Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[#-3]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

The Flames should be going with the BPA since they are in the top 4 in this draft.

Downside: We get last pick
Upside: We get the last of the Fantastic Four.

Upside: Florida and Edmonton are so incompetent one of them will certainly find the dud in the Fantastic Four.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Feel free to show otherwise, but I don't think I've ever heard anyone legitimate ever call Ritchie or Virtanen as the "possible best player in the draft". They've always been a tier or two below as far as I can recall. Personally, I would stay away from Virtanen even if our pick was in the 5-10 range. I just don't think the guy has the creativity to be a great player...he seems to just make the same move over and over. Maybe hockey IQ isn't as important to the Flames as during the Feaster era, but it better still be up there.

If we're going away from the Top 4, I'd much rather go with a guy like Dal Colle, who honestly to me seems to be the surest best in the Top 10 to reach his potential. Or a guy like Nylander (a guy who has potential to be that "best player in the draft").

They are definitely a tier below the 'consensus', but then again, past 'consensus' lists have been proven wrong. If you read individual scouting reports, they often have the 'possible best player in the draft'. I am too lazy to look them up now, as I have posted them in the past (just check my previous posts about Ritchie in this thread, or search them yourself). With that being said, it isn't like I 'prefer' Ritchie over the top 4 (I really don't - and I make no secret that Reinhart is the guy I am really hoping gets selected).

I do personally agree with your views on Virtanen, though his goal-scoring, shot and speed are definitely elite, and given he is one of the younger players in the draft, admit that he has enough there to really develop. I prefer Ritchie over him because he seems more dynamic and comes in a much bigger frame, seems to have better IQ and passing ability, and his agility makes me think he could be one of those 'unstoppable' power-forwards in the league (which there are very few of). Would give this team a different dynamic moving forward having skilled guys in conjunction with a 'hard to handle' presence that has the ability to keep up with the skilled guys and not pull the line down offensively.

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

The Flames should be going with the BPA since they are in the top 4 in this draft.

Downside: We get last pick
Upside: We get the last of the Fantastic Four.

What is the BPA at 4, however? I myself prefer Reinhart, and I will even say that I prefer the other 3 over Ritchie as well. My point is that if the Flames decide to go with Ritchie at that spot, it is because they think he will be the best player down the road.

These kids are 17 and 18. There is a lot of growth and development to their game yet, and it often becomes difficult to project. Once again, the top picks (even pre-draft 'consensus' lists) have in hindsight been proven 'bad picks' or at least 'not the best picks'.

My point is that the Flames may feel Ritchie projects better than 1, 2, 3 or even all 4 of the 'top 4', and they may indeed be proven right in time. Pre-draft 'consensus' lists from different sources are not guaranteed for panning out the way they state. Some of their projections are bang on, some of them are flops. If the Flames don't agree with those lists, it is because they have done their homework and disagree with those lists, and only time will tell if they are right or wrong.

I just personally think that the gap between guys like Ritchie, Ehlers and Nylander (perhaps even Virtanen, though I am not very high on him myself) is THAT great from the 'top tier' as to think of it as a horrible choice, and will live with any of the first 7 or 8 ranked players out of that 'consensus list' (though I will admit I will be a little disappointed if the Flames pass up on Reinhart if he is available, but will get over it quickly).

To sum up both my rebuttals - my point is that I will be optimistic and happy regardless of who the Flames draft, as I have been trusting their judgement much more in the last few years and many of these prospects have the legitimate upside to be huge impact players down the road.

[FacePaint]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Feel free to show otherwise, but I don't think I've ever heard anyone legitimate ever call Ritchie or Virtanen as the "possible best player in the draft". They've always been a tier or two below as far as I can recall. Personally, I would stay away from Virtanen even if our pick was in the 5-10 range. I just don't think the guy has the creativity to be a great player...he seems to just make the same move over and over. Maybe hockey IQ isn't as important to the Flames as during the Feaster era, but it better still be up there.

If we're going away from the Top 4, I'd much rather go with a guy like Dal Colle, who honestly to me seems to be the surest best in the Top 10 to reach his potential. Or a guy like Nylander (a guy who has potential to be that "best player in the draft").

I really believe Dal Colle is there Flames #4, just a guy feeling but I think we end up with him and I'd be very happy with that.

[sureLoss]

hockeyprospect.com released their final top 30 ranking:


http://www.hockeyprospect.com/final-...nkings-top-30/

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

hockeyprospect.com released their final top 30 ranking:


http://www.hockeyprospect.com/final-...nkings-top-30/

Now that's interesting. Given that 2013-14 was Ehlers' first year in North America, I wonder how many points he'd have if he had been here a year earlier to adjust. Interesting too that Ritchie made a top 5.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by saXon

Not necessarily. Lindholm went a spot before Monahan, so we'll never know exactly who they had before him.

