Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

My main worry with Pronman or RLR is they just don't have the budget to see as much as they insinuate they see. Button has TSN money so he can fly over to Europe for the under 18 and go see these guys in person all over Canada and the US. There is no way Pronman or any of these smaller scouting services are seeing many of these players outside of their home region in person unless they are operating at a mega loss.

They are using TV coverage which is fine but really limits what you see, particularly at the non-major events since anyone who's watched a WHL or OHL broadcast know that some have worse quality cameras than an average smartphone.

My understanding, at least with RLR, is that they have scouts in various regions. It isn't Woodlief watching all these games - he's basically the publisher.

Anyways it is a valid criticism but again - if you want a different POV these guys provide it.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Redline has a bunch of regional scouts. As far as I know Pronman is a one man show who obviously can't be everywhere. Not really comparable. Redline's coverage should be more comprehensive than Craig Button or Pronman.

[FlamingInfinity]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

My main worry with Pronman or RLR is they just don't have the budget to see as much as they insinuate they see. Button has TSN money so he can fly over to Europe for the under 18 and go see these guys in person all over Canada and the US. There is no way Pronman or any of these smaller scouting services are seeing many of these players outside of their home region in person unless they are operating at a mega loss.

They are using TV coverage which is fine but really limits what you see, particularly at the non-major events since anyone who's watched a WHL or OHL broadcast know that some have worse quality cameras than an average smartphone.

I thought Pronman ended up getting a gig at ESPN or something for his draft analysis...? Maybe I'm mixing him up with someone else.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

My main worry with Pronman or RLR is they just don't have the budget to see as much as they insinuate they see. Button has TSN money so he can fly over to Europe for the under 18 and go see these guys in person all over Canada and the US. There is no way Pronman or any of these smaller scouting services are seeing many of these players outside of their home region in person unless they are operating at a mega loss.

They are using TV coverage which is fine but really limits what you see, particularly at the non-major events since anyone who's watched a WHL or OHL broadcast know that some have worse quality cameras than an average smartphone.

Pronman doesnt claim to be a scout, nor does he claim to watch every kid in the draft.

He does claim to talk to a lot of scouts and he watches a tonne of hockey. But he will more often then not talk about his observations and almost always says that anything resembling a scouting report that he puts forward is from other sources (scouts, etc.)

Now whether or not he actually talks to a bunch of scouts, I can't say, but he isn't trying to pull the wool over anyones eyes and claim to watch every player in the draft.

He more often then not puts in a tonne of time compiling reports and adds his observations and research where he can.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

'tis a silly name

[FCAV]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

My main worry with Pronman or RLR is they just don't have the budget to see as much as they insinuate they see. Button has TSN money so he can fly over to Europe for the under 18 and go see these guys in person all over Canada and the US. There is no way Pronman or any of these smaller scouting services are seeing many of these players outside of their home region in person unless they are operating at a mega loss.

True to some degree, and not entirely true at the same time.

Events like the Hlinka and U18 are big ones, but there are so many other opportunities to see players outside of their club team. WJAC, Hockey Canada camps, CHL events (TPG, SSS) and US-based tournaments give quite a good cross section.

The important thing to keep in mind us 'smaller scouting services' is the man-power available. For example, we have nine in Europe. It makes getting to the above events that much easier as there's always someone nearby.

[sureLoss]

Mike Morreale @mikemorrealeNHL
Hextall said he wouldn't hesitate to draft a goalie in the first round.

Mike Morreale @mikemorrealeNHL
Does that make BC goalie Thatcher Demko a strong possibility at No. 17 on Friday night at WFC?

[Major Major]

Random thought of the day, apologies if it is not original.

Something definitely was not adding up for me as I took in the STH meeting last week. Burke and Treliving were buttoned up tightly when it came to players they were targeting. No surprise in cases where it would have been tampering, but when it came to the draft, they obviously had it locked down. Even when asked if they preferred a centre as that is not typically a player you would get in a trade, they were reticent to confirm this line of thinking, which told me a lot because Treliving already essentially said that he prefers centres and Dmen when he first came...

Then there's this, Treliving listing Ritchie in the top 5. Not their top 5, but the top 5 that we all know about as proclaimed by pundits. They made it very clear that this was the consensus top 5 players. However, we all know that this is not the case. After 4, there is a lot of confusion from the punditry masses, and Ritchie is certainly not always there, or even usually there.

