Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[A Shot Wide]

Originally Posted by SHOGUN

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

I have a good feeling about him. A big, strong centerman with elite passing skills and good shot are hard to acquire. His skating can be fixed or at least considerably improved with coaching, I don't see the negatives that other people do, but maybe I'm blinded by his german charm.

This is what Pronman had to say about his skating over at HFboards: It's not a red flag, alarms blaring issue, but I'd take one of the Sams ahead of him for sure if I was targeting a C.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by 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.

From Pronman's article

The son of longtime NHLer Michael Nylander may be the most gifted pure offensive talent in the draft. William had a so-so first half when he struggled to find a role, but had a tremendous second half. Because of that turnaround, I've heard NHL scouts rank him anywhere from No. 2 overall to the 20s. He was over a point per game pace with Sodertalje in the SHL-2, setting a season record for points by an under-18 player, and played around 20 minutes per game with Modo down the stretch.

20 mins a game as a 17 year old is pretty impressive for the SHL

[ForeverFlameFan]

Let's say Burke really doesn't think highly/dislike Draisaitl (for some reason), and Ekblad, Bennett, and Reinhart are all chosen in the top 3; Who would you guys choose?

Dal Colle/Ehlers/Nylander, or even Ritchie ?

[SHOGUN]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Let's say Burke really doesn't think highly/dislike Draisaitl (for some reason), and Ekblad, Bennett, and Reinhart are all chosen in the top 3; Who would you guys choose?

Dal Colle/Ehlers/Nylander, or even Ritchie ?

Dal Colle for sure.

[Hammertime]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Let's say Burke really doesn't think highly/dislike Draisaitl (for some reason), and Ekblad, Bennett, and Reinhart are all chosen in the top 3; Who would you guys choose?

Dal Colle/Ehlers/Nylander, or even Ritchie ?

deja vu

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by 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?

You could say the same about what Burke was trying to do with Toronto and Kadri.

Yet he still chose Kadri because he is BPA.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by fotze

This is the face of a playoff warrior.

DO NOT DRAFT

[mile]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Let's say Burke really doesn't think highly/dislike Draisaitl (for some reason), and Ekblad, Bennett, and Reinhart are all chosen in the top 3; Who would you guys choose?

Dal Colle/Ehlers/Nylander, or even Ritchie ?

Dal Colle.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Let's say Burke really doesn't think highly/dislike Draisaitl (for some reason), and Ekblad, Bennett, and Reinhart are all chosen in the top 3; Who would you guys choose?

Dal Colle/Ehlers/Nylander, or even Ritchie ?

After the 2 Sams are gone, Ehlers is the guy I'd want. He's 6' tall now and has ridiculous skating/vision/puck handling skills. He's the game breaker every team needs. He's not a perimeter player and has the best plus-minus in the league. Plus his point production is fantastic in his first year in North America.

[dammage79]

I have to say Ehlers as well. Doesn't have the two inches extra in height like Dal Colle does but his skill set is better IMO. And his speed, I don't think there's a comparable in this draft in the first round.

Earlier I wasn't as sold on Ehlers because I assumed his point production was directly affected and boosted by Drouin. But I've come to see I was wrong.

I've seen people pumping his tired by relating his speed to Bures. Even if that was half true. Imagine him lining up on the other wing to Poirier. My god.

He isn't that small either. Latest reports have him between 5'11" and just over 6'. Needs some mass but that'll come.

I'll add an honorable mention to Brendan Perlini as well. Has great speed combined with good hands and size. The kind of kid who will transition well to the NHL.

[Rick M.]

Ehlers can play either wing and I wouldn't be surprised if the team that drafts him asks Halifax to give him a shot at centre next year (as was done with Drouin this year) as I suspect his high hockey IQ would allow him to move to centre and thrive. He's also used as a point on the power play and is a good penalty killer (and his speed makes him a constant short-handed goal threat). One very versatile player!

[Bourque's Twin]

I said this before but I think it's critical for Buffalo to choose Bennett. I can't see the Oilers taking Reinhart (another average sized forward) over Draisaitl. However, if Buffalo chooses Reinhart, I think the Oilers will take Bennett (even though he is smaller) because of the way he plays the game.

[sureLoss]

Red line report's latest top 10



http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...pects/9192889/

[StrykerSteve]

It angers me to know that Ehlers is likely going to be a Canuck.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

It angers me to know that Ehlers is likely going to be a Canuck.

I'll be more angry if they take Virtanen.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by T@T

I'll be more angry if they take Virtanen.

Not really, I'd rather them take a one-dimensional sniper who never passes than a player who has better play-making ability.

Ehlers > Virtanen

[Table 5]

I'd be angry if we took Virtanen. That's the only guy I really want to avoid.

[sureLoss]

Updated chart of the "consensus rankings" for ISS, McKeen's, Red Line, Pronman, FC, and the CSS combined provided by THW. I have now also included Button's last update and Red line's newest update

The green triangle represents the average ranking the prospect got. The vertical line shows the range that the prospect has been ranked. The lowest point of the vertical line shows the highest ranking the prospect got, while the highest point shows the lowest ranking the prospect got.

The chart gives a visual representation of how widely varied the different scouting services have each prospect ranked.



With Red line's latest update, no one has Ekblad ranked less than 2, hinting that he is the clear top pick among the scouting services.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Not really, I'd rather them take a one-dimensional sniper who never passes than a player who has better play-making ability.

Ehlers > Virtanen

Yeah big strong snipers who run over people grow on tree's these days.

If it came down to Calgary picking one of the two.

Virtanen > Ehlers

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by T@T

Yeah big strong snipers who run over people grow on tree's these days.

If it came down to Calgary picking one of the two.

Virtanen > Ehlers

Yeah, big strong snipers who run over people and don't know how to pass definitely grow on trees. Hockey isn't basketball, it's a team sport. You need to know how to pass and to shoot. He only has one of those skills.

Ehlers > Virtanen