Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

McKenzie didn't say Katz, but said someone higher up:

Ryan Whitney said it was Katz. FWIW.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Duhatschek speculated it might have been Tambelini:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...295033/?page=3

I'm sure that is what the Oilers would love for everyone to believe.

But most of this is hindsight being 20-20. Murray was more of a darkhorse than anything for #1 pick. Yakapov was a consensus at #1 with all of the scouting services (Mckenzie, ISS, Hockey News, Craig Button, Red Line Report). They could have obviously traded down, but there really wasn't much debate about who was going #1.

[dammage79]

The Yak draft: Was a perfect time to aim for organizational needs over the consensus top pick. Murray would be their best D man by a mile at this point in his career. That was Edmontons second terrible choice of their #1 picks.

Come to think of it (hindsight being 20/20 of course), all three of their first over all selections look like a terrible mistake.

How Much Better would the Oil Look with Murray, Landeskog and Seguin? Wowee wow wow thats a huge difference.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by dammage79

How Much Better would the Oil Look with Murray, Landeskog and Seguin? Wowee wow wow thats a huge difference.

meh, Edmonton would have found a way to ruin those as well.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

But most of this is hindsight being 20-20. Murray was more of a darkhorse than anything for #1 pick. Yakapov was a consensus at #1 with all of the scouting services (Mckenzie, ISS, Hockey News, Craig Button, Red Line Report). They could have obviously traded down, but there really wasn't much debate about who was going #1.

Sorry but that is BS logic. If the scouts you are paying to rank prospects based on your own organizational criteria for best prospect available are telling you to pick a guy at #1, but you don't do it because a bunch of scouting services that have widely different criteria think another player is better... grow a set of balls and make the unpopular pick if you aren't getting fair value in trading down.

[devo22]

not sure if Fata, but I just found this:

Maybe it's reading into something that isn't there at this point, but when discussing Murray and his current standing on the Central Scouting rankings (he's second) Lowe called him the top player.

“He's played remarkably well for a young fellow and I've talked to the other GMs and scouts that are here [at the World Championships] and they all agree that he's going to play in the National Hockey League next year, no question," Lowe said.

”There's no surprise why Central Scouting has him rated second. He's the top player. And often with the top players, or occasionally with the top players, they're not ready to play in the National Hockey League, but I don't question his readiness for next year.”

Again, maybe it's nothing, but when the president of the team that owns the top pick in the draft calls a prospect "the top player" it might be worth paying attention to. Especially when it goes against the consensus. There's been a lot of speculation as to what Edmonton should do with the top pick due to Yakupov not really fitting a "need" for the Oilers.

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-...top-player/rss

that was about six weeks ahead of the draft. So the scouts wanted Murray, apparently Lowe wanted Murray too ... must have been either Katz or Tambellini who made the Yakupov decision. Or even some influence by MacTavish, who, if I remember correctly, joined the Oilers just a couple weeks prior to the draft as some sort of advisor.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Sorry but that is BS logic. If the scouts you are paying to rank prospects based on your own organizational criteria for best prospect available are telling you to pick a guy at #1, but you don't do it because a bunch of scouting services that have widely different criteria think another player is better... grow a set of balls and make the unpopular pick if you aren't getting fair value in trading down.

While Pete Moss is correct - Yakupov was the de facto #1 'consensus' pick on all the major scouting services, Sureloss is absolutely correct here.

For instance, Flames had Galchenyuk #1 on their draft board. I don't know about you guys, but I think the Oilers would be looking way better with Gally on their team.

With that being said, Yakupov was a high-level prospect. There was no doubt about it. I think if he was drafted by a less dysfunctional team than the Oilers, there wouldn't be as much controversy today. I don't think there was anything wrong with selecting Yakupov. What they should have done (imo) would be to trade Eberle for a high-end defensive prospect and/or young established d-man. Eberle had loads of trade value. (However, I am of the mindset that Eberle really isn't that great of a player, and his numbers are inflated playing in a run-and-gun river hockey style).

I think you can look at that draft in a number of ways, and make logical arguments to support various picks and courses of action, but in the end it boils down to the Oilers being a dysfunctional team that lacks leadership, proper coaching and proper management.

Edit: To be clear, being the 'de facto #1 consensus pick' in any draft means nothing. Organizations have different priorities, projections, interview questions, and preferences. I don't think there is any consensus boards out there really, unless after the draft every NHL team would release their own full draft rankings and you can then rank each prospect accordingly.

[GoFlamesGo1989]

Reinhart was very impressive tonight with 2 goals one assist. Hope we somehow grab him at the draft.

[sun]

I've been pretty firmly in the Ekblad camp all year, but man Reinhart has been on fire lately. Would be nice to win the lottery and have the pick of the litter.

[FlamesAddiction]

I would like to hear more about the guys that are projected to go 5th or 6th, because it is looking more and more like that is where we will draft (barring the unlikely event we win the lottery). I think we will be catching the Preds and we already caught the Islanders.