If they had Lindholm ahead of Monahan on their ranking then they would have picked him instead of Monahan. I'd say McKinnon, Barkov, Jones and Monahan. Since those first 3 got picked already they picked Monahan when it's their turn.

I have to guess Flames are thinking of Ekblad, Reinhart, Bennett, Draisaitl.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by OzSome

If they had Lindholm ahead of Monahan on their ranking then they would have picked him instead of Monahan. I'd say McKinnon, Barkov, Jones and Monahan. Since those first 3 got picked already they picked Monahan when it's their turn.

You didn't read his post properly. We were 6th overall last year, not 4th, and Lindholm got picked before Sean.

[AC]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

hockeyprospect.com released their final top 30 ranking:

http://www.hockeyprospect.com/final-...nkings-top-30/

Aha. The first ranking I've seen with Ritchie ahead of Draisaitl. Its going to happen...

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

You didn't read his post properly. We were 6th overall last year, not 4th, and Lindholm got picked before Sean.

Pardon me but for some reason I thought Dallas picked after us that's why I had Jones or Barkov ahead of Monahan. My bad... In that case i would say they had McKinnon, Jones, Lindholm and Monahan on their radar last draft.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by OzSome

Pardon me but for some reason I thought Dallas picked after us that's why I had Jones or Barkov ahead of Monahan. My bad... In that case i would say they had McKinnon, Jones, Lindholm and Monahan on their radar last draft.

Why is everyone discounting Drouin?

Mackinnon, Jones, and Drouin seem the obvious three we would have ranked ahead of Monahan. Maybe Barkov instead of Jones and Drouin.
Lindholm was neck in neck with Monahan on most projections. If the Flames truly had Monahan at 4 than its almost certain that they had him ahead of Lindholm.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by kehatch

Why is everyone discounting Drouin?

Mackinnon, Jones, and Drouin seem the obvious three we would have ranked ahead of Monahan. Maybe Barkov instead of Jones and Drouin.
Lindholm was neck in neck with Monahan on most projections. If the Flames truly had Monahan at 4 than its almost certain that they had him ahead of Lindholm.

No one is discounting Drouin's high-end skill. However you have to think that the Flames wanted to start the rebuild by drafting a center or even Jones as a cornerstone dman instead of a skilled LW, something they already have in Sven.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

No one is discounting Drouin's high-end skill. However you have to think that the Flames wanted to start the rebuild by drafting a center or even Jones as a cornerstone dman instead of a skilled LW, something they already have in Sven.

I think they wanted the best player available.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

No one is discounting Drouin's high-end skill. However you have to think that the Flames wanted to start the rebuild by drafting a center or even Jones as a cornerstone dman instead of a skilled LW, something they already have in Sven.

Of course Drouin has successfully moved to center this year in Halifax, but the Flames didn't know that in 2013 (plus, he's only 5' 11").

[ForeverFlameFan]

I would have wanted Drouin if he was available at #6. But, he wasn't, so I am fine with Monahan.

[saXon]

Originally Posted by OzSome

If they had Lindholm ahead of Monahan on their ranking then they would have picked him instead of Monahan. I'd say McKinnon, Barkov, Jones and Monahan. Since those first 3 got picked already they picked Monahan when it's their turn.

I have to guess Flames are thinking of Ekblad, Reinhart, Bennett, Draisaitl.

Already said by Gaskal above.

[Roof-Daddy]

Prediction time...

Isles trade up to #1, Panthers to #5.

#1 - Islanders - Sam Reinhart
#2 - Sabres - Sam Bennett
#3 - Oilers - Leon Draisaitl
#4 - Flames - Nick Ritchie

With Ekblad still on the board, the Leafs snag #5 from Florida for #8 plus.

#5 - Maple Leafs - Aaron Ekblad
#6 - Canucks - William Nylander
#7 - Hurricanes - Michael Dal Colle
#8 - Panthers - Nikolaj Ehlers


I'm sure I will change my mind about how it's all going to shake down roughly 15 more times before the actual draft.

[Shawnski]

Respect your posts a ton, Roof Daddy.... but if miracles of miracles happen and Edmonton doesn't take Ekblad at 3, hell will be freezing over if the Flames don't take him at four....

[dammage79]

Ritchie over Ekblad? Feels like there will be a bunch of acid being dropped on draft day if that happens.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Is it worth it for Treliving to give up a second rounder or a third rounder to MacTavish to swap pick #4 for #3?

That way we get one of the big three for sure?

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

Is it worth it for Treliving to give up a second rounder or a third rounder to MacTavish to swap pick #4 for #3?

That way we get one of the big three for sure?

Sure, but will Edmonton bite?