I really hope McKeown is available at 34... But being projected to be about 20-30 late first roundish, he probably won't pass one of those playoff teams that could use defenseman depth in the future.
Like zero chance of McKeown being available in the 2nd round IMO.
The Following User Says Thank You to Flames Draft Watcher For This Useful Post:
If Dal Colle can be converted back to centre, he is right up there with the other top 3 guys (+Draitsaitl depending on your perspective). That ISS list has him as a centre, makes me wonder if someone will try to convert him back (all the Staal comparisons haven't hurt either).
Just to clarify, the lottery is only for the first round, correct? The Flames picks will be the 4th pick in every other round regardless of the lottery results?
Also, how are the playoff teams ranked? I assume the Conference Finalists still automatically get the bottom 4 spots, with the finalists getting 29 and 30.
In the past, the regular season Division winners were ranked above the other playoff teams, even if the other teams had more points. This is why the Blues pick last season was #22, ahead of Washington and Vancouver, despite St Louis having more points than the Caps or Nucks.
Is that same structure still in place, or is it straight points now? It could be a 2 pick difference for the Pittsburgh 3rd rounder.
__________________
Turn up the good, turn down the suck!
Just to clarify, the lottery is only for the first round, correct? The Flames picks will be the 4th pick in every other round regardless of the lottery results?
Also, how are the playoff teams ranked? I assume the Conference Finalists still automatically get the bottom 4 spots, with the finalists getting 29 and 30.
In the past, the regular season Division winners were ranked above the other playoff teams, even if the other teams had more points. This is why the Blues pick last season was #22, ahead of Washington and Vancouver, despite St Louis having more points than the Caps or Nucks.
Is that same structure still in place, or is it straight points now? It could be a 2 pick difference for the Pittsburgh 3rd rounder.
Sorry if Fata... Tim Murray handicaps the top 5, seems like that consensus top 5 is pretty solid:
In a recent interview with WGR550 radio, Buffalo GM Tim Murray said that Ekblad, Leon Draisaitl, Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett are “all at the top of the draft.”
“One is a defenceman who at the end of the day could be become a franchise defenceman. He may be a solid, very solid, two-way defenceman that plays a ton of minutes. I’m not sure if he has the dynamic kind of pace to him to be a franchise kind of player, but he’s going to be a helluva player. He’s going to be a really, really good defenceman for a long time in the league so he’s a consideration for the top pick.
“Draisaitl, I saw him out there, he probably played the best game for me out of the five I’ve seen him in the last game. A big, strong centre iceman, a tremendous offensive zone player, great hockey sense, great vision, protect the puck really well, sticks his ass out, guys roll off him, he knows where they are without looking at them; he just know that.
“Reinhart, tremendous vision. He’s the smartest player on the ice every game I see. I don’t know if that says a lot based on him playing guys his own age or a little older than him. But he’s extremely smart, does everything for the most part right, tremendous vision, passes the puck unbelievably well, so you have two guys there who could be number one centre, you have (winger Michael) Dal Colle, who probably has the best release we’ve seen in a long time, can really shoot the puck. He needs a centreman to get him the puck, but he’s going to score goals at the NHL league level.
“Bennett has a lot of what the the other two centremen have, and he’s tenacious. He’s a bulldog. He’s on you. He will hit you and he will spear you and he will score on you, he will do what it takes to win. “It’s going to go down to the wire on a little team’s list, who is 1, who is 2, who is 3, and who is 4?”
Murray was asked if Buffalo’s depth on defence would inform which player is drafted. “Today it does but that could change tomorrow,” he said. “That could change at the draft. We all know that. If we go in and have our meeting and Ekblad is hands down the number one player as group, then he’ll be the number one player. I’m a firm believer in best player available, but you all decide who the best player available is.”
Last edited by Matty81; 04-14-2014 at 11:32 PM.
