MatthewFlames
Registered User
FLAMES DRAFT REVIEW
1. 10th Overall: Mikael Backlund (Vasteras – SWE)
NHL DRAFT: Calgary Flames – 24th Overall (-14)
After failing to move up into the top five, Calgary used the last of it’s two ‘Kovalchuk’ 1st rounders (in 08 & 09) to move up to 10th spot to take Backlund. It’s well known that the Calgary GM, Matthew Kershaw, has coveted the player since he won the MVP at the Mac’s midget tournament in Calgary a few seasons ago. The unlucky knee injury (which does not effect his ligaments) probably dropped him in both drafts but the Flames feel they have one of the best 5 players available in the draft.
2. 25th Overall: Michael Repik (Vancouver, WHL)
NHL DRAFT: Florida Panthers – 40th Overall (-15)
The Flames always had Repik targeted, though it was in the 2nd round, until his amazing play-off run convinced them that he had the physical grit to overcome his size (5’10”) and won’t be a perimeter player. Has all the elements to be a top 6 forward in the NHL down the road. Some compare him to Milan Hejduk.
3. 49th Overall (2nd Round): Anton Strallman (Toronto, NHL)
NHL DRAFT: Toronto Maple Leafs - #216 in 2004
Although the Flames don’t believe in the Nick Lidstrom comparisons or the hype, they needed a smart puck moving defenseman, and believed that Strallman was the best option at 49, and that he could have a good future in the new NHL.
4. 79th Overall (3rd Round): Alex Killorn (USHS)
NHL DRAFT: Tampa Bay Lightning - #77 (+2)
Hockey Sense, good hands and skating equal a prospect with a bright future. This Halifax born Quebecer has taken an unorthodox route for a Canadian player. Will attend Harvard after another season at Deerfield. Was the youngest player available in the 2007 draft. The Flames usually love players whose stock is rising fast come draft day and Killorn was one of those players.
5. 92nd Overall (4th Round): Eric Tangradi (OHL)
NHL DRAFT: Anaheim Ducks - #42 (+50)
*This pick is still in negotiations.
6. 107th Overall (4th Round) Sebastian Erixon (SWE)
UNDRAFTED
Another very young player, Erixon has an excellent all around game. He’s mobile and has good puck skills. He was probably passed over in the NHL draft because of his smaller stature, young age, and the new requirement to sign Euro’s to a pro contract within a two year period.
7. 109th Overall (4th Round) Joe Lavin (US U-18)
NHL DRAFT – Chicago Blackhawks 126th (-17)
The Flames like Lavin’s skating ability, NHL size and his solid two way play. Last season seemed to prove that Lavin doesn’t have much offensive upside to his game, but the Flames still think he has good puck skills. Will attend Providence College.
8. 141th (5th Round) Colton Sceviour (WHL)
NHL DRAFT – Dallas Stars 112th (+29)
The Flames had a feeling that Sceviour would fall and are lucky to have grabbed him. His career has been full of ups and downs, overcoming injuries and struggling to perform on a very bad team. The Flames like his upside as a 2nd line player. Look for the player to blossom as Portland rebuilds.
9. 150th (5th Round) Maxim Isaev (RUS)
UNDRAFTED
A good sized defenseman with good skating and puck skills, it was a surprise that he wasn’t drafted, especially since several scouting agencies and hockey authorities (THN) ranked Isaev in the top 100. Isaev had been on the Flames radar since his 7 point performance at the 2006 World Junior A Challenge. More will be found out about Isaev during this years international tournaments.
10. 208th (7th Round) Ondrej Rusnak (SVK)
UNDRAFTED
There’s little offensive upside to Rusnak, but he’s a big body at 6’3”, a good skater with excellent mobility. A defensive minded forward.
FLAMES TOP 21 PROSPECTS
1) Wojtek Wolski - in the NHL
2) Steve Downie
3) Devin Setoguchi
4) Mikael Backlund
5) Patrik Berglund
6) Andrej Sekera
7) Bryce Swan
8) Artem Anisimov
9) David Moss - in the NHL
10) Alexandre Picard - in the NHL
11) Brandon Bochenski - in the NHL
12) Andrew Alberts - in the NHL
13) Daniel Girardi - in the NHL
14) Michael Repik
15) Riley Hozapfel
16) Lauri Korpikoski
17) Lukas Kaspar
18) Scott Jackson
19) Ondrej Fiala
20) David Kveton
21) Anton Stralman
1. 10th Overall: Mikael Backlund (Vasteras – SWE)
NHL DRAFT: Calgary Flames – 24th Overall (-14)
After failing to move up into the top five, Calgary used the last of it’s two ‘Kovalchuk’ 1st rounders (in 08 & 09) to move up to 10th spot to take Backlund. It’s well known that the Calgary GM, Matthew Kershaw, has coveted the player since he won the MVP at the Mac’s midget tournament in Calgary a few seasons ago. The unlucky knee injury (which does not effect his ligaments) probably dropped him in both drafts but the Flames feel they have one of the best 5 players available in the draft.
