Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

I agree with you about Dal Colle but where is this assesment of Reinhart coming from?

I haven't read or seen anything myself to suggest he wilts when things get rough, where is that coming from?

Came across a scouting report which commented that he tends to shy away from the rough stuff, and as a con said something along the lines of 'concern he lacks fire in the belly'. I can't recall where. But it stuck with me, because that's always the way I felt about his dad. Granted, that was before Sam's recent playoff run.

I don't dislike the guy. I'm guessing he'll develop into a top-flight puck distributor. I just think his game is somewhat limited for a #1 centre. And I think Dal Colle is being a little underrated just because he's a winger. Guys with his hands and shot don't come along that often, and he's likely to fill out into a pro who will have a very effective combination of size and skill.

[FlameZilla]

Alex Tuch looks like the kind of prospect who could creep his way into the top to come draft day.

Does he have any top-6 potential, or is he a future grinder-type winger?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Red line report latest top 10:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...eview/8168803/

For those who don't like clicking links. Here's their take on the top end:

"Here at Red Line Report, we pride ourselves on being decisive - making some tough calls on the rankings and sticking to our guns, even when we know our opinions will be at odds with the consensus. It's our belief that, as a rule of thumb, waffling back and forth is not an attractive quality in a talent scout.

But this year, the top end of the draft has us flummoxed. One day we go to a playoff game and fall in love with Sam Bennett (OK, so we do that every time we see him). The next day, our heart races over Nikolaj Ehlers. Two days after that, we're all googly-eyed over Michael Dal Colle. And then we get the report from out west that our Calgary-based scout has gone completely loopy over Sam Reinhart's ridiculous performance.

It's like the old carnival game of spin-the-wheel: Round and round she goes, and where she stops nobody knows.

Honestly, we can never remember a year when we have flip-flopped this much over the order of the top five from month-to-month.

Yes, Reinhart was absurd in leading the Kootenay first-round upset of Calgary with 17 points in six games. But wow, how good were both Bennett and Nick Ritchie in Game 7 of the Kingston-Peterborough series?"

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Alex Tuch looks like the kind of prospect who could creep his way into the top to come draft day.

Does he have any top-6 potential, or is he a future grinder-type winger?

The reports I read on him definitely say he has skill and projects to be a top 6 winger. Definitely more than just a big body grinder.

I think the difference as to why some scouting services list him as a potential top 10 pick and some list him as a top 20 pick, is they are unsure as to whether he can be a guy that drives the offense or just be a complimentary player to support high offense teammates.

He can obviously keep up with Eichel, but if you take him away from Eichel what kind of player can he be? That's what the scouts have to project.

[PeteMoss]

Wolf and Wolff? So close (would just need a photoshop master to change the moon into a Flames logo:

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

The reports I read on him definitely say he has skill and projects to be a top 6 winger. Definitely more than just a big body grinder.

I think the difference as to why some scouting services list him as a potential top 10 pick and some list him as a top 20 pick, is they are unsure as to whether he can be a guy that drives the offense or just be a complimentary player to support high offense teammates.

He can obviously keep up with Eichel, but if you take him away from Eichel what kind of player can he be? That's what the scouts have to project.

I suspect teams are a bit weary about picking big wingers from the US program. McCarron and Biggs were both picked from there and looked less than stellar as soon as they moved to juniors.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

I suspect teams are a bit weary about picking big wingers from the US program. McCarron and Biggs were both picked from there and looked less than stellar as soon as they moved to juniors.

