You can follow Todd on Twitter @ToddCordell!
First off, I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Todd Cordell, the new Calgary Flames writer here at Hockeybuzz.
This was supposed to be my first post, but it didn't work out that way because of
last night's four player trade with the Colorado Avalanche
As many of you probably know, I've written for Hockeybuzz for about two years now covering the New Jersey Devils. I will continue with that coverage, but will obviously be expanding the workload now. I've written Devils articles almost every day I've been here and I intend to bring fresh Flames content to you guys on a regular basis, as well.
If you're not familiar with my work, I'm also a credentialed OHL scout for TheHockeyGuys and do quite a bit of scouting reports and draft work over there.
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There has been much debate about who the Flames should select with the 6th overall pick in this year's entry draft.
With the 2013 NHL entry draft just a couple days away, the anticipation is getting increasingly high.
Who will the Flames select 6th overall? That's unknown at this point as Jay Feaster has yet to tip his hand.
Today, though, I'll take a look at what looks like the most likely options and try to determine who's the best fit for the franchise going forward.
When I look at the Flames roster, one thing stands out to me in particular: the team doesn't have a top line center.
They have a few good center prospects in Mark Jankowski, Max Reinhart, Markus Granlund and recently acquired Corban Knight, but I'm not sure any of them will develop into top line centers. To me, these are players with 2nd or 3rd line potential.
With the 6th overall pick, the Flames have the opportunity to draft a center who could play in the NHL next season and has potential to be a top line guy down the road.
Nobody knows for sure how this draft will go as there are a lot of high end players and all teams value players differently. That said, it looks like there is a relatively good chance the Flames will have the opportunity to choose between Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm with the 6th overall pick.
In my opinion, both have the potential to be top line players and both likely will develop into such. With that in mind, one will be better than the other.
It's the Flames job to determine which one will be the better player now and in the future.
My quick scouting reports on the two players:
Sean Monahan (Ottawa - OHL)
Monahan is one of the best two-way forwards in this year's draft class. He's an excellent playmaker who sees the ice exceptionally well. He's an extremely good player on the power play, especially when he has time to setup on the half wall. Monahan possesses a very good shot, very good puck skills and there are few passes he can't make. Monahan is a guy who can play in all situations. He put up very good numbers in the OHL this past season despite playing against extraordinarily tough competition and playing on a very poor team in Ottawa with little help.
For more, check out my
in-depth scouting report on Monahan.
Elias Lindholm (Brynas - SEL)
Lindholm is one of the more skilled draft eligible players. He's a very good skater, sees the ice well and has excellent puck skills which make him dangerous every time he's on the ice. He's a very smart player and understands where he has to be on the ice and what he has to do in order to make a play. He's a very good playmaker who can also beat you with his shot. He's somewhat small in stature and doesn't have much physicality in his game, but he understands his strengths and plays to them.
Overall I like Monahan a little more than Lindholm and lean towards him. It's extremely close, though. Monahan seems like more of a sure bet, to me, and he has the size which, in my opinion, better suits him for Western Conference hockey than it does Lindholm.
Monahan isn't an overly physical player, but he won't shy away from physicality and is very good at using his big frame to protect the puck and help make plays.
Ultimately Flames GM, Jay Feaster, and the rest of the brass in Calgary will have to make the decision as to which player they want to be a part of their organization going forward.
Feaster will have some other good options like Valeri Nichushkin, and moving up in the draft is a possibility as well. That said, to me, taking one of those two players, Monahan in particular, would be the best choice. That is assuming the Flames use the 6th overall pick, of course.
Which player will the Flames elect to go with 6th overall? We'll find out in a couple days.
In the meantime, which player would you rather see the Flames select with their top pick on Sunday? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section.
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Brendan Ross and myself rank the top-60 prospects and more in
TheHockeyGuys 2013 NHL Draft Guide.
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