Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

I've enjoyed the guide. Thanks for all the hard work

How bad would CP meltdown if we picked Nylander at 4?

He was top prospect last summer then fell, something that could be indicative of an attitude problem. So I'd go nuts.

[dammage79]

Well, if Craig Button's draft prediction came true on draft day, I for one will be pleased as punch. Goldobin @34? Don't mind if I do!

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by devo22

Tuch is also extremely low at 32. Have seen him consistently between 10 and 20 everywhere else.

While I think Button always throw some questionable rankings each year, I would be very happy if the flames could get Tuch at 32.

Edit needs to drop 2 more spots to 34

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by devo22

it was quite uncanny in 2012. I remember he had Jankowski at 14, our original pick. He also had Sieloff and Gillies quite high if I remember correctly.

Also had Teräväinen at like 5.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

ISS has updated their top 30:

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=114013

Also Button ranks based on who he thinks will have the best NHL careers not necessarily who he thinks is the better prospect right now.

MDC at #3.

Bingo can we have a poll between Draisaitl and Dal Colle?

[mile]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

MDC at #3.

Bingo can we have a poll between Draisaitl and Dal Colle?

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=137452

I don't think the latest ISS ranking would change opinion much.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by mile

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=137452

I don't think the latest ISS ranking would change opinion much.

LOL...I even voted in that poll.

[albertGQ]

Button had Fucale at #9 last year. Just sayin'

[dustygoon]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Button had Fucale at #9 last year. Just sayin'

Good thing feaster had klimchuk ranked 8th then

[sureLoss]

Sabres Assistant GM Kevin Devine on Buffalo Radio this morning:

http://audio.wgr550.com/a/92774048/6...r.htm?q=devine

Summary:

Combine

• actual combine doesn't affect their rankings much, especially the guys at the top
• if they have a bad interview they aren't going to hold that against them
• it becomes more of a factor for the 2nd mid round guys and later
• remembers one scout told him that the worst interview he had ever done was with Peter Forsberg
• Sabres interviewed 70 guys this year
• 4 or 5 guys had a red flag come up in their interviews that they will check up on
• all the guys at the top (i.e. Ekblad, Bennett, Reinhart etc...) had very good interviews... rated them A or A+
• things that can cause a red flag in an interview: religion, attitude, or if they have passion for the game. most of it is how much does the kid really want to be a player
• didn't take Bennett off the board because he didn't do a pull up, doesn't pay too much attention to things like that

Drop offs

• hasn't gotten around to determining where the drop off point is
• but Ekblad, Bennett, Reinhart, and Draisaitl are all in that discussion
• maybe a 5th guy too

What would make Reinhart worthy of 2nd overall?

• hasn't seen a guy that can make plays like Sam can in the last 10-15 years
• his playmaking ability, sees the ice really well
• knows how long to hold the puck, when to pass, when to shoot
• uncanny hockey sense

What would make Bennett worthy of 2nd overall?

• has the highest skill level
• has the emotional fire and puts teams on his back
• Reinhart is more of a quiet guy (although he quickly qualifies and says all the guys at the top are potential Captains)
• definitely need to look into whether the team they got needs emotional fire, it is definitely something every team would love to have

What would make Ekblad worthy of 2nd overall?

• big horseback defense, already a man
• good on both sides of the puck
• going to play 25 mins/night down the road

Draisaitl

• he is 6'2'' 210, he has that big body
• comparisons to Kopitar, Stastny, even Jagr
• big strong horse down low, very good in the offensive zone
• needs a little work in his defensive play
• but when he gets in the other end and turns his back to the play, he can hold off a lot of those big defencemen

Calls the above 4 guys "concensus top 4." Might be a surprise in there. Seems to ignore the hosts suggestion Dal Colle belongs in there. Thinks those 4 guys are all pretty close, no clear cut number 1.

Potential Pick Movement:

• Devine says he wouldn't be surprised if Tim Murray would trade picks this year for picks next year.
• suggested the Sabres may use their 3 2nd rounders this year to get another 1st this year.
• Confirmed the Sabres are getting calls for the 2nd OA.
• Deal to move the 2nd OA would have to help short term and long term and would depend on how far they have to move back.
• Sabres haven't really discussed moving #2 in depth internally, yet
• Not sure why the Sabres would move up to 1. Sitting at 2 with no clear cut guy.
• Could happen, but not sure it will.
• Hasn't thought of the scenario where the Sabres could get Florida's pick while keeping 2nd OA.

