I guess this all depends on the mindset of the player. Does he want to be cog in a well-oiled machine, not necessarily called upon to do much beyond third line duties, maybe second every now and then, or does he want to be at the heart of a young team that is (hopefully) on the rise - a core piece and a leader for years to come? Not saying one is better than the other - the first scenario could turn into the the second after a few years, after all - but perhaps wanting to be part of the start of a new era might be just as appealing, or even more so, to some players than jumping onto an established contender.
- salumba

Oh I completely agree. It depends on the player, their mindset and what they want to do. Shultz didn't jump to an instant contender, but rather to be part of a future. The problem is that it is that complete choice (and yes I realize I am arguing against "freedom of choice") for the player to go wherever they want to.

In a year's time Gaudreau will have the same options as players like the Sedins, Thornton, Iginla, Lundqvist. I'm not saying that he is the same player as them. I'm not saying that he will have the teams seeking him like these other will. But a guy that has never played a game in the NHL has somehow "earned" the same right as these established players that have reached UFA status. In the least he should have to re-enter the draft process like a junior player would have to do.

Again I'm not saying that Gaudreau will do this. He seems to be saying the right things to indicate that he will be a Calgary Flame. But that will only be if he chooses to be.

So you were pissed when they didn't take him at 9?
- The-O-G

Please explain....
- The-O-G

Hes a (frank)in drunk, who chokes cabbies and university girls?

Oh I completely agree. It depends on the player, their mindset and what they want to do. Shultz didn't jump to an instant contender, but rather to be part of a future. The problem is that it is that complete choice (and yes I realize I am arguing against "freedom of choice") for the player to go wherever they want to.

In a year's time Gaudreau will have the same options as players like the Sedins, Thornton, Iginla, Lundqvist. I'm not saying that he is the same player as them. I'm not saying that he will have the teams seeking him like these other will. But a guy that has never played a game in the NHL has somehow "earned" the same right as these established players that have reached UFA status. In the least he should have to re-enter the draft process like a junior player would have to do.

Again I'm not saying that Gaudreau will do this. He seems to be saying the right things to indicate that he will be a Calgary Flame. But that will only be if he chooses to be.
- dal_johnson

The risk you take when drafting a kid. One of the many reasons that teams draft criteria goes beyond the on-ice attributes of a kid.

Would you rather be on a contender or a team with the chance to play big line minutes and establish yourself as a valuable (cash and hockey ability) player? I would pick the latter in a heartbeat!
- IggyOnly

And many players may pick the much greater chance to win a Stanley Cup earlier in their career.

But the issue is that choice. Mackinnon, Barkov, Drouin, Jones, Lindholm and Monahan doesn't have that choice. They either sign with their drafting team or go back into the draft in two years. At which point he could then be drafted by another team in a similar position as the Flames. But if one of them was a college player, they could wait 2 extra years and sign with the current Stanley Cup winner. Again it is all in a freedom of choice.

And who's to say that there aren't contending teams that may have a more important line up spot open up. Again it is all about that choice that other players in that stage of their careers do not get. The Penguins have a top 6 winger position open. Who's to say that as an example Gaudreau wouldn't fill that spot. He could instantly play on a line with Malkin or Crosby and be on a team that is a favorite to win the cup. The penguins get to add what is believed to be a top 6 forward at the price on an entry level contract.

So you were pissed when they didn't take him at 9?
- The-O-G

Wouldn't say pissed, I like Horvat as well (had him at 8). But he is the guy that I would have taken at Nine if I was doing the drafting.

Wouldn't say pissed, I like Horvat as well (had him at 8). But he is the guy that I would have taken at Nine if I was doing the drafting.
- IanEsplen

Brian Burke would have taken him at number 1

The risk you take when drafting a kid. One of the many reasons that teams draft criteria goes beyond the on-ice attributes of a kid.
- IggyOnly

Hockey IQ and overall smarts seem to be very important to Feaster and company. Not that it means much but if you see or listen to interviews Poirier does seem pretty bright and well spoken...more so then Hunter IMO.

Hockey IQ and overall smarts seem to be very important to Feaster and company. Not that it means much but if you see or listen to interviews Poirier does seem pretty bright and well spoken...more so then Hunter IMO.
- bastage

The thing with Shinkaruk, is that for some reason he dropped. He was ranked about 14th, and fell to 24th. Whatever that reason may be it turned off 10 teams from picking him. Yes there are other factors that come into it like a team's positional needs but in the end 10 teams didn't want him.

He may still be a very good player, but there was obviously some issue to these teams. That issue may turn out to be insignificant in the long run, but on draft day it was enough to effect many team's choices.

