One thing to remember is that it was reported from sources that Edmonton was going to take Draisaitl so it looked like a foregone conclusion that we would get one of the Sams.
Much like there are rumors now that the Oilers are extremely high on Marner.
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Not referring to any particular poster, but there are plenty of posts over the past 30 pages or so, that thought the oilers were idiots to pick Draisaitl over Bennett, in particular. They are undoubtedly idiots, but not for that reason, as Draisatl might be a very good pro. It is way to early to tell.
The more recent discussion seems to be questioning Reinhart's potential. If you think Bennett will be better, fine, but I personally don't see any "progression" that would have me concerned, if I were a Sabre fan. If you prefer Bennett, again fine, but I can almost guarantee if the players were reversed and the Sabres took Bennett, Flames fans would be extolling Reinhart's virtues (great WJC) and chirping that Bennett is an injury concern or some other non-sense.
Oh trust me, I am in no way jumping on Reinhart for having a sub-par (for him anyways) season in juniors this year. He was actually my first choice pre-draft. I have definitely hopped onto the Bennett train (though I never disliked him and I believe ranked him 2nd or 3rd for the Flames - would often vary given the day of the week). I still think that Reinhart (and Bennett!) was an incredibly underrated talent. Loads of people were stating that neither Reinhart nor Bennett had 1st line center potential, and I still refute those assertions. I don't think there has been a pick since Crosby with that level of hockey IQ. I was just looking for reasons as to why he is having a sub-par year (and Vulcan confirmed what I did hear).
With that being said, having a potential 1st line center with that amount of ability, that tenacity and aggressiveness, and packaged with his unbelievable non-stop motor makes a nice compliment to Monahan's slower but also very effective game. Reinhart to me was very 'Monahan-like'. Having a center that has different strengths will just create a tougher assignment for the opposing coach in line matching.
However, Draisaitl I didn't like much. I had him behind Reinhart, Bennett, Ekblad, Dal Colle, Nylander and MAYBE Ehlers. Perhaps as low as Ritchie (who actually seems like a better skater!). There was questions about Monahan's transition into the NHL due to his perceived lack of speed. I would classify Monahan as 'average' - perhaps even a touch above now with development. I rate Draisaitl as below average, and as a center in today's NHL, that is a very big weakness. Everything else about his game is great, but there are just too many prospects that never develop their skating enough and bust out. With that being said, I don't think Draisaitl will bust - he has a very good skill-set. I just always disagreed with the Jagr comparisons (outside of his big butt anyways). Draisaitl is a fine prospect, but he was (to me and ALL of the scouting resources out there) below Bennett, and I thought below some other players that had the ability to have more impact in the NHL.
Bust? You never know with Edmonton, but I never looked at Draisaitl as a potential bust. Just a bit underwhelming - and I thought this BEFORE Edmonton drafted him, so it isn't like I am just crapping on them after they pick him. For instance, I think Nurse is going to be a hell of a good defencemen and a huge thorn in Calgary's side for the next decade.
My favourite was when the Oilers put up that "Oilers at the World Championships" page and had Draisaitl listed as Oilers property, 2 months before the draft.
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Marner? Yeah, the last time the Oilers drafted a big time scorer out of London it worked out really well for them. Might as well go back to that same well again.
My favourite was when the Oilers put up that "Oilers at the World Championships" page and had Draisaitl listed as Oilers property, 2 months before the draft.
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How does Bennett compare to Monahan? I see Monahan as a smart, two-way player with really good offensive upside.
Is Bennett in that groove? Or is he flashier?
Bennett is flashier, and way more aggressive.
Monahan is all about positioning and slowing the game down at just the right moment with a quick hesitation to put himself into a better scoring location with really impressive 2-way hockey IQ at this point in his career.
Bennett is essentially Brendan Gallagher with elite offensive abilities IMO. He's absolutely relentless on the forecheck and is always driving the play forward. Just a tasmanian devil out there.
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I don't spend enough time following our prospects, so while I know their names I don't often see them play.
So:
How does Bennett compare to Monahan? I see Monahan as a smart, two-way player with really good offensive upside.
Is Bennett in that groove? Or is he flashier?
Much flashier. Can really pounce on a loose puck and rip it real quick. Has fantastic hands and can dominate a play all by himself (at least at his current level, including rookie camp last summer).
Monahan is all about positioning and slowing the game down at just the right moment with a quick hesitation to put himself into a better scoring location with really impressive 2-way hockey IQ at this point in his career.
Bennett is essentially Brendan Gallagher with elite offensive abilities IMO. He's absolutely relentless on the forecheck and is always driving the play forward. Just a tasmanian devil out there.
Jeebus.
Is there a recent example of a team getting two elite-capable centres in such close coupling at the draft? Edmonton has, I guess...but Edmonton.
Did Chicago do it with Toews and someone else?
Do we have to go all the way back to Malkin/Crosby?
