[News] Flames finish 4th last in the NHL for the 2013-2014 season

[Crumpy-Gunt]

I wouldnt be down with trading Sven+ for to move up 4 spots. Wayyy too early to give up on Sven. IMO Bennett is the best forward because his ceiling is higher than Reinhart and Ekblad is easily the best D. It comes down to what you want, how you value the players and what you are willing to give up.

I think we can really make the 4th pick (if we stay there) count without trading up. Letting us keep our top prospects and have 4 more picks in the top 93 selections. That would be more exciting for me than taking one of the top 2 players. You never know what could be available in rounds 2 and 3. They are amazingly valuable looking back at past drafts.

We have our 1st, 2 seconds, 2 thirds a 6th and a 7th.

Im stoked. I really hope we dont trade up and if we do - it better not be for too much. (IE 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 1st and 2 2nds, or 1st and a top prospect)

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Florida wins! Phew, we stay 4th.

Inspired by Calgary4Life

I see this based upon my own biases (some of which happen to be similar to Burke's biases) and from what I've seen in limited action:

Tier 1
Ekblad

Tier 2
Bennett
Reinhart

Tier 3
Dal Colle
Ritchie
Draisaitl

From some comments passed on from that luncheon it sounds like the staff might be a bit divided on Ekblad vs Bennett vs Reinhart? I suspect a lot of teams are having trouble getting consensus on these top 4-5 guys

Intriguing draft. Good chance someone unexpected is available at #4 if we stay there.

[djsFlames]

If Edm wins, expect the lottery rules to change drastically next season.

Hoping and praying. But if we don't win, just stick with the 4th overall. We're guaranteed to get a Great player, regardless. I don't want to give up Sven just to move up 1-2 spots. NOT worth it for the very small jump in talent it would grant us.

Seeing the weapons we have on the forward ranks going into next season that could develop into top 6 impact players - Gaudreau, Monahan (1st line potential), Sven, Poirier, Granlund, even Colborne - I wouldn't mind taking Ekblad with the 1st overall if we win. He'll be our weapon from the back end and will shore up our top 3 with two solid pieces already in place.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

If Edm wins, expect the lottery rules to change drastically next season.

Hoping and praying. But if we don't win, just stick with the 4th overall. We're guaranteed to get a Great player, regardless. I don't want to give up Sven just to move up 1-2 spots. NOT worth it for the very small jump in talent it would grant us.

Seeing the weapons we have on the forward ranks going into next season that could develop into top 6 impact players - Gaudreau, Monahan (1st line potential), Sven, Poirier, Granlund, even Colborne - I wouldn't mind taking Ekblad with the 1st overall if we win. He'll be our weapon from the back end and will shore up our top 3 with two solid pieces already in place.

I would give up Sven to move up ONLY if we can get Ekblad. I haven't given up on Sven but I think Ekblad is a franchise defenseman. But I agree with you otherwise. The forwards this year just aren't worth trading up for in my opinion.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

The only scenario i would trade up to take Ekblad - regardless of cost is if he is falling into the Oilers lap somehow ala Seth Jones OR if we hear they are in talks to trade up.

Im OK with not getting Ekblad. Im not OK with the Oilers getting the 2nd best ranked Dman from last years draft (Nurse), and the best one from this years draft. That would be a bit scary for me. But if anyone can ruin 2 top defensive prospects like Nurse and Ekblad - and even Klefbom - its deadmonton. How is a player supposed to develop defensively with hall, rnh, eberle and yakupov giving the puck away every second.

[theoforever]

Giving up Sven to move 2 spots is a high price.
They would have to add another pick

[TheKing]

Hardly any move up deals involve prospects. Why not our 1st and a 2nd and a 4-5th next year or something like that?

[djsFlames]

I could see Florida giving up their 1st for our 1st, 2nd and a 3rd/4th pick next season. Considering our second is an early pick, it'll definitely have value to a team above us. It may depend on who Florida values most in the top 5. If they're looking for a scoring winger (Dal Colle), or Ehlers, like Tallon mentioned before, then they are all but guaranteed to be there at 4th for them.

