2015 NHL Draft

[MrMastodonFarm]

Thoughts on Mitch Marmer?

Not sure what to make of him, really like his explosive offensive skill but the size has me thinking he'll be a winger in the NHL not play at center. For the Flames that isn't too bad, a right handed right winger would be nice with Monahan, Bennett and Backlund down the middle.

Like the kid though. Reminds me a little of Chris Drury with his hunched over skating style.

[dammage79]

D-men might get swooped up fast and hard immediately after McDavid/Eichel.

Another potential dropper could be Pavel Zacha. He's already slipping down a couple draft rankings already . Do the Flames take the big Czech if he slips all the way down? I cannot see why not.

[Mattman]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

What are peoples' feelings about Brandon Carlo? 6'5" RH defenceman and ranked around where we might be picking. Seems like a good fit for us...

-League changes draft lottery format

-Calgary wins lottery draft and 1st overall pick

-Calgary unable to pick Brandon Carlo

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Thoughts on Mitch Marmer?

Not sure what to make of him, really like his explosive offensive skill but the size has me thinking he'll be a winger in the NHL not play at center. For the Flames that isn't too bad, a right handed right winger would be nice with Monahan, Bennett and Backlund down the middle.

Like the kid though. Reminds me a little of Chris Drury with his hunched over skating style.

High end skill, I see him going top 5 right now. He will get bigger, weight and height, could be one of the better prospects from this draft.

[Caged Great]

I could see Marner even possibly going 3rd if a team that is deep on defense is picking 3rd (say the Sabers)

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I could see Marner even possibly going 3rd if a team that is deep on defense is picking 3rd (say the Sabers)

Or the Coyotes:

Domi - Dvorak - Marner

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Thoughts on Mitch Marmer?

Not sure what to make of him, really like his explosive offensive skill but the size has me thinking he'll be a winger in the NHL not play at center. For the Flames that isn't too bad, a right handed right winger would be nice with Monahan, Bennett and Backlund down the middle.

Like the kid though. Reminds me a little of Chris Drury with his hunched over skating style.

He'll probably turn out to be a RWer later on, especially if he falls to us and we pick him. Can't see that happening with how much his stock has risen, he's definitely going in the top 5 with McDavid, Eichel, Strome and Hanifin.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Thoughts on Mitch Marmer?

Teams don't seem to be shying away from smaller players like they did in the past. And apparently Marner's brother was a late grower (grew a couple inches after he was 17), and the thinking is Marner may be the same. Safe to assume he goes top-5.

[cral12]

Another rankings perspective for your perusal:

The Next Ones Midterm NHL Draft Rankings

Excerpt from Intro

"As TSN’s Bob McKenzie alluded to in his midterm rankings, the consensus amongst scouts is that McDavid, Eichel and Hanifin remain distinguished from the rest of the pack, although some would argue prospects like Mitch Marner may have something to say that. I’d maybe even make a case for Ivan Provorov as a potential disruptor come June."

The Top 5 is probably no big surprise...beyond that it is not your typical consensus rankings...
(Hint: the lad ranked #6 making a big push for Top 5 in THW's The Next Ones rankings, with a Top 3 challenge not out of the question)

1. McDavid
2. Eichel
3. Hanifin
4. Marner
5. Strome


Link to full rankings
(Top 30 with prospect profiler notes on each)

Some good prospects will obviously be available in the Flames' draft "wheelhouse".

Fire away with critique and thoughts...

[sureLoss]

Craig Button says Provorov may be the best defenceman in the draft
http://www.tsn.ca/radio/button-leafs...anson-1.200317

starts at the 7:30 mark

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Craig Button says Provorov may be the best defenceman in the draft
http://www.tsn.ca/radio/button-leafs...anson-1.200317

starts at the 7:30 mark

I wouldnt be too suprised if that is how things shook out a few years down the road.

Hanifin looks like Bouwmeester to me (which isn't necessarilly a bad thing) and doesnt seem to be living up to the dominating pre season hype he was getting, at least offensively.

I don't know much about Kylington so cant say much about him but he seems to have dropped a few spots on most lists with Werenski inching upward and Provorov sky rocketing into the upper groupings.

