Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[Tinordi]

So you're saying that there is a board, we just don't know what it is.

The issue seems to be whether some people think we can or can't make inferences on what the board is. I think in extreme examples we probably can. Thomas Hickey at #4. Seems like a pick that was an outlier on most teams' draft boards. We don't know obviously, but it's a safe bet.

Where I think the tension lies is that some posters point to the need for absolute truths when criticizing decisions made by the franchise and others are saying that we'll never have absolute truths so is no critique possible?

[codynw]

"Off the board" just means a pick that nobody expected to be made that early. This is such a stupid discussion, it's a god damn figure of speech.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Where I think the tension lies is that some posters point to the need for absolute truths when criticizing decisions made by the franchise and others are saying that we'll never have absolute truths so is no critique possible?

I'd like to see more information opinions when it comes to prospects, if you've seen one, like or dislike, speak up. If you haven't, shut the #### up and go away with the hysteria. The message board here becomes almost unreadable with uninformed borderline ignorant thoughts at the draft.

Go back and read the thread from last year, the Poirier pick was hilarious. Guys going crazy simply because they weren't familiar with him 5 minutes ago.

[dash_pinched]

Virtanen to undergo shoulder surgery (4 to 6 months recovery time)

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=452854

[devo22]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Virtanen to undergo shoulder surgery (4 to 6 months recovery time)

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=452854

apparently played through it in the playoffs and the U18.

Aaron Vickers ‏@AAVickers
Further on Virtanen, PR says he suffered the injury in the regular season, meaning he willed through injury in the WHL Playoffs and U18.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I wonder what his totals would have been 100% healthy.. Maybe his draft position would have been slightly higher.

[nik-]

I don't think Virtanen's fitness has ever been brought up as a concern, so I don't know if it affects him. It's more his ability to utilize team mates from what I've seen.

[codynw]

Isn't it Ritchie that has fitness concerns?

[sureLoss]

Kyle Woodlief - Chief Scout of Red Line Report on Oilers Now - May 22, 2014

Virtanen

• was consistetnly canada's best forward at the u18s
• uses his shot really well and hits everything that moves

Bennett

• better skating Doug Gilmour
• not huge but plays with grit and passion with high skill

Ekblad

• far away the best d man
• big dropoff to #2 Fleury

thinks Bennett and Ekblad will go 1-2 (not sure which order). neither will be available for the Oilers at 3 OA

Draisaitl

• if Bennett and Ekblad are gone, would have the Oilers choose Draisaitl over Reinhart (Oilers have many players like Reinhart)
• need the big center that can dominate the center of the ice
• no idea were the lack of character rumors are coming from on Draisiatl - classy kid
• gives consistent effort every way
• is not a crash and banger
• he uses his body to gain and establish position. angles players off the puck
• will not be a guy that grinds guys through the boards

Reinhart

• on perception that the Reinharts lack passion - doesn't think Sam lacks passion (does think Griffin does)

Dal Colle

• has higher skill level, strong hockey sense
• not going to be a phyiscial banger like Ritchie or Virtanen but his hockey iq seperates him from those 2

Fabbri

• comparison to Kadri/Gagner is fair
• if he wasn't that small he would be ranked higher
• shines above the veterans on Guelph

Nylander

• ranked 11th by red line
• unbeliveably skilled
• only reason not in top 10 is because he is a Diva (calls him coddled)
• his Dad hasn't done him any favours
• complains about his attitude

[AC]

Reinhart falls to us? Sweet baby Jesus I will lose my mind if that happens.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by AC

Reinhart falls to us? Sweet baby Jesus I will lose my mind if that happens.

I'd wager Griffin can play with passion if his brothers were on the ice with him.

[JurassicTunga12]

Originally Posted by AC

Reinhart falls to us? Sweet baby Jesus I will lose my mind if that happens.

Yeah, Reinhart and Monahan down the middle would be amazing. I have the top 5 going like this:

Panthers: Aaron Ekblad
Sabres: Sam Bennett
Oilers: Leon Draisaitl
Flames: Sam Reinhart
Islanders: Michael Dal Colle

Either way, one of Reinhart, Bennett, or Draisaitl will most likely be a Flame and that is really exciting.

[sureLoss]

The diva comments on Nylander were interesting to me. First I ever heard about it.

Hope Vancouver drafts him.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

The diva comments on Nylander were interesting to me. First I ever heard about it.

Hope Vancouver drafts him.

Pretty good chance they will, especially with the thought of him playing with the Sedins.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Pretty good chance they will, especially with the thought of him playing with the Sedins.

Doubt it Benning and Weisbrod are guys that believe in character when drafting.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by AC

Reinhart falls to us? Sweet baby Jesus I will lose my mind if that happens.

I'll be really happy with any of the big three centermen, all are quality players. I have a preference for Bennett but the German or Rienhart would be good too.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

The diva comments on Nylander were interesting to me. First I ever heard about it.

Hope Vancouver drafts him.

The Hockey News preview didn't go after Nylander specifically, but did mention his dad is an issue.

[nik-]

My only worry about Bennett is that an essential component to his game is contrary to the frame he possesses. It's why Reinhart is always ahead of him in my books.

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by Bingo

The Hockey News preview didn't go after Nylander specifically, but did mention his dad is an issue.

I would love to see this conversation:
- dad if you weren't such a ##### I would be getting drafted higher....

[theoforever]

Originally Posted by nik-

My only worry about Bennett is that an essential component to his game is contrary to the frame he possesses. It's why Reinhart is always ahead of him in my books.

I stopped hearing anything after Bennett to Gilmour comparison.