Monahan wanted Flames to draft him

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Calgary Flames exec Craig Conroy had an 18-minute interview Friday morning with Boomer on Sportsnet 960 and discussed the NHL draft.

On how Sean Monahan was at the combine last year:

"Yeah, you know I actually wasn't at the combine last year. But when Monahan came into Calgary, he was a great interview. He came in and he was focused, determined, and he was serious. It was all business. He said he wanted to be a Calgary Flame right then. I mean, I think on the floor he text Jay in the morning, before the draft, like, I hope I'm a Calgary Flame.

"So, I mean Monahan was real focused. So you felt like, geez, this guy really wants to be with us and that makes you feel good... even though if he wasn't the guy we had on our list, we would have went somewhere else. But he actually was on our list, he fell to us and it worked out perfect. But we had him in Calgary, we went to lunch. I mean, all that stuff. You know, I think sometimes he's a little guarded with the media where you see him, but... when he's just around the guys, you know, he's real good. He's easy to talk to."

On how close the Flames are to having their final draft list:

"We came into Toronto probably two weeks ago and we were here five days and we're very close. I mean, you know, I think now, after this, we're going to go to the draft and we're going to kind of shore it up, but we're very close right now."

Related: Flames have specific target with No. 4 pick

On if he anticipates a lot of movement on draft day:

"You know, I think so. I think... it could even happen before. I mean, I think there's going to be a lot of discussion with the cap going up... You look at the UFAs this year... there's not a ton of guys. Everybody seems like they're signing their guys. So there might be some movement before, but always on draft day... I think there's going to be a lot of movement and a lot of opportunity. I think if someone wants to try to get up into one of these top players, I mean that could be a scenario. You just never know. But I do think there's going to be a lot of movement here before it."

On if GM Brad Treliving has 'a guy' targeted at No. 4:

"Oh, he's got a guy. He's got a guy. (Laughs) But it's not the same guy I have."

On if he's trying to persuade Treliving to change his mind, or vice versa:

"Oh, I like his guy too though. That's the thing. If you got either one of our two, I'd be very happy. Ecstatic. You know what I mean? I just think - You know, I've seen games of my guy... I walked out of the rink thinking 'I want to have him.' And he's felt the same way... and I've liked his guy. And that's the dynamics. I think either way, if we got either of them, Calgary... it'd be great for the organization."

On Brian Burke's role in the draft prospect interview process:

"You know, to be honest, Brian's just in there listening. You know, he has questions. He asked questions when he feels like, oh, I have something to ask. But for the most part he's just observing. He's just observing, listening, and then when they leave, he kind of says, oh, this is what I like, this is what I thought, and then it goes from there.

"Pretty much he's just sitting there. He makes the kids a little nervous (laughs) when he doesn't say anything, so, you know, I said 'I'd be sweating too if Brian was in there interviewing me.' (Laughs)"

Source: Sportsnet 960