GDT: 2023 Draft - Wed, Jun 28 @ 5:00 MT & Thu, Jun 29 @ 9:00 MT

[Ace Rimmer]

Musty is so underrated.

No he isn't.

This year's draft class is that good.

But a 17 year old who's already 6'2" and 205 lbs? That's a special unicorn.

 

[Roadrage]

So is there anyone at the 16th pick in this draft that could make the team out of training camp and stick or pretty much anyone drafted is going back to junior/overseas team?

 

[Ace Rimmer]

So is there anyone at the 16th pick in this draft that could make the team out of training camp and stick or pretty much anyone drafted is going back to junior/overseas team?

The challenge in this scenario is figuring out who is drafted at 16, what trades the Flames make between the draft and start of the season to open up spots, and how the other young players in the system have progressed.

I think the difference between this year and previous years is that notion there will be spots opened up for young players, on purpose. Whether it's the new kid on the block or if it's someone else (Zary, Phillips, Pelletier) or all of the above remains to be seen.

So the answer is "maybe". lol

 

[DomBarr]

No he isn't.

This year's draft class is that good.

But a 17 year old who's already 6'2" and 205 lbs? That's a special unicorn.

oh yay...hard pass on a player who has ok top speed but whose biggest weakness is acceleration. He'll get whiplash as he watches McDavid flying by him.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

oh yay...hard pass on a player who has ok top speed but whose biggest weakness is acceleration. He'll get whiplash as he watches McDavid flying by him.

That plus being a left wing should almost guarantee him as a Flames draft pick, right?

Might even trade down if he's still on the board with actual good players still available. (lol could you imagine)

 

[Flames Fanatic]

So is there anyone at the 16th pick in this draft that could make the team out of training camp and stick or pretty much anyone drafted is going back to junior/overseas team?

Probably not no. Not impossible but highly unlikely.

 

[slappipappi]

No he isn't.

This year's draft class is that good.

But a 17 year old who's already 6'2" and 205 lbs? That's a special unicorn.

Beware players who can physically outplay their smaller players in junior.

Cam Barker comes to mind.

Not saying that’s the case with Musty, but it’s something to consider.

 

[Flamesfan62]

oh yay...hard pass on a player who has ok top speed but whose biggest weakness is acceleration. He'll get whiplash as he watches McDavid flying by him.

Have you watched Musty?

Beware players who can physically outplay their smaller players in junior.

Cam Barker comes to mind.

Not saying that’s the case with Musty, but it’s something to consider.

Musty doesn't need his size for his playmaking which is by far his #1 asset. He doesn't play close to his size.

 

[Body Checker]

Calum Ritchie seems to be a bit underrated due to lower than expected stats but the package is enticing. Size, skating and hockey sense. You just wonder with the pandemic for these OHL kids if development is a bit behind. Wouldn’t mind him at 16.

 

[Flamesfan62]

Calum Ritchie seems to be a bit underrated due to lower than expected stats but the package is enticing. Size, skating and hockey sense. You just wonder with the pandemic for these OHL kids if development is a bit behind. Wouldn’t mind him at 16.

I think he’s slightly underrated but there’s a lot better options at 16. Wood, Yager, Sale, ASP, Heidt, Musty, Perreault, Barlow, Cristall I’d all take before Ritchie.

 

[Ribsy14]

Big Fan of Ritchie, in my opinion, one of the most underrated players in the draft which I think is because he is on a weaker junior team. Can definitely see him putting up big numbers next year and people saying he should have went higher. Would be sweet if the Flames could trade down a few spots and get more draft capital and take him.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Big Fan of Ritchie, in my opinion, one of the most underrated players in the draft which I think is because he is on a weaker junior team. Can definitely see him putting up big numbers next year and people saying he should have went higher. Would be sweet if the Flames could trade down a few spots and get more draft capital and take him.

Either him or Willander would be awesome.

 

[Flamesfan62]

Either him or Willander would be awesome.

Willander at 16 is a reach

 

[herashak]

Willander at 16 is a reach

Dmen go higher on draft day, especially ones that can skate

 

[Ace Rimmer]

I think Willander might be a bit underrated, but I agree he'd be a bit of a reach at 16. Now if he's available in Round 2...

 

[Flamesfan62]

Dmen go higher on draft day, especially ones that can skate

Maybe he will, but it doesn’t make it not a reach. I wouldn’t touch him until the late 1st at least. If we’re reaching for D I’d much rather Dragicevic.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Maybe he will, but it doesn’t make it not a reach. I wouldn’t touch him until the late 1st at least. If we’re reaching for D I’d much rather Dragicevic.

why? Willander is smart, physical, great defensively, and a great skater.

