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Savvy27 · 06-21-2014, 01:37 PM

My list:
1) Sam Reinhart - Was one of Canada's best players at the WJC. Was the best player on the ice at the top prospects game. 23 points in 13 playoff games. Creates chances constantly whenever I have seen him play. Good size at 6'1, right handed shot brings something different and could start on the team as a winger.

2) Aaron Ekblad - incredibly steady player who has ideal size. Impressive skating for his size and a cannon for a shot. Would be the best defensive prospect on the team by miles, has a right-handed shot. Seems like a very intelligent player and appears to have a future as an NHL captain. The angles that he uses and the way he limits space indicate that he understands the defensive game so well that even without his size advantage, he would be a reliable player.

3) Leon Draisaitl - I've been persuaded somewhat by the numbers being thrown around in articles from Oilers fan/journalists. He was depended on so heavily for offense on his team and ended up tied in points with Reinhart. He's got great size and puck protection, along with vision and remarkable accuracy on his passes. Considering the style of game that is played in the Pacific division, I think he would be a fine addition going forward.

4) Sam Bennett - looks like a very talented and exciting player. The reviews about his competitiveness and work ethic could not be more positive and the Flames would be fortunate if this guy drops. He seems a bit similar to Mike Richards to me although some projections for him are above that (even though Richards was a captain in his early twenties and played for a Canadian Olympic team).

The top 4 look really good.

5) Michael Dal Colle - seems to be sort of a forgotten man right now and I'm not sure why. Has good size and is apparently versatile enough that he may end up playing as a center next year. Watching his highlights, he has the best hands of the players on this list and his release looks like an NHL scorer to me. His biggest knock, to me is his position, which isn't much of one.

6) Nikolaj Ehlers - I see him as a Phil Kessel type player. He is so incredibly fast and combines it with great passing and a wicked shot. I'd be confident picking him that he will be a first line winger in the NHL. He played on a team with Drouin, but according to reports, did not play on his line consistently.

7) Nick Ritchie - Big, powerful, intimidating, goal scorer. Ritchie looks like a talented and intelligent player who has size that -if his game translates- will allow him to be a player that few teams can match up with. Adding a Milan Lucic type guy would give the Flames an element that leads to wins and especially playoff wins. He is last on my list because I am concerned that it took him three years in the OHL to become an elite scorer unlike the other players on this list and that he was unable to maintain that scoring pace in the playoffs (also unlike all of the other players). He has great size, but that cuts two ways with me a bit since I am uncertain as to why that size didn't allow him to be more dominant than a guy like Dal Colle who gives up nearly 60 lbs in comparison. Ritchie seems like a low floor/high ceiling kind of guy and I don't think that it would be prudent to take that risk with other options.

Dal Colle vs Ritchie

Just one further note on these two guys. Dal Colle has shown to be a substantially more productive player than Ritchie in the OHL.

Over three seasons Ritchie amassed 148 points in 164 games. Dal Colle on the other hand -over two seasons- scored 143 points in 130 games. In the playoffs this season Dal Colle out scored Ritchie by nearly double including a series head-to-head. Don't forget that Dal Colle also put up 21 more points in only 6 more games this season, too.

Obviously offensive production isn't the only consideration, but, for me, drafting in the top 5 is about getting an elite offensive player or an elite 2-way defenseman.

I wouldn't be overly upset if Ritchie ends up being the selection, because scouts watching game in, game out are going to have a much better handle on the questions that I have about Ritchie.

Anyways, this is a very exciting draft.

06-21-2014, 01:37 PM	#5696
Savvy27 #1 Goaltender Join Date: Sep 2002 Exp:	My list: 1) Sam Reinhart - Was one of Canada's best players at the WJC. Was the best player on the ice at the top prospects game. 23 points in 13 playoff games. Creates chances constantly whenever I have seen him play. Good size at 6'1, right handed shot brings something different and could start on the team as a winger. 2) Aaron Ekblad - incredibly steady player who has ideal size. Impressive skating for his size and a cannon for a shot. Would be the best defensive prospect on the team by miles, has a right-handed shot. Seems like a very intelligent player and appears to have a future as an NHL captain. The angles that he uses and the way he limits space indicate that he understands the defensive game so well that even without his size advantage, he would be a reliable player. 3) Leon Draisaitl - I've been persuaded somewhat by the numbers being thrown around in articles from Oilers fan/journalists. He was depended on so heavily for offense on his team and ended up tied in points with Reinhart. He's got great size and puck protection, along with vision and remarkable accuracy on his passes. Considering the style of game that is played in the Pacific division, I think he would be a fine addition going forward. 4) Sam Bennett - looks like a very talented and exciting player. The reviews about his competitiveness and work ethic could not be more positive and the Flames would be fortunate if this guy drops. He seems a bit similar to Mike Richards to me although some projections for him are above that (even though Richards was a captain in his early twenties and played for a Canadian Olympic team). The top 4 look really good. 5) Michael Dal Colle - seems to be sort of a forgotten man right now and I'm not sure why. Has good size and is apparently versatile enough that he may end up playing as a center next year. Watching his highlights, he has the best hands of the players on this list and his release looks like an NHL scorer to me. His biggest knock, to me is his position, which isn't much of one. 6) Nikolaj Ehlers - I see him as a Phil Kessel type player. He is so incredibly fast and combines it with great passing and a wicked shot. I'd be confident picking him that he will be a first line winger in the NHL. He played on a team with Drouin, but according to reports, did not play on his line consistently. 7) Nick Ritchie - Big, powerful, intimidating, goal scorer. Ritchie looks like a talented and intelligent player who has size that -if his game translates- will allow him to be a player that few teams can match up with. Adding a Milan Lucic type guy would give the Flames an element that leads to wins and especially playoff wins. He is last on my list because I am concerned that it took him three years in the OHL to become an elite scorer unlike the other players on this list and that he was unable to maintain that scoring pace in the playoffs (also unlike all of the other players). He has great size, but that cuts two ways with me a bit since I am uncertain as to why that size didn't allow him to be more dominant than a guy like Dal Colle who gives up nearly 60 lbs in comparison. Ritchie seems like a low floor/high ceiling kind of guy and I don't think that it would be prudent to take that risk with other options. Dal Colle vs Ritchie Just one further note on these two guys. Dal Colle has shown to be a substantially more productive player than Ritchie in the OHL. Over three seasons Ritchie amassed 148 points in 164 games. Dal Colle on the other hand -over two seasons- scored 143 points in 130 games. In the playoffs this season Dal Colle out scored Ritchie by nearly double including a series head-to-head. Don't forget that Dal Colle also put up 21 more points in only 6 more games this season, too. Obviously offensive production isn't the only consideration, but, for me, drafting in the top 5 is about getting an elite offensive player or an elite 2-way defenseman. I wouldn't be overly upset if Ritchie ends up being the selection, because scouts watching game in, game out are going to have a much better handle on the questions that I have about Ritchie. Anyways, this is a very exciting draft.