Final Recap Of The Calgary Flames And Northwest Division 2012 NHL Draft Selection
By Cait Platt
The day started with me seeing the Canadian factor of the NHL being represented well, just sadly very few Calgary Flames fans. Of course there was a billion and two Toronto Maple Leafs fans and drowned out Moorhouse during team roll call.
No shock, first over all was the Edmonton Oilers and their selection of Nail Yakupov. In my opinion, I don’t see why Gary Bettman didn’t just make the announcement for the Oilers, it was the worst kept secret in this draft. Well really most players who go number on are not a shock but did you really need to use 7 minutes to sit around and confirm that you were going to select Yakupov?
While I think it’s silly that the Oilers picked Yakupov first overall (that’s not what this team needs to address), I understand why they did so.
Matt Dumba was selected 7th overall by the Minnesota Wild, but was soon over shadowed by the trade between the Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes that sent Jordan Staal to Carolina and Brandon Sutter, Brian Dumoulin, and 8th round to Pittsburgh.
The Calgary Flames picked 14th overall and selected no one. They traded this pick to the Buffalo Sabres for the 21st pick and 42nd pick. Super awesome guys. SO GLAD I DROVE 6 HOURS HERE FOR THIS! Really fantastic. Sabres picked Zemgus Girgensons.
It was nice to see Jay Feaster take the stage during the 21st pick. Mark Jankowski, not who Flame For Thought picked out, was soon selected by them. Hopefully this young centermen can step it up in the NHL in the coming seasons. His stats (which will be posted later) are impressive and is exactly what the Flames are looking for. This low ranked player could be a turning point for Calgary.
Vancouver Canucks selected 26th overall and were not boo’d, shockingly. Their choice was Brendan Gaunce. This forward has been labeled as a two way offenseman with good puck handling skills. This big bodied draftee will bring positive physical force to the Canucks, meaning he’ll be crashing boards, not diving slipping on that slippery ice.
The wraps up the first round of the 2012 NHL Draft. Tomorrow the coverage resumes from Pittsburgh’s Consol Energy Center. Tomorrow’s updates will be limited to the Calgary Flames draft picks, not the entire Northwestern Division. Hopefully you are happy with how this turned out for the Calgary Flames and all other NHL teams.