Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[trackercowe]

Just a question which I am sure has been posed already, if the Islanders give up their first round pick to Buffalo would that make it more likely that Buffalo takes Ekblad first overall (assuming they win the lottery)? Then they can take one of the forwards with their second lottery pick since one of them will be available in the 4th or 5th spot. I could see that scenario happening if Sabres management truly like Ekblad that much.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

Just a question which I am sure has been posed already, if the Islanders give up their first round pick to Buffalo would that make it more likely that Buffalo takes Ekblad first overall (assuming they win the lottery)? Then they can take one of the forwards with their second lottery pick since one of them will be available in the 4th or 5th spot. I could see that scenario happening if Sabres management truly like Ekblad that much.

I hate Buffalo.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

I hate Buffalo.

Just wait until next year.

[albertGQ]

Islanders won't give up their pick this year

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

Just a question which I am sure has been posed already, if the Islanders give up their first round pick to Buffalo would that make it more likely that Buffalo takes Ekblad first overall (assuming they win the lottery)? Then they can take one of the forwards with their second lottery pick since one of them will be available in the 4th or 5th spot. I could see that scenario happening if Sabres management truly like Ekblad that much.

Good possibility, we all know they will be in the McDavid sweepstakes next draft!

[Jables16]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

Just a question which I am sure has been posed already, if the Islanders give up their first round pick to Buffalo would that make it more likely that Buffalo takes Ekblad first overall (assuming they win the lottery)? Then they can take one of the forwards with their second lottery pick since one of them will be available in the 4th or 5th spot. I could see that scenario happening if Sabres management truly like Ekblad that much.

Buffalo grabbed Ristolainen/Zadorov with their first rounders last year and with Grigorenko looking like a pretty big question mark I can see them favoring Bennett or Reinhart. However the potential to have a top four comprised of Ekblad/Myers/Ristolainen/Zadorov would be pretty hard to pass up.

It would be a good problem to have for any team if the Flames were to get first overall we could be set at center for the foreseeable future with Monahan/Reinhart/Backlund etc. It might be better to take Ekblad though. He has the makings of a franchise player but since defenseman generally take longer to develop it might be better to take him earlier in our rebuild so that he's entering his prime when we're (hopefully) a contending and/or playoff team.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Good possibility, we all know they will be in the McDavid sweepstakes next draft!

That's one way of looking at it but I'd think they expect to make the playoffs next year, so won't have as high a pick.

[Tbull8]

Eklund says there's a trade brewing between the Islanders and Jets. Regardless of his credibility, he says the Islanders are gonna make a big deal for Kane and/or Byfuglien.I could see them making a package involving this years pick for sure. Therefore they're giving up their 2015 pick to Buffalo, but with Kane and Byfuglien in their lineup and maybe a UFA goalie this summer, I could see them being a lot better next year.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

Eklund says there's a trade brewing between the Islanders and Jets. Regardless of his credibility, he says the Islanders are gonna make a big deal for Kane and/or Byfuglien.I could see them making a package involving this years pick for sure. Therefore they're giving up their 2015 pick to Buffalo, but with Kane and Byfuglien in their lineup and maybe a UFA goalie this summer, I could see them being a lot better next year.

That is pretty much a zero.

[albertGQ]

No Eklund rumors please

[trackercowe]

I think if the Isles do give up that pick then Buffalo could take Ekblad, and then trade Myers in the off-season for more offensive help and possibly more first rounders next year.

Would MacTavish be desperate enough to make a 2015 first rounder and Yakupov for Myers++? Then Buffalo would probably have another two lottery picks in 2015.

[sureLoss]

Top Draft prospects do self evaluations
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=7...etails=2-29342

Sam Bennett:
Comparison: "Mike Richards."
Best asset: "Hockey sense, shooting."
Where do you need improvement: "Strength in the corners."

Leon Draisaitl:
Comparison: "Evgeni Malkin."
Best asset: "Playmaking ability, passing and protecting the puck."
Where do you need improvement: "Skating, shooting and more pressure to the net."

Aaron Ekblad:
Comparison: "Some have said Nicklas Lidstrom, the player I've strived to play like."
Best asset: "My shot from the point, my ability to make good first pass. I support the rush offensively and provide steady play. I do not get beat."
Where do you need improvement: "My mobility, foot speed and physical play; an ability to be intimidating."

Sam Reinhart:
Comparison: "Jonathan Toews."
Best asset: "Hockey sense."
Where do you need improvement: "My skating; I just want to keep getting bigger and stronger."

