T@T

Zykov will not last past 20th. book it.

I want him with the St.Louis pick..he's a beast.

Or move up to get Zadorov.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think Nichuskin will fall - not because of talent but the Russian Factor + that KHL contract.

I don't think he will fall down to the Blues' pick, however. If he does, I really suggest the Flames grab him. I can see Buffalo grabbing him - they have Grigorenko. Perhaps they are friends? Who knows. I don't think a team with only one 1st round pick will pick him in the top 7-8. After that, however, he is just too enticing to pass up imo. Flames may have to move up in order to snag him with their 2nd pick. I would be ok with that too. IF he ever comes over, he is looking like he will be a force! Unfortunately, he has the 'IF' part...

The speculation with Tampa dealing their first - it is still going to be really expensive (depending on how high). I would guess (literal guess) if they finish 10th, and St. Louis' pick is 15th, it would probably require Gio (they need defence), the St. Louis pick and MAYBE something else. Moving up 5 spots in that range is usually pretty expensive I think. Maybe I am over-shooting it, but it definitely will not be cheap.

I am relegating myself to just be happy for any of the top 4. You can make very good and valid arguments for any of Jones, MacKinnon, Drouin and Barkov for the top 4. Size, IQ, position, over-all rank, team needs... These guys are all really good, and you might just end up splitting hairs on them. I don't think any will really bust (minus some unforeseen bad luck with injuries or whatnot). I will be happy with any.

Kuznetsov availability - would definitely be intriguing. I would only be comfortable to trade for him if Washington gives permission to talk to him. However, why would they do that? If they are so willing to trade him, there is a good chance he may not want to go to ANY team. Perhaps he doesn't want to go to Washington? He would get more than a legitimate shot in Washington. They have traded a lot of their skill and acquired role players/grit to try and become more of a 'playoff team', but many feel they have swung too far one way. I really like him, and I really do think if he ever comes over he would either be close to an elite player, or develop into one in short order. Watching him in the World Juniors in Calgary was a huge treat, I thought.

Petan - count me in on the list as 'avoid'. I think he is a good player, but the Flames have an abundance of smaller skilled players. Too many of them, and it puts you at a disadvantage, even if they do become high-calibre. Flames will be in a division with Anaheim and LA. Canucks are seemingly focused on drafting for size (though I think they have been drafting terribly, so perhaps a moot point), but the league seems to be slowly coming back to size.

I like Gaudreau. I like Baertschi. Hudler is a very good supporting piece for the next few years. Granlund isn't exactly physical (and really not sure if he will make it, though I do hope). I just think it is too many smaller players for a top 6 in the long run. Time may prove my logic wrong, but that is what I think for now. If the Flames didn't have smaller top 6 prospects, I would definitely be on board with Petan. Too many, and I think you set yourself up to become the Oilers up north - arguably too small with a huge lack of grit in their top 6.

How do people feel about Nurse vs Ristolainen vs Zadorov vs Pulock? I personally rank them in that order, though I sometimes feel Ristolainen can be argued ahead of Nurse.. Zadorov seems like a very interesting pick though. Pulock seems to me more on the level of a Dumba... but more of a general feeling I get from watching him.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by T@T

Zykov will not last past 20th. book it.

I want him with the St.Louis pick..he's a beast.

I used the TSN draft list as of march to make my case. If Zykov goes higher that is fine. Hartman is still s good choice with the Pittsburgh pick.

[Roof-Daddy]

I'm starting to think the Flames will finish no lower than 28th.

The Avs and Canes look as though they may not win another game this season. Plus with Florida in the mix, it may be 27th.

With our luck, probably get bumped down one spot from 4th to 5th and end up missing out on one of the big four too.

[Mith]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I'm starting to think the Flames will finish no lower than 28th.

The Avs and Canes look as though they may not win another game this season. Plus with Florida in the mix, it may be 27th.

With our luck, probably get bumped down one spot from 4th to 5th and end up missing out on one of the big four too.

Why, because the flames won a single game? After they lost 5 straight? And those 5 straight losses were not pretty at all.

Also the win was against the 30th place team, not exactly glamorous. I wouldn't expect the flames to win many at all :P