MatthewFlames
Registered User
Following on from Sean's suggestion... To start the 2005 HFNHL Draft Review thread....
CALGARY FLAMES
14 1 Luc Bourdon
22 1 Devin Setoguchi
27 1 Radek Smolenak
31 2 Scott Jackson
82 3 Steve Downie
100 4 Andrew Kozek
152 5 Matt Butcher
165 6 Alex Stalock
214 7 Mark Fayne
This was the first draft where I had the Luongo/Kovalchuk compensatory picks.
STATS: 7 of the 9 picks still with the Flames (2 traded)
NHL: 5 of the 9 have played in the NHL. 3 of the remaining 4 are still above average NHL prospects.
1st Round, 14th overall – Luc Bourdon
NHL Draft: 1st round, 10th overall - Vancouver Canucks
Status: Traded & then Passed Away
NHL GAMES: 36
Bourdon was a Best Player Available pick, who I took not because I was enamoured but because I thought he'd slipped, and I turned him around in a trade (with Derek Morris) for Wolski & Umberger. Sadly his life was taken in a tragic accident. However there is little doubt in my mind that he'd have made a big impact in the NHL. He'd already overcome childhood arthritis and come back from a bad ankle injury to make the opening night roster of the Canucks as a 20 year old.
1st Round, 22nd overall - Devin Setoguchi
NHL Draft: 1st round 8th overall - San Jose Sharks
Status: NHL - 2nd line player, Budding 1st line player
NHL GAMES: 195
Setoguchi was a guy I wanted to take at 14 but waited and still got him. Had seen him in the WHL and really wanted him. Had a good rookie campaign of 44 games - followed by a 30+ goal season playing with Thornton. Took a step back offensively this season but is a better all around player and is learning how to impose himself physically. Hasn't been consistent in the playoffs this year, but when he's on he is imposing and difficult to play against. Always a threat to score. Should have a long career and will get back to that 30 goal plateau, maybe even more if Pavalski's development is honest or he gets back with Thornton or Heatley.
1st Round, 27th overall - Radek Smolenak
NHL Draft: 3rd Round, 73rd Overall - Tampa Bay
Status: AHL - Minor Leaguer who's had a cup of coffee (potential BUST given his draft position)
NHL GAMES: 7
This pick turned out to be a reach. I thought he'd overcome his shortcomings and that his offensive potential was real. Turns out that's he's made a name for himself as a difficult player to play against, with a lot of jam, and that got him a 6 game call up last season. Was picked up on waivers this season for a game with Chicago. There is an outside chance he'll make it as a 4th liner but his performance during a loan to Abbortsford this season showed a general disinterest. May bolt to Europe.
2nd Round, 31st overall - Scott Jackson
2nd Round, 37th overall - St. Louis
Status: PROSPECT (Potential 5-6 Dman with Lightning)
NHL GAMES: 1
I'm still pretty high on Jackson, and his development has been slow but sure, but he'll turn out to be what I expected. Played as an overager in the WHL, then had injuries which limited his rookie season (after St. Louis didn't offer him a contract and he was about to quit hockey, before Tampa stepped in). He really bounced back this year, his second as a pro, and was rewarded with his NHL debut. Using his size better (6'4 - 225). Will get a long look in camp next year.
3rd Round, 82nd overall - Steve Downie
1st Round, 29th overall - Philadelphia
Status: NHL - developing into a top 6 player
NHL Games: 140
Everyone knew that Downie had the talent, but I'm sure not many thought he'd become what he did this past season. And there is still more to come. He's still maturing and learning. Over the years I've had dozens upon dozens of offers, and some really good ones, but I've always held out hope. Was surprised he dropped this far - though nobody predicted he'd go in the first in the NHL. I bet Philly wishes they'd been more patient.
4th Round, 100th overall - Andrew Kozek
2nd Round, 53rd overall - Atlanta
Status: PROSPECT (Minor Leaguer (potential 3rd/4th line player))
NHL Games: 0
His offence never developed, but he showed as a rookie that he can hold his own despite a difficult first season as a pro this past year. He'll get another two years to see if he can develop into a role player at the NHL level. Probably the least likely to make it to the NHL, but as a 2nd round pick he'll get a real shot in Atlanta.
5th Round, 152nd overall - Matt Butcher
5th Round, 138th overall - Vancouver
Status: Traded
NHL Games: 0
Just completed his NCAA career. Had some nasty injuries to overcome but is still considered a prospect. As a Canuck, he was a sweetener in some deal with the man who will take any and all Canucks Prospects, Robb
6th Round, 165th overall - Alex Stalock
4th Round, 112th overall - San Jose
Status: PROSPECT (Potential NHL starter)
NHL Games: 0
Stalock ended his sensational rookie pro season by leading the AHL in wins with 39 (an AHL rookie record), 4 more than the next best goalie. He's developed very well after a great NCAA career which included taking his team past a slew of college powerhouses to the frozen four. If the Sharks dump Nabakov this off-season then Stalock could be an NHL back-up as early as next year. For a team known for developing goaltenders, Stalock continues that tradition. Could end up being the steal of the later rounds of this draft when all is said and done.
7th Round, 214th overall - Mark Fayne
5th Round, 155th overall - New Jersey
Status: PROSPECT
NHL Games: 0
Fayne just turned pro after his NCAA college career ended this spring. He's got good size, and showed that he can play on the powerplay, but its doubtful his offensive skills will translate as he steps up the levels. He should still make a solid defenseman down the road however. He just won the "Walter Brown" award for the best American born college hockey player in New England (Chris Drury and Ty Conklin are past winners).
OVERALL REVIEW - A+
Considering that there is still the possibility that every player in this draft could play in the NHL and that 4 of Calgarys top 6 forwards come from assets in this draft - it's safe to say this draft was a huge success who's true potential still hasn't been realized.
