Revisiting The 2001 Calgary Flames Draft Pick

Back in 2001, the Calgary Flames selected 14th overall and chose right wing Chuck Kobasew from Boston College.  That year, Ilya Kovalchuk was drafted first by the Atlanta Thrashers and Jason Spezza second to the Ottawa Senators.  From 2002 until the 2006-2007 season, Kobasew played for the Calgary Flames before he was traded to the Boston Bruins.  Since then Kobasew has played for the Minnesota Wild and, most recently, the Colorado Avalanche.  In his time with the Flames, managed 72 goals and 74 assists for a total of 146 points.  After looking at everything he did while playing for Boston College, I was expecting a bit more, especially after putting up 75 points one season, how do you follow it up with only 31 after that?

Some other options the Calgary Flames had that draft year?

• RJ Umberger
• Derek Roy
• Tim Jackman
• Mike Cammalleri
• Jason Pominville
• Patrick Sharp
• Jordin Tootoo
• Kevin Bieksa
• Brooks Laich
• Johnny Oduya
• PA Parenteau

A pretty stand out draft class that the Flames could have been part of, although the 2001 Draft is an upgrade from the 2000 Draft.  And I included Jackman and Cammalleri on that list because they were not originally drafted by the Calgary Flames.  Jackman was picked up by the Columbus Blue Jackets and Cammalleri was a LA King first.

Unlike the 2000 Draft, there aren’t many players who went before Kobasew that I wish the Flames could have picked up. I don’t know about you but Ales Hemsky isn’t exactly high on my wishlist for the Flames.

Who would you have gone with in the 2001 Draft?  Are you pleased with Kobasew at this point or do you wish the Flames had picked someone else up?  Don’t forget, 2001 is before the lock out.  The game was different.  You’re drafting for a different game.

Check back tomorrow for the 2002 Draft!

Go Flames Go!