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Calgary4LIfe · 05-19-2014, 11:08 PM

There are many scouting sources that have wondered aloud if Ekblad is a #1 defencemen or if he is more of a #2 or even a #3.

With that being said, there have also been quite a number of defencmen drafted in the second round (and lower) who have then developed into a #1. This is why selecting forwards at the top-end of the draft is seen as less risky, and you can select defencemen with more picks in the rounds after the 1st, hoping one develops into something wonderful.

With that being said, Ekblad is worth drafting in the top 4. He can very likely develop into a #1, and is worth the draft pick on. I myself will be happy with any of the Sams, Ekblad, Draisaitl, MDC, Ritchie and even Nylander (he isn't that small, and he is supremely offensive) and Ehlers (though a bit less so since he is a winger).

The way I see it, this draft is rather unique as there seems to be lots of differing arguments with respect to the order (and the order always changes anyways at the draft). Every prospect is rather unique this year amongst the first 7 or 8 (with Nylander and Ehlers having very similar games but playing different positions). Any single one of these players can legitimately become a very important 1st line/1st defensive pairing player.

I myself really prefer Reinhart this draft, but I will not blow a gasket if he is available and the Flames pass on him, taking instead someone ranked in what is considered 'the 2nd tier'. That supposed second tier all have the ability to end up as the best player from this year's draft, and as long as the Flames have done their homework (which I am sure they will have), then I will simply blindly trust whom they select and hope that indeed that player is looked back as 'the best player of the draft', but at the very least it will be yet another very important piece moving forward in this rebuild.

05-19-2014, 11:08 PM	#4899
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	There are many scouting sources that have wondered aloud if Ekblad is a #1 defencemen or if he is more of a #2 or even a #3. With that being said, there have also been quite a number of defencmen drafted in the second round (and lower) who have then developed into a #1. This is why selecting forwards at the top-end of the draft is seen as less risky, and you can select defencemen with more picks in the rounds after the 1st, hoping one develops into something wonderful. With that being said, Ekblad is worth drafting in the top 4. He can very likely develop into a #1, and is worth the draft pick on. I myself will be happy with any of the Sams, Ekblad, Draisaitl, MDC, Ritchie and even Nylander (he isn't that small, and he is supremely offensive) and Ehlers (though a bit less so since he is a winger). The way I see it, this draft is rather unique as there seems to be lots of differing arguments with respect to the order (and the order always changes anyways at the draft). Every prospect is rather unique this year amongst the first 7 or 8 (with Nylander and Ehlers having very similar games but playing different positions). Any single one of these players can legitimately become a very important 1st line/1st defensive pairing player. I myself really prefer Reinhart this draft, but I will not blow a gasket if he is available and the Flames pass on him, taking instead someone ranked in what is considered 'the 2nd tier'. That supposed second tier all have the ability to end up as the best player from this year's draft, and as long as the Flames have done their homework (which I am sure they will have), then I will simply blindly trust whom they select and hope that indeed that player is looked back as 'the best player of the draft', but at the very least it will be yet another very important piece moving forward in this rebuild.