Bob McKenzie's Draft Ranking - June 23 5:30PM MT - TSN

[sureLoss]

I posted this in the other thread, but this is what Burke said about Character and drafting at a lunch earlier this season.

http://lethbridgeherald.com/sports/l...mber-luncheon/

He also spoke of how intently the Flames approach each draft with their higher picks, looking for more that just a skilled player.

“We place great value and great pride on researching a player’s character work ethic, accountability, empathy and coachabilty” said Burke.

“We have a list of adjectives on the list and I think there are about 20 and I think ‘work ethic’ appears four times out of that 20. We try to research the kids, at least in the top-three rounds where we have the assets to do it, we make mistakes like everybody, but we try our best. We don’t draft based on skill, that’s the second thing to us. We think you have a better chance of succeeding if you bring in character people than if you don’t.

“So that’s a priority for us. We do have a DND list, Do Not Draft. Some teams will evaluate a guy and say ‘He has NHL skills, but he’s a head case, so put him in the second round.’ To me, he’s still a head case in the second round, so we just take him off the list.”

Ho-Sang seems to fit that description of being on the DND from Burke.

Treliving may be more willing to draft Ho-Sang than Burke though.

Just 3 more sleeps!

[IgiTang]

I find it interesting that some are all over the idea of picking up Evander Kane when has been rumoured to have "attitude issues". I wonder how many of those people would see my point on taking a shot at ho-sang seeings that he is rated in the top 10 in skill and skating, and maybe worth a shot.

[AC]

In the Fan960 mock draft, the guest (Sam Cosentino I think) said that Ho-Sang has top 5 talent this draft.

If he's there at #34, I would take him simply for the chance that his reported attitude issues can be chalked up to the fact that he's still a kid and can grow out of it.

If he is that talented, I'd say its worth taking a shot at him. Give him the right guidance and hope for the best.

[bluejays]

Burke's idea (and for the most part, others' ideas) of the Do Not Draft List are absolutely ridiculous. It's about managing risk. Certainly there will be players whose attitude or behaviours will be risky, but you're telling me teams won't be willing to draft a 1st round talent if they fall to the 5th round? It's about managing risk and to say they won't draft a player at all, even with a late pick seems like a bunch of media baloney teams are feeding us. No way Burke or another GM doesn't manage that risk by choosing that player with a much lower pick if they're available. It'd be a huge disservice to the team not to.

[nik-]

I wouldn't be totally against taking a chance on him, but I think if there's a player that we take with that first 2nd rounder that's out of the "mantra" I'd like to take a swing at Goldobin. But he'll probably be gone before that.

[Ashasx]

For me, part of being a fan is liking the team and players you cheer for.

I don't want to be like a Canuck fan.

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by AC

In the Fan960 mock draft, the guest (Sam Cosentino I think) said that Ho-Sang has top 5 talent this draft.

If he's there at #34, I would take him simply for the chance that his reported attitude issues can be chalked up to the fact that he's still a kid and can grow out of it.

If he is that talented, I'd say its worth taking a shot at him. Give him the right guidance and hope for the best.

It's even entirely possible that having Ho-Sang slide completely out of the 1st round would be the wake up call that he needs. I'd be curious to know how much of an impact Shinkaruk's draft position had on him. Was it a reality check that team's thought his attitude made him that much less desirable, or did he just rack it up to some conspiracy against him?

Either way I'm in the DND camp with Ho-Sang, but I can see how people could form an argument to draft him.

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by nik-

I wouldn't be totally against taking a chance on him, but I think if there's a player that we take with that first 2nd rounder that's out of the "mantra" I'd like to take a swing at Goldobin. But he'll probably be gone before that.

I'm talking moving up to take him. Package both 2nds for a later first and get him if he drops to 24-27. If so, I think he's the steal of the draft.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by nik-

I wouldn't be totally against taking a chance on him, but I think if there's a player that we take with that first 2nd rounder that's out of the "mantra" I'd like to take a swing at Goldobin. But he'll probably be gone before that.

If Goldobin slipped to the Flames and they actually took him, it will be a glorious day.

[JiriHrdina]

The Flames don't need to take a big swing on a guy like Ho-Sang. There are a ton of guys in this draft with big upside and question marks - Ho Sang is the most extreme example.