I am in no way saying that Feaster is great. I'm not qualified to make that call. But how come the Flames are the only team that gets called out for not picking Shinkaruk. Nobody comments on how the Islanders passed up this forward to pick another defenceman. Or that Washington also passed on Hunter right after the Flames did to pick a different winger. It comes down to Canuck fans trying to stick it to Flames fans.

Poirier my not pan out. Or me may be just as good as Shinkaruk. Or he may be a better fit for the Flames. The Flames wanted more size and more speed and they believe that got that with Poirier.

The thing with Shinkaruk, is that for some reason he dropped. He was ranked about 14th, and fell to 24th. Whatever that reason may be it turned off 10 teams from picking him. Yes there are other factors that come into it like a team's positional needs but in the end 10 teams didn't want him.

He may still be a very good player, but there was obviously some issue to these teams. That issue may turn out to be insignificant in the long run, but on draft day it was enough to effect many team's choices.

I am in no way saying that Feaster is great. I'm not qualified to make that call. But how come the Flames are the only team that gets called out for not picking Shinkaruk. Nobody comments on how the Islanders passed up this forward to pick another defenceman. Or that Washington also passed on Hunter right after the Flames did to pick a different winger. It comes down to Canuck fans trying to stick it to Flames fans.

Poirier my not pan out. Or me may be just as good as Shinkaruk. Or he may be a better fit for the Flames. The Flames wanted more size and more speed and they believe that got that with Poirier.
- dal_johnson

Do you think if he is listed at 6'0' 180 instead of 5'10' 180 he drops at all?

Do you think if he is listed at 6'0' 180 instead of 5'10' 180 he drops at all?
- steve362

Size was likely part of it, but there were also some saying they didn't like his attitude and his defensive game was lacking. Time will tell.

Eberle dropped because of his size and poor skating.

Yeah I think size was a big part of it.

But there was something else for sure. He was ranked at 10-14 with most pro scouts based on the way he plays the game. So something else must of been there for him to drop like that.

Size was likely part of it, but there were also some saying they didn't like his attitude and his defensive game was lacking. Time will tell.

Eberle dropped because of his size and poor skating.
- Iggysbff

Yeah that was hilarious, the guy skates like the wind.

Hockey IQ and overall smarts seem to be very important to Feaster and company. Not that it means much but if you see or listen to interviews Poirier does seem pretty bright and well spoken...more so then Hunter IMO.
- bastage

Message to Flames Management....

Do you think if he is listed at 6'0' 180 instead of 5'10' 180 he drops at all?
- steve362

I think it would have helped him. You balance the good (your example of a larger player) with the bad (if there is the talked about attitude issues) and decide how they outweigh the other. A team then may decide the extra attribute he brings (larger player) will overcome the negative.

From what I read (and it is totally rumor) he said in many of his interviews at the combine that we would prefer to be on a team that is more established than on one that is going through the growing and rebuilding process. Now I would expect that many players would prefer that, but quite simply you don't say that in the interview. Yes complete and open honesty is one thing, but in a "job interview" you don't say how you would rather go somewhere else. It will make a team / employer question your dedication to being there. In the end it may not actually be anything but it puts a negative thought into their head. And in the draft the teams picking earlier are typically all in some stage of a re-build.

So teams (not just Calgary) decided that the benefits to this player did not overcome whatever may have been said. Or that while other players may not have had the physical skills of him, but their attitude made up for that more than Shikaruk's.

I think it would have helped him. You balance the good (your example of a larger player) with the bad (if there is the talked about attitude issues) and decide how they outweigh the other. A team then may decide the extra attribute he brings (larger player) will overcome the negative.

From what I read (and it is totally rumor) he said in many of his interviews at the combine that we would prefer to be on a team that is more established than on one that is going through the growing and rebuilding process. Now I would expect that many players would prefer that, but quite simply you don't say that in the interview. Yes complete and open honesty is one thing, but in a "job interview" you don't say how you would rather go somewhere else. It will make a team / employer question your dedication to being there. In the end it may not actually be anything but it puts a negative thought into their head. And in the draft the teams picking earlier are typically all in some stage of a re-build.

So teams (not just Calgary) decided that the benefits to this player did not overcome whatever may have been said. Or that while other players may not have had the physical skills of him, but their attitude made up for that more than Shikaruk's.
- dal_johnson

That could be true. Columbus had two picks from 14 to 24 , and took two forwards.
I don't know what he would consider to be an established team, but Detroit San Jose, Washington, Toronto and Ottawa all passed on him.

Message to Flames Management....


- Iggysbff

why are you being so douchey today?

