Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[devo22]

The Western Scout also not a fan of Nick Ritchie ... only has him at 17. Pretty big differences between the two mocks:

The Eastern guy has Perlini at 9, the Western guy has him at 16
The Eastern guy has Larkin at 13, the Western guy has him at 30
The Eastern guy has Honka at 16, the Western guy doesn't have him in his top 30
The Eastern guy has Tuch at 19, the Western guy has him at 10
The Eastern guy has Bleackley at 22, the Western guy doesn't have him in his top 30
The Eastern guy has Fabbri at 23, the Western guy has him at 9
The Western guy has Scherbak at 21, the Eastern guy doesn't have him in his top 30

that's just going to show you how different teams' lists are.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Except Skinner wasn't physically mature in his draft year I don't think. Size was much more of a concern on him.

Skinner was just short. He was stocky and physically mature when drafted.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by devo22

The Western Scout also not a fan of Nick Ritchie ... only has him at 17. Pretty big differences between the two mocks:

The Eastern guy has Perlini at 9, the Western guy has him at 16
The Eastern guy has Larkin at 13, the Western guy has him at 30
The Eastern guy has Honka at 16, the Western guy doesn't have him in his top 30
The Eastern guy has Tuch at 19, the Western guy has him at 10
The Eastern guy has Bleackley at 22, the Western guy doesn't have him in his top 30
The Eastern guy has Fabbri at 23, the Western guy has him at 9
The Western guy has Scherbak at 21, the Eastern guy doesn't have him in his top 30

that's just going to show you how different teams' lists are.

Unless these guys are the head scout or in a Button role, they are typically assigned to areas.. so they've seen certain guys a ton and other guys less. A couple of scout's opinion is better than nothing but they don't have the complete picture.

Judging by the comments - they also seem to be basing their Calgary picks on Burke liking physical guys.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by MikaelBacklund

I can just see Burke targeting Ritchie. Can any long time OHL fan comment on what separates Nick Ritchie from Zack Kassian during his draft year. True Ritchie is leading his team in points, but Kassian wasn't far from leading his team. Coincidentally both players played for Peterborough in their draft year and both players stand tall at 6'3.

Kassian's Stats: 61gp 24g 39a 63p 136pim
Ritchie's Stats: 61gp 39g 35a 74p 136pim

Just like most posters, I did some quick youtube scouting on Ritchie and all I really saw was a physical, big winger who has a solid shot. His puck handling didn't appear that great and you could tell it was difficult for him to generate any speed given his size. Does anyone else see him project as the next Kassian 2.0?

Ritchie is obviously more of a goal scorer. Kassian fought a lot more.

[Matty81]

How the eff did he get 136 PIMs when he only fought three times all year? Does he take a lot of misconducts or something?

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Matty81

How the eff did he get 136 PIMs when he only fought three times all year? Does he take a lot of misconducts or something?

http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/r...ByGame/id/9262

three fights and one major penalty for goaltender interference ... other than that it's just a whole lot of minor penalties. Do not want.

[sureLoss]

If the stories about his conditioning are true, could be a bunch of lazy penalties. ^

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Matty81

How the eff did he get 136 PIMs when he only fought three times all year? Does he take a lot of misconducts or something?

Not saying you are doing this, but people love to use PIM to fit their narratives. Bennett had 118 PIMs with one fight and people say it shows he's a feisty competitor.

[devo22]

In 61 games, Nick Ritchie took 58 minor penalties this season:

9x Cross Checking
8x Slashing
7x Roughing
7x Tripping
5x High Sticking
5x Unsportsmanlike Conduct
4x Interference
4x Goaltender Interference
3x Holding
2x Hooking
1x Boarding
1x Elbowing
1x Checking from Behind
1x Checking to the Head

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by MikaelBacklund

I can just see Burke targeting Ritchie. Can any long time OHL fan comment on what separates Nick Ritchie from Zack Kassian during his draft year. True Ritchie is leading his team in points, but Kassian wasn't far from leading his team. Coincidentally both players played for Peterborough in their draft year and both players stand tall at 6'3.

Kassian's Stats: 61gp 24g 39a 63p 136pim
Ritchie's Stats: 61gp 39g 35a 74p 136pim

Just like most posters, I did some quick youtube scouting on Ritchie and all I really saw was a physical, big winger who has a solid shot. His puck handling didn't appear that great and you could tell it was difficult for him to generate any speed given his size. Does anyone else see him project as the next Kassian 2.0?

