I think its time we start talking up our clutch goal scorer, excellent shot blocker, defensive minded, top four veteran defensemen that we have available at the low price of a first round draft pick, or one promising prospect. You all know who I'm talking about.......Chris (OT winner) Butler!

I think its time we start talking up our clutch goal scorer, excellent shot blocker, defensive minded, top four veteran defensemen that we have available at the low price of a first round draft pick, or one promising prospect. You all know who I'm talking about.......Chris (OT winner) Butler!
- Saskabush

Easy Saskabush, it's Friday! Crack a Labatt's light or a Pil and all will be good.
- whipper334

I'm well on my way ...just needed to vent that out (it was a box pool and the other choices all have 10 ish points on him haha...but I do think he could be an intriguing choice...just have to wonder about his attitude, does he really want to be in a Canadian city? For some reason I think he's one of those guys that might prefer either a non traditional market (California), or a big "glamorous" city like New York.

I'm well on my way ...just needed to vent that out (it was a box pool and the other choices all have 10 ish points on him haha...but I do think he could be an intriguing choice...just have to wonder about his attitude, does he really want to be in a Canadian city? For some reason I think he's one of those guys that might prefer either a non traditional market (California), or a big "glamorous" city like New York.
- Saskabush

By all accounts his attitude doesn't seem great.

A guy on the radio (Brandon something - voice of the Abbotsford Heat) just compared Ferland to be Lucic like.

I liked Kane at the start of the year...but frank me!! I picked him in a pool and he never gets on the damn score sheet (before he was hurt) The guy plays top line minutes and shoots from everywhere and nothing goes in the franking net.
- Saskabush

Personally, I think Kane could be a headcase. He may have the talent to one day be a top PF in the league like Iggy, but Jarome was mature from the 1st. I don't see that in Evander, so I question his heart and ability to reach his ootential. Backs is technically still not fully peaked (only 200gp) and Baert obv too(51gp). Two of the recent 1st rd picks and a high 2nd for Kane is not a smart move for a rebuild.

that is what scares me about Burke. Rushing it.

A guy on the radio (Brandon something - voice of the Abbotsford Heat) just compared Ferland to be Lucic like.
- whipper334

Many players look like world beaters in the A and suck it in the N. Intriguing to hear though.

A guy on the radio (Brandon something - voice of the Abbotsford Heat) just compared Ferland to be Lucic like.
- whipper334

Milan Lucic
HEIGHT: 6' 3"
WEIGHT: 235
Shoots: Left
Born: June 7, 1988 (AGE 25)

Michael Ferland
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 215
Shoots: Left
Born: 20 Apr 1992 (Age 21)

Hmm, i can see it, if he puts on another 20 pounds of mustle, look out.

Let’s Blame the Draft (or lack thereof) On The Present State of the Calgary Flames

This week, Brian Burke’s Organizational Report Card for the last couple Calgary Flame seasons resulted in Jay Feaster’s dismissal and many want to understand the reason for the departure. Burke was vague in the ownership’s reasons and kept things close to the vest in saying there were many aspects, decisions, and moves that have stood in the way of a Calgary resurgence.
The Flames have been on the ropes for a decade, and I would like to give my opinion to why there hasn’t been a resurgence out of the depths of the standings.
1. The Flames have never had the luxury of picking in the top three in any draft.
2. Team decision-makers were more than willing to try fix weaknesses with established players via trades and not UFA signings.
3. Calgary forgot the crucial team rebuilding block is the NHL Entry Draft, and the understanding of each draft year’s uniqueness, and where its draft tiers begin and end.

Let’s start with the years when Darryl Sutter was in charge. He was active at acquiring veteran additions that he hoped would bring enough improvement that the club would make the playoffs. He had no restraint with trading picks away. He was still of the mindset that every pick in the second round or later was more of a gamble and not a lock, because so many of the prior Calgary 2000 era drafts yielded putrid results- not even providing even bottom end NHLers.
What’s more, the paradigm did change to where draft success with all picks became an integral part of managing the Cap with in-house prospects to arrive and drive competition, while enabling teams to not have to spend more on outside solutions.

