Quote:
Originally Posted by stemit14
While there isn't a consensus on who should go number one overall... It seems like Reinhart has spent the most time in the rankings as number one overall. Also seems like most people on CP believe/want the flames to take Ekblad if the flames win the lottery.
Is there something against taking Reinhart as the best player available? I think most sccouts have him at the top of their list. I know Burke wants a big, physical, minute-eating defencemen but I hope he takes the best player he can and doesn't just draft for position. I think the flames could use a Reinhart just as much as they could use an ekblad.
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Well Reinhart actually doesn't top the majority of the independant rankings. So you can't really say he's clearly the best player available. It is very much a toss up.
CSS has Bennett #1, Draisaitl #2, Ekblad #3, Reinhart #4, Dal Colle #5
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=699869
Bob Mackenzie has Ekblad #1, Reinhart #2, Bennett #3, Dal Colle #4, Draisaitl #5
http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=9593
ISS has Ekblad #1, Reinhart #2, Bennett #3, Dal Colle #4, Nylander #5
http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=114013
Redline has Ekblad #1, Draisaitl #2, Reinhart #3, Bennett #4, Dal Colle #5
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...semen/5952761/
Future Considerations has Ekblad #1, Reinhart #2, Bennett #3, Nylander #4, Ritchie #5
http://futureconsiderations.ca/
The much maligned Craig Button is actually the only ranking that still has Reinhart #1, Ekblad #2, Bennett #3, Dal Colle #4, Perlini #5
http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=49649
So at this point the rankings indicate Ekblad is best player available. 5/6 rankings have Ekblad ahead of Reinhart. 2/6 rankings have Draisaitl ahead of Reinhart as well. Given the Flames need for top 3 defensemen prospects especially with size, and especially right shooters, Ekblad seems the best fit for us for sure. Arguably Ekblad is the best fit for the Islanders, Panthers and Oilers as well.
That said expect the unexpected in the draft. Teams will have strong opinions. At this point it looks like Ekblad, Reinhart, Draisaitl and Bennett could all go anywhere in the top 4 depending on how the draft order shakes out.