Here is The Hockey Writers scouting report on Kassian:

http://thehockeywriters.com/27-zack-...raft-rankings/

ISS: 20
CSB: 10-NA
TSN: 16
THN: 16

I didn't check the mid-season rankings though. Also, that draft may have had more guys perceived to project at a higher level than this draft (aside from the obvious in Tavares of course).

Ritchie is also known for being a good skater with good agility from the scouting reports I have read. Kassian seemed to have an issue there:

There is no doubting the size, skill and energy he brings to the table, but he does need to continue to work on his skating and likewise getting quicker. His skating problems were exposed at times during the WJC-U18s.

Also, this is really interesting from that same article:

I honestly almost took this guy out of the Top 30 as I think he is being overrated given his poor OHL playoff showing.

AND:

Sorkin stated: "Personally, I'm not that high on this guy as I've heard murmurs about this attitude problems

Maybe not exactly fair to compare Ritchie to Kassian at the moment. Ritchie's reports are much more favorable now, but things can change between now and the final rankings.

What I was looking for was how Kassian was scouted in terms of hockey IQ. To me, that is his most glaring weakness whenever I see him play in Vancouver:

http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/...layer.php?7143

Has questionable hockey sense, which could hinder his ability to put up good point totals at the highest level.

Ritchie is bigger (same height, but 25lbs heavier), faster, more agile, better hockey sense and an elite shot apparently.

http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/02/...-nick-ritchie/

Ritchie might have the best wrist shot in this draft class. It is tremendously powerful, and features a very good release. It can be in the back of the net before the goaltender even knows that he’s shot the puck.

One other thing I noticed about Ritchie last night was that his first step quickness is also very good. While he is merely average when we talk about straight line speed and skating a long distance, he is very agile and has a great first step which helps him beat other players to loose pucks in the offensive zone.

He is definitely a step above Kassian in almost every way. My two biggest worries about Ritchie from everything I have read is: Injury history and perhaps poor conditioning (though poor conditioning can be fixed, and if it is really the case, he can be 'that' much better). Injury concerns is what scares me about this prospect. Possible injury risks are much more scary with undersized players, and big physical players imo, and this has me the most wary about Ritchie.

My ever-changing rankings are: Reinhart, Ekblad, Bennett, Draisaitl, Dal Colle, Virtanen, Ritchie. I am sure it will change often. LoL

[ForeverFlameFan]

^, I'd rather not touch Ritchie... Assuming we keep winning games and keeping our draft spot, I see us taking Dal Colle or Virtanen.

Does anyone think Wotherspoon's play as of late can affect the decision in trying to move up for Ekblad, if we feel so inclined to do so?

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by devo22

In 61 games, Nick Ritchie took 58 minor penalties this season:

9x Cross Checking
8x Slashing
7x Roughing
7x Tripping
5x High Sticking
5x Unsportsmanlike Conduct
4x Interference
4x Goaltender Interference
3x Holding
2x Hooking
1x Boarding
1x Elbowing
1x Checking from Behind
1x Checking to the Head

That's a mixed bag for sure. Tripping, High-sticking, holding, hooking - all lazy penalties.

One thing that I liked from what Button said about a recent interview regarding the prospects and Poirier in particular was something like: "It isn't so bad when a guy is a bit over-aggressive. You can coach that. It is more difficult to get a guy who isn't that way to play aggressive." Paraphrasing - but the gist was that.

That is a lot of 'aggressive' penalties, but seems to be a fair share of lazy penalties too.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

^, I'd rather not touch Ritchie... Assuming we keep winning games and keeping our draft spot, I see us taking Dal Colle or Virtanen.

Does anyone think Wotherspoon's play as of late can affect the decision in trying to move up for Ekblad, if we feel so inclined to do so?

I don't think it impacts any decision to move up in the draft for Ekblad. I love Wotherspoon, but he still probably projects at top 4 right now, probably not top pairing. He MAY develop into a top-pairing guy (you never know), but he just doesn't have that size, or that elite shot and offence to project to a #1.

Flames will need to find that #1 defencemen at some point, and if there is a reasonable chance to move up and snag Ekblad, they will.

What Wotherspoon is doing right now probably affects what the organization does with Butler or Wideman in the off-season.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I don't think it impacts any decision to move up in the draft for Ekblad. I love Wotherspoon, but he still probably projects at top 4 right now, probably not top pairing. He MAY develop into a top-pairing guy (you never know), but he just doesn't have that size, or that elite shot and offence to project to a #1.

Flames will need to find that #1 defencemen at some point, and if there is a reasonable chance to move up and snag Ekblad, they will.

