Habs4ever said:
and they weren't top picks for reason especially chucko who was picked way too high, every team has steals in late rounds that doesn't justify picks they've been wasting other then phaneauf who is defencemen by the way, flames first need is top six skilled forwards and its sad too say they won't get that any time soon.
every team gets to pick every round butoverall flames have done worst with so many high picks compred to other teams picking around their spot.
Looking back to 1999 draft (which ispretty much the limit on prospect status at age 25)...
1999 (11th overall)- Saprykin - Doing a good job now in Phoenix as a top 6 forward
2000 (9th overall)- Krahn - has developed nicely - injuries slowed his development, but still on track to make the NHL as a decent #1 goalie
2001 (14th overall)- Kobesaw - he has demonstrated that he will be a top 6 forward in the NHL sooner then later, also demonstrated great leadership skills on the Carolina Farm team in Lowell.
2002 (10th overall)- Nystrom - definatly drafted for what he is becoming a high calibre 3rd line defensive forward - there was no misconception about his purpose and he has developed on track.
2003 (9th overall)- Phaneuf - Need I say more?
2004 (24th overall)- Chucko - too early yet to say, but he is looking good...
2005 (16th overall)- Pelech - was projected as a first rounder before a series of injuries sidelined him and reduced his position.
So I would argue that the flames have not drafted well - since 1999 every player has developed at or close to the projection he was drafted for - obviously Phaneuf exceeded those expectations so that makes up for Krahn's under-development...
Then looking at other prospects that have made the NHL or are well on the path to the NHL that is another story - it was not until Sutter took over at the helm that we started seeing a real difference (2003 draft does not really count as Sutter only had input in the first round after that he let his scouts take over) so from 2004 and 2005 draft Sutter has stocked the cupboard really well...
2004 - Chucko, Prust, Boyd, and Seitsonen all demonstrate the talent and skills needed to make it to the NHL
2005 - Too early to tell, but Pelech, Baldwin, Ryder, and Keetley have all done very well at his point in the season.
I would not say the Flames have suffered with the early picks - it was the picks after the first round where the Flames were suffering, and since Sutter took over that deficiency has changed and been corrected with excellent drafting decisions.