So, when asked about drafting centres because they are not easily acquired, Burke said that Milan Lucic type players are not easily acquired either (referring to Ritchie). So why on Earth would a management group that is going out of its way to be secretive about player targets drop two pretty big hints towards Ritchie, especially since their reputation would already point towards them being interested in him?

My theory, a campaign to entice Edmonton to pick Ritchie, and leaving a Sam for us. We all know that Edmonton covets that kind of player... Hell, MacT pretty much committed tampering his first hour on the job saying he wanted Lucic. Would Edmonton be stupid enough to draft Ritchie because of hints dropped at Calgary season ticket holder meetings? Well I think we all know that answer.

[CliffFletcher]

I have a hard time believing comments made by or to the media, or in any public forum, have any impact whatsoever on the NHL draft.

[ah123]

Originally Posted by Major Major

So why on Earth would a management group that is going out of its way to be secretive about player targets drop two pretty big hints towards Ritchie, especially since their reputation would already point towards them being interested in him?

My theory, a campaign to entice Edmonton to pick Ritchie, and leaving a Sam for us. We all know that Edmonton covets that kind of player... Hell, MacT pretty much committed tampering his first hour on the job saying he wanted Lucic. Would Edmonton be stupid enough to draft Ritchie because of hints dropped at Calgary season ticket holder meetings? Well I think we all know that answer.

I don't think it is aimed solely at Edmonton...I can see two scenarios

1. They are really considering Ritchie over Draisatl. There was a function before Treliving was hired where Burke mentioned he doesn't like Draisatl
2. Misdirection aimed at other GMs to muddy the waters in the hopes that someone will offer something significant to trade up to #4

I cannot wait till Friday...

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by ah123

I don't think it is aimed solely at Edmonton...I can see two scenarios

1. They are really considering Ritchie over Draisatl. There was a function before Treliving was hired where Burke mentioned he doesn't like Draisatl
2. Misdirection aimed at other GMs to muddy the waters in the hopes that someone will offer something significant to trade up to #4

I cannot wait till Friday...

Ya, I thought about number two, but it doesn't make a lot of sense. Is that team explicitly trading up to take Ritchie and are worried Calgary is taking him? You'd think teams would want to trade up to get a top 4 guy moreso than to take Ritchie. Edmonton is the only one that makes sense to me, and the only ones that are susceptible to the power of suggestion and wanting to take what the Flames want.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I would laugh so hard if Ritchie was picked at #3.... But then we have a tough decision with Bennett and Draisaitl.

[sureLoss]

Red line report's mock draft:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...-nhl/11314861/

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I would laugh so hard if Ritchie was picked at #3.... But then we have a tough decision with Bennett and Draisaitl.

Bennett over Dr Drai any day.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I would laugh so hard if Ritchie was picked at #3.... But then we have a tough decision with Bennett and Draisaitl.

Is the tough decision choosing if they should sprint up to the stage and scream like a little girl before selecting Bennett or if they should act casual before selecting Bennett?

[Major Major]

^Redline mock draft is definitely my favorite of the realistic scenarios

[nik-]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Red line report's mock draft:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...-nhl/11314861/

This is my hoped for scenario and in my mind the most likely if the picks stay how they are now.

That's why Vancouver needs to piss off.

[ah123]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Ya, I thought about number two, but it doesn't make a lot of sense. Is that team explicitly trading up to take Ritchie and are worried Calgary is taking him? You'd think teams would want to trade up to get a top 4 guy moreso than to take Ritchie. Edmonton is the only one that makes sense to me, and the only ones that are susceptible to the power of suggestion and wanting to take what the Flames want.

I believe Sam Cosantino (sp?) mentioned on the morning show last week that some scouts (teams?) have Ritchie ranked as their #1, so for example, if the Islanders have him ranked as their #1, would they be willing to flip with Calgary and include an small incentive?

[codynw]

Originally Posted by nik-

Vancouver needs to piss off.

Seriously. If I have to watch Vancouver draft Sam Reinhart, and then Edmonton draft Ekblad, leaving Draisaitl/Ritchie to the Flames, I will be very sad.

[zoom]

Sureloss, just post the 1st round results already.