What Wotherspoon is doing right now probably affects what the organization does with Butler or Wideman in the off-season.

I like Butler, has really stepped up his game from last year. I like him as a 5-6 guy. Wideman... He can use work, but we can blame the injuries for this year. I hope he comes back as that powerplay quarterback. He still is managing that .5 PPG, roughly. I guess you can't say he doesn't contribute, but I think he defensive game can use work. Butler is #2 in blocked shots, that's what amazes me.

Back to Ekblad, I just hope that he doesn't turn out too pricey. I would even consider giving a first rounder from next year, with some conditions on it.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I would even consider giving a first rounder from next year, with some conditions on it.

No the top 5 in next year's draft is looking to be much better than the top 5 in this year's draft.

I doubt the Flames will finish last, but they will still be in the mix for a top 5 pick next year.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

What Wotherspoon is doing right now probably affects what the organization does with Butler or Wideman in the off-season.

This. I know it is still very early but he is really doing all the right things out there. He already has great positioning, a really active stick, and show great poise. He will always be defense first but he is showing some great offensive instincts (the pass last night, the pass on Westgarths goal). His progression has been similar to the WJC he played. He started as the 7th and by the end of the tournament he was playing important minutes. Also at 6'2" 210lbs, he isn't a pusher over by any means.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Back to Ekblad, I just hope that he doesn't turn out too pricey.

just so hard to tell what it would cost to move up. It has barely happened over the last few years, and the market seems to be really weird at the moment, as we have seen at this year's deadline.

The last time a team traded up in the top 10 was in 2008 ... and the GM in question happened to be Brian Burke. He traded up from 7 to 5 and gave up #68 and a 2nd in 2009 to do it.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by devo22

just so hard to tell what it would cost to move up. It has barely happened over the last few years, and the market seems to be really weird at the moment, as we have seen at this year's deadline.

The last time a team traded up in the top 10 was in 2008 ... and the GM in question happened to be Brian Burke. He traded up from 7 to 5 and gave up #68 and a 2nd in 2009 to do it.

Well with that being said, it makes me feel a little better at what we should trade. Buffalo should really consider trading with us if they maintain that #1 pick. If they keep stockpiling on players and picks like they are doing (with special thanks to Snow), they are going to be lethal in the 20's when all of those players have experience and all.

What we need is Ekblad/Reinhart/Bennett. And i would absolutely love to take Ekblad from Edmonton.

[neo45]

If we're at 6 I'll take Haydn Fleury. He seems to not have a weakness, fills an org need, is a WHL player from Western Canada etc.

If not I still have tons of faith in our scouting staff

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I like Butler, has really stepped up his game from last year. I like him as a 5-6 guy. Wideman... He can use work, but we can blame the injuries for this year. I hope he comes back as that powerplay quarterback. He still is managing that .5 PPG, roughly. I guess you can't say he doesn't contribute, but I think he defensive game can use work. Butler is #2 in blocked shots, that's what amazes me.

Back to Ekblad, I just hope that he doesn't turn out too pricey. I would even consider giving a first rounder from next year, with some conditions on it.

Agreed - Butler has really turned his game around.

With Wideman, his game has dropped off, but people forget how good he was at at the start of the season, and especially how he filled-in for Giordano He was averaging near the top (2nd I think?) TOI amongst defencemen, and was doing fairly well playing the toughest minutes subbing in for Giordano. I am still holding out hope he turns his game around again.

I do think Ekblad will be too pricey to move up into. From picking in the 5th-6th range, Buffalo (or whomever wins the draft) will not want to move that far down. Reinhart, Ekblad and Bennett all seem like a big step up from Draisaitl, but even after that it seems like a bit of a drop from Draisaitl down to Dal Colle. Some organizations might favor some players over others, and the final rankings really aren't finished yet, but I think it will just be too expensive to jump up 5 spots or so. Compound that if Buffalo does hold the #1 (they are very, very thin on offensive forward prospects, and are in dire need of a #1 projected center), and double that for Edmonton who want Ekblad for themselves probably, and are divisional rivals to boot.

Who knows, however. I thought (as many did) that Jones would be taken by Colorado - their need coupled with the history between Jones and Sakic seemed like an absolutely perfect fit. Ekblad may end up dropping anyways - maybe at least to a 'less expensive' spot? More likely that one of Reinhart, Bennett or Draisaitl drop - just need a team or two to favor a couple of other prospects a bit more, or who prefer to select a defencemen and are willing to switch picks for a less expensive price.