Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by Fire

If the Flames draft Dal Colle you pretty much have to trade Sven at that point. Hopefully a Bennett or Reinhart is available.

Why is that?

[Miniac]

So Draisaitl getting the kiss of death going to the oilers. I'll be very very happy with getting Bennett at #4.

[sureLoss]

Mike Morreale @mikemorrealeNHL
Prince Albert C Leon Draisaitl (No. 4 on @NHLCentralScout) will represent GER vs FIN at Euro Hocky Challnge Thur/Fri this week:

potential try out for the World Championship

[ForeverFlameFan]

Imagine a 3rd line with Poirier - Bennett - McGrattan .... GRIT.

[Ashasx]

why would you want Bennett and McGrattan on the 3rd line

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Anyone actually watch PA games and Draisaitl? It seems that most are pumping his tires in the hope that Edmonton picks him, but is he a legitimate prospect for the Flames? It feels to me that there is a very good chance the Flames will need to choose between him and Dal Colle (and anyone not named Sam or Ekblad)

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

why would you want Bennett and McGrattan on the 3rd line

If Bennett made the team the season after this upcoming one, he will probably be playing 3rd line minutes for a bit behind Backlund and Monahan for the top 6 center spots. Don't get me wrong, I see Bennett in the top 6 within the next 3 years.

McGrattan has proven himself to be on the third line if he has to. Every time he is on the ice, he tries to make something happen, and that's all we can ask for with someone that I thought only had 4th line in him. But for a guy his size, he can take those 3rd line minutes.

Poirier will be on the Flames' roster within the next 3 years as well, and probably the third line LWer. He will of course be on one of the penalty killing lines as well.

I never said that the line would happen, but it would be a pretty gritty line if those three were all on the ice together. It was only a thought.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Fire

If the Flames draft Dal Colle you pretty much have to trade Sven at that point. Hopefully a Bennett or Reinhart is available.

i'm getting so confused with what positions these guys actually play....

i read Dal Colle is actually a natural center who currently plays LW. draisatl is natural centers , correct? Is bennet a natural center, and what he played during the past year?

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

why would you want Bennett and McGrattan on the 3rd line

A third line of Poirier, Backlund and Colborne would be outstanding moving forward (meaning our forward depth is such that these players slot in here).
Score 100 points while taking some tough minutes away from the top 6.

One can dream...

[dammage79]

Bennett is a primary center. He can play LW though. And maybe RW as well. But he's a center first and foremost.

[JurassicTunga12]

So, does Burke like Draisaitl? At a luncheon he apparently said he doesn't like him, but on the fan960 the other day, he mentioned Draisaitl in the group of forwards he likes at the top of the draft. What do you guys think?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

i'm getting so confused with what positions these guys actually play....

i read Dal Colle is actually a natural center who currently plays LW. draisatl is natural centers , correct? Is bennet a natural center, and what he played during the past year?

Dal colle was a center before playing in the OHL. Team center depth of Jenner, Laughton and Cassels pushed him to LW for the majority of his major junior career. Some speculation height go back to C with Jenner and Laughton going pro

Draisaitl is a natural center. Played LW his first WHL season to help him adjust to the higher level hockey compared to Germany. Has played center this past year.

Bennett has primarily played center this past season. He played LW at some of the international tournaments. He played on Conner mcdavids wing before going to the OHL

[djsFlames]

I'd like to see us draft Bennett, send him to junior for one more year to fill out and dominate, meanwhile we let Gaudreau, Poirier, Granlund, Baertschi all have looks at the NHL level. More than enough young talent to keep us busy until Bennett is ready for the pros.

If Bennett's off the board, Draisaitl would be a smart pick if we're looking for size, but Dal Colle is just too tempting to me. He's impressed me every time I've watched him. Has a lot of room to grow and add to his lanky frame, yet is already tearing up the OHL. As the scouts say, he could have more untapped potential.

[Imported_Aussie]

If Edmonton are prioritizing NHL readiness, then Bennett is at best their #4 choice, behind Ekblad, Reinhart and Draisatl. I doubt they reach for a guy like Ritchie, but you never know with that crew up there.
The ideal situation for the Flames is that Florida and Buffalo pass on Bennett so he slides to the Flames at #4. If he goes, then it gets interesting - possibly as good as getting Reinhart or instead having to choose between Draisatl and Dal Colle/Ritchie/Nylander/Ehlers

My personal ranking, based on my impressions of the top few players:

Reinhart - he has looked so poised and smart when watching him. May end up on RW instead of centre, but either way, fills a big need for the Flames
Ekblad - looks to be a top pairing guy, the question IMO is will he be elite or "just" a #2 guy?
Bennett - grit, feel he has a lot of upside (young guy still, will need time in OHL), scores a lot too. May only end up as a winger though - depends on how he fills out.

* * * * *

Dal Colle and Draisatl (tie) - a big offensive forwards. Play on the left. Don't see NHL centre potential, more likely a big skilled winger. Think Jagr-light (very light)

Ritchie - conditioning can be fixed - he is a guy whose fate will be determined in interviews, to assess how much he will work. Could break into top 5 or drift down to 10

Ehlers and Nylander (tie)- elite offensive talent, small, but not tiny. May be a case of too similar to other Flames in system, as he does not address size. Could be dark horses to break into top group

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by JurassicTunga12

So, does Burke like Draisaitl? At a luncheon he apparently said he doesn't like him, but on the fan960 the other day, he mentioned Draisaitl in the group of forwards he likes at the top of the draft. What do you guys think?

He would be silly to outright dismiss him. The guy had a beast of a season in the WHL with very little help from other high end team mates. Hes a big centerman that would likely slot in ahead of Monahan on this team within a couple seasons.

If he doesnt go to play with whoever drafts him and goes back to the WHL next year he is going to be unstoppable. I feel he gets a lot of hate here at CP as Bennett seems to be the hot flavor here right now and he is kind of an anti-Bennett in terms of play style. Well that, and the Oilers comments he has made.

But in short, yes, he is an absolutely legit #1 C prospect with a few question marks and a rediculous offensive upside if he hits.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Imagine a 3rd line with Poirier - Bennett - McGrattan .... GRIT.

Poirier will play RW.

Also, that will not happen (unless in a first game type circumstance)..

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Imagine a 3rd line with Poirier - Bennett - McGrattan .... GRIT.

I don't see Poirier as this great fighter. My impression is, yeah he fights now and than, has a bit of a chip on his shoulder but he isn't an enforcer.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Ross Maclean of ISS on all the top prospects. Good interview

http://pmd.fan960.com/audio_on_deman...-Interview.mp3

[ForeverFlameFan]

Another reason I want Bennett is because I forgot what Monahan said, but I think it was along the lines that he would like Sam B. to be on this team.

Someone can correct me if I am wrong, I just remember that these two have played against each other before.

[JoelOtto29]

A Draisaitl vs. Dal Colle poll would be interesting.