Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

If you teleported Monahan from last year into this draft, he would go 1st overall. This draft doesn't have the flash that last year had. Ekblad is likely closer to Nurse potential wise than he is Jones. #1 this year is more like starting the draft at #6 last year.

This is so wrong.

This draft isn't as deep as last year's but the top end is similar if you exclude MacKinnon.

Stats obviously don't tell the whole story.

Ekblad is a much better player than Nurse. Same size, Ekblad is much better offensive and defensively (there's a reason one made the world jrs at 17 while the other was cut at 18).

Both Reinhart and Monahan were late birthdays - Reinhart had 105 pts in 60 games, played in the World Jrs, Monahan had 78 points in 58 games and didn't play on the World Jr team.

[sureLoss]

nhl.com writers have released updated mock drafts:

Adam Kimelman's:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=712635
1. BUF Reinhart
2. EDM Ekblad
3. FLA Draisaitl
4. CGY Bennett
5. NYI Dal Colle

Mike Morreale's:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=712639
1. BUF Reinhart
2. EDM Ekblad
3. FLA Bennett
4. CGY Draisaitl
5. NYI Dal Colle

Steven Hoffner's
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=712697
1. BUF Reinhart
2. EDM Ekblad
3. FLA Bennett
4. CGY Dal colle
5. NYI Draisaitl

[nik-]

I'm on board with the first two. I'm really on board with the first one but I'm not sure Florida takes Draisaitl over Bennett.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

^ With a weak draft I don't think it's worth it. Drafting more guys is the better way to go, and getting 5 picks in the top 90 should suffice. We have a top 5 first rounder, don't think we have to really get another one unless Burke really wants to.

I think for certain prospects it would be worth it.

For example RW Alex Tuch screams Burke style player. If Burke is in a position to move up and grab him, I can see him doing it.

[djsFlames]

The top list is probably most accurate.

[shutout]

Does McInnis last until our second round pick?
Another big centerman that understands the game.
Not a very high offensive ceiling, but another prospect for a third line role.
Four/five years younger than those contending for the role now (Knight, Reinhart, Arnold).

[djsFlames]

How many projected 3rd liners do we need exactly?

We must have 4-5 on the NHL roster, and another 5-6 on the Heat already.

[StrykerSteve]

If Edmonton gets Aaron Ekblad, I'm going to have to kick a puppy. A really adorable one.

Won't someone think of the puppies?

[Mass_nerder]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

If Edmonton gets Aaron Ekblad, I'm going to have to kick a puppy. A really adorable one.

Won't someone think of the puppies?

I think you better come to terms with it now. Unless a lower team wins the lottery, it's a foregone conclusion.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

If Edmonton gets Aaron Ekblad, I'm going to have to kick a puppy. A really adorable one.

Won't someone think of the puppies?

Honestly, at this point I'd rather them get a D-man they're going to hype to death rather than a legit center.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

If Edmonton gets Aaron Ekblad, I'm going to have to kick a puppy. A really adorable one.

Won't someone think of the puppies?

Nothing to worry about. The oilers will break Ekblads will and before you know it he will go from the next coming of Pronger (which is my bet as the comparison we will be hearing come September) to Cory Cross. I know they said you can't replace a Cory Cross, but I think they just might have if they draft him.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

This is so wrong.

This draft isn't as deep as last year's but the top end is similar if you exclude MacKinnon.

Stats obviously don't tell the whole story.

Ekblad is a much better player than Nurse. Same size, Ekblad is much better offensive and defensively (there's a reason one made the world jrs at 17 while the other was cut at 18).

Both Reinhart and Monahan were late birthdays - Reinhart had 105 pts in 60 games, played in the World Jrs, Monahan had 78 points in 58 games and didn't play on the World Jr team.

He didn't play in the world juniors because MacKinnon and Drouin did. There was no chance that they were taking 3 under-agers.

I agree that Ekblad is better than Nurse was. But Nurse was a distant 7th in the draft.