Sooooo..... Dal Colle, Fleury, Perlini, Virtanen, Ritchie.... who should we take?

I'm a little fond of Dal Colle, but only because I have been able to watch a lot so there is a bias there.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I would like to hear more about the guys that are projected to go 5th or 6th, because it is looking more and more like that is where we will draft (barring the unlikely event we win the lottery). I think we will be catching the Preds and we already caught the Islanders.

Sooooo..... Dal Colle, Fleury, Perlini, Virtanen, Ritchie.... who should we take?

I'm a little fond of Dal Colle, but only because I have been able to watch a lot so there is a bias there.

I always love to hear people's 1st-hand scouting reports. Those seem to be really appreciated here! If you feel up to it, I am sure I speak for a lot of posters here that we would welcome your thoughts.

Also, what are people's take on Ritchie. I really didn't want this kid to be drafted, and I wonder if his past injury concerns will become future ones - but this kid is starting to grow on me. I hope someone that has watched him with some regularity can chime in with their thoughts.

[Rubicant]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I always love to hear people's 1st-hand scouting reports. Those seem to be really appreciated here! If you feel up to it, I am sure I speak for a lot of posters here that we would welcome your thoughts.

Also, what are people's take on Ritchie. I really didn't want this kid to be drafted, and I wonder if his past injury concerns will become future ones - but this kid is starting to grow on me. I hope someone that has watched him with some regularity can chime in with their thoughts.

I've seen him 4 times live this season but I wasn't necessarily watching for him.

He's big (duh) and usually hits pretty hard. He's by far the best Petes player IMO although that isn't saying very much. Seems pretty good at cycling the puck and has a pretty good shot when he is in close. He's been much better since the Petes acquired Hunter Garlent to give him someone to play with.

Foot speed would probably be my biggest concern, along with inconsistency. I would go stretches of each game it seemed where I barely noticed him.

Again, not an official scouting report by any means but just the observations I had in limited viewings and focus.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I always love to hear people's 1st-hand scouting reports. Those seem to be really appreciated here! If you feel up to it, I am sure I speak for a lot of posters here that we would welcome your thoughts.

Also, what are people's take on Ritchie. I really didn't want this kid to be drafted, and I wonder if his past injury concerns will become future ones - but this kid is starting to grow on me. I hope someone that has watched him with some regularity can chime in with their thoughts.

On Dal Colle, here is the impression that I have from watching him live:

• He is big and fast. Great acceleration.
• He does not give up the puck easily.
• He has a great shot.
• He is not overly flashy. actually reminds me of Monahan in that regard. He relies on knowing where to be (hockey IQ).
• Plays the point on the PP sometimes.
• He tends to raise his game at key moments (clutch).
• He uses his teammates well and isn't a selfish player.
• He is not terrible defensively.... he gets back to break up plays.

The only negative I have noticed is that for a big player, he isn't very physical. That is not to say that he is a push over... because he can (and will) take a hit to make a play, but there are times when you just want him to be a little meaner.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Thanks Rubicant and FlamesAddiction - I always love hearing people's own first-hand impressions - professional scouts or not!

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Sorry but that is BS logic. If the scouts you are paying to rank prospects based on your own organizational criteria for best prospect available are telling you to pick a guy at #1, but you don't do it because a bunch of scouting services that have widely different criteria think another player is better... grow a set of balls and make the unpopular pick if you aren't getting fair value in trading down.

What I mean is that most of these stories are coming out now that Yakapov is struggling which to me looks like someone leaking something to try to make themselves look better (or make someone else look worse).

If these stories had come out prior to Yakapov going in the tank, than I'd be more apt to believe them.

Perhaps they did come out prior to this year and I'm forgetting them.

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

What I mean is that most of these stories are coming out now that Yakapov is struggling which to me looks like someone leaking something to try to make themselves look better (or make someone else look worse).

If these stories had come out prior to Yakapov going in the tank, than I'd be more apt to believe them.

Perhaps they did come out prior to this year and I'm forgetting them.

Yeah, these were all big stories at the time. They're just being reiterated now because of how poor the choice looks two years down the road.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by dammage79

How Much Better would the Oil Look with Murray, Landeskog and Seguin? Wowee wow wow thats a huge difference.

Seguin would have been a disaster in Edmonton. His party lifestyle combined with Edmonton treating their prospects like gods would have been awful/hilarious.

[$ven27]

Edmonton could get Crosby and Weber and they'd still suck. Until they clean house they'll continue to be a pathetic joke.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by codynw

Seguin would have been a disaster in Edmonton. His party lifestyle combined with Edmonton treating their prospects like gods would have been awful/hilarious.

Hall is a good player. It's still up in the air who will have the better career. Not that I want to spare the Oilers any ridicule they deserve, but Hall over Seguin is the least of their problems.

[Ashasx]

There is no team in the history of the league that has deserved a 1st overall pick more than Calgary this season.