That could be true. Columbus had two picks from 14 to 24 , and took two forwards.
I don't know what he would consider to be an established team, but Detroit San Jose, Washington, Toronto and Ottawa all passed on him.
- Boom.

IDIOTS!!!

The thing with Shinkaruk, is that for some reason he dropped. He was ranked about 14th, and fell to 24th. Whatever that reason may be it turned off 10 teams from picking him. Yes there are other factors that come into it like a team's positional needs but in the end 10 teams didn't want him.

He may still be a very good player, but there was obviously some issue to these teams. That issue may turn out to be insignificant in the long run, but on draft day it was enough to effect many team's choices.

I am in no way saying that Feaster is great. I'm not qualified to make that call. But how come the Flames are the only team that gets called out for not picking Shinkaruk. Nobody comments on how the Islanders passed up this forward to pick another defenceman. Or that Washington also passed on Hunter right after the Flames did to pick a different winger. It comes down to Canuck fans trying to stick it to Flames fans.

Poirier my not pan out. Or me may be just as good as Shinkaruk. Or he may be a better fit for the Flames. The Flames wanted more size and more speed and they believe that got that with Poirier.
- dal_johnson

I don't think the backlash has been Canucks fans much at all. Every Calgary based media that I saw around the draft wanted the hometown guy.

And fans should be a bit upset when the No. 6 guy is there and your team takes the 40ish guy.

Vancouver fans still hate Nonis because he had a feeling about White and drafted him over Perron. Flames fans should be questioning the pick.

I think it would have helped him. You balance the good (your example of a larger player) with the bad (if there is the talked about attitude issues) and decide how they outweigh the other. A team then may decide the extra attribute he brings (larger player) will overcome the negative.

From what I read (and it is totally rumor) he said in many of his interviews at the combine that we would prefer to be on a team that is more established than on one that is going through the growing and rebuilding process. Now I would expect that many players would prefer that, but quite simply you don't say that in the interview. Yes complete and open honesty is one thing, but in a "job interview" you don't say how you would rather go somewhere else. It will make a team / employer question your dedication to being there. In the end it may not actually be anything but it puts a negative thought into their head. And in the draft the teams picking earlier are typically all in some stage of a re-build.

So teams (not just Calgary) decided that the benefits to this player did not overcome whatever may have been said. Or that while other players may not have had the physical skills of him, but their attitude made up for that more than Shikaruk's.
- dal_johnson

I can see a comment like that maybe discouraging a team, but I can't see it being the breaking point.

Besides, doesn't the Calgary ownership think they are Cup contenders every year?

(not trolling, it's just every interview I hear with Ken King he seems to suggest the Flames are taking their best run at the Cup)

why are you being so douchey today?
- bastage

Today?

I don't think the backlash has been Canucks fans much at all. Every Calgary based media that I saw around the draft wanted the hometown guy.

And fans should be a bit upset when the No. 6 guy is there and your team takes the 40ish guy.
Vancouver fans still hate Nonis because he had a feeling about White and drafted him over Perron. Flames fans should be questioning the pick.
- IanEsplen

I'm not questioning why we didn't take Hunter, Something caused the fall and we might never know what it was.

When our pick rolled around, it was like holy crap hunter is still around? What's wrong with him? Most of us thought it was still worth picking him but instead our management team went with Poirier and it was a giant WTF.

But at the time we all had no idea who Poirier was. After watching him in camp we learned a few things about the guy. Extremely fast, has a good head on his shoulders and right now seems like that perfect 3rd Energy line guy. But there is no telling what he can develop into.

The last 3 draft years with John Weisbrod making the decisions have impressed me on how well he has turned around our prospect pool. I have full faith in him passing on shinkurak, but will that turn out to be a good decision? Guess we will find out if 13 teams made a mistake in 3-4 years.

I don't think the backlash has been Canucks fans much at all. Every Calgary based media that I saw around the draft wanted the hometown guy.

And fans should be a bit upset when the No. 6 guy is there and your team takes the 40ish guy.

Vancouver fans still hate Nonis because he had a feeling about White and drafted him over Perron. Flames fans should be questioning the pick.
- IanEsplen

I think it was fairly widely accepted that Hunter was **not** the No. 6 guy no matter how much you wish it to be true. Highest (from people with opinions worth reading) I saw was 7th, even that was an oddity out of the majority who had him at 9 to 11. There is no (frank)ing way you can have him ahead of any of the follow: Barkov, Mackinnon, Jones, Drouin, Lindholm, Monahan. Nevermind guys like Nurse.

why are you being so douchey today?
- bastage

Come on... I found that funny....just kidding around...