MatthewFlames
Registered User
The Flames traded away their first pick in this draft for Hart Trophy winner Ryan Getzlaf, and mortgaged their second, third, fourth, and fifth in previous years. This left the Flames with only four picks in the 6th round and an additional 7th. The first of those picks was at 168th, and this seemed liked a good draft to miss out on the fun.
But, it’s too much fun to not play a part. So, for several weeks the Flames have been exploring options. Entering the draft, the Flames turned down a couple Martin Marincin offers, because they wanted to use him to get both two 3rd round picks.
As the top ten came, and then went, the Flames started watching for their two favorite players in the first round, German Rubstov and Luke Kulin. The original determination was to not offer up next years first to get into this first round, but I wavered, and suddenly the Flames were making offers to try and snag one of these players (Flames had Rubstov 9th, Kulin 10th on their list.)
Luckily, nothing came of all this nonsense and the Flames went back to just enjoying the show.
As the second round continued, the Flames took up Rich’s offer to land the 65th and 90th pick, in exchange for the 60th pick in 2018
and finally confirmed a deal with Douglas, for Martin Marincin and a ’17 5th, in exchange for those two 3rds, one this year and one next.
With a bevy of picks, the Flames attempted to trade up into the late second round, to grab Janne Kuokkanen, but were unable to do so, even threatening to murder their co-DOPP. That didn't help.
The Flames then immediately set about turning their two ’17 3rds into two more in the 3rd this, to ensure nabbing as many players as possible on their list of 7 potentials in the third round. In the end, the Flames managed to get five picks.
65th Overall - LW/C Dominik Simon, HC Sparta Praha (in his draft year), Wilkes-Barre, AHL
This pick was a slow burn for the Flames. The Czech forward was on their radar early in the 2015 season. In the end, the Flames were very lucky to even land the 21 year old, as Brock almost took him at 64.
A 5th round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, in his 3rd draft eligible year, the 5’11†forward surprised many with an AHL All Star season and his NHL debut. In 68 games, Simon scored 25 goals and 48 points. A crafty, high IQ forward, Simon has a real desire to fight through every check. Simon will go to the dirty areas of the ice to make a play, and has a high skill level. Still not a complete two-way forward but all the signs are pointing in the right direction.
Also considered: None. Phillipe Myers was the other previously undrafted I would have been interested in.
77th Overall - LW/C Mikhail Maltsev, RUSSIA U-18 Jr, MHL
Maltsev has a NHL body and a powerful stride, he checks in at 6’3â€, 210lbs. A very strong, mobile skater, Maltsev is everything Russians are usually not - which is mature defensively and strong in the face-off circle (winning 63% of his draws).
He’s a tenacious forechecker. He wants the puck and he’ll do what it takes to get it, whether it’s chasing it down on a dump-in, laying out a hit, lifting a stick, blocking a shot or rubbing a player out on the boards. He’s a real puck hound and he isn’t afraid to shoot once he creates a turnover.
He’s a riser on the CSB lists from mid-season as he surprised with the amount of offense in his game. It’s not a elite set of tools, but he’s a good playmaker with a nose for the net and he battles hard, which could mean an effective 3rd line career if there’s nothing else.
There are some rumours that he might head to the CHL, which could be good for him, I think he could be an even more effective player on the small ice (we saw some of this during the World Junior A challenge.)
Like the rest of the Russians, he missed the WJC U-18’s, which was unfortunate, but also might be the only reason he was available this late.
He feels a bit hidden because he’s playing behind Rubstov (although occasionally he also played on that players wing) and because he’s a late developer. Fits the recent Flamettes draft ethos, which is NHL body, strong skating, hockey IQ, very competitive. Here’s hoping that he is this years AJ Greer, with upside hidden away.
"Fabulous tools and tough as nails. Has some wiggle to his game with soft hands, moves, and lateral jukes" - Redline Report, Ranked 68th.
Also considered: None. This was the target of any pick I acquired in the third.
