Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[greentree]

Originally Posted by Brando

I just spoke to someone employed by the Flames (i don't want to say names) that I believe would be closely involved in the drafting process and take it for what it is worth but he told me that the collective scouts don't believe Ekblad is a Franchise D or even on the same level of Jones. He said that they are all divided on the Sams and that they really like Drasaitl but don't believe he will slip by Edmonton. He said a lot of the scouts are really high on Ritchie even more than Da Colle and think he could be a top 4 player. He didn't seem to act as though Da Colle was an option.

All of this makes complete sense to me. But if any one of the consensus top three falls to fourth overall, Flames take him.

[The Fonz]

However, if scouts around the league feel the same way, that Ekblad doesn't have franchise Dman potential and is a level below Jones, I don't see him going 1st overall. This could explain why Florida is wanting to drop 4-6 spots... draft the dman they feel has equal potential (Fleury) and gain another asset.

I don't believe Buffalo drafts Ekblad at #2. They have a lot of solid young dmen in their system. They're taking 1 of the Sams IMO.

Does Edmonton still choose Draisaitl if Ekblad falls to #3?

[SHOGUN]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

However, if scouts around the league feel the same way, that Ekblad doesn't have franchise Dman potential and is a level below Jones, I don't see him going 1st overall. This could explain why Florida is wanting to drop 4-6 spots... draft the dman they feel has equal potential (Fleury) and gain another asset.

I don't believe Buffalo drafts Ekblad at #2. They have a lot of solid young dmen in their system. They're taking 1 of the Sams IMO.

Does Edmonton still choose Draisaitl if Ekblad falls to #3?

I remember Tim Murray (Sabres GM) saying the same thing about Ekblad, he's not projected to be a franchise dman but more likely a #2.

[djsFlames]

I just hope one of the Sams is available so we don't have to worry about a potential Ritchie over DC or even Ekblad scenario (dear lord).

[mile]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

However, if scouts around the league feel the same way, that Ekblad doesn't have franchise Dman potential and is a level below Jones, I don't see him going 1st overall. This could explain why Florida is wanting to drop 4-6 spots... draft the dman they feel has equal potential (Fleury) and gain another asset.

I don't believe Buffalo drafts Ekblad at #2. They have a lot of solid young dmen in their system. They're taking 1 of the Sams IMO.

Does Edmonton still choose Draisaitl if Ekblad falls to #3?

Even if the Panthers felt that Ekblad didn't have franchise D potential (which I still think he does), he still is the consensus best player in the draft (Bob Mckenzie said 7/12 scouts he talked to had ranked him #1) and they need defense anyways - With Barkov/Bjugstad as their projected top 2 centers, I still think Ekblad is their likely pick.

I wouldn't rule out them taking Bennett or Reinhart and shifting them to the wing though if they felt they were the BPA.

If in the rare case Ekblad drops to #3, Edmonton probably takes him.

If Florida drops, I doubt it is to take Fleury - Ekblad has considerably more potential than Fleury. I see it as:
-Ekblad: #1/2 defenseman with franchise D potential
-Fleury: #3/4 defenseman with #2 potential

As for Flames' scouts being split on the Sams, I slightly prefer Bennett over Reinhart (for no real reason, just a hunch) but would be happy with both.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Brando

I just spoke to someone employed by the Flames (i don't want to say names) that I believe would be closely involved in the drafting process and take it for what it is worth but he told me that the collective scouts don't believe Ekblad is a Franchise D or even on the same level of Jones. He said that they are all divided on the Sams and that they really like Drasaitl but don't believe he will slip by Edmonton. He said a lot of the scouts are really high on Ritchie even more than Da Colle and think he could be a top 4 player. He didn't seem to act as though Da Colle was an option.

I'm not quite sure what you are trying to say? If Ekblad falls to 4th the flames would think about taking Ritchie instead?

I have to think even if Ekblad is not taken first he still goes in the top 4. Maybe he is not a franchise D, but even a big #2 is nothing to sneeze at. It's not like the 3 other centers are guaranteed to be 1st line. They all seem to have their warts.

Don't get me wrong I do appreciate the insight, but I still think the top 4 will be the same names we have heard for the last couple of months.

[Vulcan]

I think there are some future star players to be had in this draft. It could go just as some predict, say Ekblad, Bennett, Reinhart, Draisaitl but I'm prepared to be surprised as there doesn't seem to be much consensus.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Brando

I just spoke to someone employed by the Flames (i don't want to say names) that I believe would be closely involved in the drafting process and take it for what it is worth but he told me that the collective scouts don't believe Ekblad is a Franchise D or even on the same level of Jones. He said that they are all divided on the Sams and that they really like Drasaitl but don't believe he will slip by Edmonton. He said a lot of the scouts are really high on Ritchie even more than Da Colle and think he could be a top 4 player. He didn't seem to act as though Da Colle was an option.

Just to be clear did he mean that the Flames have Ekblad ranked lower than the Sams, Draisaitl and Ritchie?

Or did he just mean he didn't think Ekblad was worth trading up for?

[Street Pharmacist]

How many #1 D in the league were drafted with that expectation? Not many of reckon. It seems as though dmen are much harder to protect

[Caged Great]

I don't see the problem with having doubts on Ekblad being super awesome amazing. He is very good, but he doesn't have any skill that was clearly elite. He doesn't have the hockey sense/fluidity that Doughty had, and that's pretty much the last super D prospect from the top 5 in the last while.