If Monahan were in this year's draft, he would be in the conversation for top 3, IMO, ahead of Bennett (likely) and Dal Colle and Draisitl (certainly)

[saXon]

It's sad to think any of the top 5 are going to be ruined by the Oilers tar pits, especially since the Flames are picking after them.

Ekblad will go from exceptional status to not so exceptional status. (See what I did there?)

[codynw]

Originally Posted by saXon

It's sad to think any of the top 5 are going to be ruined by the Oilers tar pits, especially since the Flames are picking after them.

Ekblad will go from exceptional status to no good status. (See what I did there?)

Fixed.

[saXon]

Originally Posted by codynw

Fixed.

See, I had that written at first, but I figured it was no good.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

This is so wrong.

This draft isn't as deep as last year's but the top end is similar if you exclude MacKinnon.

Stats obviously don't tell the whole story.

Ekblad is a much better player than Nurse. Same size, Ekblad is much better offensive and defensively (there's a reason one made the world jrs at 17 while the other was cut at 18).

Both Reinhart and Monahan were late birthdays - Reinhart had 105 pts in 60 games, played in the World Jrs, Monahan had 78 points in 58 games and didn't play on the World Jr team.

I'd take all of Drouin Barkov and Jones before Reinhart easily. Lindholm and Monahan are in the same boat as Bennett and Reinhart. Monahan is looking like a future 70-80 point player, same as Reinhart, but Mono is a bigger player and size is the deciding factor for me, which is why I think he'd be first if this was Mono's draft year.

Also, stats don't tell the story as Ottawa was a garbage garbage team. Hard to rack up the points when your teammates suck. See Mono's assists this year on the Flames as an example.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

I think a lot can change, because I get the feeling the Oil will be trading their pick this year. They can't just keep drafting young guys and hope for the best, I think this is the year they are pressured into getting some help now. I'd be more surprised if they use their pick instead of trading it.

[djsFlames]

I think Reinhart will be better than Monahan, not by much, but he will be.

Bennett I draw comparisons to Galchenyuk, who plays a similar game. In the same ballpark as Monahan, but a very different player.

Lindholm I'm not very high on, at least I'm pretty confident we took the better of the two. I think Hampus Lindholm might even be a better player.

[lanny9]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

I think a lot can change, because I get the feeling the Oil will be trading their pick this year. They can't just keep drafting young guys and hope for the best, I think this is the year they are pressured into getting some help now. I'd be more surprised if they use their pick instead of trading it.

I agree, they really should be trading their pick this year, they have been in rebuild for far too long, they need some sandpaper and a leader who can come in and lead those kids and teach them how to actually play like professional hockey players instead of a bunch of ballerinas. But who would be best for that role? Or better yet, who would actually want that role.

It is funny, had about a full hour conversation today with a die hard Oiler fan and he said he has been watching the Flames this year instead. He said he just loves the never give an inch attitude, says we lack high end talent(duh) but is very impressed with how well the team plays their systems. He said Edmonton is great if you want to watch a bunch of guys making toe drags and endless pretty passes, but if you want to see a shot on net, go elsewhere!

He also said they need to blow up their front office, which would be a start! He's p**sed that they gavethose young guys the huge contracts before they proved themselves, no way they should be making that kind of money!

[anyonebutedmonton]

Originally Posted by lanny9

It is funny, had about a full hour conversation today with a die hard Oiler fan and he said he has been watching the Flames this year instead. He said he just loves the never give an inch attitude, says we lack high end talent(duh) but is very impressed with how well the team plays their systems. He said Edmonton is great if you want to watch a bunch of guys making toe drags and endless pretty passes, but if you want to see a shot on net, go elsewhere!

He also said they need to blow up their front office, which would be a start! He's p**sed that they gavethose young guys the huge contracts before they proved themselves, no way they should be making that kind of money!

The ever elusive "intelligent" oiler fan. I've heard of them, but have yet to actually meet one.