When Jay Feaster arrived, there was already a very thin organizational depth at most positions and there were few young hopefuls of the arriving soon variety in the system, with most far from ready to compete.
So with Flames moving on, away from the old stars, the team not only needed to secure solid prospects, but solid veterans to surround them.
That issue of having strong veteran leadership and protection in place, so the arriving youngsters are not asked to BE the leaders, but to learn from them, was one that wasn’t address well enough on the UFA market or trade return.

In 2008, Calgary and Darryl Sutter added Mike Cammalleri by trading his first rounder, the 17th overall pick (which was used to select Jake Gardiner) and his 2009 2nd round pick.

In 2009, the Flames knowing they were already missing a 2nd rounder, and picking at slot 20 (not the most desirable place)in the first round managed to add a pick from New Jersey in the 3rd round, if they were willing to move back a meager three places in the order. Not a bad way to pick up an additional pick? That “additional” pick was actually a replacement pick, as Calgary didn’t have a 3rd rounder since they earlier had sent it to the Flyers for Jim Vandermeer.

In 2010, the Flames did not pick until the third round. They traded their first for Olli Jokinen, and the second for Rene Bourque.

The 2011 draft was one were the Flames went looking for offensive skill and took three forwards in the first four who were all undersized with only one close to the 180lbs. It could have been that the scouting staff clearly knew there was lack of high end skill inside the organization and tried to focus on that aspect.
Without me naming any of the three, it was clear that none had even close to a 200 foot game, and the first rounder that year was just sent down because of that and the fact that they rushed him into a NHL role without the roster containing the player elements that would help support such an ascension.

In 2012 the Flames were willing drop seven spots because they locked in on a certain long shot prospect, and gain a second. To me, this was a miscalculated gamble when you look at the prospects that were chosen in the slots between 14 & 21. (Tomas Hertl, Tuevo Teravainen, Tom Wilson, for example)

All drafts are not equal and it is important for teams to understand where the various tiers start and end. The Flames staff needed be fairly certain that both that 21st pick and the 42nd were going to eventually make their hockey team, because the guy they would have gotten at 14 was.

Surely the prospects that were taken in the 2013 draft cannot be look at as poor selections at this point. All had good size and promise. The Flames finally were on the path that successful teams take. Coping with the lack promising draft prospects missing during that five years drought is still going to continue to be a monumental task because the patches of maturing 22, 23, and 24 year olds are not in the farm getting ready to make the jump. And we all know to add some from other organizations via trades repeats the very cycle that has gotten where they are.

This was not the fault of one person, and obviously strong scouting at the amateur and professional levels is the first step, so that all new deals and new signings must be ones that support the growth of the few youngsters they have, while continuing to build a team with a no quit work ethic and the beginnings of a qualitative jump in results.

I just saw on TSN where the fans felt the Flames rebuild was an easier on that the Sabres. To me, the difference is the Sabres have many more prospects in the system that at very least will get a chance to bring filler for the gaps at the bottom end while they attempt to improve. The Flames unfortunately have fewer.

Let’s Blame the Draft (or lack thereof) On The Present State of the Calgary Flames

This week, Brian Burke’s Organizational Report Card for the last couple Calgary Flame seasons resulted in Jay Feaster’s dismissal and many want to understand the reason for the departure. Burke was vague in the ownership’s reasons and kept things close to the vest in saying there were many aspects, decisions, and moves that have stood in the way of a Calgary resurgence.
The Flames have been on the ropes for a decade, and I would like to give my opinion to why there hasn’t been a resurgence out of the depths of the standings.
1. The Flames have never had the luxury of picking in the top three in any draft.
2. Team decision-makers were more than willing to try fix weaknesses with established players via trades and not UFA signings.
3. Calgary forgot the crucial team rebuilding block is the NHL Entry Draft, and the understanding of each draft year’s uniqueness, and where its draft tiers begin and end.

