The Missing Word in C-Town

P-R-O-S-P-E-C-T : anticipation; expectation; a looking forward.

It’s been a tough go for our Calgary Flames when the word prospect comes up, words like disappointment and phrases like, ‘how’d we let him go’, are usually front and centre. The trend continued this summer, when top prospect, Tim Erixon, who the Flames selected 23rd overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, refused to sign his entry level contract with the Flames, handcuffing GM Jay Feaster and forcing him to deal Erixon to the New York Rangers. Erixon was by far and away the Flames top prospect. Rated 15th in the Hockey News’ top 50 prospects in the NHL, Erixon is a steady two-way defenseman who should have challenged for a spot on the Flames’ blue line next season. In my eyes, the Flames, or I should say Feester, could really only do so much in this situation and I do give him credit for getting two 2nd round draft picks (45th and 57th overall) and prospect Roman Horak in return. I question the Flames scouting staff and then GM Darryl Sutter on drafting Erixon in the first place. How, with all the testing, scouting, interviewing etc, would something so important (not wanting to play in the organization) slip through is beyond me. Never the less, Darryl is gone but there is even more pressure on this scouting staff to make sure this year’s draft produces some excitement when the word prospect is brought up around Calgary.



The Flames will select 13th overall in this year’s draft, which will be their highest selection since they drafted Dion Phaneuf, 9th overall back in 2003. This year’s draft has consensus top 8 or 9 players and after that, it’s a bit of a crab shoot, not to say there aren’t some quality prospects to pick from in the first round. In my mind, if the Flames want any of these 9 players, they would have to trade up in order to get them:



Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Gabriel Landeskog

Jonathan Huberdeau

Adam Larsson

Mika Zibanejad

Sean Courtier

Ryan Strome

Dougie Hamilton

Ryan Murphy


That leaves the Flames with a whole bunch of other guys to pick from. In my mock draft, I predicted that the Minnesota Wild would select LW Sven Bartschi with the 10th pick, the Colorado Avalanche would select G Christopher Gibson with the 11th pick and the Carolina Hurricanes would select RW Joel Armina with the 12th pick. Of the three, I would say only Bartschi and Armina would be on the Flames radar at 13. I then predicted the Flames would select C Mark McNeill with the 13th overall pick, which in my eyes is the perfect pick. Here is the rundown of Bartschi, Armina and McNeill along with a couple other players who could be available and who I think would be worthy of the 13th overall pick.
Sven Bartschi, LW- Portland (WHL), 5-10, 175, NHL Central Scouting- #7 N.A.

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A very talented forward, who has great hands, great vision and great hockey sense. Bartschi came over from Switzerland to play the in WHL alongside fellow countryman and New York Islanders 1st round draft pick, Nino Nierderreiter. Bartschi doesn’t have many flaws in his game, but many wonder if he might be one of the players who slide. Projected as an offensive forward.

Joel Armina, RW- Assat (Fin), 6-3, 191. NHL Central Scouting- #4 EURO

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Playing in Finland’s top league, SM-liiga with Assat, Armina is every GM’s dream with his size and willingness to put the puck on net. Armina struggled at the World Juniors but was one of the top scorers with Assat playing against men. Armina is projected as a goal-scoring forward.

Mark McNeill, C- Prince Albert (WHL), 6-1, 204, NHL Central Scouting- #14 N.A.

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One of the most developed players in the draft, McNeill has scouts excited on how strong he is. McNeill has great hockey sense and composure which along with his physical play has pro game written all over him. Scouts have compared him to a Ryan Getzlaf or Bobby Ryan as McNeill can also play the wing. McNeill is projected as a versatile power forward.

Mark Scheifele, C- Barrie (OHL), 6-2, 177, NHL Central Scouting- #16 N.A.

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Playing on a very weak Colts team, who only managed 15 wins, Scheifele was consistently matched against other team’s top players and still put up a very respectable 75 points. Scheifele has good hand and playmaking skills. Bob McKenzie compared him to Ryan Johansen of the Columbus Blue Jackets as a player who came out of nowhere and made an impact in his draft year. Scheifele only has one year of major junior under his belt as he played junior b the season before last. Projected as a power forward.
Nathan Beaulieu, D- Saint John (QMJHL), 6-2, 185, NHL Central Scouting- #5 N.A.

