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Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
What's the huge difference? And who said Ritchie was 20 lbs overweight? Burke just said 10 didn't he? Do you need hyperbole to make your point?
I don't see at all why it's a smaller concern for a kid to add 20 lbs vs another kid with a different metabolism who needs to drop 10 lbs. These kids will get the best instruction on nutrition and fitness. Neither should be a huge concern. You guys are blowing this weight issue massively out of proportion.
There are reports that pretty much every draft eligible player struggles with inconsistency. Ryan Getzlaf struggled with inconsistency in his draft year. I wonder how many scouts regret passing on him with his size, skill and skating combination? Ritchie also has that same combination.
All what risks? These small, skilled kids bust quite frequently so I'm not sure why you ignore size concerns about them and then trash a kid who's slightly too big.
http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca/2014...-for-2014.html
He definitely exhibits some star qualities. Great shot, great instincts for driving the net, winning board battles, good passing. Have you only read the negative reports about him? Let me guess you read all the following quotes and the only thing you picked out of them was that he doesn't compete and he's fat...
"I know scouts are a little concerned about his weight this season, but that's a question he can answer at the draft combine. Otherwise, he's putting up offense on a team that needs it and his snarly, nasty play at the Top Prospects Game was excellent." - Anonymous
" Can be the best Player in the draft, physically dominates at times, disappears far too often, high risk-reward player, hard to handle on the wall." - Anonymous
" So big, powerful and strong but also kills penalties, blocks shots and once given a legitimate center in hunter garlent, has dominated the league.....I question his work ethic and his desire but too many intanglibes and maybe the highest ceiling to me in the draft....terrific release." - Anonymous
"A bit of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde scenario for Ritchie. I have been to games this season where he looks like the undisputed top prospect for this draft. A real bull in a china shop who can force his will on anyone physically as well as possessing the offensive skills to singlehandedly dominate the game and carry the Petes to victory, and then some games where he looks disinterested and played like a real dog. Partly due to improved health but lately his contributions and efforts have been more consistent which has his stock rising. Think physical dominance like Milan Lucic but with better offensive abilities (shot, hands, sense)." - Dan Stewart
Obviously there's some negatives but you seem to be ignoring the several scouts who acknowledge he could end up as the best forward. Will Burke swing for the fences and grab a Burke type player? We'll see I guess. This organization needs a powerforward or two BADLY. |
You know, you have an extreme problem with posters who don't share your opinion. Please learn to treat others with respect.
Guess what? I don't like Nick Ritchie as a hockey player. I'm glad you read THN's hockey guide and their positive reviews of every player they ranked in their top 15, but most players picked in this range do not become impact NHLers.
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What's the huge difference? And who said Ritchie was 20 lbs overweight? Burke just said 10 didn't he? Do you need hyperbole to make your point?
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Uh, what? Since when is Burke's word final? He's 6'3, 235 pounds at age 18. 20 pounds overweight is on the lower end of this limit. If you're saying his ideal weight is 225 pounds at age 18, that's assuming a hell of a lot of muscle mass.
There have not many (any?) top 5 picks with the fitness concerns that Ritchie has for a while. I am not blowing anything out of proportion.
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There are reports that pretty much every draft eligible player struggles with inconsistency. Ryan Getzlaf struggled with inconsistency in his draft year. I wonder how many scouts regret passing on him with his size, skill and skating combination? Ritchie also has that same combination.
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Just because Getzlaf became an NHL star does not exclude these issues with Ritchie's game. If you want to say "well, player x had similar concerns when he was drafted, and look at the player he became, so we don't have to worry about it", go ahead. I think that's an unintelligent way to evaluate prospect weaknesses.
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He definitely exhibits some star qualities. Great shot, great instincts for driving the net, winning board battles, good passing. Have you only read the negative reports about him? Let me guess you read all the following quotes and the only thing you picked out of them was that he doesn't compete and he's fat...
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"great shot, great instincts". Sounds like I'm listening to Craig Button on That's Hockey. 4/5 Ice Q and 5/5 shot, right?
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"I know scouts are a little concerned about his weight this season, but that's a question he can answer at the draft combine. Otherwise, he's putting up offense on a team that needs it and his snarly, nasty play at the Top Prospects Game was excellent." - Anonymous
"Can be the best Player in the draft, physically dominates at times, disappears far too often, high risk-reward player, hard to handle on the wall." - Anonymous
"So big, powerful and strong but also kills penalties, blocks shots and once given a legitimate center in hunter garlent, has dominated the league.....I question his work ethic and his desire but too many intanglibes and maybe the highest ceiling to me in the draft....terrific release." - Anonymous
"A bit of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde scenario for Ritchie. I have been to games this season where he looks like the undisputed top prospect for this draft. A real bull in a china shop who can force his will on anyone physically as well as possessing the offensive skills to singlehandedly dominate the game and carry the Petes to victory, and then some games where he looks disinterested and played like a real dog. Partly due to improved health but lately his contributions and efforts have been more consistent which has his stock rising. Think physical dominance like Milan Lucic but with better offensive abilities (shot, hands, sense)." - Dan Stewart
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These are exactly the kinds of scouting reports I'm talking about. They are written for entertainment purposes. The highlight the strengths of the player while barely touching on the weaknesses.
"So big, powerful and strong" followed by "I question his work ethic and his desire" (and not going any deeper into these huge red flags) is not a good scouting report. The latter is much more important for NHL players than the former.
Ultimately, as I've said in the past, I think the NHL power forward is dead. Somebody truly exceptional has to come along for me to change my mind, and Ritchie is not that prospect.