Let’s start with the years when Darryl Sutter was in charge. He was active at acquiring veteran additions that he hoped would bring enough improvement that the club would make the playoffs. He had no restraint with trading picks away. He was still of the mindset that every pick in the second round or later was more of a gamble and not a lock, because so many of the prior Calgary 2000 era drafts yielded putrid results- not even providing even bottom end NHLers.
What’s more, the paradigm did change to where draft success with all picks became an integral part of managing the Cap with in-house prospects to arrive and drive competition, while enabling teams to not have to spend more on outside solutions.

When Jay Feaster arrived, there was already a very thin organizational depth at most positions and there were few young hopefuls of the arriving soon variety in the system, with most far from ready to compete.
So with Flames moving on, away from the old stars, the team not only needed to secure solid prospects, but solid veterans to surround them.
That issue of having strong veteran leadership and protection in place, so the arriving youngsters are not asked to BE the leaders, but to learn from them, was one that wasn’t address well enough on the UFA market or trade return.

In 2008, Calgary and Darryl Sutter added Mike Cammalleri by trading his first rounder, the 17th overall pick (which was used to select Jake Gardiner) and his 2009 2nd round pick.

In 2009, the Flames knowing they were already missing a 2nd rounder, and picking at slot 20 (not the most desirable place)in the first round managed to add a pick from New Jersey in the 3rd round, if they were willing to move back a meager three places in the order. Not a bad way to pick up an additional pick? That “additional” pick was actually a replacement pick, as Calgary didn’t have a 3rd rounder since they earlier had sent it to the Flyers for Jim Vandermeer.

In 2010, the Flames did not pick until the third round. They traded their first for Olli Jokinen, and the second for Rene Bourque.

The 2011 draft was one were the Flames went looking for offensive skill and took three forwards in the first four who were all undersized with only one close to the 180lbs. It could have been that the scouting staff clearly knew there was lack of high end skill inside the organization and tried to focus on that aspect.
Without me naming any of the three, it was clear that none had even close to a 200 foot game, and the first rounder that year was just sent down because of that and the fact that they rushed him into a NHL role without the roster containing the player elements that would help support such an ascension.

In 2012 the Flames were willing drop seven spots because they locked in on a certain long shot prospect, and gain a second. To me, this was a miscalculated gamble when you look at the prospects that were chosen in the slots between 14 & 21. (Tomas Hertl, Tuevo Teravainen, Tom Wilson, for example)

All drafts are not equal and it is important for teams to understand where the various tiers start and end. The Flames staff needed be fairly certain that both that 21st pick and the 42nd were going to eventually make their hockey team, because the guy they would have gotten at 14 was.

Surely the prospects that were taken in the 2013 draft cannot be look at as poor selections at this point. All had good size and promise. The Flames finally were on the path that successful teams take. Coping with the lack promising draft prospects missing during that five years drought is still going to continue to be a monumental task because the patches of maturing 22, 23, and 24 year olds are not in the farm getting ready to make the jump. And we all know to add some from other organizations via trades repeats the very cycle that has gotten where they are.

This was not the fault of one person, and obviously strong scouting at the amateur and professional levels is the first step, so that all new deals and new signings must be ones that support the growth of the few youngsters they have, while continuing to build a team with a no quit work ethic and the beginnings of a qualitative jump in results.

I just saw on TSN where the fans felt the Flames rebuild was an easier on that the Sabres. To me, the difference is the Sabres have many more prospects in the system that at very least will get a chance to bring filler for the gaps at the bottom end while they attempt to improve. The Flames unfortunately have fewer.
- wiz1901

Very true!

And I hate you!

Very true!

And I hate you!
- whipper334

Don't hate me.

I was one in the minority when all the "draft experts" tried to place catagorize Monahan as a second tier draft pick, argued that in an average draft year he was a top three pick. It was only the unusual thickness to last year's crop that had him last as long as he did.


