Since we built the best forward core in the Western Conference almost entirely through the draft. Since we have four rookies ready to take more responsibility on our team. C’mon Hunk. Sometimes I think you’re just contrarian for the sake of being contrarian.
- fry

I'm not saying they're bad, but they're far from amazing. Aside from Ferland, they haven't really uncovered any hidden gems. Everyone knew how good Gaudreau was, but he was 5'6". It wasn't really a scouting thing. Most of their picks recently have just been the safe picks that could have been made by checking TSN's draft rankings.

2012 was bad, 2013 is almost a disaster when you consider the moves they made to get the picks they had, 2014 was bad. 2015 was great, but they also lucked into Andersson and Kylington falling to them as they were both predicted to go much higher.

Sure Giordano was a good signing, but they also drafted pretty much nothing from 2004 to 2006. In fact, the entire 2000-2010 decade was about as bad a drafting display as any team has ever had.

If the Slovakia thing turns out, I'll give them all the credit in the world.

A bit of feel-good Flames trivia from Eric Duhatschek in The Athletic today:

"....The last time the Flames had five 60-point scorers by the end of February was back in the 1990-91 season, when Al MacInnis, Theo Fleury, Doug Gilmour, Joe Nieuwendyk and Sergei Makarov all managed the feat. The last time any team had five 60-point producers at the end of February was back in 1995-96 when the Pittsburgh Penguins quintet of Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Ron Francis, Petr Nedved and Tomas Sandstrom turned the trick.

We're not imagining it; they really are that good.

I'm not saying they're bad, but they're far from amazing. Aside from Ferland, they haven't really uncovered any hidden gems. Everyone knew how good Gaudreau was, but he was 5'6". It wasn't really a scouting thing. Most of their picks recently have just been the safe picks that could have been made by checking TSN's draft rankings.

2012 was bad, 2013 is almost a disaster when you consider the moves they made to get the picks they had, 2014 was bad. 2015 was great, but they also lucked into Andersson and Kylington falling to them as they were both predicted to go much higher.

Sure Giordano was a good signing, but they also drafted pretty much nothing from 2004 to 2006. In fact, the entire 2000-2010 decade was about as bad a drafting display as any team has ever had.

If the Slovakia thing turns out, I'll give them all the credit in the world.
- Hunkulese

Holy fck so we are going back how far....... Feaster era & even the Sutter nightmare era. Your original dig was about the current scouting & all the Slovaks we have on our team.

Holy fck so we are going back how far....... Feaster era & even the Sutter nightmare era. Your original dig was about the current scouting & all the Slovaks we have on our team.
- Kevin R

Someone earlier brought up some Feaster and Sutter deals. It's hard to defend Hunk, but he was just countering someone else's point.

I'm not saying they're bad, but they're far from amazing. Aside from Ferland, they haven't really uncovered any hidden gems. Everyone knew how good Gaudreau was, but he was 5'6". It wasn't really a scouting thing. Most of their picks recently have just been the safe picks that could have been made by checking TSN's draft rankings.

2012 was bad, 2013 is almost a disaster when you consider the moves they made to get the picks they had, 2014 was bad. 2015 was great, but they also lucked into Andersson and Kylington falling to them as they were both predicted to go much higher.

Sure Giordano was a good signing, but they also drafted pretty much nothing from 2004 to 2006. In fact, the entire 2000-2010 decade was about as bad a drafting display as any team has ever had.

If the Slovakia thing turns out, I'll give them all the credit in the world.
- Hunkulese

I get what you mean. I can't rip on the recent success of the Oilers' drafting (Jones, Bear, Benson) without admitting that they just took the players that dropped and so did we.

That said, both teams had the balls to take them. Other teams overthought their picks. If we can take another guy that drops I'm probably happy. There is a reason scouts develop a list prior to the draft season and plenty of reasons teams overthink their lists.

I'm not saying they're bad, but they're far from amazing. Aside from Ferland, they haven't really uncovered any hidden gems. Everyone knew how good Gaudreau was, but he was 5'6". It wasn't really a scouting thing. Most of their picks recently have just been the safe picks that could have been made by checking TSN's draft rankings.

2012 was bad, 2013 is almost a disaster when you consider the moves they made to get the picks they had, 2014 was bad. 2015 was great, but they also lucked into Andersson and Kylington falling to them as they were both predicted to go much higher.

Sure Giordano was a good signing, but they also drafted pretty much nothing from 2004 to 2006. In fact, the entire 2000-2010 decade was about as bad a drafting display as any team has ever had.

If the Slovakia thing turns out, I'll give them all the credit in the world.
- Hunkulese

Mostly true. But a lot of that is the direction from the GM. They set the priorities for he scouts to identify what qualities they’re looking for. The D Sutter era was terrible because Darryl couldn’t realize the changes that were happening in the league and stuck with the big, aggressive, physical players largely from the WHL. Speed and hockey IQ were not priorities. Under BT drafting has gotten a lot better obviously not every pick is a winner But they say if you can hit on 2 of your picks you’re successful. I’d say BT average is pretty good.

