After some minor wheeling and dealing, The Calgary Flames ended up with 5 picks in the '07 entry draft. After selecting Mikael Backlund 24th overall in the first round, they chose D John Negrin 70th (3rd round), D Keith Aulie 116th (4th round), C Mickey Renaud 143rd (5th round) and LW CJ Severyn 186th (7th round).
Negrin is a 6'2" defenceman from the Kootney Ice. He's described as a fleet-footed, mobile rearguard who can move the puck and who's not overly physical but offers some offense from the back-end. He managed 1 goal and 16 points in 44 games with the Ice. He was the 85th ranked North American player by Central Scouting prior to the draft, a ranking that may have dropped due to a concussion he suffered mid-way through the season.
Aulie, standing at 6'6", is probably the tallest Flame draft pick in recent memory. I haven't heard much about this kid, except for the fact he saved his father from an icy grave back on the family farm. His stats from last season are uninspiring (1-8-9, +3 in 66GP) but I'm guessing he's tabbed more for his physical play and defensive presence than offensive output. Central Scouting ranked him the 108th best NA skater going into the draft.
Renaud is another big boy, standing 6'2" and weighing 215 pounds. He put up some decent numbers (22-32-54 in 68GP) on a young Windsor Spitfires team that struggled to remain competitive in the OHL last year. Word is he'll be looked upon as a leader for that squad going forward. Central Scouting ranked him the 110th best NA skater going into the draft.
Severyn is a US Juniors prospect. I don't know much about him to be honest, but, as a 7th round pick, I can safely say he's a long-shot to ever make the NHL anyways.
I'm fairly satisfied with the draft, although Im surprised the Flames didn't target more wingers. A "best player available at the time" philosophy dominates Sutter's draft strategy, and this time it yielded mainly centers and defencemen.
Next up...free agent lunacy.
