2015 NHL Draft

[dammage79]

Niedereitter is great. He was drafted to high IMO. But he's really coming around.

Sven. meh, theres a whole thread on that guy.

Mirco Mueller looks like hes going to be a gooder.

Much like Russians, we have to be careful not to lump them all in to one stereotype.

Meier looks like a new version of Johan Franzen to be honest.

[DropIt]

it's not the skill thats in question, it's the entitled attitude that the players i mentioned have brought with them that has turned me of Swiss players

[chubeyr1]

If the draft board goes according to predictions our pick should be Svechnikov. He checks all the boxes with the exception of one ( Being Russian ). Some fans around here think the Russian factor is a big deal!

Kids already playing junior in NA and said he has no issues playing in the AHL if need be to refine his game. I am not worried in the least he will bolt to Russia. Players currently playing in Russia though do concern me. Even still, its hard to pass up on talent even with the Russian factor which maybe rectified soon.

To be honest I am getting more concerned about college picks. Great for guys getting degrees etc, but at the end of their schooling they are UFA's. Its kinda scary.

Look at Jankowski, everyones favorite whipping boy around here. Imagine if he does not sign with the Flames lol! At least we would get compensation.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Sabres take on Meier:

Sounds good... but who is his agent?

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

No- just gut feel.
But I see this playing out like it does every year. One or two prospects get some hype on the board ahead of the draft, and then when the Flames pass on them - some folks lose it.
Just based on the sheer number of options at their pick - the chances that this is the guy they pick - is slim IMHO.

But balanced against the Russian factor is the fact most of the other prospects who are likely to be available when the Flames pick are undersized forwards. I just don't see the Flames drafting Barzal, Konecny, or Merkley. So I think Svechnikov has gotta be right up there with Connor (who I doubt will even be available) and Zboril.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I'll agree there's plenty of great talent at that pick.
But you're putting Svechnikov out because he was born somewhere else.

Just watched Todd Buttons pre-draft video and here's what he says they're looking for.

-BPA
- Not based on positioning
- Not a Goalie
- Size with Skill, Speed, Character and hockey sense.
- Versatility
- Offensive production

Pascal:

- Size
- Skill
- Skate
- Score
- Physiality

Out side of Crouse and Svechnikov or even Guryanov, who's out there that ticks off all of these boxes? Kyle Connor is one but it seems like a concensus that he's going to go real high as we get closer. Maybe Boeser? Seems like they'd be reching for him @15. Does Bittner have that high end skill to tie into the rest of that package? Doesn't seem so. Ranked far too low on most lists and needs skating imrovement.

To me it's clear they want a forward @ 15. And one with size.

If you look at everything and round out all the needs they say they want, Svechnikov is that guy. Russian or not. And I hope they don't skip on him because of where he came from. Because that's as irrelevant as anything.

EDIT: Eriksson Ek is another possibility. Rantanen, Zacha and Barzal (6'0" 190 lbs is a bit on the smaller size) would need miracles to drop to 15 I think. Meier looks good too but again, will likely be gone.

I'm not "putting him out". I'm suggesting it is unlikely they pick him. That's not the same thing.

You mention a couple of guys that could drop to the Flames. That's actually the scenario I think happens. It will just take a couple of surprises in the first 14 picks for one of those names to fall into the Flames' lap.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

But balanced against the Russian factor is the fact most of the other prospects who are likely to be available when the Flames pick are undersized forwards. I just don't see the Flames drafting Barzal, Konecny, or Merkley. So I think Svechnikov has gotta be right up there with Connor (who I doubt will even be available) and Zboril.

That's a good point - and it will be interesting to see if that's the choice it comes down to - where they go.
I maintain we are going to hear them call Zboril's name, even with Svechnikov on the board.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

That's a good point - and it will be interesting to see if that's the choice it comes down to - where they go.
I maintain we are going to hear them call Zboril's name, even with Svechnikov on the board.

I'd be happy with Zboril or whoever (Jeremy Roy, Thomas Chabot, Brandon Carlo?) is the 4th defenceman on their board.

[FireGilbert]

Is Zboril considered risky or possibly too small? Some projections have him out of the first round and I was surprised when he fell to 27th in the CP mock draft. He seems like a great defence prospect though and I have noticed other predictions have him in the top 15.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Is Zboril considered risky or possibly too small? Some projections have him out of the first round and I was surprised when he fell to 27th in the CP mock draft. He seems like a great defence prospect though and I have noticed other predictions have him in the top 15.

