2015 NHL Draft

[strombad]

I know the Sabres are bad, but are you really stoked over the idea that your team might not improve AT ALL over the summer and go through the motions for a whole season just for a high percentage chance at drafting one of McDavid or Eichel?

Gross. Seriously. McDavid be damned, it's unreasonable to be a fan of a team and be even remotely pleased or expectant of ZERO improvement over the course of two seasons.

[Gaskal]

Flames easily have the worst roster out of the bottom feeders and yet still we're being out-sucked. For shame.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by strombad

I know the Sabres are bad, but are you really stoked over the idea that your team might not improve AT ALL over the summer and go through the motions for a whole season just for a high percentage chance at drafting one of McDavid or Eichel?

Gross. Seriously. McDavid be damned, it's unreasonable to be a fan of a team and be even remotely pleased or expectant of ZERO improvement over the course of two seasons.

Well that's pretty much what their management is setting them up for. the 2014/2015 Sabres season is probably going to be the biggest outright tank in the NHL's history.

[stemit14]

From what I had heard, McDavid's hype is largely built around the fact that he is a dominant player without being very big (as in weight) or strong yet. I saw Tavares play the year before he was drafted and he looked like a grown man out there compared to the kids he was playing with... Combining his skill and strength made him so dominant. Similar to how Eckblad looks like a 30 year old man at the age of 18.

McDavid is dominant while still being skinnier and weaker than most other players in the OHL... His projection to be a generational talent is built largely on how skilled he is already with speed, vision, natural ability, and a high compete level... along with the fact that once he bulks up he we become unstoppable in a similar way to Crosby.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by strombad

I know the Sabres are bad, but are you really stoked over the idea that your team might not improve AT ALL over the summer and go through the motions for a whole season just for a high percentage chance at drafting one of McDavid or Eichel?

Gross. Seriously. McDavid be damned, it's unreasonable to be a fan of a team and be even remotely pleased or expectant of ZERO improvement over the course of two seasons.

This is the thing. Sure, getting a better draft pick is a good thing. But wasting a season, and not developing all the players that you have, is far too big of a price.

I hate to say it, but the Oilers are a perfect example. Come November, they are out of it and MacT is talking publicly about drafting Ekblad. That instantly says to the entire organization: this year doesn't matter. And then everyone coasts the rest of the year and the opportunity to learn and develop is lost.

I don't care where we draft (though obviously 1st would be nice) the Flames are doing it the right way.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by nik-

Well that's pretty much what their management is setting them up for. the 2014/2015 Sabres season is probably going to be the biggest outright tank in the NHL's history.

I don't doubt it, it's embarrassing.

I think cube is a good dude, but to go around saying "well if the everything goes right we'll be 30th again! yay!" Is just embarrassing. The Flames can be bad all they want, but cheering about your chances of 30th overall before the puck has even dropped on that season is just crazy.

As far as this whole "generational talent" thing goes? Who cares. Really. Crosby was the last "generational talent" (if you don't count Tavares) and you know what? The Penguins aren't even the best team in the league. Hell, you can argue that Crosby isn't even the best player in the league (not that he's not without question in the top two or three), so I would quite frankly rather see some progress next year, draft wherever, and build properly.

None of this hoping for 30th junk. Generational talents are great, but let's all remember that more teams win without them than those that win with them.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by strombad

I don't doubt it, it's embarrassing.

I think cube is a good dude, but to go around saying "well if the everything goes right we'll be 30th again! yay!" Is just embarrassing. The Flames can be bad all they want, but cheering about your chances of 30th overall before the puck has even dropped on that season is just crazy.

As far as this whole "generational talent" thing goes? Who cares. Really. Crosby was the last "generational talent" (if you don't count Tavares) and you know what? The Penguins aren't even the best team in the league. Hell, you can argue that Crosby isn't even the best player in the league (not that he's not without question in the top two or three), so I would quite frankly rather see some progress next year, draft wherever, and build properly.

