Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[GoneOnDreaming]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Someone, somewhere said that Virtanen MIGHT have been playing with a broken hand.

This might very well be true. I was at the last Hitmen regular season home game against Kootaney and saw Virtanen hurt his hand in a fight. He connected on a good punch and then pretty much turtled because he knew he could not throw anymore punches with his hand. Virtanen went to the dressing room directly after the fight and I don't believe returned to the game afterward.

[Red John]

Virtanen has some character issues as well.

Hope the Flames steer well clear of him. He might end up being a bottom half 1st rounder. Just exhibits zero hockey sense and its easy to take a guy out of games when he doesn't use teammates.

[saXon]

Regardless of whether the Flames finish 4th, 5th, any of the top 5 touted are going to be stellar for this team.

The 2 x 2nd rounders are going to be just as fun to watch. Draft day is almost as good as Christmas.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prospect watchers - any ideas as to who's going to be picked in the 2nd round?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by saXon

Regardless of whether the Flames finish 4th, 5th, any of the top 5 touted are going to be stellar for this team.

The 2 x 2nd rounders are going to be just as fun to watch. Draft day is almost as good as Christmas.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prospect watchers - any ideas as to who's going to be picked in the 2nd round?

Is this what Darryl called 'Cowboy Christmas' or was that UFA day?

[PeteMoss]

0% chance someone who is Ritchie's size and skill is a late first round pick in other years. He had four fights this year in the ohl (one in the preseason) three against the tougher guys in the league and won 3 with a draw. He was also the best player on his team so it would have been stupid to fight constantly. According to dropyourgloves.com he hasn't lost a fight in his ohl career. Lucic fought a ton more but didn't put up anywhere near the points of Ritchie.

Not sure why there is the need to tear guys down... If you don't like him, fine. But he's a good prospect and will be a good nhl player.

[saXon]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Is this what Darryl called 'Cowboy Christmas' or was that UFA day?

Dunno. It should garner it's own holiday. Seeing as hockey fans love taking that day off, along with trade deadline day, and FA frenzy.

I never did pay much attention to Darryl as he didn't say much. And when he did, it was more of a Sutter mutter than actual words.

[moon]

Originally Posted by icecube

Reinhart and.. Virtanen don't belong in the same sentence.

If Virtanen played for the PA Raiders they wouldn't be. (although not sure even with his overrating here that many/any have put him up that high)

Virtanen seems to be ranked 7-15th and shouldn't be in the discussion for the Flames pick at all. It is cool that he plays for the Hitmen but that should matter about 0 when it comes to picking and he doesn't look anywhere close to being a top 5 pick like we are likely to have.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

0% chance someone who is Ritchie's size and skill is a late first round pick in other years. He had four fights this year in the ohl (one in the preseason) three against the tougher guys in the league and won 3 with a draw. He was also the best player on his team so it would have been stupid to fight constantly. According to dropyourgloves.com he hasn't lost a fight in his ohl career. Lucic fought a ton more but didn't put up anywhere near the points of Ritchie.

Not sure why there is the need to tear guys down... If you don't like him, fine. But he's a good prospect and will be a good nhl player.

I think he'll be a fine nhl player, I'm just don't see star upside which I selfishly want with a 5th pick. Arguing about whether or not he's 5th overall material... Pretty standard hockey message board draft talk, don't see what the problem is.

[sureLoss]

From what I gather; Ritchie, Virtanen, and Draisaitl are the closest things to being a classic power forward in this draft.

Dal Colle and Perlini use their size to fend off players while they have the puck (i.e. use their size to keep puck possesion) but don't throw their weight around or go into the corners like the other three.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

0% chance someone who is Ritchie's size and skill is a late first round pick in other years. He had four fights this year in the ohl (one in the preseason) three against the tougher guys in the league and won 3 with a draw. He was also the best player on his team so it would have been stupid to fight constantly. According to dropyourgloves.com he hasn't lost a fight in his ohl career. Lucic fought a ton more but didn't put up anywhere near the points of Ritchie.

Not sure why there is the need to tear guys down... If you don't like him, fine. But he's a good prospect and will be a good nhl player.

I don't think anyone's questioned his skill of toughness. Is concern around his conditioning

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

From what I gather; Ritchie, Virtanen, and Draisaitl are the closest things to being a classic power forward in this draft.

