[PGT] Ducks beat Flames 6-4

[ScorchyScorch]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

That's understating things somewhat IMO.

Gaudeau is a 1st line forward now. I think Monahan is a lower tier 1st line centre or elite 2nd line centre. Bennett I think projects to be a 1st line player sooner rather than later. Frolik is a solid 2nd liner. Brodie and Gio are top two defensemen and I think Hamilton has top two upside as well.

Probably gonna get another 1st line forward or top 2 defenseman this draft. Once goaltending is solved we're only a couple pieces away from being a contender IMO and Treliving will have a lot of assets to play with.

The rebuild could turn the corner quickly depending how fast our 1st rounder this year can make an impact and whether we get some surprises from our other prospects and if Treliving can supplement the core with another great UFA signing like Frolik.

We really need one of the top 3 if we're to expect that pick to jump in and help this rebuild in the near future.

My hope is that 2016 pick and Gillies round into NHL form 2 years from now while Johnny, Bennett and Monahan all take their next steps. That would make for the perfect storm in 3 seasons and a window to compete, and not just for playoffs. They need to see the post-season in the meantime though. Am looking for a lot of re-tooling and a big rebound next season.

Picking up a guy like Okposo would be an ideal complimentary piece to the core.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by ScorchyScorch

We really need one of the top 3 if we're to expect that pick to jump in and help this rebuild in the near future.

I think the top 3 look NHL ready. But I think Chychrun probably is NHL ready as well. And it wouldn't surprise me if Tkachuk was ready within a year or even by next fall. The top 10 of this draft looks pretty good. I'd expect most of them to be contributing within a couple years. IMO most if not all of the top 5 are NHL ready.

[Roof-Daddy]

How about Gauthier?

Listed at 6'4 224lbs. Any chance he pushes for an NHL job?

He's probably going to be right in the wheelhouse of where the Flames end up drafting too, unless they stop playing 500 hockey down the stretch.

Obviously I'd rather have several players before him, but a big right shot right winger like that wouldn't hurt my feelings too much.