Calgarypuck Prospect Ranking 2016 - Round 1

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Kylington is not a control-the-game kind of defenseman. He is pure offense and should be utilized accordingly (#3-4 with offensive zone starts and easier defensive responsibilities.

...Let's not label Kylington so soon. Who knows how he develops now that he's playing for a team actually working with him on that stuff. Even a guy like Duncan Keith wasn't playing in the NHL until age 22... that would be the equivalent of three more AHL seasons of development for Kylington. Don't wanna knock his potential for his precociousness.

[GreenLantern2814]

I threw in a vote for Hickey, but will freely admit Tkachuk is the prize of the system at the moment. Forget the shiny new toy syndrome, he is the surest bet to be a major offensive force at the NHL level vs every other forward prospect in the system.

I wasn't ever a shipper of Tkachuk leading up to the draft, but after seeing him live, I'm really excited to see what he brings to the big club.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

Tkachuk doesn't impress me, relative to what you expect for a 6th OA pick. He didn't impress me in London, didn't impress me at the Juniors, and didn't impress at dev camp...

I can't imagine what more an 18-year-old prospect would need to do to make a great impression. Judging from your post I can't help but think that your expectations are impossibly high for a player that played only ONE season in the CHL, and who had a MUCH more productive draft year than did Sean Monahan at a younger age.

I voted for Shinkaruk because he is the most likely player to provide both a short and long term positive impact for the Flames.

With how little you claim to be impressed by Tkachuk this is really puzzling. What is it about Shinkaruk that has convinced you about his long term high potential? Especially relative to Tkachuk?

[Glassplat]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

In my opinion, Tuulola established himself as the best Flames prospect at that camp, period. There was no-one better than him there, at all. Yeah, yeah, flavour of the week, but he's the real deal and I think he'll be a star in this league.

Just my takeaway, though.

I like Hickey......good solid D guys are a rare commodity and he has all the tools including Brody-Esk wheels. First rounders typically are nurtured longer than others so I have not doubt Thachuk will be successful. After yesterday E2 is a pretty compelling choice as well!

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Jankowski wI'll be 22 when the season starts. He should have been the best forward at that camp. At his age most guys have played enough pro to no longer attend these camps.

IIRC Jankowski didn't have to come to this camp, he's attended enough. It's to his credit that he came and wants to continually improve his game.

[SuperMatt18]

I think when you look at the overall camp Jankowski was the best player - through both of the first two days he was mentioned as the best player there by a lot of the attendees.

It was in the scrimmage that he didn't dominate or take over - so 1 day out of 3. And to be fair to Janko it wasn't like other guys like Tkachuk or Hickey were much more dominant, the only dominant player in the scrimmage was Tuulola.

Could have been an off day - or could have been something bigger. Personally I put more solace in him being the best forward on an NCAA team that was one of the best in the Nation last year, and putting up great numbers in his small opportunity in Stockton last year.

IMO Tkachuk is still number 1 due to his draft position and pedigree, but I wouldn't put a ton of stock into a controlled scrimmage at development camp. Good for discussion, and maybe open your eyes to a prospect that showed a lot more skill than anticipated (Tuulola), but at the same time can be deceiving in a small sample at the start of summer (ie. Tim Harrison).

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I think when you look at the overall camp Jankowski was the best player - through both of the first two days he was mentioned as the best player there by a lot of the attendees.

It was in the scrimmage that he didn't dominate or take over - so 1 day out of 3. And to be fair to Janko it wasn't like other guys like Tkachuk or Hickey were much more dominant, the only dominant player in the scrimmage was Tuulola.

Could have been an off day - or could have been something bigger. Personally I put more solace in him being the best forward on an NCAA team that was one of the best in the Nation last year, and putting up great numbers in his small opportunity in Stockton last year.

IMO Tkachuk is still number 1 due to his draft position and pedigree, but I wouldn't put a ton of stock into a controlled scrimmage at development camp. Good for discussion, and maybe open your eyes to a prospect that showed a lot more skill than anticipated (Tuulola), but at the same time can be deceiving in a small sample at the start of summer (ie. Tim Harrison).

Excellent analysis. Thank you. Fully agree.

[JJ1532]

Tkachuk for the win.

2nd onwards is when it gets interesting.

[Textcritic]

I think the thing that surprises me about this first round is how many more votes Jankowski received than Gillies, and how close Hickey is to third-place.

