Flames 2010 Draft Review

 

For those disappointed with the Flames lack of movement during the first round, the second day of the draft would provide no succor. The Flames were similarly quiet on day two, making just one minor move in dealing their 6th round choice for 27 year old goaltender Henrik Karlsson.

#64 Maxwell Reinhart, C, Kootenay Ice

Son of former Flame Paul Reinhart was a 51 point getter for the Kootenay Ice in the WHL, good for 7th overall on his team. Reinhart is described as a decent skilled centerman by Remmerde, but comes with question marks in terms of his passion and compete level. He was ranked 74th overall amongst NA skaters by CS.

#73 Joey Leach, D, Kootenay Ice

As is typical for the Flames, both of their earlier picks came via the WHL, this time both from the same team. Leach is a big, physical defender with limited offensive upside. HIs +33 rating led his team and was well clear of most of this peers. That either means the Flames have grabbed themselves a high impact defensive defender in the third round…or a guy who was protected and fed soft circumstances. Only time will tell which.

Leach was ranked 120th amongst NA skaters by CS.

#103 John Ramage, D, U of Wisconsin

Another kid of a fomer Flame, Rob Ramage’s son was actually eligible for the draft in 2009, but was passed over completely. Described simply as a competitive, dependable defender, He doesn’t project to have a high upside, despite the pedigree. At just 6’0, 190 pounds Ramage isn’t big but is said to have an "edge" to his game.

#108 Bill Arnold, C, USD

A thick center at 5’11, 218 pounds, Arnold was actually fairly highly ranked prior to the draft (36th in NA). He was the captain of the US U-17 team and was named it’s most outstanding player during a tournament. Considered a competitive, two-way center, the only real concern I could find was with his skating.

#133 John Ferland, LW, Brandon Wheat Kings

A feisty scrapper out of the WHL (surprise!), Ferland only scored 28 points in 61 games in what was his rookie season this past year. Remmerde says he has a decent shot and alright offensive skills, but plays mostly as a fighter. He wasn’t even on Remmerde’s daft list.

Henrik Karlsson, G – acquried for #163 from SJS

A huge, older goalie out of Sweden, Karlsson has never made a trip across the pond despite being 27 years old. He’s been playing in the SEL for each of the last two seasons, managing SV% of .929 and .914 respectively. He may get a look in training camp as a back-up, although his total lack of NHL experience and lack of experience even in the SEL (relative to his age) suggests to me that this is more a system depth mvoe than anything else.

#173, Patrick Holland, RW, Tri-City Americans

At just 167 pounds despite standing 6′ tall, Holland is a thin forward. A 16 goal scorer for the Americans of the (three guesses) WHL, Holland is described as "very raw" with a good shot. Holland was the 180th ranked NA skater.

Overall, the Flames didn’t break from any of their draft habits. The concentrated their picks in the the WHL, they scooped a Swede (albeit via trade rather than a pick) and they avoided high skilled guys with major question marks beside their name. None of the guys picked today will have an impact on the organization for a long time (which goes without saying for anyone beyond pick #60), if at all.

Perhaps more disappointing is Sutter’s inability to either move up or dump salary this weekend. The Flames are now heading into free agency with a cap bloated roster, way too many defensemen and a host of lingering question marks.