This was my profile of Emile Poirier prior to the draft and I had him going to Montreal by the 4th pick in the second, mostly because he a late bloomer who teams might not elevate to a late first round status but he certainly was worthy of it:
200 foot scoring wing was late birthday who displays good feet. excellent vision, good puck shielding skills, and quick hands. He has battled through many injuries and hasn't shown that offensive upside to the extent that he is capable. Really excellent instincts and superbs hands and wrister. A power player who never stops working, with commitment and smart play everywhere. Plays tough. The only area he needs work in is on one on one battles, but he is instinctive in most phases of the game. Some might cap his offensive upside, but I see an NHL power player in the making.

I was asked to appear on a Toronto based radio show called Norn at Night but they asked me to come prepared to justify the Flames picks.

I was fortunate the Flames and I liked the same players and felt they were really good long term investments. Norm did try and engage me in the Hunter Shinkaruk vs. Emile Poirier and Morgan Klimchuk debate, and as much as I loved what Shinkaruk has shown he could bring I totally understand why the bigger Poirier was chosen.
And as much as I feel the Flames would have been hard-pressed when the thrid pick came around because Shinkaruk truly should have been gone by that 28th overall slot, Klimchuck is a sniper too, albeit more of a North-South skater who has an elite level shot.

In a strong draft with both all top three tiers being thick, the Flames were smart to go forward because they will be the ready quicker.

You can go look at all this old news at www.DraftSite.com or take a look at my profiles of the first four rounds in this weak 2014 crop:

http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2014/

Don't hate me.

I was one in the minority when all the "draft experts" tried to place catagorize Monahan as a second tier draft pick, argued that in an average draft year he was a top three pick. It was only the unusual thickness to last year's crop that had him last as long as he did.


This was my profile of Emile Poirier prior to the draft and I had him going to Montreal by the 4th pick in the second, mostly because he a late bloomer who teams might not elevate to a late first round status but he certainly was worthy of it:
200 foot scoring wing was late birthday who displays good feet. excellent vision, good puck shielding skills, and quick hands. He has battled through many injuries and hasn't shown that offensive upside to the extent that he is capable. Really excellent instincts and superbs hands and wrister. A power player who never stops working, with commitment and smart play everywhere. Plays tough. The only area he needs work in is on one on one battles, but he is instinctive in most phases of the game. Some might cap his offensive upside, but I see an NHL power player in the making.

I was asked to appear on a Toronto based radio show called Norn at Night but they asked me to come prepared to justify the Flames picks.

I was fortunate the Flames and I liked the same players and felt they were really good long term investments. Norm did try and engage me in the Hunter Shinkaruk vs. Emile Poirier and Morgan Klimchuk debate, and as much as I loved what Shinkaruk has shown he could bring I totally understand why the bigger Poirier was chosen.
And as much as I feel the Flames would have been hard-pressed when the thrid pick came around because Shinkaruk truly should have been gone by that 28th overall slot, Klimchuck is a sniper too, albeit more of a North-South skater who has an elite level shot.

In a strong draft with both all top three tiers being thick, the Flames were smart to go forward because they will be the ready quicker.

You can go look at all this old news at www.DraftSite.com or take a look at my profiles of the first four rounds in this weak 2014 crop:

http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2014/
- wiz1901

Thank you for the posts- they are very insightful and honest. Oh, and
for the Ritchie mock pick. Seems likely spot Calgary will pick at, and a perfect Burkie player (to replenish our weak RW pool)

Thank you for the posts- they are very insightful and honest. Oh, and
for the Ritchie mock pick. Seems likely spot Calgary will pick at, and a perfect Burkie player (to replenish our weak RW pool)
- FLflames34

At this point in my life I have seem so many games and have no problem watching without biased against or for my favorite club. It is easy to hate or love guys but I have found that team sport means more than one guy makes things work or fail.

I actually ranked all the 400 players eligible as if I was the only team picking, so it just turned out that right now that was a perfect Burkie fit.

I really don't start trying to match up players to teams until a week or so prior to the draft.
The site owner goes in every week or so and adjusts teams to spots where they would be picking as of the Sunday he is doing the adjusting.

I told him about two weeks ago, he could put up the fifth round because I wouldn't be embarrassing myself with the names I had in it. But after 150 guys I start to get lost in how the thin crop has me guessing.

