Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick M.
If we can get one of the 2 Sams or Ekblad by winning the draft lottery or trading up, that would be great. If not, the player below the top 3 I'm most excited about is Ehlers. He would be the best skater and stickhandler on the team with excellent scoring potential and playmaking. Unlike many with top skills, he is unselfish and uses his team mates very well. He also has a fine defensive game and backchecks like a demon. He plays at a high tempo every shift. I saw him play in Charlottetown when Drouhin had not returned to the lineup from the World Juniors. He made at least a half dozen perfect passes onto team mates sticks when they were in scoring position. The fact that only one was converted says a lot about why most juniors don't make the pros. I kept imagining these passes landing on Monahan's stick! The only knock on Ehlers is size. He was listed at 5' 11" and 163 lbs. at the start of the season. I've seen more recent info listing him at 5' 11.5" or 6' 0" and 169 pounds. He will likely need another season in junior to add weight/strength just as the 5' 11" Drouhin needed (he now is over 190 lbs.). Ehlers is not a perimeter player and is fearless. He drives the defence back with his speed and moves opening up ice for his team mates. He deserves to be in the Flames' conversation.
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Ehlers would be exciting, but I just can't see Burke drafting him ahead of Dal Colle, Perlini, Virtanen, or maybe even Ritchie. Burke has continually said that he wants more size in the lineup.