Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[TheDebaser]

Losing ten pounds is relatively easy for an athlete isn't it? Compared to guys who need to add like add 20+ pounds of muscle.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by TheDebaser

Losing ten pounds is relatively easy for an athlete isn't it? Compared to guys who need to add like add 20+ pounds of muscle.

I think the question is why is a top 10 eligible CHL player overweight in the first place.

[djsFlames]

As long as Burke and co. keep stay within the consensus top 5 with our pick, then there won't be any heads on pikes. Don't try and be a genius, Burke. Listen to the scouts.

[Stupid]

Originally Posted by TheDebaser

Losing ten pounds is relatively easy for an athlete isn't it? Compared to guys who need to add like add 20+ pounds of muscle.

It should be if you have a second chin.

[SuperMatt18]

I wouldn't write off Ritchie just because he is fat, at 18 it could go either direction.

I remember people writing off Jaime Benn because he was "fat" too.

A little different since he wasn't a top 10 pick but it happens.

If you draft him it is up to your team nutritionist and the strength and conditioning coach to make sure he makes the right choices.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I wouldn't write off Ritchie just because he is fat, at 18 it could go either direction.

I remember people writing off Jaime Benn because he was "fat" too.

A little different since he wasn't a top 10 pick but it happens.

If you draft him it is up to your team nutritionist and the strength and conditioning coach to make sure he makes the right choices.

5th round pick Jamie Benn?

[Ashasx]

My biggest concern with Ritchie isn't even his weight. Hell, Kessel has a belly and is one of the fastest skaters in the league.

It's that Ritchie lacks any sort of hockey sense. Of the top 10 rated prospects, he has the worst, and it's not even close. He can't effectively use his teammates and often makes the same mistakes over and over.

Yeah, he racks up his points by being on average 50 pounds heavier than his competition, but that's not something that will transition to the NHL.

He's the easiest player to predict to be a bust at this point in time.

[sureLoss]

I think the draft combine will answer a lot of questions about Ritchie and what his conditioning is really like.

[saXon]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I wouldn't write off Ritchie just because he is fat, at 18 it could go either direction.

I remember people writing off Jaime Benn because he was "fat" too.

A little different since he wasn't a top 10 pick but it happens.

If you draft him it is up to your team nutritionist and the strength and conditioning coach to make sure he makes the right choices.

I don't know. I just see another Ryan Howse scenario, with a little bit more of a physical streak to his game.

[SuperMatt18]

Not sure why the focus is on Ritchie anyways.

Burke liked Reinhart, Bennett, and Ekblad the most of that group.

We still can pick 1st, 4th, or 5th. If we pick 1st or 4th then we get one of those guys (I still think the Oilers want Draisaitl). It is only if we pick 5th that it is an issue and nothing says that Burke likes Ritchie more than Dal Colle.

Burke also leaves the draft up to his scouts and the final call is with them. So speculating that Ritchie is our guy based on this is a bit of a reach.

[djsFlames]

Need Florida to stay in the #2 slot.

If Edmonton takes Ekblad then Draisaitl could be the last man standing at 5th, and if Burke truly doesn't like him, then there's reason to be worried in that scenario. But who knows, maybe they'd call him anyways if they believe there is a sizeable drop off to the next tier of players (who to them perhaps have bigger holes in their games).

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I wouldn't write off Ritchie just because he is fat, at 18 it could go either direction.

I remember people writing off Jaime Benn because he was "fat" too.

A little different since he wasn't a top 10 pick but it happens.

If you draft him it is up to your team nutritionist and the strength and conditioning coach to make sure he makes the right choices.

I remember Dustin Byfuglien back in Prince George... People in the stands used to joke about how fat he was. The Hawks really did wonders with him to get him to buy into fitness.

Still, he was 8th rounder and worth the risk at that point. It's the exception to the rule I think.

[TheDebaser]

I really hope Burkie does his thing and finds a way for us to come away with Ekblad.

[GKDarts]

I remember the last time the Flames went first round (oops 2nd rounder, thanks Sun) on a guy that could stand to lose 10 lbs...



And then he discovered Tim Hortons at a WJHC, if memory serves.....no thanks.

[strombad]

[sun]

Originally Posted by GKDarts

I remember the last time the Flames went first round on a guy that could stand to lose 10 lbs...



And then he discovered Tim Hortons at a WJHC, if memory serves.....no thanks.

2nd rounder.

[Fire]

Not sure why so many people are down on his Ritchie. No, he's not going to be dynamic playmaker, but he's going to be top power forward in the NHL. Nathan Horton, Milan Lucic and Jamie Benn are good comparables. People comparing him to Biggs are frankly idiots.

The guy has a wicked shot and a nose for the net. I wouldn't pick him in the top 4, but if the Flames pick 5th or 6th then Ritchie should be a prime target.

Like many as mentioned he also fits a big need in this organization. Only Ferland plays a similar style and he's not at the same level as Ritchie.

[moon]

Originally Posted by nik-

Please don't let Nick Ritchie be our Tyler Biggs

Has there ever been a bigger deal made about a player that has little to nothing to do with what will likely happen?

Biggs was picked at 22 at a spot in the draft where every guy has warts. It wasn't like Burke passed on Crosby, Orr and Gretzky.

When having a high pick Burke has picked guys like the Sisters and Kadri when other big guys were available so whinning about Biggs seems silly and pointless.

[nik-]

Tyler Biggs was a bad draft choice, lets hope Burke doesn't repeat the mistake.

[SHOGUN]

Ahaha I knew Burke wasn't going like Draisatl