With the 34th pick the Flames should get a decent prospect with a decent chance of being an NHLer - not a pick to fritter away.

To get even more specific, assuming the Flames don't move up to grab Ekblad, 34 is a good position to land a quality D prospect.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by AC

In the Fan960 mock draft, the guest (Sam Cosentino I think) said that Ho-Sang has top 5 talent this draft.

If he's there at #34, I would take him simply for the chance that his reported attitude issues can be chalked up to the fact that he's still a kid and can grow out of it.

If he is that talented, I'd say its worth taking a shot at him. Give him the right guidance and hope for the best.

Did Calgary interview him? Perhaps they see him as just a little immature and a professional environment will help straighten him out within dulling the edge and confidence that makes him successful.

If anyone is on the DND, it's Nylander. That guy seems entitled...

[sureLoss]

It's interesting how much this debate is starting to mirror Kabanov vs Reinhart

[EldrickOnIce]

Intriguing kid

Red Line Report, a prominent professional scouting service, had this to say about Ho-Sang in their 2014 mock draft, in which they predicted he would go 22nd overall when selections begin Friday in Philadelphia: “Super skills, but can be erratic as Toronto’s mayor.”

On pure skill alone, he’d likely be a lottery pick. But questionable labels have been affixed to him, issues that Ho-Sang doesn’t entirely dispute.

“I don’t think it’s from unfair labels, it’s from stuff that I’ve done,” he said of the criticism aimed his way. “I’m accepting of everything that I’ve done.

“I’ve made mistakes. I’ve been late to stuff. I’ve just not done certain things the proper way. That’s just all part of maturity, so if that’s going to hurt me in the draft, that’s something that I’m accepting of, because that’s all me. It’s something that’s a part of growing up.

“You have to live with the decisions that you have made and you have to kind of deal with the consequences, whatever those may be.

“I’m prepared for them.”

What matters most to Ho-Sang is that the people who matter most to him – his parents Wayne and Ericka – remain solidly in his corner.

“I know that regardless of what happens, they’re going to love me still,” he said. “That’s all that’s important to me.

“As long as my family’s good, regardless of what happens that day, I’m the same person as I was the day before. It’s not going to change me; it’s not going to determine who I am.”

His name could be called quickly, or he could still be waiting to hear it when the second round begins Saturday morning.

Either way, Ho-Sang is good to go.

He is ready to be excited. He’s also ready to be patient.

Definitely NOT on my DND list

http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2014/06...-of-nhl-draft/

[The Fonz]

Can anyone think of a top-skilled player who slipped in the draft 20 spots, and went on to have a solid career?

I'm honestly wondering.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

The Flames don't need to take a big swing on a guy like Ho-Sang. There are a ton of guys in this draft with big upside and question marks - Ho Sang is the most extreme example.

With the 34th pick the Flames should get a decent prospect with a decent chance of being an NHLer - not a pick to fritter away.

To get even more specific, assuming the Flames don't move up to grab Ekblad, 34 is a good position to land a quality D prospect.

I agree. At 34 I think you are going to get a quality player. However, I wouldn't be apposed to packaging COL 2nd and one of the 3rd to move and get him mid 2nd. I think the Flames current makeup of veterans may be able to set him straight.

[IgiTang]

The Russian kid who passed away slipped a lot, no?

As for the above, from the horses mouth, accepts responsibility, admits he needs to mature and his family is important to him. I like it. It could make him determined, he could bust. Along with every other player in the draft.

[username]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Can anyone think of a top-skilled player who slipped in the draft 20 spots, and went on to have a solid career?

I'm honestly wondering.

Getzlaf. He was regarded as a top 3 talent that year but his attitude had him drop to around 20.


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[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by username

Getzlaf. He was regarded as a top 3 talent that year but his attitude had him drop to around 20.

Bad example - not what the crowd wants to hear.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by username

Getzlaf. He was regarded as a top 3 talent that year but his attitude had him drop to around 20.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I'll need to see a link for that...

I remember some fitness questions, but not attitude/character problems.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

I'll need to see a link for that...

I remember some fitness questions, but not attitude/character problems.

I remember it as character issues too. Along with commitment.