@andystrickland Could be just a tactic to create more scarcity in the C trade market due to Larkin being available now. If he goes for a good haul, they have precedent to ask for just as much if not more.
@IceMetrix I agree, I have struggled to see it all season. Decision making is a huge 🚩. Just doesn’t have the IQ to be a first pair D. Praying the flames take either Carels or Smits if they are taking a D but I’m afraid KV may be their guy as they’ve seen him a lot as Reschnys teammate.
@BigFlamesGuy@RingOfFireCGY It’s Vegas 2027 pick. As it’s mostly future picks, it gives Florida far more flexibility next year. Something like…
2026 Vegas 1st
2027 Vegas 1st
2027 CGY 2nd
2027 CGY 3rd
You are going to have to overpay a bit to get into the Top 10. Type of swing the flames need to make tho
@Hockeytalky777@FlamesNation I agree the quality of competition is significantly better in the NCAA. I just wanted to see improvement and unfortunately imo he still was doing the same things at seasons end which frustrates me. If we draft him, I’ll turn into his biggest supporter but he makes me nervous 😬
@Hockeytalky777@FlamesNation If he’s a bonafide top 3 pick he should dominate the U18s imo. Thats the kind of tournament you expect guys like him to separate themselves and I didn’t see it. He always leaves me wanting more. I think his progression will require lots of patience which I do not have haha.
@Hockeytalky777@FlamesNation Bjorck is also a great example. Went from playing 4th line SHL minutes to 1C by seasons end because he has very high hockey IQ and makes really good decisions with the puck. I definitely lean towards these types of players. Verhoeff is raw which imo is risky for high picks.
@ForeverMidCGY@davedubbin85 I agree that the NCAA, especially the NCHC, for a young D is tough. My main issue - I watched more than a few ND games and for a guy who has the hype of KV, I didn’t notice marked improvement nor did I leave blown away. Then the U18s, he underwhelmed again against his own age. 🚩
@davedubbin85 Upside is enormous but very raw in his IQ/decision making. Lots of unforced errors, errant passes, skating into traffic with no plan. Also did not see much improvement throughout the year so I’m not sold on him being a top pair stud. My fear is he becomes David Jiricek 2.0.
@FlamesNation@Village_Honda The issue - he has the enticing physical tools that GMs drool over but his reads and decision making need major refinement. If you take him high, you are really banking on raw potential. If he had got better throughout the year like McKenna did, I’d be intrigued buuuut he didn’t.
@ColdestRiley Enticing physical tools but his IQ and decision making is very suspect and I think ultimately holds him back from being a true first pair guy. Really challenged by the NCAA pace and made mostly poor decisions with the puck. Yes he is young but it did not improve as season went on
@nucks0 At the beginning of the year he was keeping up with the pace of the SHL and by the end he was excelling as his teams 1C. That speaks volumes about the level of player this kid is, that despite being small and not a burner - he adapts quick due to every other trait being high end.
@singh_g77 I feel like him and Bjorck are exact opposites - one has the physical tools but struggles with pace/decision making while the other lacks the physical tools but has an elite brain/IQ. I bet on brain over brawn everytime - the NHL is FAST and the quickest brains thrive the most.
@ColtonBaxter17 Basically my argument mid season - to trade their pick if it’s top 4 to SJ for Misa so we get our 1C and they get their 1D. If the 🔥 had to add another 1st then so be it. Last thing you want is to end up forward heavy, the leafs are a great example. Draft lottery fucked that up
@FlamesNation Can’t believe the question of trading ZP and the 6th was even spotlighted in this…? Yeah let’s trade an elite prospect PLUS the 6th overall pick to get a sub 6’ winger at 2nd overall. Writing off ZP future because he wasn’t a star in year one is…wild. Kid has 70pt potential.
@NHLFoley 6’1 170lb high skill, shifty playmaker Wyatt Cullen compares to… two 6’3 220lb+ power forwards who dominate with puck protection and strength… usually agree with you on a lot of stuff but I’m truly shocked with these comps haha. He’s more Keller/hagens/ehlers.