Comments on Five Hole Fanatics: The Draft, the Flames and Sutter

and i can't believe you called me a muck-e-muck...

2008-06-17T20:57:00.000-06:00
and i can't believe you called me a muck-e-muck....

Don't get too excited...I dont even think that's a real word.

As for 2007, that draft year seemed to suggest a "change in philosophy" for management. We hadn't seen a lot Backlund's or Negrin's chosen by the club before that point and it may have been in response to a perceived change in the NHL and/or the organizations direction. We'll see how or if that carries over to this year.

i'm optimistic that 2007 was, arguably (phaneuf as...

2008-06-17T18:01:00.000-06:00
i'm optimistic that 2007 was, arguably (phaneuf aside) the best draft year for the flames and that perhaps will point to an upwards swing for 2008.

the non-signing of puustinen is a big question mark to me, as he seemed to be progressing quite nicely in north america. seems a classic stubborn sutter move.

and i can't believe you called me a muck-e-muck.... ;)

Great post, nicely thought-out. I wonder if Micke...

2008-06-17T16:07:00.000-06:00
Great post, nicely thought-out. I wonder if Mickey Renaud could have turned out to be a diamond-in-the-rough pick? Tragically, we will never know. I think Backlund could be a winner. And, as cynical joe said, I'd bet teams will now be spending more money on their scouting staff, since there is always a monkey-see, monkey-do philosophy in the NHL after the Cup is handed out.

I think the Phaneuf pick was an example of the pla...

2008-06-17T11:49:00.000-06:00
I think the Phaneuf pick was an example of the planets aligning: he was a perfect storm of "sutter" qualities. Big, mean, played in the WHL, born in Western Canada and played under a Sutter. Considering Darryl's proclivities there really was no other choice when Dion slipped into our range in '03.

Fantastic post MG. Right now it looks as if 2007 ...

2008-06-17T11:11:00.000-06:00
Fantastic post MG. Right now it looks as if 2007 has been our deepest draft in terms of players that have NHL potential, as you say, Backlund looks good and Negrin has some small potential.

Dion was obviously a steal, but I wonder if Sutter picked him because he saw Dion's potential or because his brother saw Dion's potential...

Good question. The org. tends to be pretty tight-l...

2008-06-17T09:25:00.000-06:00
Good question. The org. tends to be pretty tight-lipped about everything, so I have no idea about what changes are going on behind the scenes, if any. I'm fairly confident, though, that Tod Button is (and has been) the head of scouting for quite some time.

Is there any data on any changes to the scouting d...

2008-06-16T21:19:00.000-06:00
Is there any data on any changes to the scouting department during this period? If its the same guys for all 5 years, I think you'd have to conclude a) they're not that good or b) their selections are being ignored by management in favour of deals. I know all teams complain about their draft record and its tough drafting in the 20s every year, but its pretty clear that the draft is lifting teams like the Red Wings above the rest of the NHL. I can never understand why good drafting people aren't head hunted just like promising RFAs and UFAs. Too many draft departments are just retirement centres for old players.