This is what the Future Considerations USHL scout had to say about Tuch compared to McCarron:
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showpos...postcount=3729

C/RW Alex Tuch 6'3'' 216lbs Shoots R
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=178526
FC has him ranked 16
thought he was average early in the season, but has been the best draft eligible player in the last half of the season
his ability to play with skilled forwards doesn't get enough credit
plays with Eichel and Milano, not easy guys to play with because of their speed and offensive, but does a great job complimenting that line with his own speed and big presence
already physically mature at 6'4'' 220lbs
not only can he hit and win puck battles along the walls and provide size for the skilled players, he has own offensive ability
talks about his last viewing of Tuch and his mind was blown that a guy that big could do what he did
difference between him and Michael McCarron - Tuch is a little more finess than McCarron. definately a better skater than McCarron and offensively more gifted. other than the physical ability there is no real comparisson between them

That being said I think Tuch is having a pretty meh U18 tournament. Only 3 assists through the whole tournament while his linemates Milano and Eichel are ripping it up for the USA.

[PeteMoss]

I'm sure there is difference... but i'm sure scouts/teams are weary. Especially when he plays with the two of the more talented guys on the team.

[Badgers Nose]

There should be an RSS feed of sureLoss posts.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

This is what the Future Considerations USHL scout had to say about Tuch compared to McCarron:
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showpos...postcount=3729



That being said I think Tuch is having a pretty meh U18 tournament. Only 3 assists through the whole tournament while his linemates Milano and Eichel are ripping it up for the USA.

I was very impressed with Milano in today's gold medal game. He can motor.

[nik-]

If that height and weight on Ehlers are correct, he's getting much more into safer pick territory.

[herashak]

I'm worried Florida takes Bennett/reinhart and Edmonton gets ekblad

[vanisleflamesfan]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

I suspect teams are a bit weary about picking big wingers from the US program. McCarron and Biggs were both picked from there and looked less than stellar as soon as they moved to juniors.

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

I'm sure there is difference... but i'm sure scouts/teams are weary. Especially when he plays with the two of the more talented guys on the team.

Sorry to have to go all grammar nazi but this one drive me nuts:

Wary=showing or feeling caution
Weary=very tired

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by herashak

I'm worried Florida takes Bennett/reinhart and Edmonton gets ekblad

Well it's not something we can do anything about unless we can move up ( I doubt that happens), so why worry.

[nik-]

And they'll just ruin him too, we have nothing to worry about.

[sureLoss]

Corey Pronman on what he has seen at the U18s.

http://www.thepipelineshow.com/clips...nman_Apr26.mp3

Summary:

Dylan Larkin

• potential mid/late first rounder
• looked really strong game knocking off Sweden 4-1 in the semifinals
• one of the best skaters in the draft, physical and has some skill

William Nylander

• potential top 10 pick
• leads the tournament in scoring
• was in the conversation for top 5 in the summer and fall but wasn't getting the ice time in the top Swedish division
• in the 2nd half was outstanding in the 2nd division was also outstanding with Modo in the playoffs
• in the last few months have been seeing the real William Nylander
• might not go in the top 5, but definitely in the argument for a top 5-7 pick now

Alex Tuch

• on the top line he is arguably the 3rd best player behind Eichel and Milano (but those are 2 high end prospects anyways)
• do think he is a 1st round potential pick in his own right
• big, strong and skilled; skates well for a big man
• won't be the primary scoring chance creator on his line like Milano
• he is not a high end skill or high end creative type
• he does a lot well
• when you have that size and that type of skill a lot of teams will look at him in the 1st round because of the unique things he can do on the ice

Larkin vs Milano

• Larkin is one of the best speed guy in the draft. He is tough and plays hard.
• Milano is a little more of a high skill high playmaking type of player.
• Milano doesn't have the same defensive value as Larkin.
• Milano really excels on the PP

Jakub Vrana

• intrigued by Vrana
• 3rd U18 tournament
• started off the year as a potential top 10-12 pick and didn't really have a strong year
• in this tournament starting to see the Vrana he thought would show up this year
• dynamic player with the puck, able to create offense every shift
• doesn't know where he will go in the draft, a lot of variance from scouts

Travis Sanhiem

• has been rising, skyrocketing up draft boards these last few months
• has worked his way to a legitimate top 4 role for Canada right now
• been playing PP and PK
• everything in his game has improved since the start of the year
• his skating is impressive
• he has good size and sees ice well
• he is taking on tougher defensive responsibilities
• don't know if he is elite in any one area, but think he is above average in a lot of things