CALGARY FLAMES
14 1 Luc Bourdon
22 1 Devin Setoguchi
27 1 Radek Smolenak
31 2 Scott Jackson
82 3 Steve Downie
100 4 Andrew Kozek
152 5 Matt Butcher
165 6 Alex Stalock
214 7 Mark Fayne
This was the first draft where I had the Luongo/Kovalchuk compensatory picks.
STATS: 7 of the 9 picks still with the Flames (2 traded)
NHL: 5 of the 9 have played in the NHL. 3 of the remaining 4 are still above average NHL prospects.
1st Round, 14th overall – Luc Bourdon
NHL Draft: 1st round, 10th overall - Vancouver Canucks
Status: Traded & then Passed Away
NHL GAMES: 36
Bourdon was a Best Player Available pick, who I took not because I was enamoured but because I thought he'd slipped, and I turned him around in a trade (with Derek Morris) for Wolski & Umberger. Sadly his life was taken in a tragic accident. However there is little doubt in my mind that he'd have made a big impact in the NHL. He'd already overcome childhood arthritis and come back from a bad ankle injury to make the opening night roster of the Canucks as a 20 year old.
1st Round, 22nd overall - Devin Setoguchi
NHL Draft: 1st round 8th overall - San Jose Sharks
Status: NHL - 2nd line player, Budding 1st line player
NHL GAMES: 195
Setoguchi was a guy I wanted to take at 14 but waited and still got him. Had seen him in the WHL and really wanted him. Had a good rookie campaign of 44 games - followed by a 30+ goal season playing with Thornton. Took a step back offensively this season but is a better all around player and is learning how to impose himself physically. Hasn't been consistent in the playoffs this year, but when he's on he is imposing and difficult to play against. Always a threat to score. Should have a long career and will get back to that 30 goal plateau, maybe even more if Pavalski's development is honest or he gets back with Thornton or Heatley.
1st Round, 27th overall - Radek Smolenak
NHL Draft: 3rd Round, 73rd Overall - Tampa Bay
Status: AHL - Minor Leaguer who's had a cup of coffee (potential BUST given his draft position)
NHL GAMES: 7
This pick turned out to be a reach. I thought he'd overcome his shortcomings and that his offensive potential was real. Turns out that's he's made a name for himself as a difficult player to play against, with a lot of jam, and that got him a 6 game call up last season. Was picked up on waivers this season for a game with Chicago. There is an outside chance he'll make it as a 4th liner but his performance during a loan to Abbortsford this season showed a general disinterest. May bolt to Europe.
2nd Round, 31st overall - Scott Jackson
2nd Round, 37th overall - St. Louis
Status: PROSPECT (Potential 5-6 Dman with Lightning)
NHL GAMES: 1
I'm still pretty high on Jackson, and his development has been slow but sure, but he'll turn out to be what I expected. Played as an overager in the WHL, then had injuries which limited his rookie season (after St. Louis didn't offer him a contract and he was about to quit hockey, before Tampa stepped in). He really bounced back this year, his second as a pro, and was rewarded with his NHL debut. Using his size better (6'4 - 225). Will get a long look in camp next year.
3rd Round, 82nd overall - Steve Downie
1st Round, 29th overall - Philadelphia
Status: NHL - developing into a top 6 player
NHL Games: 140
Everyone knew that Downie had the talent, but I'm sure not many thought he'd become what he did this past season. And there is still more to come. He's still maturing and learning. Over the years I've had dozens upon dozens of offers, and some really good ones, but I've always held out hope. Was surprised he dropped this far - though nobody predicted he'd go in the first in the NHL. I bet Philly wishes they'd been more patient.
4th Round, 100th overall - Andrew Kozek
2nd Round, 53rd overall - Atlanta
Status: PROSPECT (Minor Leaguer (potential 3rd/4th line player))
NHL Games: 0
His offence never developed, but he showed as a rookie that he can hold his own despite a difficult first season as a pro this past year. He'll get another two years to see if he can develop into a role player at the NHL level. Probably the least likely to make it to the NHL, but as a 2nd round pick he'll get a real shot in Atlanta.
5th Round, 152nd overall - Matt Butcher
5th Round, 138th overall - Vancouver
Status: Traded
NHL Games: 0
Just completed his NCAA career. Had some nasty injuries to overcome but is still considered a prospect. As a Canuck, he was a sweetener in some deal with the man who will take any and all Canucks Prospects, Robb
6th Round, 165th overall - Alex Stalock
4th Round, 112th overall - San Jose
Status: PROSPECT (Potential NHL starter)
NHL Games: 0
Stalock ended his sensational rookie pro season by leading the AHL in wins with 39 (an AHL rookie record), 4 more than the next best goalie. He's developed very well after a great NCAA career which included taking his team past a slew of college powerhouses to the frozen four. If the Sharks dump Nabakov this off-season then Stalock could be an NHL back-up as early as next year. For a team known for developing goaltenders, Stalock continues that tradition. Could end up being the steal of the later rounds of this draft when all is said and done.
7th Round, 214th overall - Mark Fayne
5th Round, 155th overall - New Jersey
Status: PROSPECT
NHL Games: 0
Fayne just turned pro after his NCAA college career ended this spring. He's got good size, and showed that he can play on the powerplay, but its doubtful his offensive skills will translate as he steps up the levels. He should still make a solid defenseman down the road however. He just won the "Walter Brown" award for the best American born college hockey player in New England (Chris Drury and Ty Conklin are past winners).
OVERALL REVIEW - A+
Considering that there is still the possibility that every player in this draft could play in the NHL and that 4 of Calgarys top 6 forwards come from assets in this draft - it's safe to say this draft was a huge success who's true potential still hasn't been realized.
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