Todd Cordell: Draft Lottery Not Too Kind To The Calgary Flames

Fist

I don't believe where we landed is as bad as everyone seems to think. It was probably best case scenario for how how the picks in front of us ended up. The Oilers and Canucks falling outside the top 3 increases our chances of seeing Tkatchuk or Dubois at #6. Both these teams would prefer a defenseman, and Juolevi and Chyrynun are still solid picks within the top 5. I believe we will get our pick of either Tkatchuk/Dubois, Nylander or the defensemen mentioned above.

The Oilers will be shopping their pick for a NHL ready RHD. All the top D prospects are LHD so it does them not much good. And I think Vancouver will be fine with taking the BPA at this stage of their retool.

The Oilers will be shopping their pick for a NHL ready RHD. All the top D prospects are LHD so it does them not much good. And I think Vancouver will be fine with taking the BPA at this stage of their retool.
- wreckage

Top 8 will be all BPA.

A retool? Is that what they're calling it?

Top 8 will be all BPA.

A retool? Is that what they're calling it?
- fry

Better than being called a tool like Brian Burke.

Better than being called a tool like Brian Burke.
- hunter3333

Wow, good one. Take that sweet burn home so your mom can put it up on the fridge.

i just wanted to see peter chiarelli beat the crap outta brian burke if the flames won..lol

As a flames fan, you have to be happy the team that won behind us in the standings was Winnipeg. The only dilemma they have is which Finn to pick. Oh and the Canucks that's tough

Thoughts on these mock drafts?

Two of the 4 writers have Edmonton picking the Dman
http://flames.nhl.com/club/m_page.htm?id=112566

Thoughts on these mock drafts?

Two of the 4 writers have Edmonton picking the Dman
http://flames.nhl.com/club/m_page.htm?id=112566
- cpltanto

Hah I would laugh my ass off if the Oil took Chychrun. Overrated.

Top 8 will be all BPA.

A retool? Is that what they're calling it?
- fry

Sure, BPA. But not what you or I or even what the consensus think is the BPA. It'll be what each team thinks is their own top 8-10 etc. If Vancouver values one of the D higher than any available fwd, who do you think they'll pick? If they rank a fwd and D the same, they'll go with greatest need which in my opinion would be D. But, maybe they see Dubois as a potential top line C and they value that more. We just need 1 team ahead of us to value a D man ahead of Dubois or Tkachuk and we get the winger we need. Still hoping for Dubois.

Sure, BPA. But not what you or I or even what the consensus think is the BPA. It'll be what each team thinks is their own top 8-10 etc. If Vancouver values one of the D higher than any available fwd, who do you think they'll pick? If they rank a fwd and D the same, they'll go with greatest need which in my opinion would be D. But, maybe they see Dubois as a potential top line C and they value that more. We just need 1 team ahead of us to value a D man ahead of Dubois or Tkachuk and we get the winger we need. Still hoping for Dubois.
- TandA4Flames

Should be noted that Burke was talking a lot about how, outside of the top three, any player they take will need a couple years before they're ready.

I get your point that lists differ. Hell, we've disagreed on our own lists plenty these last few weeks. Adressing current needs with players that may only get their first shot in two years is tough. Power forwards especially need a bit more development than the average prospect.

Hah I would laugh my ass off if the Oil took Chychrun. Overrated.
- fry

I know points isn't everything, but it's not mindblowing for Chychrun
49 points in 62 games

in comparison Rasmus Andersson had 64 points in 67 games in his draft year

I mean Chychurn might be a slightly better well-rounded defender and maybe more physical according to eliteprospects.com, but it's making me feel even more confident that we have our own top blue-line prospect in Andersson

No Finn really hurts. Would've been so nice to get a top 6 forward instantly at the draft then sign a goalie.

No Finn really hurts. Would've been so nice to get a top 6 forward instantly at the draft then sign a goalie.
- bigbear89

Agreed. And in saying that, the real question now becomes, how do the Flames add 2 top nine RW by the start of the season? The draft pick will be talked to death until late June but I hope Todd's next blog discusses what to do now. Whoever gets picked at 6 will need a couple of years at least to become NHL ready.

So, 2 RW by Sept. Trade for 1, sign 1 in FA and/or promote one? BT hasn't shown that he's comfortable hoping a prospect stands out at camp do suspect he'll find 2 with the other 2 methods.