Micheal Dal Colle:
Comparison: "Eric Staal."
Best asset: "My vision and ability to see the ice. I have patience with the puck, am versatile and have offensive abilities with the puck."
Where do you need improvement: "My first three steps; my explosiveness. I want to anticipate better and would like to improve my release."

Kasperi Kapanen:
Comparison: "Ilya Kovalchuk."
Best asset: "My skating, puck handling and shot."
Where do you need improvement: "My defensive play."

Thatcher Demko:
Comparison: "Pekka Rinne."
Best asset: "My compete level and will to win. I'm very determined, have a good work ethic and have leadership qualities."
Where do you need improvement: "My play on the post; quickness and reading some plays better."

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

Eklund says there's a trade brewing between the Islanders and Jets. Regardless of his credibility, he says the Islanders are gonna make a big deal for Kane and/or Byfuglien.I could see them making a package involving this years pick for sure. Therefore they're giving up their 2015 pick to Buffalo, but with Kane and Byfuglien in their lineup and maybe a UFA goalie this summer, I could see them being a lot better next year.

1)You can't disregard his credibility
2)Why would the Jets want to get worse? They need players now, not picks

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

Never say never, but the way he's playing tonight, and from what I hear, the entire payoff series so far, there's no way he makes it past 2

I've only listened to the Hitmen game on the radio, but Reinhart seems to just be flat out dominating. Seems to be a really big difference between him and a guy like Jake Virtanen.

[Bingo]

self comparison from last year ...

4. Sean Monahan, C, Ottawa 67's (OHL)
2012-13: 58 games, 31 goals, 47 assists, 78 points, 15 power-play goals, 24 penalty minutes, minus-18 rating
Comparison: "Jonathan Toews because he's a leader, he steps up, is serious and plays the whole 200 feet of the ice."
Best asset: "My ability to create turnovers and turn it into offense; to lead by example and step up. My defensive play in all areas of the ice, and I'm also good at making plays and creating room."
Where do you need improvement: "I need to become faster and stronger on my feet, as well as improve my shooting while skating."
NHL Central Scouting: "I think Sean is pretty accurate with his self-assessments," Central Scouting's Chris Edwards said. "Leadership-wise … Ottawa had such a bad season and most of the time when we went down there he was the only guy generating anything. I don't think his skating is an issue, but that's an area every player always wants to improve, so it doesn't surprise me that he would want to improve even more. Anytime you can get a guy with that type of play-making ability, puck-handling, smarts and that type of creativity on the power play, you'd be happy to get a guy like that."

[Calgary4LIfe]

I don't really see anyone doing this, but thought it would be nice to have a bit of summary with how some of the top prospects being discussed are doing in the playoffs:

WHL:
Sam Reinhart: 5GP 5G 9A 14pts 0PIM
Jake Virtanen: 5GP 1G 3A 4pts 2PIM
Leon Draisaitl: 4GP 1G 2A 3pts 4PIM

OHL:
Michael Dal Colle: 4GP 5G 5A 10pts 0PIM
Sam Bennett: 4GP 2G 3A 5pts 14PIM
Aaron Ekblad: 4GP 1G 2A 3pts 8PIM
Roland McKeown: 4GP 1G 1A 2pts 2PIM
Nick Ritchie: 4GP 1G 1A 2pts 8PIM
Brendan Perlini: 4GP 0G 1A 1pts 2PIM

QMJHL:
Nikolaj Ehlers: 4GP 4G 6A 10pts 4PIM
Ivan Barbarshev: 5GP 4G 5A 9pts 8PIM

I left out some of the other prospects (even ones I like such as Goldobin) as they haven't been discussed too much. Barbarshev was included mostly to avoid having only one player in the QMJHL side, but though he is Russian, he plays a very North American type game already, and isn't small.

This is a very small sample size, but Reinhart has been the most impressive performer thus far in the entire CHL it seems. Definitely making it difficult for Buffalo to pass him up. Prospects can see their stock rise or fall in the playoffs. Tough to just judge them just based on stats, but it does give a bit more of a window into how they perform under pressure.

[nik-]

Wow Bennett and Reinhart. Why couldn't we be a little worse this year?

[codynw]

Watched Kootenay/Calgary a few times on TV and Reinhart is dominant every time he's on the ice. I don't see any way he doesn't get picked first.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Reinhart looks so damn good, as does Ekblad. I hate the Oilers.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

Reinhart looks so damn good, as does Ekblad. I hate the Oilers.

It's okay, even if one of them ends up with the Oil they can pretend to suck until the years to UFA tick down and no amount of ludicrous contract money, or pleading from Kevin and MacT on their knees to stay, will convince them to stay in that cesspool. Then we swoop along and pick them up.