At this point, I don't want to say that I prefer any one prospect over another because I think they are all pretty good. I would LOVE the Flames to be in position to grab 2 top 5 picks but that doesnt' seem possible.
Right now I'm just happy that the Flames will have the chance to pick from top prospects instead of going with "who's left". It's exciting to say the least and with the likes of the "kids" on the team now and the prospects we have a chance at getting, I'm really happy and excited for our future.
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Fan of the Flames, where being OK has become OK.
I agree that a center should be our first choice. A great winger doesn't make his center much better but a great center makes his wingers a lot better.
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Fan of the Flames, where being OK has become OK.
I'd really like to see Calgary potentially make some moves with either the PIT/STL picks, or both. Drafting two times in the top 10 of this draft could expedite the rebuild rather quickly. If there was some random player we had to throw in to make it happen I would do it. If we can come away with two sure fire studs, it should not take long to turn this thing around.
Very hard to convince teams to trade away top 10 picks.
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2) MacKinnon (Playoffs 8GP, 3G, 12 A, +8, 4 PIM, 36 shots, Faceoffs 114/181 @ 63%) - More of a shooter vs playmaker. Heavy shot. Top notch acceleration from a standing point. Multi dimensional as he can play both a finesse or rough and tumble game.
If Flames want a centre to take face offs, a scorer and someone who can also play a rough and tough game, take MacKinnon.
Sounds like a player you build a franchise around.
__________________ ”All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you.”
What if the unthinkable happens, and the Flames reel off a few more wins to end up drafting 8-12? In that scenario, I definitely hope Feaster looks to move up to the top 6 or top 3.
Failing that, who do you take if the Elite Eight (Jones, MacKinnon, Drouin, Barkov, Monahan, Lindholm, Nurse, Nichushkin*) are gone?
*if Nichushkin is still around and the Flames are picking about 10th, I'd take him.
Or do you trade down for more picks and go with a shotgun approach in this draft?
We don't have enough games to really hurt our chances of drafting outside the top 3. It would require them to do something they weren't capable of with Iggy and Bo. Don't panic, just enjoy these games for what they are.
__________________ ”All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you.”
Whenever I read about Mackinnon and Drouin, I always immediately think of Toews and Kane... Are there actually strong similarities there?
I'd much rather build around a Toews than a Kane, and that's not taking Kane's attitude into account, I'm just talking about the skillsets of each player.
ive changed my mind about 18 times already but right now i think a best case scenario draft day sees us moving up with the stl/pitt picks and somehow getting mackinnon and lindholm.
I believe the Flames are going to be picking in the 4-7 spot. Which is not the end of the world when you see the likes of Barkov, Lindholm, Monahan and Nichushkin all sitting in that area. I have actually taken some time to watch some Monahan video and it's pretty apparent why he is rising fast in the rankings. I still put him in near the Bottom of my personal wish list behind Barkov and Lindholm respectively.
Nichushkin plays LW but I wonder if he is one player out of the draft that can actually be converted to center in the NHL. He has played to position before.
Looking a little deeper there is a player from Russia named Bogdan Yakimov. Looks like a gamble with one of the other picks in the Flames hands this year. Not seeing many projections for him yet but is a center and the same size as Nichushkin.
Whenever I read about Mackinnon and Drouin, I always immediately think of Toews and Kane... Are there actually strong similarities there?
I'd much rather build around a Toews than a Kane, and that's not taking Kane's attitude into account, I'm just talking about the skillsets of each player.
Toews has 3 inches on MacKinnon though, which can be a difference maker for a centre (better reach, less likely to get a shoulder to the head, more physically imposing). Granted, MacKinnon may still grow, but that is not a guarantee.
When I think of MacKinnon, I keep coming back to Langkow, but with a little better speed.
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"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
Toews has 3 inches on MacKinnon though, which can be a difference maker for a centre (better reach, less likely to get a shoulder to the head, more physically imposing). Granted, MacKinnon may still grow, but that is not a guarantee.
When I think of MacKinnon, I keep coming back to Langkow, but with a little better speed.
Way better speed. MacKinnon is an elite skater. His upside is quite a bit higher than Langkow's IMO. He has that franchise centre potential ala Sakic.
I think he is talking about theoretical peak upside based on his current skills. No one knows if he'll ever achieve that though. Personally, I put a lot of value in FDWs opinions regarding these things, but I still can't help but be apprehensive about MacKinnon.
It wasn't that long ago that a Flames prospect named Cory Stillman was being compared to Sakic. Stillman was a fine pick and a nice player to have, but he never became that core piece that a player like Sakic was, so I am a little jaded I suppose.
I sure hope he is right though (assuming we were to draft him).
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"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
Sure, why not? A top end pick in a good draft year should be a star player at worst and a franchise/superstar if they really turn out.
Top ranked centres taken in the last decade:
2003: E. Staal
2004: Malkin
2005: Crosby
2006: J. Staal, J. Toews, N. Backstrom
2007: Turris
2008: Stamkos
2009: Tavares, Duchesne
2010: Seguin
2011: Nugent-Hopkins
2012: Galchenyuk
Pretty good list outside of Turris.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he will definitely be a Sakic level player but he has that chance. But his upside is certainly a lot higher than a speedier Langkow. A lot of the top centres taken in the last decade will end up as Hall of Fame players if their careers keep going the same way they are. No reason to think MacKinnon will be significantly worse than some of these guys. I'm not expecting him to be a Crosby obviously but he can certainly be a franchise centre.
The upside of these top 3-4 guys is huge and their probability of achieving it is high. That is why we want the high pick this year. There are still some very high upside guys in the 4-8 range but their probability of achieving it is slightly lower perhaps.
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Toews has 3 inches on MacKinnon though, which can be a difference maker for a centre (better reach, less likely to get a shoulder to the head, more physically imposing). Granted, MacKinnon may still grow, but that is not a guarantee.
When I think of MacKinnon, I keep coming back to Langkow, but with a little better speed.
The player that most resembles Toews in this draft is Monahan. 6'2" Center, gritty leader with loads of skill. Toews is his main comparable.
Mackinnon is unique in that I think he projects to be -- well -- Mackinnon. Tonnes of speed, loads of creativity and goal-scoring ability.
Monahan and Barkov are both for sure centres. Mackinnon is a great player put I see him as more of a winger in the NHL. Plus look at the size and skill of both Monahan and Barkov. If I had my choice I would go with the big skilled Canadian Centremen. He has Jonathan Toews written all over him.