I'll get ripped but I still see 2 ways CGY could possibly accomplish this. 1. Trade with DAL to get a goalie and Nuke- something like Wideman, Colborne and a 2nd perhaps. 2. Trade with MIN to take Pomminville's (a RW) awful contract back and ask for Coyle as well. I'm not sure what we would have to send back but MIN is in serious cap trouble and dumping Pommer would seriously help them. Also, I've read that Vanek is a buy out option for them. He could be an option.

Agreed. And in saying that, the real question now becomes, how do the Flames add 2 top nine RW by the start of the season? The draft pick will be talked to death until late June but I hope Todd's next blog discusses what to do now. Whoever gets picked at 6 will need a couple of years at least to become NHL ready.

So, 2 RW by Sept. Trade for 1, sign 1 in FA and/or promote one? BT hasn't shown that he's comfortable hoping a prospect stands out at camp do suspect he'll find 2 with the other 2 methods.

I'll get ripped but I still see 2 ways CGY could possibly accomplish this. 1. Trade with DAL to get a goalie and Nuke- something like Wideman, Colborne and a 2nd perhaps. 2. Trade with MIN to take Pomminville's (a RW) awful contract back and ask for Coyle as well. I'm not sure what we would have to send back but MIN is in serious cap trouble and dumping Pommer would seriously help them. Also, I've read that Vanek is a buy out option for them. He could be an option.
- TandA4Flames

Just spitballing, but do you think we would consider JVR & Leafs 2nd (31st) for the #6 pick so they can unite the Nylander brothers? Curious. JVR would slot in with Bennett pretty nice.

Just spitballing, but do you think we would consider JVR & Leafs 2nd (31st) for the #6 pick so they can unite the Nylander brothers? Curious. JVR would slot in with Bennett pretty nice.
- Kevin R

Possible. I think it would depend on who's left on the board at #6. Personally I would want another 1st, maybe PIT's 1st which should be a late 1st. We would likely have to add as well. I agree though, JVR would be a good addition to Bennett; already a bit of a vet with top 6 skill and a decent contract. Would they do #6 and #35 for JVR and #20...something? I don't know. What do you think?

JVR's at the top of my wishlist so I hope a deal could be made for him

Man does those drafts really add the excitement. I could have sworn Edmonton was going to beat us out for a minute there.

Kind of neat that when the first three numbers were pulled that only the number 13 (Sundin's number) was going to give us the lottery win. Very cool.

Possible. I think it would depend on who's left on the board at #6. Personally I would want another 1st, maybe PIT's 1st which should be a late 1st. We would likely have to add as well. I agree though, JVR would be a good addition to Bennett; already a bit of a vet with top 6 skill and a decent contract. Would they do #6 and #35 for JVR and #20...something? I don't know. What do you think?
- TandA4Flames

Very interesting offer. Depending who is available and who the Leafs covet this is definitely possible. The only thing I don't like is that the Leafs will give up a proven top line player for a pick with no guarantee of becoming a player as good as JVR, not taking into account the pick swap.

I think JVR for #6 is fair but would only happen if the Flames prefer JVR over ALL remaining players AND if the Leafs prefer the prospect available at #6. Not likely to happen, would have to be a bigger deal IMO.

Man does those drafts really add the excitement. I could have sworn Edmonton was going to beat us out for a minute there.

Kind of neat that when the first three numbers were pulled that only the number 13 (Sundin's number) was going to give us the lottery win. Very cool.
- Steven_Dean

Remember if EDM woulda won, Brian Burke said he was going to beat the crap outta somebody. So we missed out on that

Remember if EDM woulda won, Brian Burke said he was going to beat the crap outta somebody. So we missed out on that
- DeflatedPucks

Which is why they were my second choice to win the lottery. Would have been hilarious.

If Dubois is somehow left we could really use him tho. He's like a jamie benn type player.

If Dubois is somehow left we could really use him tho. He's like a jamie benn type player.
- bigbear89

Yeah if any of the top 5 projected prospects drop then Calgary will get another HUGE piece. I'd say 50% chance that he drops to you. Both Edmonton and Vancouver need a defenceman more than a winger (excluding Laine & Puljujarvi of course).

I suspect if Calgary if willing to give up another good asset Edmonton will gladly trade down to number 6 for you. Only issue there is it likely costs one of Kylington or Wotherspoon or 2-3 of your 2nd round picks. Might be worth standing pat and taking the chance.