Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[nik-]

I think it's Draisaitl or Dal Colle. I still think the Islanders might take Dal Colle unless Reinhart or Bennett is there for them.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by nik-

Even then I doubt we're bad enough. Something about this team is the inverse of our past vet teams. Where they would underachieve, this team has no business even winning the amount of games it has.

Hell if our team had Grats on the 1st line we'd still probably win a large amount of games compared to the rest of these teams.

[The Fonz]

So we're getting 1 of Draisaitl or Dal Colle.

I'm good with either.

[dammage79]

Call me nuts, But guys like Perlini or Kapanen intrigue me a bit more than Dal Colle. But I get the concensus thing. I'll be happy as long as they stay away from Ritchie. I see size and some skating ability but I don't see much upside in his play either. I think he's a flatliner. Looks good, ranked decently but meh. Not a fan.

If the Flames pick 5th and manage to nab Draisaitl, I'll be ecstatic. I really like his upside.

[Matty81]

5th is ok, losing 4th has been a bit disappointing but what can you do, can't say I'm disappointed that the team is giving 100% or anything.

My fear is that this meaningless late season win streak will see someone pick Bennett and Dal Colle just before us and then have Burke go a little off the board rather than take Draitsaitl, he just doesn't seem like Burke's kind of player to me, I could see him reaching for one of the guys ranked around 8-10.

Really hoping someone else ahead of us has Draitsaitl in their top 4.

Also I am starting to fear that they might slip one more place to 6th or 7th again. If they keep running the table for the last 3 games at least one maybe two of Carolina, Winnipeg, Nashville, Vancouver or Ottawa is going to lose their last 2-4 games.

If they win all three they will own the tiebreak with every one of those teams.

[saXon]

Originally Posted by Matty81

5th is ok, losing 4th has been a bit disappointing but what can you do, can't say I'm disappointed that the team is giving 100% or anything.

My fear is that this meaningless late season win streak will see someone pick Bennett and Dal Colle just before us and then have Burke go a little off the board rather than take Draitsaitl, he just doesn't seem like Burke's kind of player to me, I could see him reaching for one of the guys ranked around 8-10.

Really hoping someone else ahead of us has Draitsaitl in their top 4.

Also I am starting to fear that they might slip one more place to 6th or 7th again. If they keep running the table for the last 3 games at least one maybe two of Carolina, Winnipeg, Nashville, Vancouver or Ottawa is going to lose their last 2-4 games.

If they win all three they will own the tiebreak with every one of those teams.

The Flames have never picked 5th before in their entire history. They ended 5th only once, but were bumped down because someone below them won the draft.

Just you watch, somehow they will end up with 6th pick. It's written in the eternal book in the hockey gods celestial hall..

[Anduril]

This 'Burke likes big players/will only draft a certain kind of player' is a myth as far as I can see.

Since taking over in 2008, and being let go midway through 2013 here are his 1st round picks with the Leafs:

2008, 5th overall - Luke Schenn (Next notable name is Karlsson at 15th)
2009, 7th overall - Nazim Kadri (Cowen was at 9th, Kassian at 13th, Kreider at 19th)
2010, Traded for Phil 'Monster Truck' Kessel
2011, 22nd/25th - Tyler Biggs and Stuart Percy respectively (Biggs was viewed as a strong skating, defensively sound big body who could cycle, Percy is at a massive 6'1")
2012, 5th overall - Morgan Rielly (Went off the board IIRC but 27 points in 70 games as a rookie isn't bad at all. Trouba, 6'3" was available at 9th, Tom Wilson, 6'4" at 16th and Hertl 6'2" at 17th)

A shutdown defenseman, top 6 offensively talent center, top line winger, big body winger and an offensive defenseman.

I don't see much of a connection to say other than at least when Burke deviates from the norm (Kessel/Rielly), he's got some results out of it.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by Anduril

This 'Burke likes big players/will only draft a certain kind of player' is a myth as far as I can see.

