FlamesNation Roundtable: 15th Overall Pick

A long time ago, in a comment section far, far away, someone requested we do a roundtable to see who each FN writer foresees the Flames drafting at 15th overall. 

Well we here at FlamesNation are people pleasers, so we did just that. 

I didn’t want to do just the generic “So who do you think they’ll take at 15” question, so I instead I asked 3 questions tailored to the 15th overall, and one other 1st round related inquiry. 

Joining me for this exercise are FN personalities Kent Wilson, Ryan Pike, Ari, Byron Bader, Beloch and Taylor McKee. Let’s get this party started!

Kent: Timo Meier. I think he’s the guy I’d realistically like to see fall to the Flames. It would be great to see one of the top-3 defenders get there (Hanafin, Provorov or Werenski), but I really doubt they make it our of the top-10. 

Ari: Timo Meier (though some mock drafts, including Craig Button’s, have Mathew Barzal falling to 15th, and if that actually does happen… man. What a dream that would be)

Taylor: Though this seems entirely implausible, I’m sure the Flames would love to see Mikko Rantanen fall to them at 15. 6’4, 211lb Right winger seems to tick a lot of boxes and by all accounts he has some scoring touch as well. For many of the same reasons, I’d also love to see Pavel Zacha in Flames’ silks, but that seems inherently unlikely as well.

Beloch: Zachary Werenski – He’s one of the top three defencemen in the draft and there is a slim chance he’ll fall into the Flames’ reach, although it may be necessary to trade up a couple of slots to grab him.  Cross your fingers and hope he has problems with pull-ups!

Christian: Zach Werenski or Mikko Rantanen are my dream fallers – although Werenski is probably the only realistic one. Have heard some ranking him in the 20s. It’s beyond me why, but it’s hope.

Kent: That’s almost impossible to guess. The Flames sit right at the intersection of this draft, where opinions and lists start to really diverge. My guess is they look at a RW or D there and take they guy they think is the better player. For now, I’ll guess Nick Merkley.

Ryan: Nick Merkley

Taylor: I have a sneaky suspicion that it will be Nick Merkley but I hope it will be Oliver Kylington. 

Beloch: Jakub Zboril – Yeah… I bet you guys can tell I want the Flames to take a defender in the first round.  

Kent: I have a few guys.

I hope Pavel Zacha doesn’t make it to 15 because he looks like jeans model pick (scouts love his tools, but his results kind of suck). Then there’s Brandon Carlo, who teams like because he’s 6’5″. Not to say he’s a bad prospect, but I wouldn’t take a defensive oriented defender anywhere near the first round.  

Ryan: Daniel Sprong

Ari: Lawson Crouse

Byron: Lawson Crouse

Taylor: I would say Paul Bittner because I get Niemsz’y vibes from him.

Beloch: David Jankowski

Christian: Jakub Zboril or Pavel Zacha. Zacha’s numbers just scream bust and Zboril has strange reviews, a lot of people questioning how he transitions to the NHL. 

Kent: It depends on where in the first round we’re talking and who might be available at the time.

If the Flames have to give up a couple of 2nd rounder just to make it into the bottom end of the first round, it probably isn’t worth it. That said, if something happens and a guy the Flames really like drops to a position they think they can snag, I’d be okay with making that move. 

Ryan: No. This draft should be about amassing depth.

Ari: Unless the three second rounders could yield another top 20 pick, probably, but that seems unlikely so nah.

Byron: Yes if they could dip into the really elite guys that aren’t Eichel or McDavid … like a Strome or Marner.  

Taylor: If that first rounder can net you a quality defender, I’d say do it. It would probably need to be top-ten and that seems extremely unlikely to me.

Beloch: In a normal draft, the drop between the late first round and second round isn’t that big. In a deep draft it’s even smaller. Those three second round picks could produce good players. 

Christian: No. The depth of this draft is far too quality to give up multiple shots at acquiring NHL talent to move into the mid-to-late 20s, which is where the 2nd rounders will take you. 

Would love to hear your answers to these four questions in the comments!