All three are terrific prospects, and I expect them to fill out the top four in this ranking.

[Roof-Daddy]

I'm a little surprised that Andersson got 0 votes but Tuulola, Kylington, Shinkaruk and Phillips did get votes.

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

I'd debate that. I think Shinkaruk and Kulak are more NHL ready.

Ok, I'll let you start then. What makes you believe Kulak is ahead of Wotherspoon for NHL time? And what left you thinking that Shinkaruk was that guy?

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I'm a little surprised that Andersson got 0 votes but Tuulola, Kylington, Shinkaruk and Phillips did get votes.

It is pretty obvious that Tkachuk is the best prospect (outside of possibly Gillies who as a goalie is harder to read) anyone picking someone else is just staking out their cult-status..... You missed Jankowski in your list.



I think that a lot of people with have Tkachuk-Gillies as #1-2

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I'm a little surprised that Andersson got 0 votes but Tuulola, Kylington, Shinkaruk and Phillips did get votes.

Won't comment on the other guys, but Shinkaruk has already played in the NHL in a top 6 role and didn't even look terrible doing it. I didn't vote for him, but really easy to see why someone would. (In fact I'm a bit surprised he didn't get more votes.)

[psyang]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I'm a little surprised that Andersson got 0 votes but Tuulola, Kylington, Shinkaruk and Phillips did get votes.

Not surprising. People are influenced by what they see posted here. Tuulola raises eyebrows and gets E2, Kylington gets praise for his skating and maturity, Shinkaruk is a known local with NHL experience, Phillips has his shootout goal...

...and Andersson is Fatmus.

Outliers mean little when the vote is so one-sided. Will be interesting to see the next few rounds.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

Ok, I'll let you start then. What makes you believe Kulak is ahead of Wotherspoon for NHL time? And what left you thinking that Shinkaruk was that guy?

It's hard to compare forwards and defensemen but don't pretend like it isn't at the very least extremely close between Shinkaruk and Wotherspoon as to which is more NHL ready. I personally would lean towards Hunter because in 2 years as a pro he has been more successful than Wotherspoon has been in 3 years and that is both at the AHL and NHL levels.

[Torture]

Will be interested to see the movement from last year's poll.

1 Sam Bennett 96% Poll (graduated)
2 Emile Poirier 38% Poll (Safe bet to say he slides down)
3 Jon Gillies 35% Poll (I'd guess he stays roughly the same)
4 Micheal Ferland 44% Poll (graduated)
5 Joni Ortio 63% Poll (gone)
6 Mark Jankowski 38% Poll Run Off (does he move up or stay in roughly the same position?)
7 Brandon Hickey 57% Poll Run Off (guessing he moves up)
8 Markus Granlund 47% Poll (graduated/gone)
9 Morgan Klimchuk 55% Poll ??
10 Oliver Kylington 43% Poll Probably moving up

[FBI]

Definitely Klimchuk will be moving down..

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by FBI

Definitely Klimchuk will be moving down..

Which he really shouldn't. He wasn't given an opportunity to produce offensively and excelled defensively.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

Ok, I'll let you start then. What makes you believe Kulak is ahead of Wotherspoon for NHL time? And what left you thinking that Shinkaruk was that guy?

Wotherspoon has never lived up to his potential and has had plenty of opportunity to claim a regular spot. I'd say he's one more shot away from it being his last. They can't continue to wait and hope he finally gets there with the amount of depth behind him.

Kulak in my opinion had a great camp and was very steady and reliable in his call-up last year and was surprised he was sent back down, although I was happy with Nakladal's play so wasn't depressed about it. Just seems to be a better option to me and I feel he'll be the first in line for the next open roster spot.

Shinkaruk has to have shown enough at the end of last year that if he doesn't have a rough camp he'll get more NHL time.

But the better question is what have you seen out of Wotherspoon that you think he's likely to hold down a spot?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

I just don't understand the love for Jankowski. Drafted four years ago, still does not sound ready for the NHL. Reviews on this site about him in the rookie tournament were not good. I think he will be lucky to make the NHL - even as a fourth liner. I'd love to be wrong, but if he is our best prospect, this team is in trouble.

How long he takes to get to the NHL has no bearing on how good he'll be once he gets there.

Have you watched him? He's big, skilled and can skate. The upside is obvious. His upside is a lot higher than a 4th liner.