Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

Reinhart looks so damn good, as does Ekblad. I hate the Oilers.

Who cares. Drafting Aaron Ekblad isn't going to teach the Oilers and their spoiled "stars" how to play defence and convince them to actually do it. Sucks for Ekblad to be stuck with that dung heap, though.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

Who cares. Drafting Aaron Ekblad isn't going to teach the Oilers and their spoiled "stars" how to play defence and convince them to actually do it. Sucks for Ekblad to be stuck with that dung heap, though.

Well that's basically what I'm saying. Two potentially great players and one of them, most likely, will be wasted. Like it's said above your post.

[Imported_Aussie]

I heard from some of the season ticket holders i was sitting near at the Hitmen game last night that they were speculating that Virtanen has a broken hand from a fight, which is why he has become invisible in these playoffs. If that is right, then I am not souring on him based on the playoff stats. If it isn't, it is a red flag to me. Since the flames will pick 5th in the most likely scenario, I would prefer whichever of the following is available at 5, most likely Dal Colle or Draisatl, but if they drop, Ekblad/Reinhart/Bennett.

As of right now, I think Bennett is the most likely of the big 3 to drop, since I can't see Reinhart dropping, nor can I see the Oilers passing on Ekblad. However, if the Oilers do pass on Ekblad to grab a forward, he could end up at #5, kind of like how Jones managed to slide to #4 last year.

[djsFlames]

Wow, well Dal Colle isn't playing too badly these playoffs. If his play manages to bump Bennett a little further down the list, that can't be bad for us. But honestly, I'd be very happy to pick him at 5th overall.

Also don't look now but the Isles are only a point back of the Flames with equal games played. 4th isn't entirely out of question yet.

[codynw]

I hope the Grease pick Draisaitl. If they're going to ruin another promising player, at least ruin a Euro instead of a Canadian.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by codynw

I hope the Grease pick Draisaitl. If they're going to ruin another promising player, at least ruin a Euro instead of a Canadian.

I dunno, being German he might not just fold into the culture of entitled kids there and might actually work hard. That would suck.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by nik-

I dunno, being German he might not just fold into the culture of entitled kids there and might actually work hard. That would suck.

There's some kind of joke to be made here about Germans, hard work and efficiency.

[sureLoss]

Some speculation Draisaitl will be playing for Germany in the World Championships.

If he plays well there against men, his stock could rise.

[H2SO4(aq)]

I actually irks me to think the grease are gonna get one of these talented promising kids.

[jg13]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

I actually irks me to think the grease are gonna get one of these talented promising kids.

I thought the same thing the past 3 years and it hasn't bothered me one bit.

[djsFlames]

Except 'promising' will go out the door the second one of them slips on those hideous silks. It will be a sad day for one of these bright young kids.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by jg13

I thought the same thing the past 3 years and it hasn't bothered me one bit.

Yes i just really dont want them to get Ekblad and have to hear for the next 5 years how they just drafted Doughty 2.0.

They will once again be the darlings of the NHL and the media and everyone will commend them on their rebuild(s).

Im just sick of those clowns. Just please be mediocre and stop ruining the futures of good players.

[nik-]

Still clinging to the Ekblad to Buffalo, Draisaitl to Edmonton dream here. Really want one of Reinhart or Bennett.

Unfortunately with the way they're destroying the playoffs, it's unlikely.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by nik-

Still clinging to the Ekblad to Buffalo, Draisaitl to Edmonton dream here. Really want one of Reinhart or Bennett.

Unfortunately with the way they're destroying the playoffs, it's unlikely.

Even if that happens neither of them are falling to the Flames at 5 if that is where we pick. The top three are clear cut (Reinhart, Bennett, Ekblad) and Draisaitl is the wildcard. The only one with any chance of falling to 5 (and I think that's remote) is Draitsaitl.

As long as the Flames don't win more than 6 of their final 9 they should get 5, who the consensus in the scouting community is Dal Colle. Unless Burke overrules the staff we should get him which is OK in my books. He has high end scoring ability, good size and would look great with Monahan IMO.

I thought for a while with the late season winning streak that the Flames would end up picking 7th or something and get Ritchie. Don't get me wrong he's OK, but he's a late first rounder most years, the high end of the draft is where you pick elite skill not guys dominating physically against other kids, those guys too often end up being Zach Kassians - clunkers at the NHL level if they even make it.

