I have a good name for you...
- KABLOOEY

please stick to "sir"

First time commenting but Colin i've read your blogs a lot and quite enjoy them. Not trying to bash everybody, but in everyone's list nobody includes the top Russian prospect Valeri Nichushkin. If you look at the ISS scouting reports he is ranked second, ahead of Drouin and Mackinnon, and after his play at the world juniors it is easy to see why. The guy is 18 years old, 6'3" (or 6'4" depending on the site), already almost 200 lbs and can play centre or wing. He's played in the KHL which makes him more NHL ready then guys like Drouin or Mackinnon. If Calgary is looking at BPA then I honestly would not be surprised to see him go ahead of the other two. Only risk is the Russian factor, kinda like Radulov. Personally I would like to see him in action a little more, but obviously the scouts are seeing something in him after making the jump from 7th to 2nd in the rankings. ISS has it going: Jones, Nichuskin, Mackinnon, Drouin, Nurse, Zadorov then Barkov.
- Talking_hockey1

Very true....the Russian factor is enough for me to shy away though! So hit and miss it's not even funny...their attitudes are a real gamble and they can go truly go any way. Drafting good ol' Canadian boys (don't mean to sound like Don Cherry) makes me feel a lot better, and obviously there is no flight risk!

Very true....the Russian factor is enough for me to shy away though! So hit and miss it's not even funny...their attitudes are a real gamble and they can go truly go any way. Drafting good ol' Canadian boys (don't mean to sound like Don Cherry) makes me feel a lot better, and obviously there is no flight risk!
- The-O-G

Would we have to worry about a flight risk with Barkov?

Center is locked up.....you're forgetting about Stajan and Jankowski
- The-O-G

You guys been watching the last couple games? Horak and Reinhart are looking good for noobs. So next year, our centers could be:
Horak
Reinhart
Stajan
Backlund

And they will probably sign a free agent center (pickings are slim though).

If Jones, or Nurse are gone by the time we pick, they will probably pick up Monahan; and Janko should be ready in the fall of 2014.
So center is looking pretty good, for a rebuilding team.

Note: No, i'm not drinking CRB

Would we have to worry about a flight risk with Barkov?
- KABLOOEY

Who knows.....he's half Finn or whatever but you never know. I just prefer the Canadian attitude all together to be honest. I'm obviously bias though

Who knows.....he's half Finn or whatever but you never know. I just prefer the Canadian attitude all together to be honest. I'm obviously bias though
- The-O-G

Me too!

You guys been watching the last couple games? Horak and Reinhart are looking good for noobs. So next year, our centres couldbe:
Horak
Reinhart
Stajan
Backlund

And they will probably sign a free agent center (pickings are slim though).

If Jones, or Nurse are gone by the time we pick, they will probably pick up Monahan; and Janko should be ready in the fall of 2014. So center is looking pretty good, for a rebuilding team.

Note: No, i'm not drinking CRB
- FL4MES

haha...you're right, at least there are a few bodies that can help that are already in the organization. I'm convinced about Horak...jury still out on Reinhart IMO

You guys been watching the last couple games? Horak and Reinhart are looking good for noobs. So next year, our centers could be:
Horak
Reinhart
Stajan
Backlund

And they will probably sign a free agent center (pickings are slim though).

If Jones, or Nurse are gone by the time we pick, they will probably pick up Monahan; and Janko should be ready in the fall of 2014.
So center is looking pretty good, for a rebuilding team.

Note: No, i'm not drinking CRB
- FL4MES

Maybe you should be...

Me too!
- KABLOOEY

Russian's in particular....there are a few exceptions, but most only play when they want to.

Maybe you should be...
- KABLOOEY

Na, I'm drinking the Kool aid!

