With the 2014 4th overall selection, the Calgary Flames are proud to select...

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I know a lot of folks here love Ekblad, but a fear that I have is that the three top centers go 1-2-3 and we end up with Ekblad at #4.

Like I said, I know that would make many here ecstatic, but not me. I want another high quality center to build around when picking this high, and not a defenseman.

I would rather a forward as well, not because we couldn't use a defenseman but because I keep hearing from people back east that Ekblad is overrated. After Barrie was eliminated one guy bet me a beer he falls out of the top 5.

[Scornfire]

Now would be the time to pick up a blue chip defenseman, he probably wouldn't be in our line-up for at least 2-3 seasons, and wouldn't be first pairing for another year or two after that. Which would coincide well with an ageing Giordano taking a reduced role as he hits his mid to late 30s.

Pick a forward high next year, and trade with Edmonton for their 2016 first (It will almost certainly be a lottery pick, safe bet *Nod*) to grab Sean Day. Exceptional Status players all around! haha

Seriously though, Edmonton picks are Gold, we need to steal them all. Their management is delusional, they'd probably give us a First rounder from a draft that's years away for a rental to make them "Contenders". Next year is their year ect ect blah blah, no good

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think Ekblad is getting too much scrutiny.

I have always preferred Reinhart over Ekblad. It is a combination of factors.
1) Franchise centers are extremely difficult to either acquire in trades or FA signings, and to draft outside of the top 10. Franchise defencemen have been taken much more frequently outside the top 10 (especially outside the lottery realm - 1-5 picks).
2) I think Reinhart is more likely to achieve 'elite' status over Ekblad. Maybe Bennett and Draisaitl can be added to that list over Ekblad. I would bet that at least one of Ehlers, Nylander, Ritchie, Dal Colle and Kapanen become what are considered 'elite' as well (maybe more than 1 of them).

With that being said, I do think that Ekblad's development has to go off the rails for any team - and I mean ALL 30 teams - not to want him in their organization. He may never become a #1 defencemen (I personally don't think so, but I also think there is a legitimate chance that he does develop into one). He may be an 'ok' #2, or even more of a #3/4 defencemen for most of his career. However, he is going to be a guy you can throw out there at any stage in the game (pk, pp, 5v5, last minute of the game holding a lead or trying to tie it) and will be a very good defencemen.

Is he worth a #1 selection? If the Flames were choosing 1st, I would not want them to choose Ekblad. If he is available at #4 and at least Reinhart is gone, then I would hope the Flames choose him. He may not ever be elite, but I would put money on him becoming a very important cog on any team.

I look at the draft in this way:

You build most of your team through the draft. Trades and FA signings are more to 'fill holes' than to really build a team up. Darry Sutter did about as good a job at building a team as can possibly be accomplished through trades, and it wasn't enough. What are the most expensive and difficult holes to fill? Franchise-level players. Center - Defence - Wingers, all in that order.

Elite centers are RARELY ever traded, and rarely ever go to UFA. They are very expensive to trade for. Defenders are next - they are more frequently traded and they more frequently go to UFA, but they are still expensive to acquire. Wingers come to market often, though the 'Franchise' level ones are still fairly expensive.

A team needs to draft as much 'expensive talent' possible through the drafts. You can trade an elite-level centermen or defencemen if you are lucky enough to have an excess, and in so doing you can plug a few holes to complete your team and challenge. I would hope the Flames draft as many elite-level types as possible.

This is why I have always wanted Reinhart over Ekblad - I simply think that Reinhart is more likely (not guaranteed to either achieve it, or achieve it over Ekblad, but just more likely) to become a 'franchise level expensive asset' than Ekblad is. This is not to say that Ekblad isn't a good pick for 1st overall - he may indeed end up becoming the very best asset in the entire draft.

I think at this point, Ekblad is getting over-scrutinized. I think he is not at the same level as Jones, but Reinhart, Bennett and Draisaitl are probably not at the same level as MacKinnon and Barkov either.