I'm not saying they're bad, but they're far from amazing. Aside from Ferland, they haven't really uncovered any hidden gems. Everyone knew how good Gaudreau was, but he was 5'6". It wasn't really a scouting thing. Most of their picks recently have just been the safe picks that could have been made by checking TSN's draft rankings.

2012 was bad, 2013 is almost a disaster when you consider the moves they made to get the picks they had, 2014 was bad. 2015 was great, but they also lucked into Andersson and Kylington falling to them as they were both predicted to go much higher.

Sure Giordano was a good signing, but they also drafted pretty much nothing from 2004 to 2006. In fact, the entire 2000-2010 decade was about as bad a drafting display as any team has ever had.

If the Slovakia thing turns out, I'll give them all the credit in the world.
- Hunkulese

Specific to Andersson and Kylington, NHL Central Scouting had the following rankings:
Andersson - 93
Kylington - outside of top 210

So, in that case, let's give Flames scouts some credit, as they also swung deals to get both of these kids.

Specific to Andersson and Kylington, NHL Central Scouting had the following rankings:
Andersson - 93
Kylington - outside of top 210

So, in that case, let's give Flames scouts some credit, as they also swung deals to get both of these kids.
- rmull905

Sure, they get some credit. They've done a fine job. Just nothing amazing. Kylington is weird though. He was thought to be a top ten pick the year before he was drafted comparable to Hanifin, then his stock tanked for no real reason. He didn't have a great year, but he was playing against men in Sweden. Every single scouting report for him was glowing, but everyone else still passed on him.

Dec 15 2018



Could be attempted payback tonight for Dumba being out since Tkachuk schooled him.

Might be a real special night. Well done Flames!

Sure, they get some credit. They've done a fine job. Just nothing amazing. Kylington is weird though. He was thought to be a top ten pick the year before he was drafted comparable to Hanifin, then his stock tanked for no real reason. He didn't have a great year, but he was playing against men in Sweden. Every single scouting report for him was glowing, but everyone else still passed on him.
- Hunkulese

Yes, equally odd to Kylington was that the Juniors didn't take him - not sure if it was an attitude thing, an effort thing or some combination thereof

It was Dreger on TSN that talked about apparently BT was white hot as he said, because usually the league has leniency on the submissions for trades because of the backlog. I bet under the same circumstances for any other team things would be different.

How are you monkey man?
- FlamesFan1230

Doing well! You?

Doing well! You?
- Clyde334

Whats with you two?

Easiest blog to write ever....Iginla jersey retirement followed by an actual game...
Yet no game day blog...
Love you like a brother Todd but...

Whats with you two?
- geta02it

They're gay give them a break man

Whats with you two?
- geta02it

I like your avatar

Sure, they get some credit. They've done a fine job. Just nothing amazing. Kylington is weird though. He was thought to be a top ten pick the year before he was drafted comparable to Hanifin, then his stock tanked for no real reason. He didn't have a great year, but he was playing against men in Sweden. Every single scouting report for him was glowing, but everyone else still passed on him.
- Hunkulese

I remember reading a blog stating that his stock may have taken a hit because he was bounced around a ton in his draft year, likely so to his age and skill. The Swedish leagues couldn’t seem to find the most appropriate league for him to play in for his development. That led to some questions about a possible attitude issue whether real or not who could say. But it wouldn’t surprise me a bit; I’d get a little annoyed and frustrated too if I was constantly getting moved around with no real home.

They're gay give them a break man
- Squilliam-

No you have to be from BC to be like that.

Easiest blog to write ever....Iginla jersey retirement followed by an actual game...
Yet no game day blog...
Love you like a brother Todd but...
- geta02it

Of all of the days to not do a game day blog...

Probably good they kept Bourque and Warrener separated... lol

Iggy to the rafters boys, great start to an otherwise bitter Saturday night

Probably good they kept Bourque and Warrener separated... lol

Iggy to the rafters boys, great start to an otherwise bitter Saturday night
- rmull905

It's time for everyone's favorite segment: Did Rene Bourque score?

Hail Iggy!
That was the greatest ceremony I've ever watched.
Great job by the Flames.

Hockeyfights.com is doing the top 10 Iggy fights on facebook. I feel like a girl feels after watching the Notebook.
- DuranDuran

Iginla is a man’s man. A true beauty. Make some noise out West this year Calgary.

I agree smith is good at playing the puck. But I feel like every game he wins gives him confidence and eventually he gets overconfident and ends like this.

I agree smith is good at playing the puck. But I feel like every game he wins gives him confidence and eventually he gets overconfident and ends like this.
- ksofm

He doesn’t need to touch every (frank)ing puck that comes into our zone ffs.