Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[ForeverFlameFan]

Ehlers from #5-16? I think he easily gets picked by the Isles/Canucks.

[Arsenal14]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

I didn't include Craig Button because he hasn't officially updated his list since January, while the other scouting services have much more recent updates.

Button's last full update was March 10 - http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=49649

[Moneyhands23]

Good write up on Ekblad

http://thehockeywriters.com/aaron-ek...spect-profile/

[sureLoss]

Corey Pronman was on TSN 1260 today talking about his latest rankings:

• biggest movers in the 2nd half was Ehlers, Fiala, and Sanheim
• Fiala was a fringe 1st rounder and has moved into a top 10 pick
• Sanheim wasn't a top 2 round prospect, but now would be suprised if he fell out of the top 45

Aaron Ekblad

• took extra time to address the defensive side of game into his rankings
• tough to assign defensive value to prospects as the data is not readily available (e.g. Quality of Competition/ Offensive or Defensive zone starts, etc)
• it was evident that Ekblad wasn't as highly skilled, isn't as dynamic with the puck as for example Drew Doughty
• from closely watching and talking to scouts, Pronman does think Ekblad is a dynamic defensive player to go with very good but not dynamic offensive capabilities
• thinks Ekblad is the "moderately" clear #1 pick in this draft (but wouldn't say clear cut)
• if Ekblad and Jones were in the same draft year who would he take first? Pronman leans towards Jones but it is not a clear cut decision
• main reason he leans towards Jones is Jones still has room to grow, but both are very close as prospects

Sam Bennett

• ranked #2 by Pronman
• is an incredible all round talent (speed, skill, intangebiles, how he handles the physical game)
• only 2nd year in the CHL
• given the spike seen in this year's development there is even more room to grow into even higher level and an even more complete player than Sam Reinhart

William Nylander

• top tier going into this season was Ekblad, Reinhart, Bennett and Nylander
• towards January thought Nylander was going to drop out of the top tier
• from January onwards was just incredible in Sweden
• set records in Sweden's 2nd division, went to play in Modo and was one of the best 17 year old perfromances in the SHL, was arguably the best player at the u18s
• thinks he is a top 4 pick in this year's draft but not sure if Nylander will go there
• in terms of offensive upside he is the best player in the draft class

Leon Draisaitl

• Would he consider it a reach for the Oilers to take Draisaitl at #3? Pronman wouldn't advise it
• in terms of tiers has Ekblad alone at the top, than Bennett, Nylander and Reinhart on the next tier, Draisaitl is located in the 5-9 tier
• think you could reasonably argue taking Draisaitl at 5
• if Reinhart or Bennett were still on the board, Pronman would advise going after them instead of Draisaitl
• Reinhart and Bennett have more potential offensively and defensively over Draisaitl

Robby Fabbri

• slightly undersized but does so much well
• works hard and that helps him overcome his physical deficincies
• great skater, very skilled, understands how to make plays in all parts of the ice
• can make a very good case for him to go top 20
• lots of variance as to where he will go according to scouts (some say he is a possible top 10 pick)

[sureLoss]

I am now in the camp were the Flames should strongly start looking at trading up into the top 3. I think there is a clear top 3 and not a top 4.

[nik-]

^ Where is Reinhart on that list?

I don't see Burke/Treliving taking a Nylander/Ehlers/Fabbri.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by nik-

^ Where is Reinhart on that list?

I don't see Burke/Treliving taking a Nylander/Ehlers/Fabbri.

Pronman has Reinhart ranked 4th.

[A Shot Wide]

Isn't Nylander known for being a very soft perimeter player? His size isn't bad at 5'11, which is only a bit smaller than Bennett, but if he's a soft player would he really fit in what Burke and Treliving are trying to create?

Love his skill level though, seems to have a high offensive ceiling.

[Robbob]

Reinhart has been on the radar for two years now. I think people have looked at him so long that they may be over analyzing things. Being on the radar for that long and still in that top tier conversation is a testament to the quality of player he is. I would be beyond excited if the Flames got him at 4th.

[Gaskal]

Nylander looks ridiculously feminine.

[Parallex]

Really guys?... because the face is what's important?

[Ashasx]

Looks like we'll miss out on the top tier in another draft.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Looks like we'll miss out on the top tier in another draft.

I would say the likelihood of the top three picks being Bennett, Reinhart and Ekblad in any order is actually quite low from asking around.

[SHOGUN]

I just a have bad feeling about Draisaitl... I don't know why.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

If Monahan were in this draft would he go #1?

An NHL exec told me at last year's draft that he felt Monahan would have gone first or second overall in 2012 if he was eligible. That exec did not have a top 5 pick in 2012 nor a top 10 pick in 2013 FYI.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by SHOGUN

I just a have bad feeling about Draisaitl... I don't know why.

He reminds me of another big P.A. centre, Steve Kelly.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by fotze

This is the face of a playoff warrior.

Spoiler!

I raise you:

[PeteMoss]

What records did Nylander set in the 2nd league? He had 27 points in 35 games which isn't among the top 25 score leaders. Pastrnak had 24 points in 36 games... not a giant difference.

And 7 points in 18 games in Modo doesn't strike earth shattering.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

He reminds me of another big P.A. centre, Steve Kelly.

Kelly had 72 points in 68 games when drafted... a loooooooooooong way from Draisaitl (he was a late birthday as well)

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by SHOGUN

I just a have bad feeling about Draisaitl... I don't know why.

Probably because the Oilers will pick him and ruin him.