None of this hoping for 30th junk. Generational talents are great, but let's all remember that more teams win without them than those that win with them.

Well I can't be dishonest about it. I want the highest draft pick possible, and as a overall single season result, losses are better than wins. So I totally get his point of view. However, in games, I'm cheering for my team to win because I can't help it, even though I know it hinders us getting a piece which no teams are really winning without at this point.

Like tonight, I know we'll beat the hell out of the Islanders, and I'll be cheering it when it would be "better" for them to beat us in terms of draft position.

I'm beyond even hoping for one of the top two next year because this group we have right now will always exceed expectations just like the last group played below them. I have no doubts next year we'll be talking about who is in the 5/6 slot of the draft.

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by strombad

I know the Sabres are bad, but are you really stoked over the idea that your team might not improve AT ALL over the summer and go through the motions for a whole season just for a high percentage chance at drafting one of McDavid or Eichel?

Gross. Seriously. McDavid be damned, it's unreasonable to be a fan of a team and be even remotely pleased or expectant of ZERO improvement over the course of two seasons.

Of course I'd be pleased with improvement. I still cheer and get excited when this team wins. When they tied the game last minute and won in OT against Boston last week I was super stoked. Should our team show great progression, Enroth stand on his head all year, Myers look like a Norris winning defensemen, and our rookies play out of their mind to challenge for a playoff spot, that would be just grand. But all that coming together is very unlikely -- and if we're going to be that bad, next year is the year to do it.

I will always cheer for my team to win and be successful, and if we start the season strong I'll be totally into it. But at a certain point in the season you stop being disappointed about losses and start thinking of that top draft pick.

[moon]

Originally Posted by strombad

As far as this whole "generational talent" thing goes? Who cares. Really. Crosby was the last "generational talent" (if you don't count Tavares) and you know what? The Penguins aren't even the best team in the league. Hell, you can argue that Crosby isn't even the best player in the league (not that he's not without question in the top two or three), so I would quite frankly rather see some progress next year, draft wherever, and build properly.

Sure they aren't the best team in the league now but it isn't like they would be better off if they had gone Fleury (1st), Wheeler (5th), Setoguchi (8th) and improved every year over that 3 year time frame they got Fleury, Malkin, Crosby.

Getting a generational talent doesn't assure you of winning but you need elite talent to win the Cup and the best and easiest way to get is to draft Top 3.

And sure you can argue anything but arguing that Crosby isn't the best player in the league would be a pretty weak and useless argument. Although that is likely a topic for a different thread.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Of course I'd be pleased with improvement. I still cheer and get excited when this team wins. When they tied the game last minute and won in OT against Boston last week I was super stoked. Should our team show great progression, Enroth stand on his head all year, Myers look like a Norris winning defensemen, and our rookies play out of their mind to challenge for a playoff spot, that would be just grand. But all that coming together is very unlikely -- and if we're going to be that bad, next year is the year to do it.

I will always cheer for my team to win and be successful, and if we start the season strong I'll be totally into it. But at a certain point in the season you stop being disappointed about losses and start thinking of that top draft pick.

I absolutely agree with that point. For me, that point is somewhere after the trade deadline, when you're 10-15 points back of a playoff spot and the writing is on the wall. For you, it's apparently 8 months before Game 1 of the regular season.

I don't mean to give you a hard time in particular, but you're in a similar boat as Flames fans here. McDavid is a nice consolation prize for being an awful team, but the idea of getting McDavid doesn't excite me, it disappoints me. Yeah, it'd be nice to have him, but the line for me isn't getting him if "things fall into place," it's getting him if things go horribly wrong.

[nik-]

http://www.collegehockeynews.com/new...ing_eichel.php

Rumours Eichel wants to go the CHL route if he can play in the OHL against McDavid.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by nik-

http://www.collegehockeynews.com/new...ing_eichel.php

Rumours Eichel wants to go the CHL route if he can play in the OHL against McDavid.