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Matty81 For This Useful Post:
As for the Nick Ritchie discussion.. some of his highlights:
While he has an excellent shot (it is awesome), I haven't see that much else outstanding, or "elite" level about his game. He looks to be an above average skater for a big guy once he gets going, which is good. But I don't see a lot of additional high-end qualities displayed through his videos, such as playmaking, vision, IQ, and exceptional puck skills (or what you'd call "flash") he's got it, but to perhaps a similar level that Monahan does (less flashy). He's a finisher, he makes good on his chances in the slot, and he's good at muscling smaller teenagers off the puck to drive to the net (he probably has 50+ lbs on a lot of these guys).. In several plays, the other players look intimidated because of this and allow him a little too much space. But don't we want a guy in the top 4 with more dimensions to his game? With Reinhart, Bennett and Draisaitl in particular they're more of the full package when you watch them. I'd personally give Dal Colle an edge skill-wise as well but that's my opinion. Ritchie is absolutely a finisher, but I can see why he's in the 6-8 range. His size advantage and opportunistic play has allowed him to thrive as a scorer. However, I don't think his playmaking is at the same level. Note the 35 assists on the season - less than his goal total of 39, as opposed to Reinhart (69), Draisaitl (67), Bennett (55), even Dal Colle (56). Monahan was even more productive in assists at the OHL level in his draft year with 47, surpassing his goal total as well. I'd be a little bit concerned about that side of Ritchie's game when considering him for a top 5 selection. The size is drool-worthy, but is there enough of everything else for him to be a top player? The shot is there, perhaps the grit as well, but I'd like to see more that's at a top level, that may indicate he can grow into a high end player at the next level. And Reinhart, Bennett, Draisaitl and Dal Colle show me a bit more from what I've seen. However I wouldn't count him out down the road, he's got a wicked shot and obviously isn't afraid to use his body.
I'd love to have this guy if we were 3 spots below where we are. However, that is not the case. Ritchie has the build and finishing ability be a solid player (perhaps a gritty 2nd line LW as a fair projection?), but with the consensus top 4 guys we're looking at based on CSS and the other scouting rankings, I think there are guys with higher ceilings and more dimensions to their games.
But again, I'm not a scout, so what do I know about how a player will project? This is just my opinion.
I'm curious to know if Draisaitl being a Canadian or American would have him ranked slightly higher? Or is that not a factor?
For me, if he were I would have him at #3 (after Reinhart and just before Bennett). That being said I want the Flames to get Bennett.
My apologizes if this has been asked.
I think the fact that Draisaitl put up those impressive numbers in the WHL is what really matters.
Still if somehow the Flames move up in the lottery and landed Ekblad that would be my 1st choice for the Flames.
Reinhart would be my first choice if Burke is thinking another forward.
__________________
The Following User Says Thank You to Stay Golden For This Useful Post:
I just can't see the flames picking Richie at 4. Maybe 5 because of dal Colle's speed. But I think if that's what Tim Murray said, and what he said is true, then we are sitting pretty. It seemed like last year there was a consensus top six pics. Plus nichuskin who was expected to fall. In every mock the 5 and 6 picks were lindholm and Monahan. It was kind of easy because the flames just had to pick whoever feel from those top six guys. Monny was the guy that fell to us. This year, assuming we are at 4, we just take whichever guy from those top four fall to us.
The Following User Says Thank You to snipetype For This Useful Post:
By my rough count totals, it looks like Reinhart is leading Ekblad 175 to 160. This probably just comes down to favouring a centre over a defenceman. My preference is for the defenceman but I voted for Reinhart because of his playoff performance. I don't think we can go wrong with any of these top five players. Maybe we can pick Richie though just to piss off some.
As for the Nick Ritchie discussion.. some of his highlights:
The size is drool-worthy, but is there enough of everything else for him to be a top player? The shot is there, perhaps the grit as well, but I'd like to see more that's at a top level, that may indicate he can grow into a high end player at the next level. And Reinhart, Bennett, Draisaitl and Dal Colle show me a bit more from what I've seen. However I wouldn't count him out down the road, he's got a wicked shot and obviously isn't afraid to use his body.
It is his IQ and soft hands. In the video, you do seem him do a few different things - effectively using defencemen and his own players as screens. Making decisions as to whether or not to try and blow-by a defender, or knock him down, or pass the puck (has a few nice examples of making a nice saucer pass on the rush). His ability to score on the rush, or to jam the net with a power-game. He has very soft hands for someone with his package.
