FC's 2014 NHL Draft Thread

[Caged Great]

Draisaitl is a very good player. Ideally, I'd like to get one of the better guys (Dal Colle or Reinhart) but if it works out that he's our guy, then I won't mind a bit. He is looking more to be a solid 2nd line Center, especially with already having Monahan. You can not really complain adding skill + size.

[nik-]

The top 5-7 is shaping up to have some nice looking players. Not like last year, but some nice pieces.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Draisaitl is a very good player. Ideally, I'd like to get one of the better guys (Dal Colle or Reinhart) but if it works out that he's our guy, then I won't mind a bit. He is looking more to be a solid 2nd line Center, especially with already having Monahan. You can not really complain adding skill + size.

I definitely agree that that I think there are a few better guys there, he isn't my first choice. However, he raises a few question marks. Many people felt that Monahan's ceiling was very difficult to peg as he didn't have anyone of note to play with in his last season. I wonder if Draisaitl suffers a bit from the same issue - he is generating points and being very effective, but leaves you wondering a bit as to exactly how many more points and how much more effective he could be with better line mates.

On the other hand, is he just one of those guys that has trouble using line mates well enough?

I can't answer that - those two games I saw him watch I wasn't even looking for those factors, and it was a small sample size anyways. I wonder if anyone watches him often enough on these forums to answer them.

[nik-]

Nice thing about Draisaitl is that he's at NHL size right now, so if he grows at all he'll be a monster. This seasons stats show him with double the assists than goals, so it seems he can use his teammates (from a stats only view, which obviously is flawed). Last year he had a similar goal/assist ratio.

Was he playing center when you watched him?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

That Draisaitl looks intriguing.

6'2" 210 lbs at 18? ..and a Center?

44 points (1.52 points per game), and the next closest forward to him on the team has 25.

Anybody see him play much?

He stood out to me at the World Juniors last year. Can really rush the puck and was great on the PP, I think he played some at the point.

Intriguing guy, I haven't seen him except when playing for Germany. Should be a guy to watch this World Juniors.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I have only seen him play twice myself. He looked impressive out there for sure. Guys on HF were saying how he has many elite traits, but seems to lack hockey IQ at times. I didn't really pick up on that (but once again, saw him twice anyways), but he seems like a good bet to have a future as an impact forward. If Flames are picking in the top 5, and Reinhart, Ekblad and Dal Colle are all gone, I would be very, very happy to snag this kid.

Hockey sense doesn't appear to be an issue but skating might. From Button:

Leon is a blend of skill and power and comfortable in either element. His skill derives from excellent hockey sense and the ability to make plays and recognize what is unfolding. His power is more along the lines of being hard to deter and imposing himself on opponents, with a serious determination to make a difference. Skating is good with much room to improve. A Top 2 line type forward.

Not my first choice either, from my very brief knowledge of the draft class, Dal Colle and Bennett would be my 3-4 after Ekblad/Reinhart. I stay away from Nylander because of the size and would rank Ritchie/Draisaitl/Perlini in the next echelon. After that it's the two defensemen. Truly hope that we finish in the top 5 so we get some kind of say in who we pick and not by default like last year, even though it turned out for the best.

[FCAV]

Our January ranking:

1). D Aaron Ekblad, Barrie (OHL), 6-4, 215
2). C Sam Reinhart, Kootenay (WHL), 6-1, 185
3). C Leon Draisaitl, Prince Albert (WHL), 6-2, 210
4). C Michael Dal Colle, Oshawa (OHL), 6-2, 180
5). LW Sam Bennett, Kingston (OHL), 6-0, 180
6). C William Nylander, Rogle (Allsvenskan), 5-11, 170
7). LW Nick Ritchie, Peterborough (OHL), 6-2, 230
8). LW Brendan Perlini, Niagara (OHL), 6-2, 205
9). D Haydn Fleury, Red Deer (WHL), 6-3, 200
10). RW Conner Bleackley, Red Deer (WHL), 6-1, 195

http://futureconsiderations.ca/fc-re...014-nhl-draft/

[FCAV]

February rankings are now live!

1). D Aaron Ekblad, Barrie (OHL), 6-4, 215
2). C Sam Reinhart, Kootenay (WHL), 6-1, 185
3). C/LW Sam Bennett, Kingston (OHL), 6-0, 180
4). C/W William Nylander, Sodertalje (Allsvenskan), 5-11, 170
5). LW/C Michael Dal Colle, Oshawa (OHL), 6-2, 180
6). C Leon Draisaitl, Prince Albert (WHL), 6-2, 210
7). LW Nick Ritchie, Peterborough (OHL), 6-2, 230
8). LW Brendan Perlini, Niagara (OHL), 6-2, 205
9). D Haydn Fleury, Red Deer (WHL), 6-3, 200
10). C Jared McCann, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), 6-0, 180

Full top-30 here: http://futureconsiderations.ca/fc-re...014-nhl-draft/
Top-100 (via sub) here: http://futureconsiderations.ca/fc-in...ft-newsletter/

And as always, our FREE Player Profiler can be found here: http://futureconsiderations.ca/playerprofiler/

[RyZ]

Nylander moving back up the rankings. Has he been playing particularly well lately?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Nice to see all those big players in the top 10. Even if we don't land one of the top 3 it looks like we'll be able to grab someone with size, strength and skill.

[Commandant]

The LWOS February rankings are starting.

Here is 1-5
http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/02/...gs-part-1-1-5/

[Vulcan]

Well that puts Bennett at 5th. It looks to me that the top two consensus picks remain at Ekblad and Reinhart.

[Commandant]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Well that puts Bennett at 5th. It looks to me that the top two consensus picks remain at Ekblad and Reinhart.

Bennett's rising, and there isn't much gap between 3, 4, 5, and even the guy I have at 6 today.... but I do see a gap between 2 and 3. Ekblad and Reinhart are the top two guys in my mind. They are close (and just flip-flopped between my last report in late November and this new one in early February) but I don't think Dal Colle (or the others) is really pushing them at this point.

Anyways here's 6-10

http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/02/...s-part-2-6-10/

[Commandant]

Part 3 of our Draft Preview (11-15)
http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/02/...-part-3-11-15/

[Commandant]

Part 4 of the Draft Rankings.
http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/02/...-part-4-16-20/

[FCAV]

Originally Posted by RyZ

Nylander moving back up the rankings. Has he been playing particularly well lately?

He's been loaned over to Sodertalje and is seeing a bit more of an opportunity.

[FCAV]

For those that want a little more on that Nick Ritchie kid...

“He handles the puck tremendously – one of his best assets, in fact – and can both shoot the puck as well as make a good pass when presented with the decision,” Mulligan said. “He knows when to join the rush and when to hold off, keeping his positioning in check. Jumps into the play really well and always seems to get open in the offensive zone.”

http://futureconsiderations.ca/ritch...rothers-steps/

[Commandant]

Part 5 (21-25)

http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/02/...-part-5-21-25/

[Commandant]

oops, double... mods can delete this.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Would love Ekblad or Reinhart, but getting a big guy like Draisaitl or Ritchie would be great too. Truculence!