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Puck-moving defensemen are extremely valuable in today’s NHL and Beaulieu fits the bill. Growing over the summer, Beaulieu did nothing but impress this season, starring in the CHL Top Prospects game, the QMJHL playoffs and the Memorial Cup, helping his Sea Dogs to the championship. Beaulieu will have to fill out and adjust to his added height but is projected as a very solid two-way defenseman.
Jonas Brodin, D- Farjestad (Swe), 6-1, 165, NHL Central Scouting- #3 EURO

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Brodin struggled against men in Swedish top league but he also played on the best team. Brodin is a great skater who has great confidence with the puck which helped him excel at the World Juniors. Brodin can be called upon to play lots of minutes and is considered a safe pick in this year’s draft. Brodin has a lot of upside and should transition into a solid two-way defenseman in the NHL.
Zach Phillips, C- Saint John (QMJHL), 6-1, 181, NHL Central Scouting- #15 N.A.

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Phillips is one of the most gifted offensive players in the draft. An increase of 50 points this past season with the Sea Dogs has him in the top 10 on some scouts lists. What will probably keep him out of the top 10 in this draft is his skating. Phillips has been compared to Jarrett Stoll with more offensive upside and is projected as a goal-scoring forward.
The list of possible players the Flames could pick at 13 goes on and on but in my mind, those are the top 7 players that I think the Flames should consider drafting. If I had to order them from 1 to 7, it would go, McNeill, Scheifele, Bartschi, Brodin, Beaulieu, Armina, and Phillips.
Is there any chance the Flames could deal the pick? In my mind unless they can trade up or get a legitimate/proven top 6 forward, I would hang onto the pick. If the Flames were to trade up, they do have those two, 2nd round draft picks in play but not a lot of prospects or players on the roster with much value, so I don’t think many teams would bite. Names such as Jeff Carter and Mike Richards are rumoured to possibly be on the trading block and who would look awfully good wearing the Flaming C. In order for the Flames to acquire either of those players, the 13th overall pick would most certainly be going the other way, as well as a top prospect (T.J Brodie, Greg Nemisz) and probably a roster player to even out the cap hit. In my mind I don’t see that as a possibility either. Like I mentioned before, it seems to be in the best interest of the organization to hang onto the 13th overall pick and the two, 2nd round picks to revamp an empty farm system and to add depth to the organization.



Finally, this draft is even more important as the Flames were forced to deal Erixon away, GM Feaster and the scouting staff better make sure those two 2nd round picks they got in return pay off for the club. Here are some names to look for when the Flames select 45th and 57th overall.



Daniel Catenacci, C- S.S. Marie (OHL), 5-10, 176, NHL Central Scouting- #37 N.A.

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- Plays game at high speed with the ability to make plays, compared to Mike Cammalleri

Stuart Percy, D- Mississauga (OHL), 6-1, 184, NHL Central Scouting- #53 N.A.

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- Mobile defenseman, who moves the puck well, has to be more aggressive.

J.T. Miller, C- U.S. NTDP, 6-1, 198, NHL Central Scouting- #23 N.A.

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- Great work ethic and willingness to go to the net on a consistent basis has him projected as a checking-line forward.

Alexander Khokhlachev, C- Windsor, 5-10, 188, NHL Central Scouting- #29 N.A.

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- Said to be a hard working kid with strong character and skill. Compared to Marc Savard offensively, projects him as a two-way forward.

Vincent Trocheck, C- Saginaw (OHL), 5-10, 184, NHL Central Scouting- #41 N.A.

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- Has great competiveness and good touch around the net. Isn’t the biggest guy but has great hockey IQ which should translate to a playmaking forward.



Overall, I’m excited for this draft. It is said to be one with no super stars in it (i.e. Crosby, Ovechkin) but it does have a lot of depth. For the Flames, like I have mentioned twice before, this is a very important draft for them and one that could help their farm system and organizational depth. I’m sure GM Jay Feaster is feeling the pressure as he looks to put his stamp on the Flames in his first draft as General Manager.

- Nick Symon, Guest blogger

thesportsroundup@gmail.com

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