Pronman: top 50 NHL prospects

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I think it is more likely that he makes the team this year, than that he doesn't make the team next year.

I think the question with regard to Bennett is whether he plays center or on the wing for the Flames next year.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Too much love for the undersized guys on Pronmans list IMO

[neo45]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Too much love for the undersized guys on Pronmans list IMO

It's been like that for awhile with him. Petan over guys like Larkin, Morrissey, and Dal Colle for example makes quite the head scratch-er. Those three guys are almost certainly going to be impact NHL players.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Nope. I fully expect him to play out next season in the OHL.

1.6 PPG as a 17 year old. No way he plays in the OHL as a 19 year old.

Can anyone think of any examples of guys that actually did that? (that kind of production as a 17 year old and still be there at 19)

I don't think you realize what we have in Sam Bennett. Here are some comparative stats as 17 year olds:

MacKinnon: 44G 32G 43A 75P 1.70PPG
S. Bennett: 57G 36G 55A 91P 1.60PPG

And MacKinnon was on a powerhouse team, in the Q, where he was 5th in scoring (2nd in PPG). They had 7 guys over 1PPG. Bennett was the leading scorer by a wide margin and only two other players on the team managed 1 PPG. He also had did that with a bum shoulder.

Bennett was a late bloomer. He only had 40 points in the prior year, in 60 games. MacKinnon had 78 in 58. The point here is that Bennett's progression was incredible - a jump of 139%.

And now he has spent the past 4 months with the Flames, and working out with the trainers. He will continue to spend the next couple months working out with the trainers and he will start to skate, and eventually practice, with the team.

He is now a pro mentally. And in a couple months he will be in the best shape of his life. The chances of him being in the OHL, 2 years after putting up 1.60PPG are between nil and none.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Nope. I fully expect him to play out next season in the OHL.

If he sits out the remainder of this season, that is possible. If he goes down to the OHL for the remainder of this season and shows he is a top player at that level, it is unlikely the Flames don't give him every opportunity to make the team in camp next year. Sending him back to the OHL next season could be one of those moves that could get a player to plateau at a level.

[Erick Estrada]

We will see I guess. I simply think the Flames aren't going to rush him and that there's a log jam already on the roster so there's going to have to be players moved out for him to have a spot. I would rather some of the guys on the farm that the team has invested have a shot to make the team before bringing in 18/19 year olds that haven't filled out physically. Depending on how Shore works out you have him, Granlund, Sven, Jooris, etc and one or more of these guys are going to be odd men out as Stajan and some of these other vets on term deals aren't going anywhere anytime soon. The team is still a few years away and I'm more for the doing things a little slower than the Oilers or Avalanche.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by New Era

If he sits out the remainder of this season, that is possible. If he goes down to the OHL for the remainder of this season and shows he is a top player at that level, it is unlikely the Flames don't give him every opportunity to make the team in camp next year. Sending him back to the OHL next season could be one of those moves that could get a player to plateau at a level.

Treliving has already disputed this as there's no evidence of a player's career ever being damaged from being brought along slowly. Personally I'm of the opinion that players are being rushed far too early as of late. I prefer the Wings model of bringing players in when they are physically and mentally ready.

[FBI]

I would be willing to eat some.... nevermind, but let's just say I am very confident Bennett will make the squad next year. (barring an injury)

[The Fonz]

Did Mantha make this top 50?

I'd personally rank him somewhere around 10-20.

[BigTuna]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Nylander is the #1 ranked prospect in the entire league?

Odd timing on Pronman's part, considering Toronto just brought him over to the AHL because they were unhappy with his progress this season, as well as witnessing some bad habits displayed at the WJC.

What? He's looked great all year. He was fantastic in the World Juniors.

[PeteLFan]

You make room for Sam Bennett, he is going to be a superstar in the NHL. You don't find guys like all the time with that type of speed skill and grit.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Did Mantha make this top 50?

I'd personally rank him somewhere around 10-20.

Mantha has been somewhat pedestrian in his rookie season in the AHL.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Mantha has been somewhat pedestrian in his rookie season in the AHL.

Totally. Makes no sense to me. He literally checks all the boxes but one when looking for a superstar

Scoring? Check. Averaged a goal per game in junior. A goal per game. Crazy

Size? Check. A very large 6'5 210

Shot? One of the best out there. Scored a goal per game in juniors. A goal per game

Effort? This seems to be the issue. I only watched one Griffin's game this year and he didn't play much, so I don't understand why he's not racking up the points

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

...Effort? This seems to be the issue. I only watched one Griffin's game this year and he didn't play much, so I don't understand why he's not racking up the points

From what I recall of the 2013 draft, there were some concerns about how his commitment level squared with his unique blend of size and skill. Based on what has to be a bit of a disappointing AHL debut season to this point, one wonders how much of his exceptional Juniour production was an outcome of the mismatch of being a 6'5" player in a league for kids.

[djsFlames]

Keeping in mind central scouting's rankings of last draft, and how Reinhart and Leon Dry-sight-l didn't exactly wow at the NHL level, you probably want to save a seat on the bus next season for the top player from the 2014 draft. If he strengthens up by next september, we've got the full package in that kid.

OHL = waste of time.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Mantha was out for 2 months with a fractured fibia. He missed the whole training camp and just started skating some time in November. Already scored some nice goals and had some nice plays in the AHL. The numbers arent there yet. But they will definitely come. This is one of my favorite prospects. I would have him in the top 10 prospects based on the fact he is big, can skate very well for his size and has an amazing scoring touch. Put up over 100 goals in his last 2 seasons in the Q.

If I was the GM for detriot I wouldnt be worried. In time he will be a good nhl player if not a superstar.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

From what I recall of the 2013 draft, there were some concerns about how his commitment level squared with his unique blend of size and skill. Based on what has to be a bit of a disappointing AHL debut season to this point, one wonders how much of his exceptional Juniour production was an outcome of the mismatch of being a 6'5" player in a league for kids.

Although he is 6'5 he isnt an especially physical player. About as physical as Colborne. HE uses his reach and size well though. He was definitely not only good because of his size in the Q. Check out his highlights if you've never seen him play a game.

[FlameZilla]

Nylander is a talented kid, but that's a bold move putting him #1. He clearly has some issues to work through and I'm not sure his mentality is suited to the NHL – especially in a market like Toronto where he'll be under the microscope.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Just be thankful Gaudreau is a Flame.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Crumpy-Gunt

Mantha was out for 2 months with a fractured fibia. He missed the whole training camp and just started skating some time in November. Already scored some nice goals and had some nice plays in the AHL. The numbers arent there yet. But they will definitely come. This is one of my favorite prospects. I would have him in the top 10 prospects based on the fact he is big, can skate very well for his size and has an amazing scoring touch. Put up over 100 goals in his last 2 seasons in the Q.

If I was the GM for detriot I wouldnt be worried. In time he will be a good nhl player if not a superstar.

Something of the same situation as Poirier although Poirier has 6 more games with double the production.

Mantha2014-15 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 25 6 6 12 45 8

Poirier

2014-15 Adirondack Flames AHL 31 12 12 24 16 8