Since taking over in 2008, and being let go midway through 2013 here are his 1st round picks with the Leafs:

2008, 5th overall - Luke Schenn (Next notable name is Karlsson at 15th)
2009, 7th overall - Nazim Kadri (Cowen was at 9th, Kassian at 13th, Kreider at 19th)
2010, Traded for Phil 'Monster Truck' Kessel
2011, 22nd/25th - Tyler Biggs and Stuart Percy respectively (Biggs was viewed as a strong skating, defensively sound big body who could cycle, Percy is at a massive 6'1")
2012, 5th overall - Morgan Rielly (Went off the board IIRC but 27 points in 70 games as a rookie isn't bad at all. Trouba, 6'3" was available at 9th, Tom Wilson, 6'4" at 16th and Hertl 6'2" at 17th)

A shutdown defenseman, top 6 offensively talent center, top line winger, big body winger and an offensive defenseman.

I don't see much of a connection to say other than at least when Burke deviates from the norm (Kessel/Rielly), he's got some results out of it.

lol just spat my cereal out.

[djsFlames]

I think if they keep up their strong play, beating both Winnipeg and Vancouver is a possibility. LA I'm not too worried about, so I think we're looking at 4 points gained max. The closest team above us is Carolina at 79 points - 4 point ahead. So as long as the Hurricanes pick up a single point in their final four games, we should be fine. The Isles are who I'd be keeping an eye on. If they stay relatively hot, and LA puts us into a rut (though seriously doubt it) then maybe 4th is still in reach.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

So we're getting 1 of Draisaitl or Dal Colle.

I'm good with either.

You're most likely right, outside chance (if rumours are true)

Edmonton takes Draisaitl
Islanders take Dal Colle
Flames take Bennett

You are most likely right but stranger things have happened.

Only chance at Bennett is if Edmonton pick 3rd IMO.

[Wingman17]

Originally Posted by Anduril

This 'Burke likes big players/will only draft a certain kind of player' is a myth as far as I can see.

Since taking over in 2008, and being let go midway through 2013 here are his 1st round picks with the Leafs:

2008, 5th overall - Luke Schenn (Next notable name is Karlsson at 15th)
2009, 7th overall - Nazim Kadri (Cowen was at 9th, Kassian at 13th, Kreider at 19th)
2010, Traded for Phil 'Monster Truck' Kessel
2011, 22nd/25th - Tyler Biggs and Stuart Percy respectively (Biggs was viewed as a strong skating, defensively sound big body who could cycle, Percy is at a massive 6'1")
2012, 5th overall - Morgan Rielly (Went off the board IIRC but 27 points in 70 games as a rookie isn't bad at all. Trouba, 6'3" was available at 9th, Tom Wilson, 6'4" at 16th and Hertl 6'2" at 17th)

A shutdown defenseman, top 6 offensively talent center, top line winger, big body winger and an offensive defenseman.

I don't see much of a connection to say other than at least when Burke deviates from the norm (Kessel/Rielly), he's got some results out of it.

Draisaitl may have the size but would be the first European on that list. What's Burkes history of drafting Euro's. Especially using a first round pick on a Euro.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by Wingman17

Draisaitl may have the size but would be the first European on that list. What's Burkes history of drafting Euro's. Especially using a first round pick on a Euro.

Well I can think of an infamous pair of Swedish twins.

In fact that's the only pair of Europeans he's drafted in the first round.

[djsFlames]

Dal Colle may have the best shot of the draft. He'll be a top end finisher in the future.

Could be our 5" bigger Cammy for years to come.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Ritchie doesn't make the list because I really don't want Penner 2.0.

Huh? Ritchie and Penner don't seem very similar.

[getbak]

Fletcher drafted Schenn, not Burke. He was still with the Ducks at the 2008 Draft.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by getbak

Fletcher drafted Schenn, not Burke. He was still with the Ducks at the 2008 Draft.

My bad, knew he was hired November 2008 but forgot to maths the months.

[Calgary4LIfe]

At this point, I am fine with whomever the Flame end up drafting at the 5th position.