The only concern I have is that with his size, his physicality might not translate at higher levels like Sieloff.

I would not complain if he is taken though. So many awesome players.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Just curious, is there any information that would make you think that? Treliving drafted Tikinov when he was with Phoenix so he's not Russian adverse. Hope that we don't draft based on passport as I would hate to see us pass on someone that could have Tarasenko type upside.

And where did Tikhonov play last year?

Tarasenko is an exception. For every Tarasenko there is several guys like Svitov, Chistov, Zherdev, Radulov. Russians have been historically much riskier. why?
1) They have a league back home that is/was paying quite well. this meant that if they had any problems with 2) or 3) they could simply return home
2) language and culture issues. homesickness. wantin to raise kids in motherland.
3) style of play. how will they adapt? how will they react to a coach demanding physicality or hard defense? can they take a skilled perimeter game and make it work on North American rinks?

several of these can be mitigated if the kid comes over early ala provorov. they adapt earlier to the culture and language and style of play. Russians drafted out of the CHL are less risky. Russian players who already play the NHL style are less risky (powerforwards, physical defensemen). Russian players who only want to play in the NHL are less risky. but that could be hard to tell and could change.

[Rick M.]

Watching the Hawks vs. Lightning final, I'm sure every GM in the league has upgraded speed into the most important criterion for picking in the early rounds of the draft.

[SportsJunky]

Apologies if Shane Malloy's top 100 list was posted already. Interesting to see he has Chabot at 15 and Jeremy Roy all the way down at 29. Actually he has a lot of "interesting" rankings now that I look at it.
http://www.theartofscouting.com/default.aspx?p=nhldraft

2015 NHL Draft - Top 100 List – Shane Malloy

1. Connor McDavidErie (OHL) C
2. Jack EichelBoston U (NCAA)C
3. Ivan ProvorovBrandon (WHL)D
4. Noah HanifinBoston C (NCAA) D
5. Dylan StromeErie (OHL) C
6. Mitch MarnerLondon (OHL) RW
7. Mathew BarzalSeattle (WHL) C
8. Mikko RantanenTPS (SM Liiga) RW
9. Zach WerenskiMichigan (NCAA) D
10. Pavel ZachaSarnia (OHL) C
11. Kyle ConnorYoungstown (USHL) LW/C
12. Lawson CrouseKingston (OHL) LW
13. Timo MeierHalifax (QMJHL) RW
14 Brock BoeserWaterloo (USHL) RW
15. Thomas ChabotSaint John (QMJHL)D
16. Jakub ZborilSaint John (QMJHL) D
17. Jacob LarssonFrolunda (SHL) D
18. Denis GuryanovTogilatti 2 (MHL) RW
19. Colin WhiteUSA NTDP (USHL) C
20. Joel Eriksson EkFarjestad (SEL)C
21. Ilya Samsonov(Magnitorgorsk)G
22. Evgeni Svechnikov Cape Breton (QMJHL) RW
23. Nick Merkley Kelowna (WHL) C
24. Jake Debrusk Swift Current (WHL) LW
25. Jansen Harkins Prince George (WHL) C
26. Gabriel Carlsson Linkoping (S-J20)D
27. Jonas Siegenthaler GCK Zurich (S2) D
28. Paul Bittner Portland (WHL) LW
29. Jérémy Roy Sherbrooke (Q)D
30. Travis Konecny Ottawa (OHL) C

[Burke Salad]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Oilers did their little write up on Svechnikov. I pray the Flames take him because by all accounts, the Oilers would LOVE him @16. I don't want to hate this kid.

Edmonton Oilers ‏@EdmontonOilers
Born on Halloween, #NHLDraft prospect Evgeny Svechnikov a nightmare for opponents | READ > http://ow.ly/2btrK2

And we are listening to Oiler's scouting reports because....... ?

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

And where did Tikhonov play last year?

Tarasenko is an exception. For every Tarasenko there is several guys like Svitov, Chistov, Zherdev, Radulov. Russians have been historically much riskier. why?
1) They have a league back home that is/was paying quite well. this meant that if they had any problems with 2) or 3) they could simply return home
2) language and culture issues. homesickness. wantin to raise kids in motherland.
3) style of play. how will they adapt? how will they react to a coach demanding physicality or hard defense? can they take a skilled perimeter game and make it work on North American rinks?

several of these can be mitigated if the kid comes over early ala provorov. they adapt earlier to the culture and language and style of play. Russians drafted out of the CHL are less risky. Russian players who already play the NHL style are less risky (powerforwards, physical defensemen). Russian players who only want to play in the NHL are less risky. but that could be hard to tell and could change.

