[Street Pharmacist]

I thought it would be a completely useless but fun exercise to compare our top ten prospects vs the other two rivals in a one on one epic ten round battle. What else can we talk about when there's no news?

What really struck me was not the quality at the top, which I think it's fantastic, but it was interesting to see how much more the flames have in the 7th+ best prospects compared to the other two teams. The depth of prospects is quite impressive.

Caveats:
-Done by a Flames fan with the inevitable homerisms, and greater familiarity with Flames prospects vs the others
-Used our top 4 already voted on and made the rest up myself. Many people may disagree with my yup ten because it leaves out many great prospects
-Used the current HFBoards polls on the Oilers and Canucks boards. Both are only at 7, so I added the next three to vote getters. That means things may change, but good enough for me.
-Prospects listed Calgary vs Edmonton vs Vancouver if you're not sure who is whose
-I've never watched any of these players live except the few abbotsford heat and flames games I've seen the flames prospects in
-Edmonton is no good, and Vancouver is also no good

ROUND ONE

Gaudreau vs Draisaitl vs Horvat

This one is actually a tough one. Horvat is out very early here IMO. No real progression this year, many people suggesting he may only be a 3rd line center. Draisaitl looks to be a pretty good bet to make a solid second line type center. Gaudreau looks to be electrifying, but definitely some question marks about how his game translates to the NHL (not in my mind, but a partial observer may feel so.

1st Place: Gaudreau (CGY)
2nd Place: Draisaitl (EDM)
3rd Place: Horvat (VAN)

ROUND TWO

Bennett vs Nurse vs Virtanen

Nurse fits Edmonton's needs more than Bennett, but isn't a better prospect IMO. On no planet is Virtanen a better than Bennett or Nurse.

1st Place: Bennett (CGY)
2nd Place: Nurse (EDM)
3rd Place: Virtanen (VAN)


ROUND THREE

Baertschi vs Marincin vs Shinkaruk

Baertschi showed much more than Shinkaruk in junior, but took a step back this year. Shinkaruk was injured this year and tougher to gauge because of it, but I think most would still believe Baertschi to be a better prospect. Marincin is not maybe as talented as the other two, but has at least shown he can play the pro game. Baertschi still for me but I could see an argument for Marincin due to both of their last seasons.

1st Place: Baertschi (CGY)
2nd Place: Marincin (EDM)
3rd Place: Shinkaruk (VAN)


ROUND FOUR

Poirier vs Klefbom vs Jensen

Poirier has shown incredible speed, a great scoring touch and a very gritty game. Impressive. Klefbom showed early in his career some glimpses of what could be a great defenseman. Unfortunately, injuries hampered his progression as did learning to play in North America. Jensen isn't really an exciting LW prospect, but he's tall I guess. Not in the same stratosphere as Poirier or Klefbom.

1st Place: Poirier (CGY)
2nd Place: Klefbom (EDM)
3rd Place: Jensen (VAN)


ROUND FIVE

Granlund vs Yakimov vs Gaunce

Granlund has shown he can play pro in the AHL while posting over a PPG in his first year as pro in North America. Yakimov is a 6'5" string bean with a career PIM high of. Apparently quite skilled but stats suggest he's not the Lucic clone some want him to be, and hasn't every put up any points. Gaunce is a decent prospect I guess as a 2012 PPG Center in the OHL. The trouble is he's still only a PPG center as a 20 year old in the OHL. No real progression, but there might be something there.

1st Place: Granlund (CGY)
2nd Place: Gaunce (VAN)
3rd Place: Yakimov (EDM)