Sounds like it won't happen because he can't play in the OHL.

Stupid rule.

[nik-]

I don't think it's stupid, rights are rights and Massachusetts is regionally right by Quebec

[cral12]

Noah Hanifin is yet another name to remember for 2015 draft. Great skill and size, but an absolutely amazing skating blueliner.

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[sureLoss]

CSS has released their Futures list for 2015.

NA List - http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=725587
International List - http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=725588


http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=7...etails=2-29342

Three months ago NHL.com asked nine top evaluators from NHL Central Scouting who their choice would be as the first pick of the 2015 NHL Draft, Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel.

The impromptu poll had McDavid, a center with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League the 5-4 choice against Eichel, who will be a center at Boston University in the fall.

Many top scouts believe that slim difference between the two will be par for the course in 2014-15 when the two players will be scrutinized and publicized in every way leading up to the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla.

"Every year the scouts think that it's a good crop of prospects," Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting, said. "There's just been a little more emphasis in 2015 because there's been a couple more top-end frontrunners and the fact that there were a number of underage players performing in their various junior leagues and performing well. That leads to high expectations for this draft class."

A number of scouts believe the 2015 draft is loaded with talent, so much so that it may one day rival the 2003 draft. Heading the pack are McDavid and Eichel.

"McDavid is an exceptional talent and he's been on display now for the world to see for two years [in the OHL] and he's lived up to all the expectations that were kind of placed on his shoulders," Marr said. "That's not an easy burden for a young man. This year just happens to be his draft year and the expectation is he'll continue to be the frontrunner for the No. 1 spot. But Jack Eichel has already made known that this is a two-horse race."

Konecny, who is a second cousin to Vancouver Canucks prospect Bo Horvat, had 26 goals and 70 points in 63 games last season.

"He's a highly skilled forward who never quits," Edwards said. "He is around the puck every shift and created most of the offense that the 67's were able to generate last season. He skates very well and has excellent speed, is not afraid to get involved in battles and has no fear of taking the puck to the net. Despite not being the biggest guy (5-9, 172) on the ice, he's not afraid to play in traffic and is capable of winning battles."

The player who could top the charts in 2015 is Czech center Pavel Zacha, who was taken by the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League with the first pick of the 2014 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft earlier this month. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound center had four goals and four assists in 38 games last season with Liberec in the top professional league in the Czech Republic as a 16-year-old.

"Pavel is a power forward with excellent size and strength and looks like a man when playing juniors in his own age-group; he's quite a complete package," said Goran Stubb, NHL director of European Scouting. "He's physically strong, has great overall skills and is really tough to play against. He's always on the puck and can create scoring chances with his strength and quick, smart moves; has very good puck control, is a smart playmaker and has a great shot."

Kylington (6-0, 180) earned a spot with Farjestad in the Swedish league after a solid start with the junior team last year. He can quarterback a power play and enjoys joining the rush.

"Oliver is a very good skater with first-step quickness and fine balance," Stubb said. "He's a two-way defenseman who loves to join the offensive rush. He's smart with excellent hockey sense and passing skills, can read the situations very well. He takes a big role with the puck."

[Textcritic]

Wow. I never realised that Eichel was a big kid.

[SuperMatt18]

Interested to see what Eichel can do in college.

Was one of the best players at the WJC as a 16 year old.

Size, Speed, Skill that kid has the toolkit to be crazy successful in the Western Conference IMO. If the Flames end up picking 2nd and end up with him I would not be disappointed at all.

[Poe969]

why is there no talk of Hanafin? I thought he was supposed to be one of the best defensive prospects in a while...

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Poe969

why is there no talk of Hanafin? I thought he was supposed to be one of the best defensive prospects in a while...

If his skating is as good as some suggest, and combined with his size, he is my early choice for who I want in this draft

[JJ1532]

When do the first scouting rankings generally come out for a draft class? Just be interesting to see where the lads below McDavid and Eichel rank.