I expect one of Draisaitl, Bennett or Dal Colle. Any of these players is a huge injection of talent into the system, and each look like they have a very solid NHL career ahead of them as 1st line (or 2nd line) impact players.

I then see another tier of guys with a few more holes - Ritchie (huge, agile, fantastic shot and gritty, but conditioning issues), Ehlers (fantastic skater and elite skills, but 'frail'), Nylander (possibly the most offensively gifted player in the draft, but somewhat 'frail' as well), Kapanen (loads of skill, RW'er, potential character issues), Perlini (seems just overrated to me due to size and skating ability - don't see him as having top-6 potential), Fleury (Everything is wonderful, except his IQ seems a bit lower - more erratic at times than composed like Ekblad is)...

Even if the Flames finish in 6th spot (by some miracle), AND someone passes them in the lottery (by another miracle) and the Flames are drafting 7th - there is still top 6 (or even top-line) potential to be found, though not at the combination of size + skill.

Flames look to be finishing 5th. I will still be very ecstatic about one of the top 5 picks, and I would be very pleased with about 4 guys outside of the top 5 (Ritchie, Nylander, Ehlers, Fleury - possibly Kapanen).

Safe to say, I will just be happy this draft, and enjoying the wins as they are coming.

[SHOGUN]

Dal Colle is pretty versatile.. can play wing or centre.

[getbak]

Here are all the first round picks Burke has made as an NHL GM (he was hired in Hartford and Vancouver shortly before his first drafts, so his input may have been limited)...

Hartford Whalers:

• 1992 : 9 - Robert Petrovicky (C) - 5'10" 178lbs
• 1993 : 2 - Chris Pronger (D) - 6'6" 210 lbs

Vancouver Canucks:

• 1998 : 4 - Bryan Allen (D) - 6'5" 226 lbs
• 1999 : 2 - Daniel Sedin (LW) - 6'1" 187 lbs
• 1999 : 3 - Henrik Sedin (C) - 6'2" 188 lbs
• 2000 : 23 - Nathan Smith (C) - 6'2" 206 lbs
• 2001 : 16 - R.J. Umberger (C) - 6'2" 220 lbs
• 2002 : No first round pick
• 2003 : 23 - Ryan Kesler (C) - 6'2" 202 lbs

Anaheim Ducks:

• 2005 : 2 - Bobby Ryan (RW) - 6'2" 209 lbs
• 2006 : 19 - Mark Mitera (D) - 6'3" 213 lbs
• 2007 : 19 - Logan MacMillan (LW) - 6'2" 194 lbs
• 2008 : 17 - Jake Gardiner (D) - 6'2" 184 lbs

Toronto Maple Leafs:

• 2009 : 7 - Nazem Kadri (C) - 6'0" 188 lbs
• 2010 : No first round pick
• 2011 : 22 - Tyler Biggs (RW) - 6'3" 224 lbs
• 2012 : 5 - Morgan Rielly (D) - 6'0" 205 lbs

15 first round picks: 6 centres, 5 defencemen, 2 right wing, 2 left wing.

Only one player under 6'0". Only two 6'5" or taller. 6 players under 200 lbs, 5 players at least 210 lbs (current hockeydb.com weight, not necessarily draft weight).


6 top five picks, 3 d-men, 3 forwards. Rielly is still a rookie, but the others have all played more than 400 NHL games.

[sureLoss]

Central scouting final ranking is out

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=712854

NA Skaters:
1. Bennett
2. Ekblad
3. Reinhart
4. Draisaitl
5. Dal Colle
6. Virtanen
7. Ritchie
8. Perlini
9. Fleury
10. McCann

NA Goalies:
1. Demko
2. McDonald
3. Moran
4. Nedeljovic
5. Reich

Euro Skaters:
1. Kapanen
2. Nylander
3. Fiala
4. Vrana
5. Pastrnak

Euro goalies:
1. Husso
2. Johansson
3. Soderstorm
4. Kahkonen