Dal Colle and Perlini use their size to fend off players while they have the puck (i.e. use their size to keep puck possesion) but don't throw their weight around or go into the corners like the other three.

Draisaitl is in the 2nd group from the highlights I've seen. Uses his size to shield the puck, not sure he's really that physical.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Draisaitl is in the 2nd group from the highlights I've seen. Uses his size to shield the puck, not sure he's really that physical.

He was very physical at the world juniors. Cant speak to his WHL game but Germans are usually pretty physical

[sureLoss]

The loss to the sens improved the odds the Flames finish 27th.

Latest Flames chances including lottery odds.
1st overall 9.2%
2nd overall 0.1%
3rd overall 1.1%
4th overall 27.8%
5th overall 43.1%
6th overall 15.1%
7th overall 2.8%
8th overall 0.7%
9th overall 0.1%
10th overall 0.0%


Top scenarios:
28.6% Flames finish 26th and retain 5th overall pick
26.8% Flames finish 27th and retain 4th overall pick
14.5% Flames finish 27th and get bumped down to 5th overall pick
9.7% Flames finish 26th and get bumped down to 6th overall pick
5.4% Flames finish 25th and retain the 6th overall pick
4.9% Flames finish 27th and win the lottery for 1st overall pick
3.4% Flames finish 26th and win the lottery for 1st overall pick

[Flames Draft Watcher]

So greater than 1/3 chance at a top 4 pick? Yes please. Go Isles!

[sureLoss]

Sports club stats also have the Flames with a slightly higher chance than the Islanders to finish 27th

Flames have a 46.2% chance to finish 27th
Islanders have a 45.9% chance to finish 27th

[nik-]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Sports club stats also have the Flames with a slightly higher chance than the Islanders to finish 27th

Flames have a 46.2% chance to finish 27th
Islanders have a 45.9% chance to finish 27th

I assume they're taking into account strength of schedule there.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by nik-

I assume they're taking into account strength of schedule there.

yes the weighted method they use takes into account the opponent's record

[The Fonz]

It should be a safe bet that the only team we'll be able to switch spots with will be the Islanders:

3 - Florida - 62pts - 7GR
4 - NYI - 68pts - 8GR
5 - Calgary - 69pts - 7GR
6 - Carolina - 74pts - 8GR
7 - Nashville - 75pts - 7GR
8 - Winnipeg - 75pts - 7GR

Games remaining:

NYI: FLA, @OTT, WSH, @CLB, OTT, @MON, @NJ, @BUF (3H:5A, 3 back-to-backs)
CGY: @TOR, @TB, @FLA, @NJ, LA, WPG, @VAN (2H: 5A, 1 back-to-back)

Gonna be tight...

[Gaskal]

Our "must wins" at this point to me are Toronto, Florida and Vancouver. If we lose the others, meh.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

It should be a safe bet that the only team we'll be able to switch spots with will be the Islanders:

3 - Florida - 62pts - 7GR
4 - NYI - 68pts - 8GR
5 - Calgary - 69pts - 7GR
6 - Carolina - 74pts - 8GR
7 - Nashville - 75pts - 7GR
8 - Winnipeg - 75pts - 7GR

Games remaining:

NYI: FLA, @OTT, WSH, @CLB, OTT, @MON, @NJ, @BUF (3H:5A, 3 back-to-backs)
CGY: @TOR, @TB, @FLA, @NJ, LA, WPG, @VAN (2H: 5A, 1 back-to-back)

Gonna be tight...

Sitting at a top 5 pick currently is pretty cool

Midterm RankPlayerPositionLast Amateur ClubLeague
1 Bennett, Samuel Left WingKingstonOHL
2 Draisaitl, Leon Left WingPrince AlbertWHL
3 Ekblad, Aaron DefensemanBarrieOHL
4 Reinhart, Sam CenterKootenayWHL
5 Dal Colle, Michael Left WingOshawaOHL
6 Fleury, Haydn DefensemanRed DeerWHL
7 Ritchie, Nicholas Left WingPeterboroughOHL
8 Perlini, Brendan Left WingNiagaraOHL
9 Virtanen, Jake Left WingCalgaryWHL
10 DeAngelo, Anthony DefensemanSarniaOHL
Current top 10 for north american skaters. I wouldn't say no to Dal Colle and I like that Reinhart is in our area to select. You gotta know the Islanders take him at 4th overall though just like they did his brother Griffin so I hope we can swap with NYI.