83rd Overall - W Connor Bunnaman, Kitchener, OHL
Another with the current Flames ethos, NHL body, pro-style game. Not a great skater, which is usually a requirement, but he’s improving. Another player who may have hidden offensive upside, playing on a deep team and as a bottom six player he doesn’t get PP opportunities or a ton of minutes. Regardless of any potential upside, he has all the attributes that could still make him a bottom six NHL player.
A big body, at 6’2†and almost 215lbs, he is a shut-down defensive 3rd line center for the Rangers. Good forechecker, tough, and strong off the boards.
".. he’s not just a grunt. Bunnaman has good hands in close and I like his vision as a playmaker as he'll surprise you with the things he can do coming off the wall" - Brock O, ohlprospects.com.
"Sees the ice well and distributes the puck crisply. Difficult for opposing defence- men to contain working down low in the offensive zone. - Redline Report, Ranked 67.
Also considered: Taking Budik with this pick. With five quality NHL defenseman under 26, I do need to restock that part of the pipeline. In the end, couldn’t resist Bunnaman.
84th Overall - D Vojtech Budik, Prince Albert, WHL
I just couldn’t resist his skating, combined with his defensive acumen and a projectable frame. He’s 6’1â€, 190lbs, agile and quick, smooth and fluid. He doesn’t make defensive mistakes, is positionally sound, and displays great gap control. I feel he’s amongst a bevy of underrated defenseman from the WHL this year.
Budik did seem to struggle to adapt to the smaller ice after coming over from the Czech Republic, and while he has no problem with the puck in his own zone, seems to struggle through neutral ice and into the offensive zone, but this seems to be about confidence, not understanding the system and perhaps a lack of coaching, because he shows flashes of ability, and clearly has no problems in possession in his own zone, or stick-handling when required.
He’s a really hard worker on the ice, battles for everything, and has gained the trust of his coaches who put him on the ice when protecting a lead in the dying minutes of a game. Much development needed there, may never be a top 4 guy or a PP player, but in many ways he looks to have some of the key qualities required in a modern NHL defenseman.
Voted the Raiders Most Improved Player.
"Terrific footwork, agility, and defensive awareness. Takes space given to him and turns innocent looking pinches into dangerous ones - puts in second effort to ensure pucks get to teammates in scoring areas." - Redline Report, Ranked 74th
Also considered: There were a few defenseman here, all with similar qualities, but Budik’s skating and maturity in his own zone, in addition with his non shrimpy-ness and combine reports on his frame, made him seem the most likely NHL’er, even if his upside was limited.
90th Overall - W Brandon Hagel, Red Deer, WHL
The more I read about this player, the less I understand his low rankings. He has only one real deficit, which is that he’s grown 6 inches in the last two years, and weighs in at only 165 lbs. But, he started the season at 156lbs. Some kids just take longer to mature.
If he weighed in at 185+, with his style, energy and skating, as well as the growing confidence in his offensive game, I would think that he’d be a lock for a top 90 player in this draft. As it is, this is probably a reach - but with no picks until 168th, this was the time.
One thing in his favour is his age. If he was born just three weeks later, he would be eligible for the 2017 draft. Despite his size, he plays a physical game, and he just needs time to fill out.
In the 2016 regular season, his rookie season in the WHL, he started inconsistently, scoring points in bunches and having long barren stretches. But that all changed mid-February when he found some consistency, and he finished with 11 points in his last 13 games, and scored 10 points in 17 games in the playoffs, showing growth. In the end, he scored 47 points in 72 games during the regular season.
Despite his age, he managed to work his way up to more ice time on a deep team. Does all the little things well, he’s a hard worker with underrated passing and shooting abilities. One of the guides compared his style to Colton Sceviour, a former Flamettes pick, so here’s hoping for some success along those lines.
Meanwhile, Hagel had his success despite having no-good Conner Bleackley as his center. If he survived under those conditions, who knows how good he could be.
"Has natural hockey sense with a knack for winning puck battles… Future puck possession machine." - Redline Report, Ranked 91.
