Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[4oh3]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Not really sure where to put this. Not worth it's own thread, but for interest's sake, McDavid was drafted by Zagreb in the KHL.

http://nhl.si.com/2014/05/08/connor-...014-khl-draft/

I can see it now ... With the first overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft the oilers pick from eerie Connor McDavid.

One day later....

Connor McDavid has signed with Zagreb in the KHL

[T@T]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Not really sure where to put this. Not worth it's own thread, but for interest's sake, McDavid was drafted by Zagreb in the KHL.

http://nhl.si.com/2014/05/08/connor-...014-khl-draft/

Hmmm, A good agent could get a few mill for McDavid on a 1 year deal.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I would not trade down past #6. We need skill. We have enough depth. The guys that are listed in the 7-12 range all profile out to be more 2nd line guys than 1st liners. We need 1st line talent.

Not that I would want to drop down at all, but the projected 2nd liners don't start until a bit later. In no particular order:
Ekblad
Reinhart
Bennett
Draisaitl
Dal Colle
Ritchie
Ehlers
Nylander

These are what I would consider '1st line projected' players. If the Flames are indeed looking to drop down, 8th is the very last place I would go, not 6th. Rather the Flames just pick at 4th, and I fully expect them to anyways.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Would rather trade the 2 2nd rounders for a late 1st, than trade down from #4 to pick up a late 1st.

Fully behind this idea. Going further, do the flames make a push to get into the top 10 to select fleury? Does 2x2 and 2x3 get it done?

The idea of taking one of the big three centres and the second ranked dman in the draft is pretty enticing

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Would rather trade the 2 2nd rounders for a late 1st, than trade down from #4 to pick up a late 1st.

Would love the flames to trade both 2nds for Alex Tuch. Granted I think he would have to drop into the 20-30 range for it to happen, and I don't see that happening.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

Fully behind this idea. Going further, do the flames make a push to get into the top 10 to select fleury? Does 2x2 and 2x3 get it done?

The idea of taking one of the big three centres and the second ranked dman in the draft is pretty enticing

im mirin brah

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Would love the flames to trade both 2nds for Alex Tuch. Granted I think he would have to drop into the 20-30 range for it to happen, and I don't see that happening.

I like the look of Tuch. He seems to be rising on most lists because he's one of the few skill players with beef. I reckon he goes early/mid teens.

Regarding Draisaitl, my reservations about him mostly have to do with reports that he doesn't have much foot speed. It might not be a huge deal, and some scouts seem to think it would be easy enough to improve the mechanics of his skating stride. He's listed as 6'1" but I think he looks much larger than that, with a big, wide frame. I've seen it said that he's closer to 6'2+ now, and that he could potentially step straight into the NHL. The speed issue might not be a problem though, as he could play on a line with speedsters like Poirier and Gaudreau and use his vision to thread the needle, or make room for them in from of the net and in the corners using his strong positioning and puck protection skills.

^^^^^^
Basically, what I'm saying is Draisaitl is the player I'm least excited about drafting in the top 4, but he's actually a really exciting prospect and I acknowledge that he might be the best player for the Flames regardless go my reservations. I do not think we can go wrong staying put at 4th, because even the 'consolation prize' of Draisaitl could be an impact player.

49 days until the draft.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Not really sure where to put this. Not worth it's own thread, but for interest's sake, McDavid was drafted by Zagreb in the KHL.

http://nhl.si.com/2014/05/08/connor-...014-khl-draft/

nothing to see here, really ... KHL clubs always do this with top NA talent and it always amuses me. Pretty sure Jack Eichel was already drafted last year, Monahan and Baertschi were drafted a couple years ago too. Always baffles me how willing those Russian clubs are when it comes to wasting draft picks.

[devo22]

As for the draft, at this point all I really want to see is Draisaitl getting picked in the top 3 so that one of Reinhart, Bennett and Ekblad falls to us. Nothing against Draisaitl - I think he's a good prospect, but the other 3 excite me more.

I'll #### bricks of excitement if Reinhart falls to us. I remember that every time I checked the progress of Max when he was still in Kootenay, I thought "wow that Sam kid is good already" and maybe there was a way to get him in 2014. If it really happens, I'll be over the moon!

Same with Bennett. The thought of a 1-2 punch of Monahan and Reinhart/Bennett sure is exciting. Doubt that Ekblad will fall to 4 ... but then again, I thought the same about Jones last year.