[UKflames]

I agrre with those that think that Florida would be looking for players that can go into the line up now rather than prospects (or picks) that they will have to wait to develop. Reaquiring Luongo says to me that they want to take a big step forward next season.

I think we should stay ythe course and there is no need to trade up, we are going to get a good player at our current spot.

[Vulcan]

LOL Torts is really owned by Bob Hartley. He probably stays awake at night planning his revenge. It gets good around the 1:50 minute mark.

[FBI]

Took me 3 tries to get the Flames

[Trailer Fire]

1. Isles
2. Flames
3. Panthers
4. Hurricanes
5. Panthers
6. Sabres
7. Panthers
8. Panthers
9. Oilers
10. Oilers

[puckedoff]

The Oilers finished with 10 fewer points than the Calgary Flames. Let that sink in. (77pts vs 67pts).

[FakenHaken]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Florida wins! Phew, we stay 4th.

Inspired by Calgary4Life

I see this based upon my own biases (some of which happen to be similar to Burke's biases) and from what I've seen in limited action:

Tier 1
Ekblad

Tier 2
Bennett
Reinhart

Tier 3
Dal Colle
Ritchie
Draisaitl

From some comments passed on from that luncheon it sounds like the staff might be a bit divided on Ekblad vs Bennett vs Reinhart? I suspect a lot of teams are having trouble getting consensus on these top 4-5 guys

Intriguing draft. Good chance someone unexpected is available at #4 if we stay there.

Although it isn't how I voted, as I misinterpreted my bad. Your analysis is exactly how I see the tier's even in order with Tier 3. Although I see the Oilers going Draisaitl and it might free up a Bennett or Reinhart.

How my magic eight ball thinks it will go:

Buffalo wins lottery - Sam Bennett. Although Reinhart might be the smarter Hockey IQ, Sam Bennett isn't a dummy either from what I've read. So the intangible of win at all costs sways Buffalo.
Florida - Ekblad. There is always a need for a top 4 defensemen time will tell if that is 1 - 2 or 3 - 4.
Edmonton - Draisaitl. Big Center is something they actually lack next to a good defensemen. Has indicated a dream to be an Oiler. I think they need the bigger center more than Sam Reinhart. Who knows it is the Oilers after all.
Calgary - Sam Reinhart. BPA. Might not be as truculent as Sam Bennett but this kid has the tools and the tool box to go with it. Would love if my magic eight ball is right, but would love Bennett as well. You could flip Bennett with Reinhart it really is dependent on Buffalo I think.

[Jay Random]

I'll be thrilled if Reinhart falls to the Flames at #4. Hope you're right, FakenHaken.

[Igster]

nm

[bubbsy]

i think there may be some debate amongst who goes where but it just seems that ekblad/reinhart/bennet will be in the top 3, regardless of order.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

i think there may be some debate amongst who goes where but it just seems that ekblad/reinhart/bennet will be in the top 3, regardless of order.

While I agree, last year every mock draft and scouting rankings I saw had Jones going in the top 3 (really, 1st or 2nd with McKinnon) with Barkov and Drouin rounding out the top 4.

[bubbsy]

lol, torts is an idiot.

Sure hope he keeps his job in vancouver cus he's done absolutely great taking a half decent roster and putting up one of the worst records in the NHL over the latter half of the season. He's such a great coach he'll blame it on the injuries.

Of course if he doesn't keep his job, i'd be interested to see if he's done in the league. He's too much of a loose cannon, no self control, who can't help but become a distraction to his team due to idiotic comments in the media (comments during olympics are a prime example of just how dumb his antics can get).

Enjoy the minors/europe torts, you won't be missed.

[moon]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

i think there may be some debate amongst who goes where but it just seems that ekblad/reinhart/bennet will be in the top 3, regardless of order.

I think because of his size and postion, similar to what we saw with Barkov last year, Draisatl could go top 3 as well.

I do think people are focusing a little too much on last year and Jones slipping, while overall the concensus is not how it goes Jones slipping seems to be more of an anomoly than the norm and the top 3-5 usually go in the first 3-5 picks most years.