Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[ForeverFlameFan]

Draisaitl still tops Ritchie as my preference for 4th OA

1. Ekblad
2. Reinhart
3. Bennett
4. Draisaitl
5. Ritchie

[Flames Draft Watcher]

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

Dal Colle's Coach/GM on Dal Colle, Ritchie and Bennett.

Has a lot of glowing things to say about Ritchie and Bennett. Says Ritchie is the toughest player in the league and "on any given day could be the best player of that draft class."

Definitely give it a listen as Bennett and Ritchie are big possibilities for us given Burke/Treliving have gone on record as both being in our top 5 players.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by formulate

Random hypothetical Panthers perspective question:

Would you rather have Barkov and Ekblad...
or Seth Jones and your choice of the Sams?

This is a tough one.

Barkov > either Sam
Jones > Ekblad

I think I would have to say Barkov and Ekblad, because Barkov is a way better prospect than either Sam, and the difference between Jones and Ekblad is minimal.

[Read Only]

Originally Posted by formulate

Random hypothetical Panthers perspective question:

Would you rather have Barkov and Ekblad...
or Seth Jones and your choice of the Sams?

Tough choice.

I prefer the Sams over Barkov and Ekblad over Jones.

Probably go with the Sams and Jones because I think Jones-Ekblad pretty close (Jones better offense/skating and Ekblad better smarts/defense) and that the Sams have potential to be 1st line center while Barkov likely 2nd/3rd liner.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

.... I think the impact of powerforwards gets underrated by many a fan. They win important board battles and net battles which generates offense. They can't be shut down easily and can power through many a defenseman. They open up space for their teammates and wear down the opposition defensemen through their physicality....

i don't think many fans question the powerforward's importance. i think the harder part is drafting a powerforward that is able to translate their game at the NHL level successfully. it seems that typically the big powerful guys aren't the quickest skaters, so they become quite hit or miss picks.

[codynw]

Try to name 10 true power forwards in the NHL. You can't do it. They barely exist anymore.

[SHOGUN]

Jacked this off the Oilers board. Much like Monahan was, seemed like Drasaitl was carrying his team by a significant margin.

% of even strength on ice pts contribution from that set of stats for some of the top CHL prospects:

Draisaitl 86.8
Scherbak 81.4
Reinhart 80
Hawryluk 80
Dal Colle 79
Point 75.4
Ho-Sang 73.5
Bleackley 72.9
Bennett 72.5
Barbashev 72
Goldobin 71.9
Virtanen 71.8
Fabbri 69
Ritchie 68.6
Lemieux 66.7
Perlini 64
Ehlers 63.4
McCann 62.3
DeAngelo 55.7
Honka 38.5
Fleury 35.2
Ekblad 30.4
Sanheim 30.2
McKeown 27.8

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Yep but in other ways he fills our biggest need which is size and physicality up front.

With Monahan, Backlund, Granlund, Jankowski, Reinhart, Knight, etc we're actually quite deep at centre so you can say that C isn't really the biggest priority either. All the top players in the draft except Ekblad are at positions we're quite deep in (C and LW).

We really don't have any powerforwards of any ilk except Ferland. I think the impact of powerforwards gets underrated by many a fan. They win important board battles and net battles which generates offense. They can't be shut down easily and can power through many a defenseman. They open up space for their teammates and wear down the opposition defensemen through their physicality.

Therefore IMO Ritchie actually fills one of the biggest needs we have in our organization. Ritchie and Ekblad are the two most unique commodities from the Flames perspective IMO.

I still favour Bennett over Ritchie for sure and I'm not sure we could pass on Reinhart for Ritchie. Draisaitl vs Ritchie might be closer than some think from a Flames perspective since Draisaitl is very similar to Monahan. If the Flames think Backlund can be a #2 centre then we are actually in great shape at centre with Monahan/Backlund as your 1-2 punch with Granlund and Jankowski as backup options and guys like Reinhart and Knight potential checking line centre options for the future.

True powerforwards with enough skill to play on a scoring line might be one of the two rarest commodities in the NHL right now along with true #1 defensemen. IMO there's more 1st line centres in the NHL than there are top line powerforwards.

Yeah, I like Ritchie a lot, just not at 4th.

One thing I think is a possibility is Talon going off the board with his pick. He's said to be a good talent evaluater and I don't believe he cares what others think, so he could take someone like Ehlers or Nylander even if he doesn't trade down.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by codynw

Try to name 10 true power forwards in the NHL. You can't do it. They barely exist anymore.

They were a necessity in the high-obstruction era. Less so now.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Yeah, I like Ritchie a lot, just not at 4th.

One thing I think is a possibility is Talon going off the board with his pick. He's said to be a good talent evaluater and I don't believe he cares what others think, so he could take someone like Ehlers or Nylander even if he doesn't trade down.

The Panthers already said they're taking Ekblad at 1 if they don't trade out. According to the Sun Times Sentinel.

[djsFlames]

Barkov was good but not great in his first season. Monahan sure stood out more.

[Monahan23]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Barkov was good but not great in his first season. Monahan sure stood out more.

I'd still take Barkov, he had the better year but Monahan was more of a surprise.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by codynw

Try to name 10 true power forwards in the NHL. You can't do it. They barely exist anymore.

Do you need a power forward to win a cup?

Chicago and Los Angeles don't have a 'true power forward'.
I think you need bigger players that can skate, but not sure if you necessarily need a 230+lbs player.

My biggest concern with this player is if he can keep up with pace of today's game.

Personally I think guys like Gaudreau are too small, and guys like Ritchie are too big. The ideal player is about 80% of the way between Gaudreau and Ritchie.

[the_only_turek_fan]

And.....my top 3 is now:
Ekblad
Reinhart
Draisaitl

[Monahan23]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

And.....my top 3 is now:
Ekblad
Reinhart
Draisaitl

That's mine

[Enoch Root]

Bennett
Reinhart
Ekblad
Ritchie/Draisaitl

[Gaskal]

Ekblad - Bennett - Reinhart - Draisaitl/Ritchie

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

Do you need a power forward to win a cup?

Chicago and Los Angeles don't have a 'true power forward'.
I think you need bigger players that can skate, but not sure if you necessarily need a 230+lbs player.

My biggest concern with this player is if he can keep up with pace of today's game.

Personally I think guys like Gaudreau are too small, and guys like Ritchie are too big. The ideal player is about 80% of the way between Gaudreau and Ritchie.

i think what you mean is the "traditional" powerforward may be becoming a bit obsolete, but there is no question still the need for big, strong guys who can be effective along the boards, difficult to get the puck off of due to their size/strength, ability to stand in front of the net, and the puck skills to create/finish scoring chances.

i think most good teams definitely have one of these guys, if not more. just looking at the last 3 different cup winners:
LA: Kopitar/Carter
Chicago: Bickell
Boston: Lucic

[Hackey]

I'm hoping we land Reinhart but have a feeling will get Bennett which doesn't look bad either. I see it playing out...

Ekblad
Reinhart
Drasaitl
Bennett

[mile]

Originally Posted by Hackey

I'm hoping we land Reinhart but have a feeling will get Bennett which doesn't look bad either. I see it playing out...

Ekblad
Reinhart
Drasaitl
Bennett

Yeah, a lot of mock drafts have this scenario - I'd be excited with either Sam, but Bennett might fit our needs more.