Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[MissTeeks]

Tonight is Bob McKenzie's Midseason rankings on TSN:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=441879

TSN Hockey Insider and draft expert Bob McKenzie reveals his latest mid-season draft ranking in the 30-minute special Bob McKenzie's NHL Draft Mid-Season Prospect Ranking, airing Thursday at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt on TSN.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Scoring 10 playoff goals in his rookie season- and winning the Cup - caught people's notice. Going on to score a total of 80 playoff goals in his career (9th all-time), 19 of them game-winners (3rd all-time) cemented his reputation. And despite being a dirtbag, the guy's playing weight topped out at something like 225. So he wasn't exactly a pushover.

Too bad with all that size and skill, he represents a lot of what is wrong with hockey.

[Poe969]

But Lemieux knew how to win. He did what it took to win. THat's something the Flames haven't had in a while and I think he'd push his team mates to do so as well.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Poe969

But Lemieux knew how to win. He did what it took to win. THat's something the Flames haven't had in a while and I think he'd push his team mates to do so as well.

I think the kid would be a better fit with the Canucks.

[Poe969]

I think that kid is exactly what we need against the canucks.

[MissTeeks]

McKenzie's special starts at 5:30 in case anyone wants to watch it.

[sureLoss]

Pronman on Edmonton radio talking about his draft board (starts around the 25min mark):
https://soundcloud.com/lowdownwithlo...14-hour-1-alan

Ekblad, #1 on Pronman's list:

• Watching Ekblad play in the OHL and WJC, physical dominance is not what makes Ekblad a really good player
• Thinks Ekblad is a pretty good skater for his size
• Has really developed his offensive game
• on top of being a very good defensive player with size has shown he is a primary option on the powerplay
• puck skills have gotten better, likes how he moves the puck, has elite hockey sense, thinks the game really well
• can really see how 3 seasons in the CHL has made him responsible, makes good decisions, and is a true shutdown player
• even with the risks in drafting defencemen has the best chance to be the best player in the draft
• difference between Ekblad and Jones, Doughty, Hedman etc is that all those other top d men prospects have all been late birthdays. Ekblad has an extra year of CHL experience and is far more physically developed than the others.
• think he has good to fair chance will be on NHL roster next season... may not have a good season though

Sam Reinhart:

• doesn't have the agility that RNH has (in response to host trying to compare him to RNH)
• hockey sense is just incredible, can dictate tempo, make creative plays and passes with the puck
• he is an average skater
• very good defensive player too, can kill penalties and take tough assignments
• can play 20 minutes a game because he plays in all situations coupled with high end offensive capabilities

Sam Bennett:

• very good all around prospect, but not in the same way as Reinhart (not as good defensively)
• great skater, impressive puck skills, sees the game at a high level, physical, works very hard, commits himself to defense
• even though only 6'0'', he doesn't seem to lose a battle
• may not have been as hyped as Reinhart or Ekblad, but he hasn't come out of nowhere, has been a top prospect for many seasons
• for those who have been following him for the last couple of years, not really a surprise he is being discussed being in a group with the other elite guys

Nylander:

• has been up and down in Sweden (hasn't been getting consistent playing time)
• probably biggest reason he hasn't done well in the Swedish men's leagues is because he is physically under developed.
• fantastic skater, elite offensive capabilities, can make offensive plays others in this draft can't
• production may not be where many would like to see it, but upside is as high as anyone in the 2014 draft

Leon Draisaitl:

• probably the best power forward in the draft
• big strong centerman that plays the game with a lot of grit
• plays physical coupled with high end skill and one of the top playmakers in the draft
• skating is not the best but brings offensive capability and grit
• has him 6th overall

[ComixZone]

Just in reading up on these kids, I can't help but hope for Bennett. He seems to have the edge that Burke loves, and the dynamic offensive ability to round out a 1-2 punch with a more straight-lines centre like Monahan.

[Ashasx]

McKenzie and Pronman both say big dropoff after the top 3.

Wouldn't it just par for the course if a team behind us won the lottery and we ended up picking 4th, after we missed out on the elite 4 last year.

[sureLoss]

McKenzie's midterm rankings:
http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=9593

[_Q_]

I can see the Flames drafting Reinhart and converting him into RW. For some reason I don't see him playing as a centre in the NHL.

With that said, A Reinhart-Monahan duo sounds pretty awesome. If the flames can draft Eichel/McDavid next season, we can build our first line around next year's draft pick.

[H2SO4(aq)]

If Bennett ends up anything like Killer, 93 in Flames silks again would be excellent.

[sureLoss]

Ekblad got 8/10 #1 votes according to McKenzie
Reinhart got 1 #1 vote.
Draisaitl needs to have a stellar 2nd half of the season or he may find himself out of the top 10.

[sureLoss]

Craig Button on Bennett:
Skating: 4/5
Smarts: 4/5
Hands: 4/5
Shot: 4/5
Competitiveness: 5/5

[_Q_]

I want Sam Bennett now!

[sureLoss]

McKenzie's top 10:

1. Ekblad
2. Reinhart
3. Bennett
4. Dal Colle
5. Draisaitl
6. Fleury
7. Ritchie
8. Perlini
9. Kapanen
10. Virtanen

[sureLoss]

McKenzie on Nylander:
doesn't seem to use his team mates well
needs to prove that he can play a team game

McKenzie on McKeown:
not an offensive force nor is he a punishing dman, scouts have him all over the rankings

[sureLoss]

Craig Button's best in each class:

Skating: Virtanen
Hands: Ho-Sang
Smartest: Reinhart
Shot: Perlini
Scorer: Dal Colle

McKenzie mentions while this draft has a lot of skill, most of it is with the smaller players in the draft.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

McKenzie and Pronman both say big dropoff after the top 3.

Wouldn't it just par for the course if a team behind us won the lottery and we ended up picking 4th, after we missed out on the elite 4 last year.

Well at least we landed in the top 6. There was the big 4 then Lindholm/Monahan in another tier and it dropped off from there IMO. I am as happy with Monahan as I would be with anyone not named MacKinnon (he is going to be an elite superstar IMO)

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

McKenzie and Pronman both say big dropoff after the top 3.

Wouldn't it just par for the course if a team behind us won the lottery and we ended up picking 4th, after we missed out on the elite 4 last year.

If that happened, I wouldn't mind taking Fleury. I'm in the camp that we need some top defencemen although there should be some available if we can pick up another late first rounder.