[Five-hole]

My dream scenario is the Panthers pass the Oilers, and by a miracle of miracles the Islanders pass us. Draft goes:

Buffalo - Reinhart
Florida - Ekblad
Edmonton - Draisaitl
Flames - Bennett

Bennett just has Burke written all over him. Tough, gritty center with skill that plays in your face.

If the Isles don't pass us, Dal Colle is looking like a pretty nice consolation price, and likely doesn't depend on Florida passing the Oilers either.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Wow, well Dal Colle isn't playing too badly these playoffs. If his play manages to bump Bennett a little further down the list, that can't be bad for us. But honestly, I'd be very happy to pick him at 5th overall.

Also don't look now but the Isles are only a point back of the Flames with equal games played. 4th isn't entirely out of question yet.

I have soured on Dal Colle. It is very disappointing when asked what he needed to work on there was no mention of strength or being more physical.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I have soured on Dal Colle. It is very disappointing when asked what he needed to work on there was no mention of strength or being more physical.

He is a great kid and a slam dunk #5 in this draft... his skating, particularly acceleration is great for a 6'2" player, his shot is elite and he has soft hands and is a great playmaker, then top it off with him talking about his commitment to defensive play in every interview and the fact that he grew up with an autistic brother - he is a mature kid mentally with elite physical tools and the right mindset to be a good NHL pro.

Not to mention he is almost doing as well as Rhino 3.0 in the playoffs, 5 goals, 5 assists in 4 games already. Stock is not going to go down by the draft.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Even if that happens neither of them are falling to the Flames at 5 if that is where we pick. The top three are clear cut (Reinhart, Bennett, Ekblad) and Draisaitl is the wildcard. The only one with any chance of falling to 5 (and I think that's remote) is Draitsaitl.

As long as the Flames don't win more than 6 of their final 9 they should get 5, who the consensus in the scouting community is Dal Colle. Unless Burke overrules the staff we should get him which is OK in my books. He has high end scoring ability, good size and would look great with Monahan IMO.

I thought for a while with the late season winning streak that the Flames would end up picking 7th or something and get Ritchie. Don't get me wrong he's OK, but he's a late first rounder most years, the high end of the draft is where you pick elite skill not guys dominating physically against other kids, those guys too often end up being Zach Kassians - clunkers at the NHL level if they even make it.

Anything can happen really.

I didn't think there was any way that Jones would have fell to Nashville, and was somewhat surprised when they ended up drafting him (even though he was the best available player left on the board) due to their organizational needs at forward. Thought they would have traded down at least. He was considered the #1 pick on most of the scouting services. He also didn't do a single thing to drop his rank in any way either. I was shocked seeing Couturier drop in his draft year - thought his bout with mono would have provided reason enough why his offence didn't reach another level - but his offence was still very, very good!

Look at a team like Edmonton. They have a glaring need for a 2nd line center and D. They could really use some size - maybe they value Draisaitl much higher from that respect? Maybe even they decide to trade down and go for a guy like Ritchie while picking up a defencemen while they are at it. I do think adding Reinhart or Bennett will help them quite a bit, but they suffer from a very small top 6, and maybe they need a true power-forward to inject some physicality into it (as in they could overcompensate - and doesn't sound so bad provided they gain a good asset).

It is always difficult to predict how the draft goes - especially in a year like this where there seems to be less consensus amongst the scouting community, and even in years where there is more of that consensus, there are often surprises anyways.

As for the Ritchie comment - guys with low IQ and skating issues tend to develop into the Zack Kassians. Ritchie has very good IQ, a great skater, and has an outstanding shot. His biggest wart right now is consistency issues, and many scouts feel it is due to fitness issues. This can either be viewed as a big wart (kid doesn't have that 'drive' or discipline) or it can be viewed as a positive (some scouts feel once he gets drafted and works closely with a team's trainer, he can explode and possibly be the best player in the draft). Scouting + thorough interviewing of Ritchie, players and team personnel (especially his teams' trainers) should show if there is really a reason to be concerned or not.

[YogiBerra]

With a top 5 pick pretty much guaranteed after tonight i think Dal Colle is the Islanders pick this year they need someone to play with Tavares. If we don't win the lottery or drop behind the Islanders i hope to god we take Draisatl. Dal Colle might be more of a Burke pick though less passive; hopefully someone takes Ehlers or Nylander in the top 4 giving us our choice. Our scouts have done a good job in the last few years so I will trust whoever they take.

[Matty81]

edit... DP