[jg13]

50 more days of speculation then we finally get to pick someone!

[Vulcan]

One thing about Reinhart is if we have a log jam at centre, he can play RW which would also be a big help.

[UKflames]

Originally Posted by jg13

50 more days of speculation then we finally get to pick someone!

Reading this makes me sad, far too many days

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by UKflames

Reading this makes me sad, far too many days

49! In the forties now.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

One thing about Reinhart is if we have a log jam at centre, he can play RW which would also be a big help.

The funniest thing about this is that for the past 29 years, our only log jam at centre was wich third line guy would be on the first line.

[Ryan Coke]

I don't think we have a logjam of high end first or second line centres. I don't think hope and potential creates a logjam.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

I don't think we have a logjam of high end first or second line centres. I don't think hope and potential creates a logjam.

Well no, but we could have a log jam of comparable centres. At least at this time of their development.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by devo22

As for the draft, at this point all I really want to see is Draisaitl getting picked in the top 3 so that one of Reinhart, Bennett and Ekblad falls to us. Nothing against Draisaitl - I think he's a good prospect, but the other 3 excite me more.

I'll #### bricks of excitement if Reinhart falls to us. I remember that every time I checked the progress of Max when he was still in Kootenay, I thought "wow that Sam kid is good already" and maybe there was a way to get him in 2014. If it really happens, I'll be over the moon!

Same with Bennett. The thought of a 1-2 punch of Monahan and Reinhart/Bennett sure is exciting. Doubt that Ekblad will fall to 4 ... but then again, I thought the same about Jones last year.

I still think Draisaitl is one of the better picks out there. Ekblad is of course a given, if he lands at #4, we're taking him no doubt, especially with Burke and Treliving's philosophy. I am very high on both Sams too but Leon still intrigues me. The fact that he is a comparable to Anze Kopitar is what is really making me go crazy for him, we could use a player like him.

With Sean having the mannerisms of Toews already (you can see it), adding a player like Kopitar on another line would be a recipe for disaster for other teams. Two centers with great size, one with a great shot (Sean) and one with good passing abiltiy (Leon).

I am not saying we have to draft Draisaitl, I want Sam Reinhart or Sam Bennett before him. But worst case scenario, if Florida picks Ekblad, Buffalo picks Reinhart and the Oilers pick Bennett, that leaves us Draisaitl or Dal Colle. Is this really a worst case scenario though? Nope, not really.

EDIT: Please, let's not trade down. 4th OA is going to benefit this team.

[Wolfman]

Personally I prefer Draisaitl, but I won't be upset if we are left with either Reinhart or Bennett. I prefer Draisaitl because he is a bigger kid than the other two and is a little harder to knock off the puck by the looks of things on his highlight package. I realize that Draisaitl is playing against other kids but he will continue to fill out and get stronger. The Flames lack size down the middle and Draisaitl could help in that regard.

Reinhart also brings some great assets. He shoots right and has great vision from what I have found in my research. Having a player like Reinhart who could distribute the puck well would benefit our other prospects who can score.

Bennett seems like he may have the potential to be a dynamic forward with speed and a nose for the net. That is just based on his highlight package as well. If he is being compared to Killer with a little more offensive upside how can you lose?

So I guess what I'm saying is I will be happy if any of those three are chosen at #4. I have a feeling however that Treliving and Burke might take a 'heavy' player like Ritchie. I know they are saying you take the BPA, but to them the BPA is different than other teams BPA.

[Flames_F.T.W]

I feel pretty much the same way. I'm happy with any of the top 4. I've warmed up quite a bit to the idea of drafting Draisatl, as his size, playmaking ability and puck protection will make an excellent 1-2 combination with Monahan. He looked pretty good in highlight packages as well!

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by devo22

nothing to see here, really ... KHL clubs always do this with top NA talent and it always amuses me. Pretty sure Jack Eichel was already drafted last year, Monahan and Baertschi were drafted a couple years ago too. Always baffles me how willing those Russian clubs are when it comes to wasting draft picks.

Yeah, while the short term money would be awesome for a 16/17 year old, the travel and injury risks probably make it not worth it from a long-term point of view.

Do you know how long they keep a player's rights for though? If there was another lockout year, I could see it paying off.