Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[GreenLantern2814]

If we can't get Reinhart or Ekblad, my vote's now firmly in the Dal Colle camp. Based on a HF thread and a brief youtube viewing, but eff it, people ship with less all the time.

[The Fonz]

Reinhart/Bennett/Ekblad

Must be one of them.

[Ashasx]

Dal Colle's effort level is questionable.

Sam Bennett's motor doesn't stop.

[Bunk]

One thing I like about Bennett, which the director of Central Scouting was saying in an interview, is his versatility. He apparently plays wing and centre equally well, which seems a very useful attribute.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Bunk

One thing I like about Bennett, which the director of Central Scouting was saying in an interview, is his versatility. He apparently plays wing and centre equally well, which seems a very useful attribute.

But then you look over at Reinhart and he does the same thing, only he is a right-handed shot as well. I think centers are usually fairly versatile.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

But then you look over at Reinhart and he does the same thing, only he is a right-handed shot as well. I think centers are usually fairly versatile.

Always go for the centers, always. If there is a log jam down the middle it's easy to just place a guy at the wing. Max Reinhart is learning that in the AHL this season and Colborne was easily shifted to wing a week ago. It's almost impossible to convert a winger to the middle once they turn pro, just too much to learn.

Has a team ever built a winner around a talented winger? The Flames tried for years and it never worked. Go for the center, always.

[sureLoss]

TSN on the top group after the top prospects game:
http://www.tsn.ca/videohub/?collection=72&show=276500

Summary:

• McKenzie says it is a bit of a surprise that Bennett was ranked #1 by Central scouting although one club he talked to has Bennett #1 on their list
• Suggests the #1 ranking will be between Ekblad and Reinhart when McKenzie surveys scouts with perhaps Ekblad with a slight edge over Reinhart right now
• Button finds it really hard to believe Reinhart is the 4th ranked player by CSS. Says everytime he sees Reinhart he see individual productivity, helping others be productive, and helping the team be productive.
• Draisital has a "yellow" flag on him because of a poor performance at the top propspects game. It is forgivable for a draft eligible player to have a weak WJC performance but when you don't stand out among the others in a game like the top prospects game it is a concern.
• Ho-Sang's stock probably rose the most in the top prospects game

[Caged Great]

It's a really good thing that we are 5 points back of 4th worst. I want to get one of Reinhart, Dal Colle, Bennett, or Ekblad and the only way that will happen is if we finish in the bottom 3.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

TSN on the top group after the top prospects game:
http://www.tsn.ca/videohub/?collection=72&show=276500

Summary:

• McKenzie says it is a bit of a surprise that Bennett was ranked #1 by Central scouting although one club he talked to has Bennett #1 on their list
• Suggests the #1 ranking will be between Ekblad and Reinhart when McKenzie surveys scouts with perhaps Ekblad with a slight edge over Reinhart right now
• Button finds it really hard to believe Reinhart is the 4th ranked player by CSS. Says everytime he sees Reinhart he see individual productivity, helping others be productive, and helping the team be productive.
• Draisital has a "yellow" flag on him because of a poor performance at the top propspects game. It is forgivable for a draft eligible player to have a weak WJC performance but when you don't stand out among the others in a game like the top prospects game it is a concern.
• Ho-Sang's stock probably rose the most in the top prospects game

Ho-Sang seems to be on a bit of a roller coaster. He seems like one of those players that could be a steal in the 2nd or 3rd round depending on what the mood is at the moment the draft happens.

[nik-]

I'm still in the Reinhart camp. I hope we can get him.

Friggin' Buffalo and Edmonton.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by nik-

I'm still in the Reinhart camp. I hope we can get him.

Friggin' Buffalo and Edmonton.

I can't say that I watch enough of all these guys, but I have seen a few Generals games this year and I think Dal Colle will be a great consolation prize even if we fall to 4th in the draft.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by nik-

I'm still in the Reinhart camp. I hope we can get him.

Friggin' Buffalo and Edmonton.

Out of the top forwards, I keep bouncing around. At the Prospects game, I was hoping to see one of them show flashes of being more of an Iginla-esque power-forward type or something, to set themselves apart from the group. Not their fault if that's not who they are of course, but neither of the guys there (Reinhart, Dal Colle, Draisaitl) really looked like that though. Perhaps Bennett is that guy but I've never seen him play live or on tv.

Decisions decisions.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Out of the top forwards, I keep bouncing around. At the Prospects game, I was hoping to see one of them show flashes of being more of an Iginla-esque power-forward type or something, to set themselves apart from the group. Not their fault if that's not who they are of course, but neither of the guys there (Reinhart, Dal Colle, Draisaitl) really looked like that though. Perhaps Bennett is that guy but I've never seen him play live or on tv.

Decisions decisions.

Yeah ... I don't think it's there this year, at least on the top. Those aren't flashy players, but I'm like you in that I haven't seen Bennett. However, if we get Reinhart and have him and Monahan as our top two reliable centers, I think that's excellent shape. We'll still need that "gamebreaker" down the line though, a Patrick Kane type (although obviously not as high end as Kane). A total offensive wildcard for teams to deal with alongside our stability up the middle.

We're going to end up with a nice forward this year though for sure, so I'm not too worried.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by nik-

Yeah ... I don't think it's there this year, at least on the top. Those aren't flashy players, but I'm like you in that I haven't seen Bennett. However, if we get Reinhart and have him and Monahan as our top two reliable centers, I think that's excellent shape. We'll still need that "gamebreaker" down the line though, a Patrick Kane type (although obviously not as high end as Kane). A total offensive wildcard for teams to deal with alongside our stability up the middle.

Yep, that's pretty much how I feel. Not that I wouldn't be happy with drafting him, but I kind of see Reinhart as a slightly more skilled Monahan. As good as Monahan projects to be, I'm not sure drafting another one is the best use of a high 1st.

But I guess you can't force things, and you pick from what you have... and hopefully 2015 is the year where we get our game-breaker (My heart is still set on Jack Eichel in 2015...I was more impressed with him than McDavid at the WJCs). That or for once we catch a break and Johnny Hockey exceeds even ultra-hyped expectations and becomes that game breaking skilled player.

[getbak]

I had visions of Sam and Johnny while watching the prospects game. I think they could work well together.

I also picture Burke swinging a deal with the Islanders to get Griffin, to unite the three Reinhart brothers. He would also address the big-body d-man issue if either Ekblad is not available or they choose to bypass him for Sam.

[nik-]

Griffin Reinhart would be a nice piece, but what does that cost us? I'm hoping we're not giving up on Sven this early as it costs Sven + to land Griffin ... if they're even willing to move him, which is doubtful.

[Table 5]

I like Griffin, but reuniting brothers should be about #9 on the priority list when looking for players to bring in.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I like Griffin, but reuniting brothers should be about #9 on the priority list when looking for players to bring in.

Well reuniting brothers is fine when the one you already have is the least talented one

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by nik-

Well reuniting brothers is fine when the one you already have is the least talented one

But having the less-talented brother is a Flames tradition! I don't want to upset the cosmos.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I like Griffin, but reuniting brothers should be about #9 on the priority list when looking for players to bring in.

I bet it's higher on Burke's list. He has a history with brother acts.

Of course, it's an easy decision when Scott Niedermayer says he wants to play with his brother; or when you know that the furthest Hank and Dank have ever been away from one another is when one was in the penalty box and the other was on the bench. He even helped unite the Schenn brothers and got Van Riemsdyk for his troubles.