[News] With the 16th selection, the Flames select LW Samuel Honzek

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by Spurs

I don't see any comparison to Jankowski other than they are both tall, lanky kids.

This guy wasn't a reach in terms of pre-ranking, it isn't a case of thinking if he hits he could be a superstar, he isn't a "hidden gem."

Hunter Smith or Kris Chucko perhaps more accurate. Not a lot of projections have him becoming more than a 3rd liner (if that). Low ceiling pick which seems like the wrong way to go with a draft like this.

[Mitch]

It's been well documented that this draft is very deep and Honzek has been ranked at the top of the draft consistently... how can people be legitimately upset with this pick? Feels like some people are just being insufferable on purpose at this point.

[Aarongavey]

Don’t have an issue myself, don’t know anything about him. Kid had the injury and was in his first year in North America.

If he had played the same number of games as Danielson (68) and produced at the same rate as he did in his 43 games he would have had the following numbers

36 goals - 53 assists for 89 points.

Danielson has 33-45-78

He also would have outproduced Yeager and would have been the fourth highest scoring forward year one draft eligible forward from the WHL in the draft behind Bedard, Benson and Cristall.

[BaconGuy]

Originally Posted by kobasew19

Who’s this Bacon guy?

Oooh, me me me

[kyuss275]

6’4” kid that can skate. I’m not sure what the problem is?

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Why do you insist on making things up

Sounded like the case based on Conroy's radio interview.

Sounded set on Honzek because he was enamored with a few viewings. Is that bad? No. But it could be a dangerous route if you're weighing first hand viewings over whatever your scouts from the east/US are saying.

I certainly hope they scouted the guys that fell as thoroughly as they did Honzek.

Hope Conroy struck gold, regardless of the process.

[Sandman]

Don't forget, this guy still needs to put on 15 pounds of muscle, and when he fills out and gets stronger, he'll also get faster. He was top-5 in scoring for U20 players in Slovakia's top men's league in 2021-22.

[Mass_nerder]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

I'm biased, but I think he's the 2nd best prospect behind Bedard.

As someone who knows nothing about him, and would like to know more, why do you think he's the 2nd best prospect?

[bigrangy]

Led his junior team in PPG, near tops in +/-, almost no international tournament success at all though. I think he’s at least as good of a bet as Danielson and Yager, but they’re more certain to be centers. Talent level is similar.

Was really hoping for Wood, fricking Nashville. Sillinger ahead of Coronato v2, let’s hope Honzek is coming in to the league with as much potential as Coronato is in a couple years.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

I'm biased, but I think he's the 2nd best prospect behind Bedard.

Before or after the Flames picked haha

[Spurs]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

Hunter Smith or Kris Chucko perhaps more accurate. Not a lot of projections have him becoming more than a 3rd liner (if that).

If you were looking for a Flames comparable maybe Nemisz, but that seems harsh on him. But fits more because he went in the general area he was expected, has good size but questions about offensive upside. But I think that is unfair on Honzek because Nemisz didn't turn out so puts a negative spin on the pick.

I would say no real comparable Flames pick from the past for him.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

6’4” kid that can skate. I’m not sure what the problem is?

People get mad at size around here, sakic went to see him play multiple times for their second pick. He must not know anything either

[Icon]

I would have maybe made a higher reward style pick, but I think Honzek is a safe pick to not be a whiff.

As a new GM's first pick I can see the decision.

[Hockey_Ninja]

People already comparing him to past Flames busts before he's even played a game lol

[RedHawk12]

Decent pick, not the greatest but honestly not as bad as some here make it out to be. 40-50 pt winger with good size and compete at the NHL level. May develop as a center.

He reminds me Joel Eriksson Ek.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

As someone who knows nothing about him, and would like to know more, why do you think he's the 2nd best prospect?

Because he was drafted by the Flames. The rest are inferior. Especially whoever the Oilers draft.

[TheIronMaiden]

Welcome to the team big guy. We're rooting for you!

[StrykerSteve]

Ranked 9th amongst North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting. Ahead of most of the guys everyone was wanting them to select, so it’s not like this was a reach.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

That's great, but going with the guy you've seen most this year doesn't mean you found the best guy of the bunch on the board.

Sounds like proximity was a large factor.

Important to lean on your scouts from all over who do this for a living.

What makes you think they didn't?

Also, to the comment that there were guys that had fallen, so it's a mistake not to take them, has it not occurred to you that all the other teams up to that point passed on those guys as well? There is usually a good reason when guys fall. Remember Shinkaruk? Ranked like 5th, and fell to 22nd. Most fans on this board lost their #### when the Flames took Poirier instead of him.

[FanIn80]

I've been watching videos on this guy for a couple days, and I have to say I am excite.

Here's the blurb I posted a couple days ago from EP, as well:

Rare is a shift where Honzek’s ability to protect the puck doesn’t appear. The 6-foot-4 winger gets and keeps defenders on his backcheck, using body positioning to create offence. But instead of just brute-forcing plays, he plays with a ton of finesse. He fakes cutbacks in one direction before going the other, turns to wait for pressure to arrive before accelerating, and combines the edges with in-motion handling to slip around defenders. -EliteProspects 2023 NHL Draft Guide

https://www.eliteprospects.com/playe.../samuel-honzek