Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[Canada 02]

Craig Button does a semi-regular TSN podcast on draftees and prospects at this link. Good stuff

http://www.tsn.ca/window/podcastcent...id=22936&id=65

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Reinhart, Ekblad, Draisaitl, Bennett, and Dal Colle are pretty much interchangeable at this point.

Any one of these 5 and I'm happy

[Arsenal14]

Interesting. Button really hates Virtanen and also has McKeown a lot lower than other rankings. He is higher on Ehlers and Kempe than most. Nylander seems to be plummeting in most of the rankings along with McKeown while Perlini and Ritchie are trending up.

It really does seem that there are four guys (Ekblad, Reinhart, Bennett and Dal Colle) that are consistently in the top 5 with Draisaitl often getting the other spot (Button has Perlini there, ISS has Nylander, HockeyProspect has Ritchie).

[Canada 02]

Button on Virtanen. Hate may be too strong word. In fact, Button had Virtanen go from un-ranked to 57 to 47.

Jake has undeniable skill. Excellent skater who has speed, quickness and power. Can beat defenders with his skating and when he gets an advantage, his size makes it almost impossible for a defender to get back on equal footing. Very strong shot and can beat goaltenders from out but also has the quickness in his hands to score in tight. Has the potential to be a dynamic scoring winger.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Any one of these 5 and I'm happy

Pretty good chance you are happy. I would be shocked if the flames weren't picking in the top 5

[Fire]

It's good to know the Flames will get a very good player no matter where they draft in the top 4.

[mdubz]

Hope we draft before the Oil and snag Ekblad. He's exactly the type of D man they need as well.

[FlameZilla]

Dal Colle reminds Button of Getzlaf? I've always felt he's the exact mold of player we need.

Looks like we're in for another solid prospect, as long as we draft top 5.

[_Q_]

I think I'm over Ekblad now. I want one of Bennet or Dal Colle. I'm not seeing the reason behind the Reinhart hype either.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Dal Colle reminds Button of Getzlaf? I've always felt he's the exact mold of player we need.

Looks like we're in for another solid prospect, as long as we draft top 5.

No he reminds Dan Marr of NHL central scouting of Getzlaf. The power forward comment for Dal Colle is kind of interesting. I have read some reports from people who have regularly watched him and they think Dal Colle is more a finesse player than power forward

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by mdubz

Hope we draft before the Oil and snag Ekblad. He's exactly the type of D man they need as well.

The Oilers need more depth, not another high draft pick

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

The Oilers need more depth, not another high draft pick

They're already in full Ekblad mode. Both the fanbase and the management. Hell, some of the fanbase is already in McDavid mode.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Glad other people are rising, because Ekblad or preferably Reinhart is fine for me.

A right handed defenseman or a right handed Center that can play RW are both needed in Calgary.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

We need to get that 6'7 Russian that Button has at 56. Get Kanzig and Breen up here with him and we're the tallest team in the business.

Tallest players not in the NHL.

[Table 5]

I'm curious how Button puts his lists together. One man obviously can't see every player...but is he out there scouting and looking at the top-end guys first hand? Or does he glean most of his insight by keeping close with team scouts (such as his brother)?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I'm curious how Button puts his lists together. One man obviously can't see every player...but is he out there scouting and looking at the top-end guys first hand? Or does he glean most of his insight by keeping close with team scouts (such as his brother)?

He's out there scouting them himself. That is obvious if you listen to his podcast.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

He's out there scouting them himself. That is obvious if you listen to his podcast.

I don't, so it wasn't to me.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

4-5 intriguing names at the top. Pretty exciting

[dammage79]

If I had to rank these players by preference in the top 5, I think I'd go like this:
1. Ekblad
2. Bennett
3. Draisaitl
4. Reinhart
5. Dal Colle

Could probably interchange 2 and 3 a bunch over the season but I highly doubt the number one slot will change.

[CliffFletcher]

Bennett reminds me of Langkow.