I was still surprised when Colorado passed on Jones, but wasn't shocked. Was a bit more surprised when Florida took Barkov over Jones - though not shocked still. I was shocked when Tampa took Drouin over Jones.

I will be shocked if Ekblad falls to 5th. I will be pleasantly surprised if he is available at 4 (and as long as Reinhart is taken, will be more than happy for the Flames to snatch him up - I still think he is going to be a very valuable piece).

I will also not be terribly upset if they pass on him as there really are other players that could potentially have the 'elite' label attached to them in the course of their careers. The prospects this year are just so different amongst themselves, but many have 'elite' traits to their games that if they develop positively, this draft may be looked back as a very good one.

Starting with Dal Colle - great speed, elite vision and an elite shot. Ehlers - extremely fast, and a high-end skill set who does basically everything at such a high-level with speed. Nylander - he is the most offensively gifted prospect this draft (though I still say Reinhart can be, but plays such a mature 2-way game that his numbers suffer a bit, though his numbers are still at the 'elite level' for his age). Ritchie - I find it funny that people are so against this kid (too much negativity from drafting the 'big unskilled prospects' of yesteryear?). This kid has great speed, an elite shot, great vision, and will be able to knock down almost any defencemen in the NHL - kids like this do not come around often in the draft! Even Kapanen has the ability to become an elite-level 2-way player like Bergeron is - kid is fast, and plays a very good 2-way game (just a notch below Reinhart offensively and defensively).

I have just relegated myself to knowing that the Flames are going to make the very best selection out of whomever is available at #4, and that player will become a very important piece for the future, with the potential to become elite. I will be upset for about 3 seconds if they pass on Reinhart if he is available (as that is my personal preference), but I respect how the Flames have been drafting (including Jankowski), and feel they will end up taking someone who has the chance to become something special. I also have the confidence in their development program to help that prospect achieve that level if possible, as well as a coach like Hartley who knows how much to coddle a prospect, how much to shelter one, and also how much to push a prospect.

I just can't wait to see who it is!

[Ashasx]

I can't be the only one who's not high on Griffin Reinhart.

I wanted him in the 2012 draft at around 11, but I think he was picked far too early. I don't think he has the offensive skill to become an elite defenceman in the NHL. He could become a good shutdown guy in the future, but he lacks a meanness to his game. I certainly wouldn't trade our 1st this year or next year for him.

[Wolfman]

Just for fun I went back the last 10 years and checked who was taken at #4. List includes:

2003 - Zherdev
2004 - Ladd
2005 - B Pouliot
2006 - N Backstrom
2007 - Hickey
2008 - Pietrangelo
2009 - E Kane
2010 - Johansen
2011 - Larsson
2012 - G Reinhart
2013 - Jones

That's a pretty good list of players minus a couple guys. Hope Flames get someone in that calibre!

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I can't be the only one who's not high on Griffin Reinhart.

I wanted him in the 2012 draft at around 11, but I think he was picked far too early. I don't think he has the offensive skill to become an elite defenceman in the NHL. He could become a good shutdown guy in the future, but he lacks a meanness to his game. I certainly wouldn't trade our 1st this year or next year for him.

Agreed...I found an article that really changed my view of him. Take it with a grain of salt as it comes from ############ but it shows how he's not developing as initially hoped. He's also been having a horrible Memorial Cup, getting burned regularly for critical goals. I'd still like to have him if we're thinking he may be a 3/4 defenceman (and giving up assets accordingly) but I definitely wouldn't want to trade our first rounder next year for him!

http://############.com/2014/4/27/do...iffin-reinhart

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I can't be the only one who's not high on Griffin Reinhart.

I wanted him in the 2012 draft at around 11, but I think he was picked far too early. I don't think he has the offensive skill to become an elite defenceman in the NHL. He could become a good shutdown guy in the future, but he lacks a meanness to his game. I certainly wouldn't trade our 1st this year or next year for him.

I agree. He's really become vanilla.

