I can see why Burke keeps bigging-up Ritchie. He looks like a pure sniper (GREAT shot) who has decent wheels and can impose physically on other players. He's like Rick Nash but with Lucic's aggression and strength on the boards. He also has playmaking ability and in that video he executes some beautiful saucer passes (one assist for Cornel at around 2:45 is a beaut).
Players in this mould seem to come along very rarely these days. In our prospect pool we have Ferland – who isn't as big, fast or skilled – as the only comparable. Maybe Poirier, but he's not as imposing physically.
If we were drafting for organisational need I might say that the Flames would favour Ritchie over Draisaitl at #4, simply because I feel Draisaitl is a similar prospect to Monahan (good vision, instincts, stick-handling but not very fast or aggressive). They will draft BPA though, and with any luck that will be one of Reinhart/Bennett/Ekblad.
Impressive.
Beer league perspective here, but is it me or does Ritchie skate with his head down.....like a lot? He has that Lindros look to him out there. I don't care how big/tough he is.
Beer league perspective here, but is it me or does Ritchie skate with his head down.....like a lot? He has that Lindros look to him out there. I don't care how big/tough he is.
That's definitely you.
The only time he ever had his head down was with a guy already on his back cutting to the net. Never once in a remotely vulnerable position.
Redline report seems to think Buffalo will take Bennett. Given that the Oilers already have RNH, and have need for a guy like Draisatl, I dont think it is out of the question that Reinhart will fall to us.
After watching YouTube highlights, it's hard not to be impressed with Virtanen's skating and quick release. I'm not advocating taking him at #4, but he is a guy I would be excited to watch. Especially after hearing that he play a good chunk of time with an injured shoulder.
I know the knock on him is his hockey IQ and that he doesn't use his teammates effectively... but we have plenty of smart players (ie: Gaudreau) that could more than make up for that. In an ideal world, I'd like to acquire another 1st to snag Virtanen... Ritchie would be a solid pickup if we acquired a second 1st round pick after our 4th
After watching YouTube highlights, it's hard not to be impressed with Virtanen's skating and quick release. I'm not advocating taking him at #4, but he is a guy I would be excited to watch. Especially after hearing that he play a good chunk of time with an injured shoulder.
I know the knock on him is his hockey IQ and that he doesn't use his teammates effectively... but we have plenty of smart players (ie: Gaudreau) that could more than make up for that. In an ideal world, I'd like to acquire another 1st to snag Virtanen... Ritchie would be a solid pickup if we acquired a second 1st round pick after our 4th
I can see why Burke keeps bigging-up Ritchie. He looks like a pure sniper (GREAT shot) who has decent wheels and can impose physically on other players. He's like Rick Nash but with Lucic's aggression and strength on the boards. He also has playmaking ability and in that video he executes some beautiful saucer passes (one assist for Cornel at around 2:45 is a beaut).
Players in this mould seem to come along very rarely these days. In our prospect pool we have Ferland – who isn't as big, fast or skilled – as the only comparable. Maybe Poirier, but he's not as imposing physically.
If we were drafting for organisational need I might say that the Flames would favour Ritchie over Draisaitl at #4, simply because I feel Draisaitl is a similar prospect to Monahan (good vision, instincts, stick-handling but not very fast or aggressive). They will draft BPA though, and with any luck that will be one of Reinhart/Bennett/Ekblad.
No.
And a couple nice saucer passes in a highlight package don't make him a consistent playmaker. If he was he'd have more than half the assists that the consensus top picks managed to rack up. Okay, the speed is there, the size. But he doesn't ooze IQ like the top centers. You have to account for the (massive) size advantage in a league of underdeveloped teenagers. Yet he didn't even produce at a Monahan clip. Before that he had two pretty mediocre seasons in the league that were nothing that really jumped off the page. First year to even break a PPG with 30-50lbs on everyone. Not exactly dominant for someone who, if he had all the tools like these other kids, you think his stat lines would be a little more impressive. I'm very weary of how he performs when the size advantage goes out the window. Whereas the top crop of centers produced some impressive numbers while still having yet to put on another 20+ lbs, which shows me a lot more promise tbh. Also C >>> LW. Especially when it comes to the Flames.
Last edited by djsFlames; 06-09-2014 at 12:07 PM.
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Ritichie has a heckuva shot, and the puck seems to follow him around, but he is not a good skater. I'm not certain he shows enough skating ability to play in the NHL. It's a skill that can be worked on, but there is a lot there to be worked on. His size and shot are impressive, but he's more of a project than he is a player at this point. The Flames would have to trade down to get him and a defenseman to make it worthwhile to take him IMO.
Ritchie seems like a fine skater, I haven't come across a knock on his skating before...how did you come to this?
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And a couple nice saucer passes in a highlight package don't make him a consistent playmaker. If he was he'd have more than half the assists that the consensus top picks managed to rack up. Okay, the speed is there, the size. But he doesn't ooze IQ like the top centers. You have to account for the (massive) size advantage in a league of underdeveloped teenagers. Yet he didn't even produce at a Monahan clip. Before that he had two pretty mediocre seasons in the league that were nothing that really jumped off the page. First year to even break a PPG with 30-50lbs on everyone. Not exactly dominant for someone who, if he had all the tools like these other kids, you think his stat lines would be a little more impressive. I'm very weary of how he performs when the size advantage goes out the window. Whereas the top crop of centers produced some impressive numbers while still having yet to put on another 20+ lbs, which shows me a lot more promise tbh. Also C >>> LW. Especially when it comes to the Flames.
The size advantage never goes out the window. It's one of his strengths, not a weakness like you try to make it out to be. He has man strength now, that's a good thing. He will be able to overpower defensemen at the NHL level as well, that's why powerforwards are so valuable. Winning board battles can lead to goals. Having a team that wins battles in front of the net and along the boards leads to offense. Ritchie has the type of size that will allow him to win a lot of those battles and his physical style is what you want to see from a big man.
Strange post. His size and strength combined with his skill is his appeal. It isn't a reason to discount or downgrade him.
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If we're thinking of drafting Ritchie or Virtanen, I'd call Anaheim to see if they'd trade both their first rounders for #4. I'm sure one of Ritchie or Virtanen would be available at #10.
But with that being said, I'd rather stay at #4. And I'd rather move up than move down.
If we're thinking of drafting Ritchie or Virtanen, I'd call Anaheim to see if they'd trade both their first rounders for #4. I'm sure one of Ritchie or Virtanen would be available at #10.
But with that being said, I'd rather stay at #4. And I'd rather move up than move down.
None of them will be there at 10. VAN likes Virtanen and Canes need a big winger. Plus there's the fantastic four, then the next 5, MDC, Ritchie, Virtanen, Ehlers and Nylander. we'd get Fleury at 10 or Tuch who is a big step down from Bennett or Reinhart or Draisaitl
None of them will be there at 10. VAN likes Virtanen and Canes need a big winger. Plus there's the fantastic four, then the next 5, MDC, Ritchie, Virtanen, Ehlers and Nylander. we'd get Fleury at 10 or Tuch who is a big step down from Bennett or Reinhart or Draisaitl
I'm okay with Fleury at #10. He's a meat and potatoes defenseman.
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