[djsFlames]

Alright, sat down and watched the top prospects game with all my attention focused on the top guys as well as potential 2nd rounders out there.

How I would rank the top group based on overall performance exhibited tonight:
(Bennett exempt due to injury)

1) Reinhart
2) Ekblad
3) Dal Colle
4) Draisaitl

-Reinhart was by far and away the most dominant player. Dangles, faceoffs, playmaking, tenacity, leadership. He just took control when he wanted to and wasn't really cocky about it, he was all business. Seems to carry himself like his brother (which is a positive) but has all the skill the world on top of that. Best word to describe him with is "Sense". He's almost psychic out there when the offensive plays unfold. Knows precisely where to be before the puck arrives there. (it's scary)

-It could easily be Reinhart and Ekblad as 1a/1b, Ekblad was almost equally as strong in his own right. The way he holds the blue line on the attack is incredible. He reads the play, makes the pinch perfectly and keeps the play alive either by chipping it deep or unloading a bomb of a shot, the d-man would rarely if ever beat him to the puck to chip it past. But to be lined up against the Reinhart/Dal Colle line and come out a +1 with 2 assists, it's obvious that he's a winner and a top pairing D-man in the making, WJCs be damned (that whole team was meh). Just looks so advanced, looks like he was sent down from the pros for a scrimmage game or something. Was most impressive in the second period, but boy can he anchor a PP. I'd be SO excited to have him a Flame almost solely for what he could do for our special teams. The kid is just solid. What else can I say.

-Dal Colle's biggest asset is his finishing ability. He looks very clutch. He was at times extremely noticeable in his ability to drive the net or put a laser on net (heck of a shot he's got). The only thing was he didn't really stand out until the puck was past the blue line. Didn't really notice his game in his own end, was pretty quiet in that regard (Reinhart's 200ft game was more impressive). Looked like he was easily able to find chemistry with the players around him and no doubt he has the skills. His compete level seemed up and down, whereas some others in the game looked to have their motors going non-stop. Didn't appear to be a liability, though (like those Oiler kids).

-Where was Draisaitl? I noticed him early on.. He drove the net a couple times but I didn't see much on display when compared to many other kids out there. I suppose he didn't have linemates like Reinhart and Dal Colle for support, but didn't generate all that much. Quiet night.. which is unfortunate cause I wanted to get a better read on him. Safe to say I was more excited by the others.

Most notable potential 2nd picks in the game:
(whether it's with our 2nd rounder, or a second 1st rounder)

- Ho Sang
- Lemieux
- Goldobin

All three look like incredible pains in the a## to play against. Lemieux looks to have first round skill and was everywhere, and he definitely has those blood lines, would love to take him with our second. Ho-Sang was possibly the best puck handler in the entire game, although was a bit of a puck hog (hard to care, though, when you're in a game trying to sell yourself and on the peripheral) and scored a nice one too. It's too bad Goldobin is a russian kid, looks excellent. Drove the net as hard as anyone and was on pace with Reinhart offensively at many points. Great passer and gritty. Hit a post or two. Should've had goal. I was impressed by all three, and didn't know anything about Ho-Sang or Goldobin coming in so that was a pleasant surprise to see other standouts.

Honorables: Virtanen, Barbashev. Both very noticeable, but likely out of our range for drafting.

Anyways, Reinhart being ranked 4th is a joke. He looks to be the head of the class when it comes to forwards. Don't know enough about Bennett to say whether he can hold a match to the other Sam. The whole group is interesting though.

Edit: my mistake on Goldobin, he did score a goal. I must have somehow missed that it was him who scored.