Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Yoho

I can't see Oilers passing on Ekblad in any scenario if he is there at 3

Normally I would agree with you guys but this is the Oilers and with them logic usually takes a back seat to the good old days where goals were plentiful and defense didn't matter when you could outscore the opposition on any given night.

[Ashasx]

There is a regular contributor on HF (Cody Nickolet, works for the Saskatoon Blades and also runs the WHL from Above Twitter account) who strongly believes that Draisaitl won't be able to make it in the NHL as a centre because his skating is that poor. Says he'll have to convert to wing to be an effective NHLer.

Lots of other comments about Draisaitl looking poor at the WCs, especially his footwork.

I dunno. I'm think I'm leaning towards Dal Colle now. If we're going to pick a winger, may as well pick the player who's been playing the position for the last two years (also has the best shot in the draft).

Though both players seem to have a lot of questions in terms of their competitiveness.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

There is a regular contributor on HF (Cody Nickolet, works for the Saskatoon Blades and also runs the WHL from Above Twitter account) who strongly believes that Draisaitl won't be able to make it in the NHL as a centre because his skating is that poor. Says he'll have to convert to wing to be an effective NHLer.

Lots of other comments about Draisaitl looking poor at the WCs, especially his footwork.

I dunno. I'm think I'm leaning towards Dal Colle now. If we're going to pick a winger, may as well pick the player who's been playing the position for the last two years.

Though both players seem to have a lot of questions in terms of their competitiveness.

That's the reason why I've been leaning MDC/Ehlers because both of them are quite fast MDC is only above average, where Ehlers is a burner.

After talent, size and speed are the two most important things. In this case, both talent and size are not a factor (MDC is taller than Draisaitl and they are close talent wise (I think MDC has the edge there too)), speed is the determiner for me and MDC is a burner compared to Draisaitl.

Add in the only advantage that Draisaitl has is he's a center and that might go away as well, yeah go with MDC.

[theoforever]

The german kid looks slow as hell.
I would not be shocked if he is a bust.
Looks like he will be there in 4th.

[timbit]

Draisaitl is faster than Kopitar at the same age.

[Ashasx]

I have a hard time believing that.

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by timbit

Draisaitl is faster than Kopitar at the same age.

Lets hope so. Given a choice I want Bennett.
Monahan isn't a speed demon either, would like to see more speed in the center position.

[Red Slinger]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

That's the reason why I've been leaning MDC/Ehlers because both of them are quite fast MDC is only above average, where Ehlers is a burner.

After talent, size and speed are the two most important things. In this case, both talent and size are not a factor (MDC is taller than Draisaitl and they are close talent wise (I think MDC has the edge there too)), speed is the determiner for me and MDC is a burner compared to Draisaitl.

Add in the only advantage that Draisaitl has is he's a center and that might go away as well, yeah go with MDC.

What do you consider "talent"? I've always thought that skating ability (including speed) was under the talent umbrella.

Either way, things like hockey intelligence can go a long way to overcome slowrt footspeed. Conversely, a burner that's dumb isn't much good (eg. Fata). Although, at 4th overall you'd like to see a guy that has both speed and IQ.

[Ashasx]

There just aren't many slow, elite hockey players in the NHL.

Draisaitl has a lot to overcome to become the player that we'd all want. I see fewer hurdles for Dal Colle

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I have a hard time believing that.

You point out one scout that isn't his biggest fan and that's fine. However all the scouting reports that come out time after time that have him at #4 or better show that one HF poster you identified is in the minority. Sure he might not make it as a center, but the view of your scout is the minority if you take all the public lists into account. He definately has flaws, but I don't think we should be throwing a possible Flames prospect under the bus before he's even drafted. The guy still has the potential to be the best player drafted this year if he can fix his skating issues.

[Ashasx]

I don't think Nickolet's opinion is in the minority among other scouts, his is just an opinion I value.

I'm not throwing anyone under the bus. I'm discussing the NHL draft.

[TheDebaser]

Originally Posted by Red Slinger

What do you consider "talent"? I've always thought that skating ability (including speed) was under the talent umbrella.

Either way, things like hockey intelligence can go a long way to overcome slowrt footspeed. Conversely, a burner that's dumb isn't much good (eg. Fata). Although, at 4th overall you'd like to see a guy that has both speed and IQ.

It's a bit subjective, but I've always thought of it as hockey IQ and the ability to maintain possession.

[timbit]

Kopitar was the 7th forward taken in his draft class, 11th overall.

Currently, he is one of the top 4 forwards in the NHL.

Skating was a question mark.

[RyZ]

I just can't see Florida not taking Ekblad, he is exactly what they need. That team has a bottom 3 blueline and Ekblad will likely step right onto that roster next season and hopefully grow going forward. The offence is bad as well but has far better potential than the D group. With Louongo back in net for the next few years the priority has to be to build from the back out. If I was a Florida fan, I would be pretty upset if they went to the podium and took another forward.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by timbit

Kopitar was the 7th forward taken in his draft class, 11th overall.

Currently, he is one of the top 4 forwards in the NHL.

Is he better than Crosby, Stamkos, Malikin, Tavares, Toews, Getzlaf?

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by timbit

Kopitar was the 7th forward taken in his draft class, 11th overall.

Currently, he is one of the top 4 forwards in the NHL.

Skating was a question mark.

OK Kopitar is good, but you are going to have to explain that one.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Is he better than Crosby, Stamkos, Malikin, Tavares, Toews, Getzlaf?

Take him easily over Tavares Malkin and Stamkos....if you want a two way player who is a winner.

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I don't think Nickolet's opinion is in the minority among other scouts, his is just an opinion I value.

I'm not throwing anyone under the bus. I'm discussing the NHL draft.

I have a hard time believing that a scout, who sees a top five pick as unable to make it in the NHL in his natural position, not being in the minority with that opinion. Draisaitl has flaws, but the way some of you describe him you'd think we were talking about some off the board second round pick. He's a concensus top four pick for a reason.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by timbit

Take him easily over Tavares Malkin and Stamkos....if you want a two way player who is a winner.

Who has won a conn smythe again Malkin or Kopitar?

Also Tavares and Stamkos are both far superior players who are younger. Kopitar is a great player but he is a winner because he plays on a deep team with a top 5 dman and goalie as well

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Who has won a conn smythe again Malkin or Kopitar?

Also Tavares and Stamkos are both far superior players who are younger. Kopitar is a great player but he plays on a deep team.

Best forward on his team for the last seven years....not even close.