I would say his agility and speed are actually good - excellent for a guy that size - but above average in the draft. Seems to have very good balance on his skates and decent edgework to.
It is that 'whole package'. When you see his video, and then compare that to Virtanen's - it becomes more apparent why there seems to be a gap between the two. Virtanen doesn't exhibit as many tools, but has blazing speed, grit and an arguably better shot (I think he has a better shot than Ritchie). You just never see him make a good pass, or make plays in tight like Ritchie seems able to. Having those soft hands and that grit playing a power-game can be so deadly even at the NHL level.
As for his goals/assists - can't answer that. I don't watch his team enough, or even him enough. I do think he is more than just a complimentary player, however. I used the Iginla example in another post about him earlier (and once again, not saying he will be ANYTHING close to Iginla) in that he will help whomever is on his line put up points as well. He will make room for them with his size and speed, but can dish the puck when he is getting too much attention. Virtanen to me doesn't seem as able to do that from what I have seen. I see Virtanen as a very good complimentary player who will likely play on the 2nd line (top line if you have an elite playmaker like a Spezza who will just feed him passes all day through traffic). Ritchie will feed his linemates in return, and to me that is a great asset when you take in the entire package. I can see Ritchie being a 1st line player.
I do think Reinhart, Bennet, Ekblad, and Dal Colle are much better prospects - and personally have Draisaitl a bit closer to Ritchie. Either way, I will be extremely shocked (not terribly upset, but a bit disappointed anyways - but shocked) if the Flames are in 4th place or higher, and draft Ritchie. 5th place, with only Draisaitl on the board? Won't bother me much at this point, but I am a bit undecided with Draisaitl.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vulcan
By my rough count totals, it looks like Reinhart is leading Ekblad 175 to 160. This probably just comes down to favouring a centre over a defenceman. My preference is for the defenceman but I voted for Reinhart because of his playoff performance. I don't think we can go wrong with any of these top five players. Maybe we can pick Richie though just to piss off some.
I would say if you see Ekblad as the better prospect, he should be your first choice. If you think Reinhart is the better prospect, he should be your first choice.
I favour Reinhart not because he is a center, but because I think he is a step above Ekblad, and more of a 'sure thing' than Ekblad. I do think Reinhart is a much better prospect than RNH is, for instance, and I think RNH was definitely the best prospect that year. Better IQ, better defensive game already, better sized, and at least equal in vision, and I think he has a higher offensive ceiling than RNH.
I do completely understand why some posters prefer Ekblad - there is very little not to like. I just feel Reinhart is a step above personally, and as long as neither prospect gets selected by the Oilers, we will find out in the next few years
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Calgary4LIfe For This Useful Post:
Hmm, if the Flames win the lottery, I really think they should go for Reinhart. Ekblad would be great too but I feel like they need an offensively gifted player like Reinhart.
It is his IQ and soft hands. In the video, you do seem him do a few different things - effectively using defencemen and his own players as screens. Making decisions as to whether or not to try and blow-by a defender, or knock him down, or pass the puck (has a few nice examples of making a nice saucer pass on the rush). His ability to score on the rush, or to jam the net with a power-game. He has very soft hands for someone with his package.
I've never seen a scout to this point describe Ritchie's Hockey IQ as a strong point. Where have you seen this?
In fact, you yourself said the same thing
Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
I heard that Ritchie has poor hockey sense from some people. From the people that have watched him play regularly, what do you guys see?
What's changed your mind?
That post came up in a google search for "nick ritchie hockey iq" btw, on the first page of results. That's how thin the commentary is on it.
I have always been on the Ekblad train, but now I really don't know... S. Reinhart is starting to grab my attention a lot more, especially with his offensive abilities skill, something we do lack in. And our defense isn't as bad as it used to be with the newly acquired Russell and Smid, along with Wotherspoon and even Breen comin' along.
If we do win the first pick though, Burke will be picking Ekblad.
Can't really be mad with either pick, it's a win-win BPA for this organization.