Also considered: Tanner Kaspick. But, Hagel was a player I really wanted, and with no ammo to trade into the 4th or 5th round, this was the time to take him.
WRAP UP
Pretty happy because it was just plain fun. Five more picks to go.
But, it’s too much fun to not play a part. So, for several weeks the Flames have been exploring options. Entering the draft, the Flames turned down a couple Martin Marincin offers, because they wanted to use him to get both two 3rd round picks.
As the top ten came, and then went, the Flames started watching for their two favorite players in the first round, German Rubstov and Luke Kulin. The original determination was to not offer up next years first to get into this first round, but I wavered, and suddenly the Flames were making offers to try and snag one of these players (Flames had Rubstov 9th, Kulin 10th on their list.)
Luckily, nothing came of all this nonsense and the Flames went back to just enjoying the show.
As the second round continued, the Flames took up Rich’s offer to land the 65th and 90th pick, in exchange for the 60th pick in 2018
and finally confirmed a deal with Douglas, for Martin Marincin and a ’17 5th, in exchange for those two 3rds, one this year and one next. With a bevy of picks, the Flames attempted to trade up into the late second round, to grab Janne Kuokkanen, but were unable to do so, even threatening to murder their co-DOPP. That didn't help.
The Flames then immediately set about turning their two ’17 3rds into two more in the 3rd this, to ensure nabbing as many players as possible on their list of 7 potentials in the third round. In the end, the Flames managed to get five picks.
65th Overall - LW/C Dominik Simon, HC Sparta Praha (in his draft year), Wilkes-Barre, AHL
This pick was a slow burn for the Flames. The Czech forward was on their radar early in the 2015 season. In the end, the Flames were very lucky to even land the 21 year old, as Brock almost took him at 64.
A 5th round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, in his 3rd draft eligible year, the 5’11†forward surprised many with an AHL All Star season and his NHL debut. In 68 games, Simon scored 25 goals and 48 points. A crafty, high IQ forward, Simon has a real desire to fight through every check. Simon will go to the dirty areas of the ice to make a play, and has a high skill level. Still not a complete two-way forward but all the signs are pointing in the right direction.
Also considered: None. Phillipe Myers was the other previously undrafted I would have been interested in.
77th Overall - LW/C Mikhail Maltsev, RUSSIA U-18 Jr, MHL
Maltsev has a NHL body and a powerful stride, he checks in at 6’3â€, 210lbs. A very strong, mobile skater, Maltsev is everything Russians are usually not - which is mature defensively and strong in the face-off circle (winning 63% of his draws).
He’s a tenacious forechecker. He wants the puck and he’ll do what it takes to get it, whether it’s chasing it down on a dump-in, laying out a hit, lifting a stick, blocking a shot or rubbing a player out on the boards. He’s a real puck hound and he isn’t afraid to shoot once he creates a turnover.
He’s a riser on the CSB lists from mid-season as he surprised with the amount of offense in his game. It’s not a elite set of tools, but he’s a good playmaker with a nose for the net and he battles hard, which could mean an effective 3rd line career if there’s nothing else.
There are some rumours that he might head to the CHL, which could be good for him, I think he could be an even more effective player on the small ice (we saw some of this during the World Junior A challenge.)
Like the rest of the Russians, he missed the WJC U-18’s, which was unfortunate, but also might be the only reason he was available this late.
He feels a bit hidden because he’s playing behind Rubstov (although occasionally he also played on that players wing) and because he’s a late developer. Fits the recent Flamettes draft ethos, which is NHL body, strong skating, hockey IQ, very competitive. Here’s hoping that he is this years AJ Greer, with upside hidden away.
"Fabulous tools and tough as nails. Has some wiggle to his game with soft hands, moves, and lateral jukes" - Redline Report, Ranked 68th.
Also considered: None. This was the target of any pick I acquired in the third.
83rd Overall - W Connor Bunnaman, Kitchener, OHL
Another with the current Flames ethos, NHL body, pro-style game. Not a great skater, which is usually a requirement, but he’s improving. Another player who may have hidden offensive upside, playing on a deep team and as a bottom six player he doesn’t get PP opportunities or a ton of minutes. Regardless of any potential upside, he has all the attributes that could still make him a bottom six NHL player.