Weegar-Andersson
Kylington/Hanifin-Willander would be a deadly top 4.

Also gives a great balance. Either way if we can end up with any of these players with our first two picks, I'd be happy:

Yager, Wood, Moore, Reinbacher, ASP, Willander, Stenberg, Edstrom, Simashev, Wahlberg, Molgaard, Lindstein, Morin, and Jakub Dvorak.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

I trust our scouts. If they think Willander is the BPA then we should pick him.

I just wonder if this is a draft where we can find a highly skilled player like Perrault or Barlow that wouldn’t usually be availiable in the mid first.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

I trust our scouts. If they think Willander is the BPA then we should pick him.

I just wonder if this is a draft where we can find a highly skilled player like Perrault or Barlow that wouldn’t usually be availiable in the mid first.

Yager and Lindstein as our top 2 picks would make me super happy.

Hanifin-Andersson
Lindstein-Weegar
Poirier/Kylington-? would be a great blueline in the future.

Huberdeau-Yager-Coronato
Pelletier-Lindholm-Mangiapane would also be a great top 6 in future.

 

[Flames Fanatic]

I don't hate taking one of the D, whomever of Simashev, Wallinder, ASP, Reinbacher is still there (unlikely on Reinbacher) but man, there's some intriguing forwards that will be there. Especially if someone falls.

 

[Bounces R Way]

I think they really need a C from this draft and you might as well take one in the 1st round. Zary I have a tough time seeing as a C at the NHL level, not quite fast or big enough. He can carry the puck and his playmaking is good tho so you never know. Schwindt might be a 3rd line C someday but still needs some work. Coronato has played some C but same concerns as Zary.

@Bjornar Moxnes Also a Brayden Yager enjoyer, quite a strong skater with a wicked shot, plays with a lot of jam for a guy who is only 170lbs. I think he'd be great value at #16. Would be happy with him but any of Yager, Honzek, Danielson, Dvorsky, Ritchie would be alright with me. Chances are at least one or two are still available by the time the Flames pick. Stenberg and Moore I haven't watched a lot of tape on.

 

[Mobiandi]

Imagine walking away with a Barzal or Connor type of player in this draft. But the Flames also fixated on Thomas Chabot back in 2015 before moving the pick for Doug Hamilton. So I’m expecting them to take a Dman

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Imagine walking away with a Barzal or Connor type of player in this draft. But the Flames also fixated on Thomas Chabot back in 2015 before moving the pick for Doug Hamilton. So I’m expecting them to take a Dman

I'd rather have Lindholm and Hanifin than anyone of those players. 2015 was still a fantastic draft for us even without us having a 1st rounder.

I think they really need a C from this draft and you might as well take one in the 1st round. Zary I have a tough time seeing as a C at the NHL level, not quite fast or big enough. He can carry the puck and his playmaking is good tho so you never know. Schwindt might be a 3rd line C someday but still needs some work. Coronato has played some C but same concerns as Zary.

@Bjornar Moxnes Also a Brayden Yager enjoyer, quite a strong skater with a wicked shot, plays with a lot of jam for a guy who is only 170lbs. I think he'd be great value at #16. Would be happy with him but any of Yager, Honzek, Danielson, Dvorsky, Ritchie would be alright with me. Chances are at least one or two are still available by the time the Flames pick. Stenberg and Moore I haven't watched a lot of tape on.

Moore is a ridiculous speed and transition demon. He's not the smartest player though.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

 

[Dack]

I think they really need a C from this draft and you might as well take one in the 1st round. Zary I have a tough time seeing as a C at the NHL level, not quite fast or big enough. He can carry the puck and his playmaking is good tho so you never know. Schwindt might be a 3rd line C someday but still needs some work. Coronato has played some C but same concerns as Zary.

@Bjornar Moxnes Also a Brayden Yager enjoyer, quite a strong skater with a wicked shot, plays with a lot of jam for a guy who is only 170lbs. I think he'd be great value at #16. Would be happy with him but any of Yager, Honzek, Danielson, Dvorsky, Ritchie would be alright with me. Chances are at least one or two are still available by the time the Flames pick. Stenberg and Moore I haven't watched a lot of tape on.

I agree with you on Zary. I really think he's a better fit as a LW and the Flames would likely get a better player if they played him on the wing. I think it's probably 2LW vs 3C.