Very true....the Russian factor is enough for me to shy away though! So hit and miss it's not even funny...their attitudes are a real gamble and they can go truly go any way. Drafting good ol' Canadian boys (don't mean to sound like Don Cherry) makes me feel a lot better, and obviously there is no flight risk!
- The-O-G

But at the same time (barring, hoping, praying, that St. Louis makes the playoffs), we have two other picks, Feaster could keep them but he could move up as well. I agree, there's nothing wrong with some good Ol' canadian talent, but at the same time, if VN is as good as they are saying then how can you pass him up? it's a tough call but it also depends on the person. If you can convince him that he will be a building block in this team for a while, I doubt he'd shy away from that opportunity.

haha...you're right, at least there are a few bodies that can help that are already in the organization. I'm convinced about Horak...jury still out on Reinhart IMO
- The-O-G

Opening day starters:

Baertschi Barkov MacKinnon

Brodie Ristoleinon

Ramo

One can dream.

Na, I'm drinking the Kool aid!


- FL4MES

Russian's in particular....there are a few exceptions, but most only play when they want to.
- The-O-G

Agreed! I would be a lot more comfy with Barkov over Nish.

But at the same time (barring, hoping, praying, that St. Louis makes the playoffs), we have two other picks, Feaster could keep them but he could move up as well. I agree, there's nothing wrong with some good Ol' canadian talent, but at the same time, if VN is as good as they are saying then how can you pass him up? it's a tough call but it also depends on the person. If you can convince him that he will be a building block in this team for a while, I doubt he'd shy away from that opportunity.
- Talking_hockey1

Fair enough!

Opening day starters:

Baertschi Barkov MacKinnon

Brodie Ristoleinon

Ramo

One can dream.
- KABLOOEY

My Dream:
MacKinnon, Janko (Edit), Iginla
Jones Brodie

My Dream:
MacKinnon Janko (Edit) Iginla
Jones Brodie

- FL4MES

What is all the love for Horak. I just don't see it.

What is all the love for Horak. I just don't see it.
- KABLOOEY

That's why i tossed in the Edit!

Opening day starters:

Baertschi Barkov MacKinnon

Brodie Ristoleinon

Ramo

One can dream.
- KABLOOEY

Is that even any good???

I would absolutely love to snipe 2 top 5-7 picks. I could maybe see Barkov slipping to 6 or 7, I think that would be a great time for the Flames to make a move!

On another note...how good has Brodie been lately. He has seriously risen up to the occasion. Good to see! Playing with a bit of an edge as well!

On another note...how good has Brodie been lately. He has seriously risen up to the occasion. Good to see! Playing with a bit of an edge as well!
- The-O-G

Ya, that's why we are putting him in our dream starting lineups!

I wouldn't trade any of the top 5 picks for Couts.
- KABLOOEY

Even if it was Couts and the, let's say, 8th or 9th overall pick and Mac, Jones and Barkov are off the board? Not saying I would, just curious as to how you see Drouin possibly in CGY's organization.

Would we have to worry about a flight risk with Barkov?
- KABLOOEY

Not likely, but who knows where his head is at. Maybe he is all about money or maybe he wants to play somewhere in daddy's home country. Something I'm sure that would be noticed during interviews at the combine.

You guys been watching the last couple games? Horak and Reinhart are looking good for noobs. So next year, our centers could be:
Horak
Reinhart
Stajan
Backlund

And they will probably sign a free agent center (pickings are slim though).

If Jones, or Nurse are gone by the time we pick, they will probably pick up Monahan; and Janko should be ready in the fall of 2014.
So center is looking pretty good, for a rebuilding team.

Note: No, i'm not drinking CRB
- FL4MES

I take Monahan waaaaaay before Nurse. And I would say Janko is more like 3 years away maybe 4. That would give him 4 years of college (incl. last year) and 1 yr of AHL. He may need all that time to get physically prepared for the NHL.

What is all the love for Horak. I just don't see it.
- KABLOOEY

3rd liner at best I think. But he could be a good 3rd liner. I would put him there instead of Stajan right now, considering our attemt at a youth movement.