Summer 2014 Prospect Ranking Poll Rd1

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

this is where the topic gets interesting. When judging the prospects against one another in this poll, are we ranking them on where they are today in their development as players, or what we feel they will ultimately amount to at the NHL level one day?

I think both weigh into the decision.

I just ask myself, if I could only keep 1 of Bennett or Gaudreau in the organization, who would I keep?

It's close. But I choose Bennett.

[Textcritic]

I voted for Bennett, but honestly both he and Gaudreau could probably most accurately be considered the two top prospects in the organisation today. 1A and 1B.

[neo45]

I think of it as who is more valuable to the organization

It's Bennet for me easily

[King Theo]

I have to go with Johnny.
Here is my top 10. I think it looks good.
1. Gaudreau
2. Bennett
3. Poirier
4. Baertchi
5. Klimchuck
6. Sieloff
7. MacDonald
8. Granlund
9. Wotherspoon
10. Gillies

[Clever_Iggy]

I really enjoyed this series of polls last year. It will be cool to watch trends for the next 3-5 years and beyond. Thanks Bingo.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Voted Gaudreau.

Can we dispense with voting for #2 since it'll obviously be whichever one of Bennett/Gaudreau doesn't take #1?

We have 2.5 months until the season starts. Taking the long approach helps pass the time and it'll be interesting to see actual percentages. I think keeping track over years will be fun hindsight material. Besides, someone actually voted for Sven... always interesting to see who sneaks in for a couple votes and, hopefully, an explanation why.

I went with Gaudreau by the thinest of margins over Bennett. I didn't buy into Gaudreau last year, but with another amazing season in college, the WC and his first NHL game, I can't ignore the potential anymore. Bennett may ultimately be the better NHLer and definitely has a more complete game, but Gaudreau has earned, IMO, the top prospect spot this year.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Tough one to judge.

Went with Gaudreau by a hair, and maybe only because he is that much closer to 'the show', his performance in the WJC and his 1 NHL game showed us that he can compete (though how well over the course of a long season is the question).

Bennett is the more valuable position in center, has a much better NHL-frame (at least down the road) and has all the qualities you look for in an elite player.

Gaudreau by a hair, but only because he is a magician.

[djsFlames]

nm

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Tough one to judge.

Went with Gaudreau by a hair, and maybe only because he is that much closer to 'the show', his performance in the WJC and his 1 NHL game showed us that he can compete (though how well over the course of a long season is the question).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it the WJC last year and a good showing at the WC this year?

[cannon7]

Looks like it is 2:1 for Gaudreau over Bennett. He probably will be more "NHL Ready" by training camp. However, I chose Bennett because I think his upside is huge. Not to take anything away from Gaudreau, who I think is amazing, but he will need to be protected somewhat at the NHL level, which takes away from his potential.

My top five right now...

I think I'd put Poirier ahead of Baertschi for Flames forwards.

[gilligans_off]

I voted Johnny only because he's closer to playing right now. Bennett will be just as good, in a slightly different role.

[zoom]

Went with Gaudreau (over Bennett) because we have seen how he's matured and progressed over the last 3 years as well as handling better competition (Worlds).

Bennett might (and i think he will) have a similar progression but there is always that question.

[the2bears]

I am pretty damn excited to be a Flames fan these days

Voted for Gaudreau but it was obvious close between him and Bennett.

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by King Theo

I have to go with Johnny.
Here is my top 10. I think it looks good.
1. Gaudreau
2. Bennett
3. Poirier
4. Baertchi
5. Klimchuck
6. Sieloff
7. MacDonald
8. Granlund
9. Wotherspoon
10. Gillies

I don't see Macdonald ahead of either Gillies or Ortio right now. Gillies might be one of the best goaltending prospects in the league at the moment.

Also don't see Sieloff ahead of Wotherspoon. Sieloff needs to prove he can play his style without falling apart.

Agree with Poirier ahead of Baertschi though.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by fotze

Did we do this 2 years ago too? What was that list?

I think last year was the 1st time.

[dammage79]

Gaudreau for me. Age doesn't mean much at this point. Bennett will be the best prospect once Gaudreau plays a bunch of NHL games.

Better question. Monahan or Gaudreau?

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Gaudreau for me. Age doesn't mean much at this point. Bennett will be the best prospect once Gaudreau plays a bunch of NHL games.

Better question. Monahan or Gaudreau?

Monahan

[Lanny_McDonald]

Gaudreau all the way. All this continued angst over Gaudreau's size is really annoying. We've heard the same bull#### for years, and Gaudreau just keeps chugging along, blowing away expectations and proving the naysayers wrong, wrong, wrong. To be honest, I expected to be calling Bennett as the top dog immediately after the draft, but I came away from development camp a little disappointed in Bennett. He's no where near as skilled as Gaudreau and he isn't even at the same performance level Monahan was at last summer. I appreciate that he was just drafted, but I thought there were four forwards clearly better than him, which is something that could not be said about Monahan in his first appearance. Can't wait for the hype with Bennett to die down and we can really see what we have. He looks like a good prospect, but he's not in the same class of player as Gaudreau at the moment, and it should be noted that Gaudreau knocked people's socks off in his very first camp like this.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Gaudreau for me. Age doesn't mean much at this point. Bennett will be the best prospect once Gaudreau plays a bunch of NHL games.

Better question. Monahan or Gaudreau?

Gaudreau.

[GreenLantern2814]

Gaudreau. He has an aura about him on the ice. Everything he does is done at high speed with exceptional control.

1. Gaudreau.
2. Bennett.
3. Baertschi
4. Poirier
5. Wotherspoon
6. Sieloff

Clearly I could go on, but if that were the sum of our farm system five or ten years ago, we would have been elated.