Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[AC]

Exactly, no matter what happens leading into the draft we will be picking in the top 5 for the first time in franchise history.

Also the last franchise to do so.

[Day Tripper]

Originally Posted by AC

Exactly, no matter what happens leading into the draft we will be picking in the top 5 for the first time in franchise history.

Also the last franchise to do so.

Technically, the Atlanta Flames had a couple top 5 picks in the early 1970's.

[AC]

Originally Posted by Day Tripper

Technically, the Atlanta Flames had a couple top 5 picks in the early 1970's.

Good catch, then of teams in current locations I suppose.

Also Winnipeg/Atlanta are still considered one... I guess.

Damnit.

[ComixZone]

The clear top 5 seem to be Ekblad, Bennett, Reinhart, Dal Colle, Drasaitl. If Burke goes off the board with the pick I'm not going to be pleased...that includes Ritchie, who isn't even a consensus top 10 pick.

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by Crumpy-Gunt

I posted this in the other prospect chat thread and thought it would be more useful here.
I've heard this draft is weak, but this chart seems to disagree a bit with that assessment.

The top 7 or 8 are pretty good, but there's a significant fall off after that. So the very top end is good, but the draft as a whole is weak.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

The clear top 5 seem to be Ekblad, Bennett, Reinhart, Dal Colle, Drasaitl. If Burke goes off the board with the pick I'm not going to be pleased...that includes Ritchie, who isn't even a consensus top 10 pick.

Yep. I don't want Burke looking for a defenseman if Ekblad's gone. If the Flames don't take one of the five players you listed it will be a huge disappointment.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Watch the Islanders win the lottery and bump us down.

[nik-]

I also lost a bet this year that we'd finish out of the top 5 draft picks. Won it last year, lost it this year ... happy to lose this one though

[StrykerSteve]

I don't want Ritchie.

[Poe969]

I still say that we're going to find a way to get the #1 pick, either we'll win the lottery or Burke will make a deal with the Sabres for it (if another team wins the lottery maybe). I'm really excited for the Flames to get a top 5 pick this year.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

I don't want Ritchie.

Neither do I.

This is the first time our organization has had a top 5 pick - and this year's draft has a VERY clear consensus top 5. Pick from that group.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by comixzone

neither do i.

This is the first time our organization has had a top 5 pick - and this year's draft has a very clear consensus top 5. Pick from that group.

amen!

[the_only_turek_fan]

http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/201...it-for-oilers/

Sorry if this was already posted:

Unless both players are gone by the time it’s their turn to pick on June 27, the Oilers will sing out the name of Draisaitl or Barrie Colts defenceman Aaron Ekblad.

[nik-]

please please please pick Ekblad Florida, please.

[jg13]

The most likely Scenario for me (assuming the draft position stays exactly how it is after the lottery)

Buffalo - Reinhart (Potentially Bennett)
Florida - Bennett (Potentially Ekblad)
Edmonton - Ekblad (Reports are they're high on Draisaitl but I don't see them taking him over Ekblad if available)
Calgary - Either trades up with Buffalo to get Ekblad
or Calgary trades down (because they're not high on Draisaitl according to a report from a luncheon).

It definitely does help that Florida finished 29th as oppose to 28th because if Florida does choose to pick Ekblad i do believe Edmonton takes Draisaitl at 3, leaving most likely Bennett to us at 4th which would be a complete steal.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by jg13

The most likely Scenario for me (assuming the draft position stays exactly how it is after the lottery)

Buffalo - Reinhart (Potentially Bennett)
Edmonton - Ekblad (Reports are they're high on Draisaitl but I don't see them taking him over Ekblad)
Florida - Bennett (Potentially Reinhart)
Calgary - Either trades up with Buffalo to get Ekblad (assuming Buffalo is high on Draisaitl)
or Calgary trades down (because they're not high on Draisaitl according to a report from a luncheon).

Florida is drafting ahead of Edmonton.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by jg13

The most likely Scenario for me (assuming the draft position stays exactly how it is after the lottery)

Buffalo - Reinhart (Potentially Bennett)
Edmonton - Ekblad (Reports are they're high on Draisaitl but I don't see them taking him over Ekblad)
Florida - Bennett (Potentially Reinhart)
Calgary - Either trades up with Buffalo to get Ekblad (assuming Buffalo is high on Draisaitl)
or Calgary trades down (because they're not high on Draisaitl according to a report from a luncheon).

Oilers are picking third not second.

[Muta]

Given our abundant crop of forwards going into next season, and all the rookies that will need to be considered for spots (as well as a handful of returning veterans), would anyone be up for moving one of our forward prospects for a defense prospect?

What about something like Markus Granlund for Matt Dumba? Dumba's stock has fallen a bit, and Granlund has a connection to Minnesota through his brother. Would something like this work, or no? Or alternatively, what about Gormley out of Phoenix?

[Crumpy-Gunt]

I want Ritchie. I think Draisatl is soft, Dal Colle is promising and has a high ceiling. But Ritchie could just be a force in the NHL - even in his rookie year I could see him scoring 20+, beating up goons and throwing big hits. I watch the OHL whenever I can and I LOVE Ritchies game. He's not some untalented big guy he has good hands and one of the best shots in the draft and skates well for a big guy.

I think Dal Colle and Ritchie are our most realistic picks. I have a sense we are about as likely to trade down as we are to trade up though. Especially if the top 3 are gone by our pick. I could see Bennett / Ekblad 1st and 2nd - then it depends how teams view Reinhart and Draisatl who has to be the most polarizing player in the draft.

[AC]

Nm, beaten.