Leon Draisaitl Perfect Fit For Calgary Flames
Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; A general view of the stage between picks during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
The Calgary Flames will have pick four at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, the highest position the team will pick from since moving to Calgary in 1980. The Flames finished 27th overall in the NHL this season and didn’t use their 10.7% lottery chance for teams outside the playoffs.
It’s an important pick for the Flames, one they will need to use wisely and the first time Brian Burke will draft as part of the hockey club.
Calgary is still stock piling talent and this year’s draft looks a good one, a draft which runs deep. Looking over the list of possible outcomes and players who might be available at pick four, the Flames first choice should be Leon Draisaitl.
Standing at 6’1” and 210lbs, Leon Draisaitl would be a perfect fit for the Flames and can play the center or wing position.
Great hockey sense, terrific puck handling ability and a difference maker on the ice, Draisaitl has all the tools.
Not an overly impressive skater, it will need improvement at NHL level but won’t be something to turn clubs away at the draft table.
What stands out to most is his amazing season on the stats sheet, 38 goals, 67 assists and plus-minus of 24.
All most doubling his total points from the previous season, Leon Draisaitl would finish on 105 points from 64 Western Hockey League regular season games.
He would continue his point production for the Prince Albert Raiders in the Round 1 of the WHL playoffs.
Described as a hard worker, Draisaitl would fit in nicely with Bob Hartley and his blue collar Flames.
With Calgary forming a hard working, blue collar resolve about them this season.
“That kid works so hard every shift,” Central Scouting’s Chris Bordeleau said.
“I don’t see how this kid doesn’t go early. There’s no one in this draft class who can protect the puck like him.”
Dubbed “The German Gretzky”, Draisaitl seems to be handling expectations well, given how big the Gretzky tag holds.
Not limited to just Gretzky, he has been compared to a past Calgary Flames great.
“You want to talk about a miniature Jaromir Jagr with a Doug Gilmour-type intensity, you’ve got him right here,” Central Scouting’s Peter Sullivan told NHL.com.
If Draisaitl can fall to the fourth pick when Calgary are on the clock, they should take the promising German.
With Samuel Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Sam Reinhart all tipped to go in the top three, Calgary is firmly placed to get their man.
With Sean Monahan already impressing, Mark Jankowski progressing well, Leon Draisaitl would top off a terrific trio of first round centerman within the hockey club.
Now the wait until June 27 begins, and this is one writer, that hopes the words Leon Draisaitl are spoken when the Flames get to the podium.