[shutout]

Easy to see Buttons list of the four high offensive players followed by the four top defensemen.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Craig Button says Provorov may be the best defenceman in the draft
http://www.tsn.ca/radio/button-leafs...anson-1.200317

starts at the 7:30 mark

He's definitely rising into the conversation with Werensky, Hanifin and Kylington for sure. I don't think he's #1 at the moment but that could change over the balance of the season.

[GioforPM]

Provorov is one of the only defenceman I've seen play, and he certainly seems like a pro.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Craig Button says Provorov may be the best defenceman in the draft
http://www.tsn.ca/radio/button-leafs...anson-1.200317

starts at the 7:30 mark

I probably have him higher than any other service, at least at this point. (Craig had him 8th on his last ranking).

Here's my next 5:
6. Ivan Provorov
7. Matt Barzal
8. Oliver Kylington
9. Nick Merkley
10. Zack Werenski

[sureLoss]

Provorov now ranked #5 ahead of Hanifin by Button. He also has put Zacha at 31.

http://www.tsn.ca/craig-s-list-provo...top-5-1.204945

This month, blueliner Ivan Provorov moves ahead of Noah Hanifin, Zach Werenski and Oliver Kylington, all the way up to No. 5 on Craig's List.
While the debate will rage, I see Ivan as the best and most complete defenceman in the draft. His command of all the situations in the game allows him to contribute and make an impact regardless of what's confronting him. Ivan can make the game look effortless with a brilliant understanding of what's unfolding in front of him either from a defensive or offensive standpoint. His skating, quickness and balance, pinpoint passing, poise under pressure and a great competitive determination align to make him a defenceman who can influence the play and the outcomes in a consistent and positive manner.

The other three defenseman are all very good in their own right, but none of them are as complete as Ivan.

The Edmonton Oilers - if they should fall out of the top two picks in the draft - are faced with an interesting decision. With top two defencemen available, is it a foregone conclusion that one of them will become an Oiler?

A case could certainly be made to go that route. But if you were prepared to select one of Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel, then Dylan Strome would be an excellent selection. He is a big, No. 1 centre who plays the game in a similar manner to Jonathan Toews and Anze Kopitar. Now I'm not saying he's either one of those players, but the opportunity to add a centre who can control the middle of the ice and contribute in any situation is something that would strengthen any team.

Timo Meier has taken a leap up the list. It's not a case of watching him play well and showing strong potential, because I've been watching him for three years and have seen lots of positives from him. When I evaluate Meier's attributes and potential and then compare them to others in the draft, I see a very strong player. He can play the game in three essential areas; skill, physicality and in-game thinking. He knows how to utilize all of those elements to have a real significant role in the game.

Pavel Zacha was mentioned as a potential top pick in the 2015 draft a few years ago, but is far off of that at this time. Injuries have hampered him and while I think he's an NHL player, I don't see a player who can be viewed as elite. Adjusting to being a different type of player is important as time passes and as Pavel returns from injury, I'll be watching very closely to see if it is 'growing pains' or if he projects as a different type

[Rick M.]

I watched Evgeni Svechnikov of Cape Breton Screaming Eagles play against the Islanders tonight. I was extremely impressed with his skating, stickhandling, passing and shooting. He seems to know where to go on the ice and makes things happen. Craig Button has him at number 17 and if he is still there when we pick we could do a lot worse than take this guy. And he's a RW!

[Ashasx]

Crouse 2 hand slash from last night

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/g...vicious-slash/

[cral12]

THW's E-Mac has dug in and started his profile series in War Room format. Very in depth with tons of info.

First up - who else...know the Flames obviously have no shot, but McDavid perhaps most important hockey player to hit the NHL since SC87:

Connor McDavid Worthy of “The Next One” Moniker

• E-Mac's unique commentary
• Other Rankings
• Links to other profiles, interviews, videos, etc
• Up-to-date stats via Elite Prospects
• Editor's Notebook

Link to full article.

[RyZ]

It is worth noting that after the blazing hot start Connor McDavid has now slowed down to below Crosby point per game level in their draft years.

Currently:
McDavid - 86 points - 34 games - 2.52 p/g
Crosby - 168 points - 62 games - 2.71 p/g

And just for fun (I know it was a different era)
Lemieux - 282 points - 70 games - 4.03 p/g!!!

It will be interesting to see if McDavid can pick it back up to match Sid.