FC's 2014 NHL Draft Thread

[Commandant]

The end of the first round 26-30.
http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/02/...-part-6-26-30/

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by FCAV

February rankings are now live!



Full top-30 here: http://futureconsiderations.ca/fc-re...014-nhl-draft/
Top-100 (via sub) here: http://futureconsiderations.ca/fc-in...ft-newsletter/

And as always, our FREE Player Profiler can be found here: http://futureconsiderations.ca/playerprofiler/

In regards to defense, While we all were considering Ekblad, anyone know how good Haydn Fleury is? I'm very curious to know. (Remember Dion Phaneuf was the ninth pick in 2003). Looks like he has some size on him too.

[FCAV]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

In regards to defense, While we all were considering Ekblad, anyone know how good Haydn Fleury is? I'm very curious to know. (Remember Dion Phaneuf was the ninth pick in 2003). Looks like he has some size on him too.

Despite his size, he's more of a finesse guy than a big bruising defenseman. He does play the body, but his skating is more of his bread and butter. Talking with him and some of the other guys in Red Deer, I'm not sure his has that 'killer' in him that Dion had.

Fleury is a big, physical blueliner who shows good offensive ability. He's strong and balanced on his skates, keep his head up and understands developing plays. He rubs opposing forwards out and isn't shy to make a solid hit. (August 2013)

http://futureconsiderations.ca/playe.../Haydn-Fleury/

[sureLoss]

^ Yeah I have heard he is more similar to Bouwmeester's style of defence. Maybe a little more physical.

[FCAV]

A little De Leo for some second round consideration:

“I was definitely blessed getting drafted to that team when I was 14,” De Leo said. “[Ryan] Johansen, [Nino] Niederreiter and obviously last year with [Seth] Jones. I’ve obviously been lucky. I get to see those guys and practice with them every day. I try not to grind them with too many questions. They get enough media attention as it is. They just say to be yourself and just have a good time and enjoy it.”

http://futureconsiderations.ca/de-le...portland-push/

[ForeverFlameFan]

Maybe we can trade with another team for another top ten pick? Highly unlikely though. This draft however isn't as deep as the previous one, so maybe a team would give in.

[dammage79]

I don't disagree, but rather than hoarding for 2014, the Flames should get a pre-emptive strike on hoarding 2015 picks of any kind. As I feel they'll want as much Ammo to move up if need be to get into the top two or three. But that'll be a tall order as I do not think any team will give their 2015 first so early.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I don't disagree, but rather than hoarding for 2014, the Flames should get a pre-emptive strike on hoarding 2015 picks of any kind. As I feel they'll want as much Ammo to move up if need be to get into the top two or three. But that'll be a tall order as I do not think any team will give their 2015 first so early.

Kind of why I am hoping we get some decent picks for this draft too. I don't blame the other teams for not giving up their 2015 pick.

[Commandant]

Fleury will battle on the boards, and in front of the net. He will also hit some, but I don't think of him as a guy who throws those absolutely bone crunching hits. he doesn't shy away from getting dirty, and playing the body in tough areas, but he's isn't going to throw huge hits either.

[Commandant]

Yesterday, I interviewed one of the top 10 prospects (we had him at 7) for the NHL draft next year. Nick Ritchie.

http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/02/...-nick-ritchie/

[thymebalm]

Maybe we could trade down a spot or two and pick up Fleury.. I really think if we can't get an elite scorer (potentially reinhart) then we should work on solidifying the d-core. If that means we can trade down two picks and get another guy in the draft... might be the season to do it.

[Commandant]

An interview and scouting report on Michael Dal Colle.

http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/03/...ael-dal-colle/

[FCAV]

We've released March's Top-30.

1). D Aaron Ekblad, Barrie (OHL), 6-4, 215
2). C Sam Reinhart, Kootenay (WHL), 6-1, 185
3). C/LW Sam Bennett, Kingston (OHL), 6-0, 180
4). C William Nylander, MODO (SHL), 5-11, 170
5). LW Nick Ritchie, Peterborough (OHL), 6-2, 230
6). LW/C Michael Dal Colle, Oshawa (OHL), 6-2, 180
7). C Leon Draisaitl, Prince Albert (WHL), 6-2, 210
8). D Haydn Fleury, Red Deer (WHL), 6-3, 200
9). LW Brendan Perlini, Niagara (OHL), 6-2, 205
10). LW Jake Virtanen, Calgary (WHL), 6-1, 210

VIEW FULL TOP-30 HERE.

VIEW TOP-100 (BY SUB.) HERE.

[RyZ]

Nylander seems to have dropped out of the top group on nearly every list but FC. What do you guys see in him that others are missing?

[FCAV]

Originally Posted by RyZ

Nylander seems to have dropped out of the top group on nearly every list but FC. What do you guys see in him that others are missing?

He's always showed skill but had a real tough time to start the season, both in his play and earning opportunity. Since his loan, he's really been re-ignited and has shown a lot of what was expected of him early.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by FCAV

We've released March's Top-30.

Brendan Perlini is the son of Fred Perlini, former Flames legend. Guildford Flames that is--Brendan Perlini was born and raised in England before the Perlinis moved back to Canada. Neat story for UK-based hockey fans.

[Commandant]

A long interview with Sam Bennett.

http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/03/...on-frontenacs/

[Caged Great]

With the Flames more likely picking in the 6-7 range, I am starting to hope Virtanen continues to impress. Not really confident with any of the guys past the top 3. Virtanen though seems like a guy that could be a decent secondary scorer and has some good size to him as well.

I would stay away from Fleury, not good enough in comparison to the forwards that are there.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

With the Flames more likely picking in the 6-7 range, I am starting to hope Virtanen continues to impress. Not really confident with any of the guys past the top 3. Virtanen though seems like a guy that could be a decent secondary scorer and has some good size to him as well.

I haven't been able to watch the Hitmen much this year...but last year, I remember Virtanen had some temperament issues and took Bourque-esc penalties. Has that changed much this year?

I loved his skill and size but that bothered me a lot last year.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by kirant

I haven't been able to watch the Hitmen much this year...but last year, I remember Virtanen had some temperament issues and took Bourque-esc penalties. Has that changed much this year?

I loved his skill and size but that bothered me a lot last year.

He has 1.5X more PIM this year, so I would think that that's still an issue.

Unfortunately, all the guys from 4 on have warts. Dal Colle is too passive, Draisaitl is inconsistent, Ritchie doesn't think the game well, Virtanen takes too many penalties, Perlini doesn't seem to have the high end offensive abilities, Nylander looks like he's the same type of player as his father, Kapanen doesn't have high end offensive skill, Ehlers is okay but more of a 15th overall pick type guy than a top ten guy.

If we didn't have Sven + Gaudreau, I would be more interested in Nylander because his only knock is that he's smallish and not physical. Depending how the next few months go, I might start saying go that route as he's really turned it on recently. Would be like getting an Elias Lindholm type from last year (although not quite as good).

Just hard to determine which is the best fit when there's still 1/4 of the information still TBD.