[Bourque's Twin]

Originally Posted by T@T

What team do you cheer for?

The Flames. Thanks for asking.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

The Flames. Thanks for asking.

That trade heavily favors Toronto to the point where it also makes me question your team allegiance.

[bluejays]

Let's assume it isn't a lock that it's a big 4 draft, and one of the top 4 guys drops past the 4th pick. Do you think we could get the 4th and 5th pick by doing to following swap with the Islanders?

To CGY: 5th overall, Hickey
To NYI: Backlund, 2015 1st Rounder, Glencross

[TheDebaser]

Originally Posted by fleury

Let's assume it isn't a lock that it's a big 4 draft, and one of the top 4 guys drops past the 4th pick. Do you think we could get the 4th and 5th pick by doing to following swap with the Islanders?

To CGY: 5th overall, Hickey
To NYI: Backlund, 2015 1st Rounder, Glencross

It's very possible as long as Treliving and Burke don't mind being fired immediately.

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by fleury

Let's assume it isn't a lock that it's a big 4 draft, and one of the top 4 guys drops past the 4th pick. Do you think we could get the 4th and 5th pick by doing to following swap with the Islanders?

To CGY: 5th overall, Hickey
To NYI: Backlund, 2015 1st Rounder, Glencross

I wouldn't trade our 2015 1st for the 5th overall straight up at this point.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by fleury

Let's assume it isn't a lock that it's a big 4 draft, and one of the top 4 guys drops past the 4th pick. Do you think we could get the 4th and 5th pick by doing to following swap with the Islanders?

To CGY: 5th overall, Hickey
To NYI: Backlund, 2015 1st Rounder, Glencross

I believe you may have hit your head. Please go see a doctor.

[Monahan23]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

That trade heavily favors Toronto to the point where it also makes me question your team allegiance.

I wouldn't make the trade but it's not bad

Some people have Ritchie as high as 4 and I'm sure a couple Flames staff have him high. At his best he can dominate physically and on the score sheet. I'm not saying he should be picked at 4 but the upgrade from Wideman to Phaneuf might make it worth while. ALthough I wouldn't make the trade it's not laguhable by any means.

[Monahan23]

Originally Posted by fleury

Let's assume it isn't a lock that it's a big 4 draft, and one of the top 4 guys drops past the 4th pick. Do you think we could get the 4th and 5th pick by doing to following swap with the Islanders?

To CGY: 5th overall, Hickey
To NYI: Backlund, 2015 1st Rounder, Glencross

SO our best centre who's 24, chance at McDavid, Eichel or Hanfin, all better than anybody in 2014 draft, and one of our best wingers and leaders for 5th overall pick and alright defenceman

[Gaskal]

These trade poposals are only going to increase in ridiculousness leading up to the draft.

One month left!

[Monahan23]

I really don't see any reason to trade. The cost of moving up, which would be losing Baertschi, Wotherspoon, Ortio, Sieloff, 2nds, 3rds any one of two or three of them doesn't cover the cost of Reinhart, Bennett or Draisaitl who some people want more. And maybe Aaron falls

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

I believe you may have hit your head. Please go see a doctor.

Maybe a Psychiatrist?

[LanceUppercut]

Originally Posted by fleury

Let's assume it isn't a lock that it's a big 4 draft, and one of the top 4 guys drops past the 4th pick. Do you think we could get the 4th and 5th pick by doing to following swap with the Islanders?

To CGY: 5th overall, Hickey
To NYI: Backlund, 2015 1st Rounder, Glencross

If they made that trade I would have to ask what incriminating photos Snow had of Burke/Treliving.

[djsFlames]

Yeah. I think Ekblad is a touch overrated around here.

Bennett or Reinhart would be more instrumental to a rebuild IMO. Ekblad could still be good, but top pairing d-men have been found later in the first round and second round before and he's been said to not be quite in the league of Seth Jones last year..so I dunno. But it's much harder to get a potential top line center outside of the top 5-10. Get the center with this pick.