2. 25th Overall: Michael Repik (Vancouver, WHL)
NHL DRAFT: Florida Panthers – 40th Overall (-15)
The Flames always had Repik targeted, though it was in the 2nd round, until his amazing play-off run convinced them that he had the physical grit to overcome his size (5’10”) and won’t be a perimeter player. Has all the elements to be a top 6 forward in the NHL down the road. Some compare him to Milan Hejduk.
3. 49th Overall (2nd Round): Anton Strallman (Toronto, NHL)
NHL DRAFT: Toronto Maple Leafs - #216 in 2004
Although the Flames don’t believe in the Nick Lidstrom comparisons or the hype, they needed a smart puck moving defenseman, and believed that Strallman was the best option at 49, and that he could have a good future in the new NHL.
4. 79th Overall (3rd Round): Alex Killorn (USHS)
NHL DRAFT: Tampa Bay Lightning - #77 (+2)
Hockey Sense, good hands and skating equal a prospect with a bright future. This Halifax born Quebecer has taken an unorthodox route for a Canadian player. Will attend Harvard after another season at Deerfield. Was the youngest player available in the 2007 draft. The Flames usually love players whose stock is rising fast come draft day and Killorn was one of those players.
5. 92nd Overall (4th Round): Eric Tangradi (OHL)
NHL DRAFT: Anaheim Ducks - #42 (+50)
*This pick is still in negotiations.
6. 107th Overall (4th Round) Sebastian Erixon (SWE)
UNDRAFTED
Another very young player, Erixon has an excellent all around game. He’s mobile and has good puck skills. He was probably passed over in the NHL draft because of his smaller stature, young age, and the new requirement to sign Euro’s to a pro contract within a two year period.
7. 109th Overall (4th Round) Joe Lavin (US U-18)
NHL DRAFT – Chicago Blackhawks 126th (-17)
The Flames like Lavin’s skating ability, NHL size and his solid two way play. Last season seemed to prove that Lavin doesn’t have much offensive upside to his game, but the Flames still think he has good puck skills. Will attend Providence College.
8. 141th (5th Round) Colton Sceviour (WHL)
NHL DRAFT – Dallas Stars 112th (+29)
The Flames had a feeling that Sceviour would fall and are lucky to have grabbed him. His career has been full of ups and downs, overcoming injuries and struggling to perform on a very bad team. The Flames like his upside as a 2nd line player. Look for the player to blossom as Portland rebuilds.
9. 150th (5th Round) Maxim Isaev (RUS)
UNDRAFTED
A good sized defenseman with good skating and puck skills, it was a surprise that he wasn’t drafted, especially since several scouting agencies and hockey authorities (THN) ranked Isaev in the top 100. Isaev had been on the Flames radar since his 7 point performance at the 2006 World Junior A Challenge. More will be found out about Isaev during this years international tournaments.
10. 208th (7th Round) Ondrej Rusnak (SVK)
UNDRAFTED
There’s little offensive upside to Rusnak, but he’s a big body at 6’3”, a good skater with excellent mobility. A defensive minded forward.
FLAMES TOP 21 PROSPECTS
1) Wojtek Wolski - in the NHL
2) Steve Downie
3) Devin Setoguchi
4) Mikael Backlund
5) Patrik Berglund
6) Andrej Sekera
7) Bryce Swan
8) Artem Anisimov
9) David Moss - in the NHL
10) Alexandre Picard - in the NHL
11) Brandon Bochenski - in the NHL
12) Andrew Alberts - in the NHL
13) Daniel Girardi - in the NHL
14) Michael Repik
15) Riley Hozapfel
16) Lauri Korpikoski
17) Lukas Kaspar
18) Scott Jackson
19) Ondrej Fiala
20) David Kveton
21) Anton Stralman
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