Summer 2014 Prospect Ranking Poll Rd3

[Phaneufenstein]

Was torn between Sven, Granlund, Poirier, went with Emile

[thethumwood]

Granlund just finished his first year coming from Europe and did nothing but exceed expectations as a 21 year old. He has a huge upside and in my eyes has the highest ceiling being the best prospect (next to gaudreau and Bennett). It is a very close race between Poirer Bart and Granlund but I have to go with Granlund just by looking at what he did in his first year at the smaller rink and how he stepped up in his NHL stint.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by Monahan23

again

Poirier last year: 63 GP, 43 G, 44 A, 87 PTS (which is very good)

Bärtschi at his age: 47 GP, 33 G, 61 A, 94 PTS

Should also note that the Q is the weakest of the 3 leagues.

CHL production is not everything, but all prospects have the potential to not work out, that's why they are prospects. And Baertschi is certainly the best option on the board. But I think Poirier and Gillies are vary close.

I'm just surprised by the strength of Granlund support early on. I thought for sure he would be in the 6-12 range for most

[Clever_Iggy]

I had my list down to 6 players - Baertschi, Gillies, Granlund, Ortio, Poirier and Wotherspoon. I went with Poirier a hair above Granlund. Baertschi was closer to Wotherspoon for me. I'd likely have Baertschi 5/6th now.

Certainly didn't expect to see Baertschi take >50% of the vote, but there's still lots of his game to be excited about. Next summer's poll will be interesting to see if he turned a corner this coming year or if he had another stalled year where he was passed/caught by others prospects.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

And no one is saying he's the best prospect either, but to dismiss his accomplishments from only 3 seasons ago is just as silly

I'm not dismissing them I'm just saying I don't see how they're relevant to who is the best prospect in 2014. Sven took a step back in his development (which is fine) while Poirier took steps forward in every aspect of his game.

Like I said on the last page, I still think Sven is one of the top prospects, but I'd say Poirier has (just barely) passed him.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

Next summer's poll will be interesting to see if he turned a corner this coming year or if he had another stalled year where he was passed/caught by others prospects.

If he's not a full-time NHL'er at the end of the 2015/16 season, he'll drop well out of my top 10 next summer.

I went with Sven this round though.

[Cheese]

No way Sven is on this team next year...or maybe ever...Granlund proved last year he is ready and gets slot 3

[_Q_]

Maybe a bit off the board, but I went with Wotherspoon. I think he's more likely to become a top 4 defenseman than Sven, Granlund or Poirier are to become top 6 forwards.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Cheese

No way Sven is on this team next year...or maybe ever...Granlund proved last year he is ready and gets slot 3

What exactly did Granlund prove at the NHL level in his 7 games?

If you're referring to his .85ppg in the AHL, you better keep in mind that Sven accomplished that as well in 2012/13.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

I went with Granlund. He's surpassed so many in the organization and his first pro year proved it. I'm only putting him ahead of Poirier because he has a full year under his belt. I put him ahead of Sven because he's a better player.

[codynw]

I think Granlund is probably going to spend at least another year in the AHL and be one of the go to guys when injuries happen. He looked alright in his few NHL games, but I wouldn't say he's ready for a full time roster spot quite yet.

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by fotze

My head says Granlund, just constantly and consistently exceeding expectations, seems the closest to make it.

My heart Says Bart. Seeing him at the past camps with those hands and speed and eyes. Cannot forget those stats in the WHL and the highlight reel goals. Hard to ignore last year which wasn't horrid, wasn't great, plus the spectre of being injury prone has poked up in my head.

Poirier is new and had a real good season last year with some real solid point producing games to end the year in the AHL. The coach gushing about him helps as well.

They are all pretty close, but my heart jumps a little when thinking of Poirier, so I chose him.

shoulda went with the head.

[jg13]

Voted Granlund, here is why

Huge year from Granlund who really came out of no where and from what i've seen from him live he has the tools to be an impact player in the show.

Regression from Sven, while I still think he has what it takes to be a top 6 forward I believe Granlund at this point in time can offer exactly the same, if not more than Sven.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

If there are any flip flopping between Sven and Granlund, please remember that Granlund is far more well-rounded than Baertschi is. Granlund's skill is equal to Sven's, but Markus always backchecks, has no problem throwing his body in front of a slap shot and doesn't get knocked off the puck as easily as Sven does.

Seriously, Granlund's a legitimate prospect and has passed Baertschi on the depth chart.

[djsFlames]

Markus freakin' Granlund.

Carried the Heat on his back in that first round. Looked great in his rookie season, looked like an NHLer in his stint with the Flames.

Baertschi may have a higher ceiling (although debatable), but he hasn't yet managed to hone in his all around game and show that he's better than the criticism that Burke dished in October. At this point I'm just more confident in Granlund. It's up to Sven this year to change that. But he's gotta show it.

[BlackWallStreet]

Originally Posted by Cheese

No way Sven is on this team next year...or maybe ever...Granlund proved last year he is ready and gets slot 3

Really? Cause according to the poll it looks like baertschi is gonna get slot 3, friggin noob

[Vulcan]

Granlund and Max Reinhart both passed Baertschi last season. Just look at the Heat stats to see who the forwards were who drove that bus. In the 4 playoff games it's even more obvious. Granlund had 5 points and Reinhart had 4 points while Baertschi had 1 point.

The other thing is that's just the forwards and ignores the great progress that Wotherspoon and Ortio made. Wotherspoon in his second pro year should make the Flames this season and is my choice. Most of you will soon be kicking yourselves for ignoring this prospect.

[ah123]

In my mind, Granlund has moved ahead of Baertschi...he has shown that he "gets" what it takes to move up to the next level.

[wingmaker]

Poirier and Granlund were a toss-up for me. Went with Poirier then Granlund then Sven. Poirier definitely has some risk because he has limited showing against higher competition, but he is on an exciting upward trajectory and until he shows signs of falling off that, he looks to have the highest potential. Granlund outplayed Sven last year on the same team. And from all accounts, it wasn't even close.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

I think this poll really reflects a lot of the hope and nostalgia still in the fan base regarding Baertschi.

Don't get me wrong, Baertschi is still a top 5 prospect in the system, but that 3 goals in 3 games was a long time ago and Baertschi isn't the sole saviour of this franchise anymore.

But I do like these polls because it really reflects the fans' perception of the prospects.