Ekblad has a very good shot, is big, is quickish for someone that size and looks good overall, but there's not something that separates him from the Hedman tier of guys. He doesn't have Pronger's mean streak, he doesn't have Al Iafrate or MacInnis' slap shot, he is not Pavel Bure fast. Nothing that you could say is exceptional.

That's not much of a knock though because really how many in history have had those exceptional skills. He should still be at worst an elite #3, with it being more likely that you're getting a good #2 or possible #1 D-man. Can't really complain with that.

[Brando]

I was making a lot of people wait by talking to him so I never pressed him for a definitive draft list. He never did say the flames scouts liked one guy more than an other. He did say that he didn't think the flames would get a chance at Drasaitl because Edmonton can't draft another small skilled guy.

[theTrumanShow]

If Ekblad drops, I don't see how we don't take him. We should always take the BPA (Best Player Available). Personally I see 1. Bennett 2. Reinhart 3. Ekblad 4. Draisaitl , but I played 2 years of Pee Wee, so I guess this makes me an expert !!! :}

[PeteMoss]

The funny thing about people questioning Ekblad's offensive game is the seemingly secret fact that Doughty isn't a great offensive player either.

EDIT: Not to compare the two... but i don't think you need to have a glorious offensive game to be a #1 defenseman.

[devo22]

MOD EDIT: Malware warning on image, removed.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I don't see the problem with having doubts on Ekblad being super awesome amazing. He is very good, but he doesn't have any skill that was clearly elite. He doesn't have the hockey sense/fluidity that Doughty had, and that's pretty much the last super D prospect from the top 5 in the last while.

Ekblad has a very good shot, is big, is quickish for someone that size and looks good overall, but there's not something that separates him from the Hedman tier of guys. He doesn't have Pronger's mean streak, he doesn't have Al Iafrate or MacInnis' slap shot, he is not Pavel Bure fast. Nothing that you could say is exceptional.

That's not much of a knock though because really how many in history have had those exceptional skills. He should still be at worst an elite #3, with it being more likely that you're getting a good #2 or possible #1 D-man. Can't really complain with that.

A lot of the time a defenceman isn't noticed and mostly this is a good thing. A consistent defenceman who doesn't make too many bone head plays can be hard to find. From what I've heard he has good hockey sense which is maybe the best quality a defenceman can have. He also has some other fine qualities as you say. I like defencemen and generally think they are more valuable than forwards, so I think Ekblad is worthy of his first ranking and if we have a chance, I'd grab him.

[PeteLFan]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

The funny thing about people questioning Ekblad's offensive game is the seemingly secret fact that Doughty isn't a great offensive player either.

EDIT: Not to compare the two... but i don't think you need to have a glorious offensive game to be a #1 defenseman.

If he's not going to bring offense the he's not a #1 d. You need go be great at both ends of the ice and drew doughty is a pretty good offensive player as well.

This is the reason jay bo never worked out for us as the #1 guy his offense went missing in Calgary.

[Caged Great]

So would I, and if the cost to go from 4 to 1 wasn't huge I'd pull the trigger on that as well to get him. He is a really good D-man.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

If he's not going to bring offense the he's not a #1 d. You need go be great at both ends of the ice and drew doughty is a pretty good offensive player as well.

This is the reason jay bo never worked out for us as the #1 guy his offense went missing in Calgary.

I think that had a lot to do with Brent's coaching, as his game picked up when he was let go.

[Calgary4LIfe]

There are many scouting sources that have wondered aloud if Ekblad is a #1 defencemen or if he is more of a #2 or even a #3.

With that being said, there have also been quite a number of defencmen drafted in the second round (and lower) who have then developed into a #1. This is why selecting forwards at the top-end of the draft is seen as less risky, and you can select defencemen with more picks in the rounds after the 1st, hoping one develops into something wonderful.

With that being said, Ekblad is worth drafting in the top 4. He can very likely develop into a #1, and is worth the draft pick on. I myself will be happy with any of the Sams, Ekblad, Draisaitl, MDC, Ritchie and even Nylander (he isn't that small, and he is supremely offensive) and Ehlers (though a bit less so since he is a winger).

The way I see it, this draft is rather unique as there seems to be lots of differing arguments with respect to the order (and the order always changes anyways at the draft). Every prospect is rather unique this year amongst the first 7 or 8 (with Nylander and Ehlers having very similar games but playing different positions). Any single one of these players can legitimately become a very important 1st line/1st defensive pairing player.

I myself really prefer Reinhart this draft, but I will not blow a gasket if he is available and the Flames pass on him, taking instead someone ranked in what is considered 'the 2nd tier'. That supposed second tier all have the ability to end up as the best player from this year's draft, and as long as the Flames have done their homework (which I am sure they will have), then I will simply blindly trust whom they select and hope that indeed that player is looked back as 'the best player of the draft', but at the very least it will be yet another very important piece moving forward in this rebuild.

[dammage79]

In order of preference:

Bennett
Ekblad
Reinhart
Draisaitl
Nylander
Ehlers
Dal Colle

I pray to the norse gods of hockey that Bennett falls to the Flames. After that though, I'm essentially saying I will be extremely happy with anyone else other than Ritchie.

I'll even be happy id the Flames decided to take Perlini or Kapanen. But I know more than a few people would be visibly upset by such a situation. This draft is pretty wide open.

The reality it seems though is that the Flames will get one of the Sams or Draisaitl so there won't be much of an argument going forward.

I seriously have had enough waiting, draft day cannot come soon enough.