Joe Hicketts

• had a really impressive showing at the Ivan Hlinka (was paired with Ekblad)
• had an injury for a good portion of the year
• small defenseman and that is a worry because of the size and injury history now
• exceptional skater
• he is 5'8'' or 5'9'' but hits opponents like he is 6'1''
• is skilled, can see the ice well and can defend
• other than his frame everything else is pointing in the right direction

Kasperi Kapanen

• hard to classify Kapanen's 2 points in short tournaments as disappointing as a few bounces going the other way could increase or decrease point totals
• Kapanen didn't have the best tournament
• from talking to some scouts who watched the tournament, Kapenen did play well, although he wasn't amazing
• still thinks he is a top 15 pick candidate
• exceptional skater, great hands and vision, works hard
• good strength level
• would have liked to see more dominance at the u18s especially since he was injured for the WJC
• don't think this tournament will hurt his draft stock too much

Anton Karlsson

• no points for Karlsson in this tournament
• letting Kapanen off the hook for low point totals is okay because Finland didn't score a lot of goals
• however in Karlsson's case Sweden has scored over 30 goals and Karlsson is getting top 6 minutes and has no points (little bit of an eyebrow raiser)
• shouldn't drop his stock too much though
• Karlsson at the WJC showed some of the edgy elements to his game - he is physical and gets in people's faces
• he definitely has some skill element to his game
• sees a guy who can play both sides of the rink
• was on the top PP at the Ivan Hlinka
• showed a lot of offensive potential as a 16 year old
• not sure he sees Karlsson as a dynamic offensive guy going forward
• potential top 45 pick candidate, maybe a late 1st rounder if a team really loves him but might be sliding out of the 1st round

Kevin Fiala

• just skyrocketed
• can't remember the last few years a guy who has had a better 2nd half
• unusually dominant as a 17 year old in the Swedish Hockey League- the production, the minutes, how good he has looked skill wise
• definitely in the top 15 discussion
• talked to a few scouts and some say he is a top 10
• not sure where he will go because Fiala has come along so quickly and hasn't had a chance for a wide range of views

Mason MacDonald

• the goaltender who has stood out in this event
• was impressive at top prospect game and continues to impress at this tournament
• might not get into top tier with a guy like Thatcher Demko
• one of the top goalie prospects at the tournament
• been a big reason why Canada has gone so far in this tournament (i.e. Canada's skaters haven't been really that dominant)

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

...
William Nylander

I haven't paid much attention to Nylander in the past several months, but based on the high praise he has received of late, I was surprised to see that he has been playing in Sweden Division 1 and 2, and has not yet played in the SEL. I see that there are progressively more kids being drafted out of these juniour leagues, but historically the best Swedish players have always played in the SEL in their draft years.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I haven't paid much attention to Nylander in the past several months, but based on the high praise he has received of late, I was surprised to see that he has been playing in Sweden Division 1 and 2, and has not yet played in the SEL. I see that there are progressively more kids being drafted out of these juniour leagues, but historically the best Swedish players have always played in the SEL in their draft years.

They've renamed the SEL to the SHL.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I haven't paid much attention to Nylander in the past several months, but based on the high praise he has received of late, I was surprised to see that he has been playing in Sweden Division 1 and 2, and has not yet played in the SEL. I see that there are progressively more kids being drafted out of these juniour leagues, but historically the best Swedish players have always played in the SEL in their draft years.

I think Pronman is referring to Division I as the SEL (or SHL as it is now called as pointed out by Vulcan) and Division II as the Allsvenskan.

If you look at his stats he has played for Modo in the SHL this season.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=38703

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by nik-

If that height and weight on Ehlers are correct, he's getting much more into safer pick territory.

My feeling too. In another year he'll weigh as much as Drouhin and nobody is saying Drouhin is too small for the NHL.