Last year had lots of guys to chose from and the middle thirds picks were still intriguing promising guys, where this year all the defenseman are not looking like top pairing players and the ones that will be taken in the first round are more promising developmental projects. The forwards might be safer choices but it not like there is a large group that are close to polished.
So so many in this class are missing parts haven't reached their promise, or are just not there in terms of playing well thought out 200 foot junior games.

So this one will be a whole lot about the NHL scouting teams feeling they know that the guy they take CAN progress.

...now in 2014 there is that strong top and a very thick 2nd & third tier not unlike 2012.

At this point in my life I have seem so many games and have no problem watching without biased against or for my favorite club. It is easy to hate or love guys but I have found that team sport means more than one guy makes things work or fail.

I actually ranked all the 400 players eligible as if I was the only team picking, so it just turned out that right now that was a perfect Burkie fit.

I really don't start trying to match up players to teams until a week or so prior to the draft.
The site owner goes in every week or so and adjusts teams to spots where they would be picking as of the Sunday he is doing the adjusting.

I told him about two weeks ago, he could put up the fifth round because I wouldn't be embarrassing myself with the names I had in it. But after 150 guys I start to get lost in how the thin crop has me guessing.

Last year had lots of guys to chose from and the middle thirds picks were still intriguing promising guys, where this year all the defenseman are not looking like top pairing players and the ones that will be taken in the first round are more promising developmental projects. The forwards might be safer choices but it not like there is a large group that are close to polished.
So so many in this class are missing parts haven't reached their promise, or are just not there in terms of playing well thought out 200 foot junior games.

So this one will be a whole lot about the NHL scouting teams feeling they know that the guy they take CAN progress.

...now in 2014 there is that strong top and a very thick 2nd & third tier not unlike 2012.
- wiz1901

I wonder if you're one of Bob Mackenzie's secret scouts..

also, that right there is why Byron stayed and Baertschi didn't. He's proved to be more responsible than baertschi and is producing points. Size has little to do with why he went down.

also, that right there is why Byron stayed and Baertschi didn't. He's proved to be more responsible than baertschi and is producing points. Size has little to do with why he went down.
- Talking_hockey1

I was thinking the same thing watching the game. Baert is clearly more talented than Byron, but only one has shown heart all 60m of a game. If Byron plays that way nightly, he has earned off the 4th line and Baert is buried until an injury or offseason. Also, Galiardi minus well be traded or waived. At this point, he is just clogging up the toilet. Glad he was scratched today. D Jones....well....he needs to do better.

I just love watching Hudler play , even when he doesn't get pts. Not his fault teammates fan on perfect passes (Stemp) .I know he isn't a proto Burke player, but of all the vets, I hope he stays for the rebuild. his skill is something else[url]

Don't hate me.

I was one in the minority when all the "draft experts" tried to place catagorize Monahan as a second tier draft pick, argued that in an average draft year he was a top three pick. It was only the unusual thickness to last year's crop that had him last as long as he did.


This was my profile of Emile Poirier prior to the draft and I had him going to Montreal by the 4th pick in the second, mostly because he a late bloomer who teams might not elevate to a late first round status but he certainly was worthy of it:
200 foot scoring wing was late birthday who displays good feet. excellent vision, good puck shielding skills, and quick hands. He has battled through many injuries and hasn't shown that offensive upside to the extent that he is capable. Really excellent instincts and superbs hands and wrister. A power player who never stops working, with commitment and smart play everywhere. Plays tough. The only area he needs work in is on one on one battles, but he is instinctive in most phases of the game. Some might cap his offensive upside, but I see an NHL power player in the making.

I was asked to appear on a Toronto based radio show called Norn at Night but they asked me to come prepared to justify the Flames picks.

