First time I've seen Crouse mentioned. Also the first time i've seen Zacha listed so high as well. So, obviously a lot can change, but we can pretty much nail on the top 2. But it seems there might be a fair bit of movement on the guys beneath them. I mean, if McKenzie's rankings differ so much from any I've seen so far, then how many scouts/media guys will have differing lists too?
Once Bobby Mac's list comes out, other outlets soon start the same trend. It's why Kylington was up in the top 4/5 until now, where all of a sudden he's on the brink of the top 10.
Hard to argue with MacKenzie's list though; he does actually pool scouts, and his lists are always deadly accurate.
Another player to keep an eye on is Charlottetown Islanders import center Filip Chlapik. He is leading the team in scoring and has some very slick puck skills. Last night is only the second time I've seen him play but I came away very impressed.
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probably looks better this year because of his physical maturity
isn't getting pushed away or off the puck
in Saginaw he won a d-zone faceoff on the left hash, supported the puck coming out on the RW. Five seconds after winning the faceoff, he had a scoring chance
opposing defencemen are starting to turn when McDavid is 15 feet away from them
lot of guys can skate fast, but this guy doesn't slow down one bit when he has the puck. it is at a level that is really intimidating
Button thinks McDavid is the first generational talent entering the draft since Sidney Crosby
Eichel:
seperation between McDavid and Eichel is razor thin
along with McDavid, both are entering this draft year as two generational talents (qualifies this by saying he thinks Stamkos and Doughty are generational talents, but not entering their draft years like Eichel and McDavid are)
Ed Olczyk (who coached the All American Prospects game on Thursday) commented on Eichel's reach. Hasn't seen a reach like that and the ability to control defenders with that reach since Mario Lemieux
Jack has the ability to move laterally without losing speed
has a little more power than Connor
Connor's exceptional skating ability allows him to successful without needing the reach that Eichel has
McDavid's type of game: Gretzky's ability to see the ice, undertand what's unfolding, lightning quick decisions. saw vulnerability and exploited it.
Eichel's type of game: Messier coming at you with size, blow past you with his skating, but also can beat you with a shot. (Doesn't have the same physical edge that Messier had)
Cautions that these comparables doesn't mean they will become the next Gretzky or Messier
Hanifin:
has the ability to settle things down
makes difficult plays seem easy
he can skate, make plays with the puck, think the game
has this ease about him, effortless style
has the some of the same traits as Lidstrom where you never were going to beat him, break him down and he was going to play all night long
Noah will slide in front of you, takes you off the puck and then starts moving the other way, leaving you wondering where did that puck go
has a touch of a surgeon with a scalpel and you may not realize you are bleeding until a couple of seconds later
Prospects that Button thinks will be the next tier after the top 3:
Zacha - reminds Button of Eric Staal at the same age
Strome - plays with McDavid. Different style than McDavid. Big, smart. Positions himself to make play
Kylington - slick smooth skating defenceman
Barzal
Marner
Crouse
some other guys might work their way in there
Last edited by sureLoss; 09-27-2014 at 06:47 AM.
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Question: We know that McEichel have franchise, top center potential as players, which would answer any questions about scoring for this team for years to come.
Does Hanifin have that same potential on the back end? Does he look to turn into a Weber-like player that can lead the team at both ends of the ice?
Right now I think we need the former two more if it came down to choosing. Unless Hanifin is really that spectacular of a defenceman.
It's kind of a can't-lose year for us. If we suck terribly, there is a pretty huge consolation prize. If we improve to the 5-10 range, there still look to be some very good prospects and we can be content that the ship is turning around. If we finish higher than that, we can be very excited that the rebuild is ahead of schedule and that we may be competing for a playoff spot sooner rather than later.
So what I'm saying is, don't finish 4th last.
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What draft eligible WHL prospects should I keep an eye on when they come through Lethbridge? I want to start watching more junior games this year.
Not a great year for WHL prospects (particularly in the East)- Mathew Barzal plays for Seattle and Paul Bittner for Portland are the only two on McKenzie's top 15 (and no honourable mentions)
Glencross isn't getting a 1st round pick, especially with his NMC. Hudler might be able to since he's not a pending UFA.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteMoss
Not a great year for WHL prospects (particularly in the East)- Mathew Barzal plays for Seattle and Paul Bittner for Portland are the only two on McKenzie's top 15 (and no honourable mentions)
That's disappointing. Neither of those teams play here this year either. Oh well.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by CroFlames
Before you call me a pessimist or a downer, the Flames made me this way. Blame them.
This draft is sounding really good. Are there any pieces the Flames can move during the season to get another first round pick? Maybe Glencross?
Glencross and Hudler are the only two that we may actually consider moving that might be worth a first. I'd say a late first at best, though. It seems to me like 1st round picks are much less in play than they used to be.
If we can steal even a late 1st in this draft from a team for one of our vets, that's a home run. This is a very good draft class that will have a deep and talented 1st round. We need to make space for kids next season anyways.