The Russians you mention were drafted out of Russia. Svechnikov is being drafted out of the chl, like provorov, and comes from the boondocks in Russia. Furthermore he accepted an assignment to the most isolated qmjhl franchise which I believe speaks to his dedication. Kid has also repeatedly stated his desire to play in the NHL as it is the best league in the world.

Kid has a NHL frame and while there is the Russian factor believe there is mitigated risk for the reasons above. He could have stayed in the KHL and made a few more bucks but came to North America to pursue his dream of playing in the NHL

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Apologies if Shane Malloy's top 100 list was posted already. Interesting to see he has Chabot at 15 and Jeremy Roy all the way down at 29. Actually he has a lot of "interesting" rankings now that I look at it.
http://www.theartofscouting.com/default.aspx?p=nhldraft

2015 NHL Draft - Top 100 List – Shane Malloy

1. Connor McDavidErie (OHL) C
2. Jack EichelBoston U (NCAA)C
3. Ivan ProvorovBrandon (WHL)D
4. Noah HanifinBoston C (NCAA) D
5. Dylan StromeErie (OHL) C
6. Mitch MarnerLondon (OHL) RW
7. Mathew BarzalSeattle (WHL) C
8. Mikko RantanenTPS (SM Liiga) RW
9. Zach WerenskiMichigan (NCAA) D
10. Pavel ZachaSarnia (OHL) C
11. Kyle ConnorYoungstown (USHL) LW/C
12. Lawson CrouseKingston (OHL) LW
13. Timo MeierHalifax (QMJHL) RW
14 Brock BoeserWaterloo (USHL) RW
15. Thomas ChabotSaint John (QMJHL)D
16. Jakub ZborilSaint John (QMJHL) D
17. Jacob LarssonFrolunda (SHL) D
18. Denis GuryanovTogilatti 2 (MHL) RW
19. Colin WhiteUSA NTDP (USHL) C
20. Joel Eriksson EkFarjestad (SEL)C
21. Ilya Samsonov(Magnitorgorsk)G
22. Evgeni Svechnikov Cape Breton (QMJHL) RW
23. Nick Merkley Kelowna (WHL) C
24. Jake Debrusk Swift Current (WHL) LW
25. Jansen Harkins Prince George (WHL) C
26. Gabriel Carlsson Linkoping (S-J20)D
27. Jonas Siegenthaler GCK Zurich (S2) D
28. Paul Bittner Portland (WHL) LW
29. Jérémy Roy Sherbrooke (Q)D
30. Travis Konecny Ottawa (OHL) C

Bolded are the players I'd like for us to go after. Interesting that Roy and Konecny barely crack this list.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

And where did Tikhonov play last year?

Tarasenko is an exception. For every Tarasenko there is several guys like Svitov, Chistov, Zherdev, Radulov. Russians have been historically much riskier. why?
1) They have a league back home that is/was paying quite well. this meant that if they had any problems with 2) or 3) they could simply return home
2) language and culture issues. homesickness. wantin to raise kids in motherland.
3) style of play. how will they adapt? how will they react to a coach demanding physicality or hard defense? can they take a skilled perimeter game and make it work on North American rinks?

several of these can be mitigated if the kid comes over early ala provorov. they adapt earlier to the culture and language and style of play. Russians drafted out of the CHL are less risky. Russian players who already play the NHL style are less risky (powerforwards, physical defensemen). Russian players who only want to play in the NHL are less risky. but that could be hard to tell and could change.

It seems that all of those risks are already factored into the draft rankings out there, which is why in most of them Guryanov is ranked 20+, even though he seems to be a top-10 (or even top-5) talent. And the fact Svechnikov seems to suffer from fewer of those risks is why he's usually ranked higher than Guryanov, even though Guryanov is the more talented player.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

That Malloy list should put to bed any notion of a "board". Interesting take on things. Might undervalue the smaller guys (Merkley, Konecny types), but a good list nonetheless.
I would be interested in who he has available at 45-53. I do think there will be some good players to be had.

[heep223]

Seems like this draft is more all over the place than previous ones. Makes for a fun time!

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by heep223

Seems like this draft is more all over the place than previous ones. Makes for a fun time!

That means that we can probably see a lot of teams picking for the player they want rather than the BPA.

For the Flames, I really want Boeser, his rankings are all over the place. I think I'd rather take him at 15 if none of the top 10 fell to us.