I was fortunate the Flames and I liked the same players and felt they were really good long term investments. Norm did try and engage me in the Hunter Shinkaruk vs. Emile Poirier and Morgan Klimchuk debate, and as much as I loved what Shinkaruk has shown he could bring I totally understand why the bigger Poirier was chosen.
And as much as I feel the Flames would have been hard-pressed when the thrid pick came around because Shinkaruk truly should have been gone by that 28th overall slot, Klimchuck is a sniper too, albeit more of a North-South skater who has an elite level shot.

In a strong draft with both all top three tiers being thick, the Flames were smart to go forward because they will be the ready quicker.

You can go look at all this old news at www.DraftSite.com or take a look at my profiles of the first four rounds in this weak 2014 crop:

http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2014/
- wiz1901

Thanks dude! Very insightful stuff.

Butler money again in OT

I was thinking the same thing watching the game. Baert is clearly more talented than Byron, but only one has shown heart all 60m of a game. If Byron plays that way nightly, he has earned off the 4th line and Baert is buried until an injury or offseason. Also, Galiardi minus well be traded or waived. At this point, he is just clogging up the toilet. Glad he was scratched today. D Jones....well....he needs to do better.

I just love watching Hudler play , even when he doesn't get pts. Not his fault teammates fan on perfect passes (Stemp) .I know he isn't a proto Burke player, but of all the vets, I hope he stays for the rebuild. his skill is something else
- FLflames34[url]

TBH if I had to choose i'd take Galliardi over Jones, better cap hit for a player that puts in a lot more effort. I think his back was acting up again, i believe (from what i've read) thats the main reason he sat today. But i couldn't agree more, Byron is earning it for sure.

TBH if I had to choose i'd take Galliardi over Jones, better cap hit for a player that puts in a lot more effort. I think his back was acting up again, i believe (from what i've read) thats the main reason he sat today. But i couldn't agree more, Byron is earning it for sure.
- Talking_hockey1

Unfortunately he has a terrible cap hit. I just hope he does better in a larger role once some of the vets are traded. He does gave size and a killer shot. Just sucks with puck presence.

Unfortunately he has a terrible cap hit. I just hope he does better in a larger role once some of the vets are traded. He does gave size and a killer shot. Just sucks with puck presence.
- FLflames34

True, but you rarely see it. I think out of anybody on the team, he is the least noticeable on a nightly basis (Jones that is). Maybe i'm wrong, but when's the last time you've actually seen him use his size effectively? He's got the body of a physical player but he plays less physically then Byron, who's half his size. Maybe you're right and he excels once other players are gone. I'd hope so at least.

Although how burke made things sound, he's not down with trading everybody and starting from scratch. He wants to accelerate the rebuild so that could mean bad things for both players.

I was thinking the same thing watching the game. Baert is clearly more talented than Byron, but only one has shown heart all 60m of a game. If Byron plays that way nightly, he has earned off the 4th line and Baert is buried until an injury or offseason. Also, Galiardi minus well be traded or waived. At this point, he is just clogging up the toilet. Glad he was scratched today. D Jones....well....he needs to do better.

I just love watching Hudler play , even when he doesn't get pts. Not his fault teammates fan on perfect passes (Stemp) .I know he isn't a proto Burke player, but of all the vets, I hope he stays for the rebuild. his skill is something else
- FLflames34[url]

Stempers puck control was terrible today. I cringed watching him try and carry the puck.

Stempers puck control was terrible today. I cringed watching him try and carry the puck.
- Ol_Boy_Wop

He is from Buff. Maybe an ex f ed with him before the game

He is from Buff. Maybe an ex f ed with him before the game
- FLflames34

That's the only explanation that makes any sense to me!

True, but you rarely see it. I think out of anybody on the team, he is the least noticeable on a nightly basis (Jones that is). Maybe i'm wrong, but when's the last time you've actually seen him use his size effectively? He's got the body of a physical player but he plays less physically then Byron, who's half his size. Maybe you're right and he excels once other players are gone. I'd hope so at least.

Although how burke made things sound, he's not down with trading everybody and starting from scratch. He wants to accelerate the rebuild so that could mean bad things for both players.
- Talking_hockey1

He injured Franzen last time we played the Wings. Stepped out of the box and crushed him.