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Originally Posted by Table 5
Feel free to show otherwise, but I don't think I've ever heard anyone legitimate ever call Ritchie or Virtanen as the "possible best player in the draft". They've always been a tier or two below as far as I can recall. Personally, I would stay away from Virtanen even if our pick was in the 5-10 range. I just don't think the guy has the creativity to be a great player...he seems to just make the same move over and over. Maybe hockey IQ isn't as important to the Flames as during the Feaster era, but it better still be up there.
If we're going away from the Top 4, I'd much rather go with a guy like Dal Colle, who honestly to me seems to be the surest best in the Top 10 to reach his potential. Or a guy like Nylander (a guy who has potential to be that "best player in the draft").
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They are definitely a tier below the 'consensus', but then again, past 'consensus' lists have been proven wrong. If you read individual scouting reports, they often have the 'possible best player in the draft'. I am too lazy to look them up now, as I have posted them in the past (just check my previous posts about Ritchie in this thread, or search them yourself). With that being said, it isn't like I 'prefer' Ritchie over the top 4 (I really don't - and I make no secret that Reinhart is the guy I am really hoping gets selected).
I do personally agree with your views on Virtanen, though his goal-scoring, shot and speed are definitely elite, and given he is one of the younger players in the draft, admit that he has enough there to really develop. I prefer Ritchie over him because he seems more dynamic and comes in a much bigger frame, seems to have better IQ and passing ability, and his agility makes me think he could be one of those 'unstoppable' power-forwards in the league (which there are very few of). Would give this team a different dynamic moving forward having skilled guys in conjunction with a 'hard to handle' presence that has the ability to keep up with the skilled guys and not pull the line down offensively.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan
The Flames should be going with the BPA since they are in the top 4 in this draft.
Downside: We get last pick
Upside: We get the last of the Fantastic Four.
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What is the BPA at 4, however? I myself prefer Reinhart, and I will even say that I prefer the other 3 over Ritchie as well. My point is that if the Flames decide to go with Ritchie at that spot, it is because they think he will be the best player down the road.
These kids are 17 and 18. There is a lot of growth and development to their game yet, and it often becomes difficult to project. Once again, the top picks (even pre-draft 'consensus' lists) have in hindsight been proven 'bad picks' or at least 'not the best picks'.
My point is that the Flames may feel Ritchie projects better than 1, 2, 3 or even all 4 of the 'top 4', and they may indeed be proven right in time. Pre-draft 'consensus' lists from different sources are not guaranteed for panning out the way they state. Some of their projections are bang on, some of them are flops. If the Flames don't agree with those lists, it is because they have done their homework and disagree with those lists, and only time will tell if they are right or wrong.
I just personally think that the gap between guys like Ritchie, Ehlers and Nylander (perhaps even Virtanen, though I am not very high on him myself) is THAT great from the 'top tier' as to think of it as a horrible choice, and will live with any of the first 7 or 8 ranked players out of that 'consensus list' (though I will admit I will be a little disappointed if the Flames pass up on Reinhart if he is available, but will get over it quickly).
To sum up both my rebuttals - my point is that I will be optimistic and happy regardless of who the Flames draft, as I have been trusting their judgement much more in the last few years and many of these prospects have the legitimate upside to be huge impact players down the road.