A big body, at 6’2†and almost 215lbs, he is a shut-down defensive 3rd line center for the Rangers. Good forechecker, tough, and strong off the boards.
".. he’s not just a grunt. Bunnaman has good hands in close and I like his vision as a playmaker as he'll surprise you with the things he can do coming off the wall" - Brock O, ohlprospects.com.
"Sees the ice well and distributes the puck crisply. Difficult for opposing defence- men to contain working down low in the offensive zone. - Redline Report, Ranked 67.
Also considered: Taking Budik with this pick. With five quality NHL defenseman under 26, I do need to restock that part of the pipeline. In the end, couldn’t resist Bunnaman.
84th Overall - D Vojtech Budik, Prince Albert, WHL
I just couldn’t resist his skating, combined with his defensive acumen and a projectable frame. He’s 6’1â€, 190lbs, agile and quick, smooth and fluid. He doesn’t make defensive mistakes, is positionally sound, and displays great gap control. I feel he’s amongst a bevy of underrated defenseman from the WHL this year.
Budik did seem to struggle to adapt to the smaller ice after coming over from the Czech Republic, and while he has no problem with the puck in his own zone, seems to struggle through neutral ice and into the offensive zone, but this seems to be about confidence, not understanding the system and perhaps a lack of coaching, because he shows flashes of ability, and clearly has no problems in possession in his own zone, or stick-handling when required.
He’s a really hard worker on the ice, battles for everything, and has gained the trust of his coaches who put him on the ice when protecting a lead in the dying minutes of a game. Much development needed there, may never be a top 4 guy or a PP player, but in many ways he looks to have some of the key qualities required in a modern NHL defenseman.
Voted the Raiders Most Improved Player.
"Terrific footwork, agility, and defensive awareness. Takes space given to him and turns innocent looking pinches into dangerous ones - puts in second effort to ensure pucks get to teammates in scoring areas." - Redline Report, Ranked 74th
Also considered: There were a few defenseman here, all with similar qualities, but Budik’s skating and maturity in his own zone, in addition with his non shrimpy-ness and combine reports on his frame, made him seem the most likely NHL’er, even if his upside was limited.
90th Overall - W Brandon Hagel, Red Deer, WHL
The more I read about this player, the less I understand his low rankings. He has only one real deficit, which is that he’s grown 6 inches in the last two years, and weighs in at only 165 lbs. But, he started the season at 156lbs. Some kids just take longer to mature.
If he weighed in at 185+, with his style, energy and skating, as well as the growing confidence in his offensive game, I would think that he’d be a lock for a top 90 player in this draft. As it is, this is probably a reach - but with no picks until 168th, this was the time.
One thing in his favour is his age. If he was born just three weeks later, he would be eligible for the 2017 draft. Despite his size, he plays a physical game, and he just needs time to fill out.
In the 2016 regular season, his rookie season in the WHL, he started inconsistently, scoring points in bunches and having long barren stretches. But that all changed mid-February when he found some consistency, and he finished with 11 points in his last 13 games, and scored 10 points in 17 games in the playoffs, showing growth. In the end, he scored 47 points in 72 games during the regular season.
Despite his age, he managed to work his way up to more ice time on a deep team. Does all the little things well, he’s a hard worker with underrated passing and shooting abilities. One of the guides compared his style to Colton Sceviour, a former Flamettes pick, so here’s hoping for some success along those lines.
Meanwhile, Hagel had his success despite having no-good Conner Bleackley as his center. If he survived under those conditions, who knows how good he could be.
"Has natural hockey sense with a knack for winning puck battles… Future puck possession machine." - Redline Report, Ranked 91.
Also considered: Tanner Kaspick. But, Hagel was a player I really wanted, and with no ammo to trade into the 4th or 5th round, this was the time to take him.
WRAP UP
Pretty happy because it was just plain fun. Five more picks to go.
Last edited:
