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Since Jay Feaster was announced the active g.m. as opposed to the acting g.m. and a major contract was just signed in Curtis Glencross I decided it was about time to focus...on the draft. Feaster said this is Tod Button's draft which makes me think he had less input than we may have realized previously, in addition the Flames have had their new amateur scouts on the ground now for a while so I'm cautiously optimistic that we will see the Flames turn the draft record around.

Here are a list of a few guys that may be around for the Flames, start getting acquainted now, this could be our best guy in three years or less. Feaster has said they want to get more NHL ready guys than long term projects so let's keep that in mind here.

Sven Bartschi: Swiss LW 5-11 175 Lbs. This kid is small but very good, international scouting has him at 21 but a lot of scouts will have him top ten so he may be a guy they look at. His size may not be what the flames want right now however.

Zack Phillips: Canada C 6-1 181lbs. Zack is not known as a great skater, with team speed being a focus this may eliminate him already. Speed is not his strong suit though, goal scoring is and it's hard to argue with his frame and ability to score 38 goals in the "Q" this year with 95 points. Central scouting has him at 31, Hockey news has him at 9 so he is a guy that could deffinitly be around at 13.

Mika Zibanejad: Sweden C 6-2 191 Lbs. A large center who can play wing, has a strong stride and checks, hasn't proven his scoring but scouts know it's there. He is physically ready which the Flames will like and Versatile. The only issue is that most pundits would say I'm crazy for even thinking he'd drop to 13.

Brandon Saad: American LW 6-1 208 Lbs. Saad is ready to play in the NHL physically and is a decent skater, willingness to play defence and had 27 goals in the OHL, this was considered a big disappointment for him. That disappointing season could turn out in the Flames favour if he is around at 13. Ranked 14 in the Hockey News and 12 by Central scouting... let's cut the difference and say 13.

Joel Armia- Finnish RW 6-3 191 Lbs. Does a big winger who is a sniper interest you? Maybe one who is Finnish? Armia is a power forward and a power play nightmare for the opposition. Ranked 13 by Central scouting he'd be a perfect fit!

If you haven't noticed I'm projecting all forwards however if they do pick a d watch for Jamie Oleksiak ranked 19 by Central Scouting. 6...foot...7. 244 Lbs. That's right.... 244 Lbs. On top of that he has stride not often seen in big players.

*****

The draft is a huge pivotal point for me regarding the Flames. If moves happen it will be there. Here is the mandate for Feaster to accomplish at the draft, no easy feat:

1. Draft an awesome prospect first round. (from the list above this will be the easy task)
2. Acquire more picks in the first 100. If this means trading down it is a risk and something Sutter loved to do, look how our prospects are doing because of it.
3. Free up Salary and cap space.
4. Acquire a number one center.

Impossible? Close. It would take some manoeuvring but trading a huge piece like Kipper or Regehr with the Flames number one for a Center is achievable and getting 2nd and 3rds thrown in is imperative. Trading a second piece, again Regehr or Kipper for a first round pick if possible would be optimal.

Possible teams that could happen with? Take Ottawa. Would they love Kipper? Would the love him enough to trade us Anderson and their first (top five pick)?

Of course i'm just speculating but love being ripped apart so have at it.

S>O>
Filed Under:   Flames   Draft   Feaster   Kipper   Regehr  
May 19, 2011 12:35 AM ET | Delete
I highly doubt Ottawa would trade a top 10 draft pick and a starting net-minder on an affordable contract for a marginal upgrade between the pipes.
May 19, 2011 12:36 AM ET | Delete
Before you jump on me for the marginal upgrade, Craig Anderson had a .939 SVP in 18 games playing for the Sens. Unrealistic to expect that level of play over 82 games, but I don't think it's unrealistic to expect him to come close to replicating his numbers from year one in Colorado (.917%).
May 19, 2011 1:58 AM ET | Delete
Anderson hasnt proven much other than 1 good year in Colorado,
May 19, 2011 1:59 AM ET | Delete
Kipper would be huge upgrade, not sure Ottawa is ready for that now though.
May 19, 2011 9:19 AM ET | Delete
Kipper is a massive upgrade not even a minor upgrade. I'm not in anyway jumping on you a-mar but the one stat any team looks at is wins and kipper was third, a 26 point difference standings wise. I'm not convinced anderson could remain the starter here but he'd be servicable. Ottawa is just an off the cuff the thought but anderson and the fisth for kipper and the 13th is a win trade for them I would actually hate it and I suggested it! lol
May 19, 2011 9:19 AM ET | Delete
I think Feaster will try to move up in the draft... but not Ottawa. Maybe New Jersey? Another good fit I think would be Mark McNeill... big Centre who is tough as nails and can score goals, Alberta boy... he is also NHL ready and I think would fit in with Sutter style of Hockey.
May 19, 2011 9:19 AM ET | Delete
My feelings on trading kipper change by the hour in case you couldn't tell.
May 19, 2011 9:22 AM ET | Delete
Mcniell has a lot of upside for sure. In creating this list I was going off of Central scouting, Hockey News and player reviews on line as my resources. Really after 5 or 6 the draft is wide open and there's lots of great talent and possibilities.
May 19, 2011 2:31 PM ET | Delete
Insightful blog.....We do need to move up in the draft and grab Zibenijad, or Strome (or whoever)... I just don't know how we do it... we need a centre though.... As far as acquiring an established #1 centre, I just don't know who is available... I have heard Rumblings of Stastny and Weiss being available, but if I was either of those GMs I probably wouldn't be trading someone like Stastny who is a P/G for his career and Weiss is a bargain at 3 mil.
May 19, 2011 2:35 PM ET | Delete
I think we may have to get a #1 centre in the draft, cut the fat next year, and for the following season we are looking at Backlund, Reinhart, Zibenijad (Hopefully).... What about Bouwmeester Calgary 1st for Gonchar Ottawa 1st? .... I think you are right about the draft as well, maybe the top 5 aren't knockouts, but after that it does seem that there are some great players to choose from.
May 19, 2011 3:56 PM ET | Delete
McNeill's my first choice, then Zibanejad, Armia, and Saad, in that order. Size and scoring without sacrificing speed and skill.
May 19, 2011 7:51 PM ET | Delete
Would be really nice to get another top 15 pick. Perhaps Columbus will be willing to move pick. Sane trading Kipper makes sense.
May 23, 2011 8:13 PM ET | Delete
They need to draft Jurco
May 23, 2011 11:34 PM ET | Delete
nicklas jensen
May 24, 2011 9:32 AM ET | Delete
Thanks fin and josh. I've heard Jensen before but he plays soft and I think would be a guy who wilts in the playoffs. He's a guy that is skilled but that Flames fans would dislike I think. J tommy, the more I think about Mcneil the more I like him but I start to think he may be picked higher than we thought.
May 24, 2011 2:40 PM ET | Delete
I wonder if we'll manage to find this year's Rico Fata or Daniel Tkachuk? Or maybe we go after a goalie. Any Brent Krahn's available?
May 24, 2011 2:40 PM ET | Delete
Message Posted
May 24, 2011 4:26 PM ET | Delete
Stubby- I think that is pretty cynical, they could at least get a chucko...;)
May 24, 2011 6:42 PM ET | Delete
May 24, 2011 8:19 PM ET | Delete
Nice blog as always. I'd go with the Swede, though I admittedly don't know much abt any of them. And NOOOOO trading Kipper. Trade Bouw before Kip.
May 27, 2011 1:07 AM ET | Delete
Kipper and Bourque to Wash for Green, Neuvirth and a 1st; Bouwmeester D prospect to St Louis for Oshie and a 2nd or 1st.
June 10, 2011 12:10 AM ET | Delete
Well we lost erixon but scratch more top 100 picks off the list.
June 10, 2011 12:47 AM ET | Delete
Flames will trade down and get more picks ship out some cap to try to save and sign Tangs. By the way great job Sane.
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