2015 Draft

• Has scouts already dedicated to the 2015 drafts.
• If Eichel and McDavid were in this draft thinks they would be at the top. Wouldn't say they would be ahead of the current class by a lot
• Eichel is more powerful than Connor, has a Mark Messier mode when he wants to crank it up physically.
• Connor is more blazing skill and talent.
• Eichel's speed is more deceptive, and at this point is the more powerful player.
• Both are treats to watch.
• Connor needs to get stronger. He can make moves on the fly, he can shoot, he is agile down low, he works hard

[ignite09]

That's the second time I've heard Draisaitl mentioned at 6'2 210. Wonder if that's from the combine?

[Erick Estrada]

Sounds to me like they plan on staying at #2 and hopefully picking Reinhart.

[ForeverFlameFan]

^ which is why I would want to trade Buffalo. Better to have an option between Ekblad and Reinhart.

[ignite09]

Also, awesome to hear someone picking before #4 acknowledge a clear top four in this draft.

[Sune76]

latest ISS rankings

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=114013

1. SAM REINHART C 6'1 186 R 11/6/95 Kootenay WHL
2. AARON EKBLAD D 6'4 216 R 2/7/96 Barrie OHL
3. MICHAEL DAL COLLE F 6'2 184 L 6/20/96 Oshawa OHL
4. SAM BENNETT LW 6'0 178 L 6/20/96 Kingston OHL
5. WILLIE NYLANDER C 5'11 169 R 5/1/95 Rogle SweAI

Nylander jumps to 5th.

Interestingly enough, Nylander was born in Calgary and could had played for Canada.

[RyZ]

Awesome post SureLoss.....again.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by ignite09

That's the second time I've heard Draisaitl mentioned at 6'2 210. Wonder if that's from the combine?

According to the IIHF chart for Team Germany, he's a 189cm or almost 6' 2.5" and 212 lbs. Not sure if this has to do with reality but there it is.

http://www.iihfworlds2014.com/en/teams/germany/#list

[sureLoss]

Kyle Woodlief of red line report gives his analysis of the top forwards in the draft:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...pects/9886755/

The forward group is the clear strength — and really, the only strength — of this year's draft class, and at Red Line Report, we believe that 18 of the top 20 overall selections will come from a relatively deep crop.

With that said, the top-end grouping is still not as sexy as last year's star-studded class that included Jonathan Drouin, Nathan MacKinnon, Aleksander Barkov and Valeri Nichushkin. Frankly on pure talent alone, there's no one this year we would take over any of those four.

So while it might not be a class for the ages, at Red Line, we're giving Sam Bennett the slight nod as the top dog.

He's a heart--and-soul, character player who also happens to have high-end skills, and he single-handedly changed the team culture in Kingston. He's not big, and given his gritty, physical style he might struggle to handle playing against men over a grueling 82-game season, but he is extremely competitive and willing to stand up for himself.

Sam Reinhart is next up on Red Line's board, and his explosive shot release and phenomenal hockey IQ give him an outstanding offensive upside. He should become the best goal scorer of the top group and has the type of lightning release that can fool even world-class netminders. His skating is just average, but he makes up for that with his off-the-charts anticipation.

German center Leon Draisaitl rounds out the top tier. He's easily the largest and most physically mature of the group, and as such, perhaps the most ready to play against NHLers right away. In fact, he recently acquitted himself quite well playing for Germany at the senior World Championships. He combines soft hands with terrific vision and play-making ability. Has played a lot of left wing in his career up until now, but at Red Line, we view him as an imaginative center moving forward in the pros.

[RyZ]

Im a little bit suprised that Fiala has climbed so high on some lists. He clearly has some puck skills but I have heard a scout mention that he has holes in his game "that you can drive a truck through" and would have a difficult time playing NA style pro hockey.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by RyZ

Im a little bit suprised that Fiala has climbed so high on some lists. He clearly has some puck skills but I have heard a scout mention that he has holes in his game "that you can drive a truck through" and would have a difficult time playing NA style pro hockey.

Yeah seems to be a guy that is all over lists - in the top 10 on some, out of the firs round in others.
Boom/Bust pick I suppose.