Summer 2014 Prospect Ranking Poll Rd4

[Enoch Root]

Also he is probably going to slot into the 8-12 range (possibly even 12-15) so I would hardly call that excessive love for a 1st rounder

[Gaskal]

I voted Poirier, kid's got such a unique blend of grit, skill, and speed that he'd be perfect on Bennett's wing.

Regarding Jankowski I'm not giving up on him but I don't expect him to be in the NHL for a while - probably play all 4 years of college and spend 2 years in the AHL getting top minutes before he's ready for the big club. At which point we'll have a glut of centers to be able to shift to wing, isn't he one of our better faceoff center prospects?

[Knut]

I once again looked at it as if I was 20 years down the road :

My thoughts at this point. .

1) Porier - 50 pt - two-way winger that hits and plays big. Gets first because you need size and speed to win
2) Granlund - 50-60pt offensive winger
3) Ortio - Could turn into a number 1
4) Gillies - Could turn into a number 1
5) Klimchuk - top 9 Forward with uncertain offensive potential
6) Wotherspoon - Looks like a solid all-around guy, just not likely to be a top pairing Dman
7) Jankowski - project that could end up anywhere in the spectrum

My reasoning really. I think it does come down to Granlund vs. Porier.. i picked the latter because of his size and speed.

[FeyWest]

Porier, again only by a smidge but could only vote for one. If I could vote both I think they are interchageable.

I think Poirier is more physical and speedy so I think he has the edge. Just great player package with him, this is no knock on Granlund as these player projections are not affected by the other players.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Also he is probably going to slot into the 8-12 range (possibly even 12-15) so I would hardly call that excessive love for a 1st rounder

I don't have Jankowski in my top 12. He has a high upside with his potential size and puck skills but being as he is going to take so long to figure into the Flames plans, his probability of success is low.

Despite not always agreeing with Hockey's Future, their grading system is good and the "Probability of Success" is a valid point in grading prospects. I don't believe in just considering a players talent as a gauge in predicting their success or their status.

[Rick M.]

How are Poirier's stickhandling skills? From the video posted earlier it's clear he can blow by people but can he handle the puck at speed? In other words is he a grittier Paul Ranheim: all speed and hands that can't keep up?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I don't have Jankowski in my top 12. He has a high upside with his potential size and puck skills but being as he is going to take so long to figure into the Flames plans, his probability of success is low.

Despite not always agreeing with Hockey's Future, their grading system is good and the "Probability of Success" is a valid point in grading prospects. I don't believe in just considering a players talent as a gauge in predicting their success or their status.

<1st bold> Which is fine

<2nd bold> I don't think anyone else does either

[flames_fan_down_under]

My thoughts are right in line with Textcritic. He is improving at a very fast pace. Even in his limited time with the Heat at the end of last season he was impressive. Hard not to be excited about Poirier.

I know I am not the first person to ask this, and I'm sure it's been asked a lot of times, why wasn't Jankowski at the prospect earlier this month?

[mile]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

How are Poirier's stickhandling skills? From the video posted earlier it's clear he can blow by people but can he handle the puck at speed? In other words is he a grittier Paul Ranheim: all speed and hands that can't keep up?

I believe he has the hands to match the speed - he's no Lombardi for sure. I've seen him blow by players across 200ft, keep the puck secure, and drive it to the net, even with numerous backcheckers on him.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

My thoughts are right in line with Textcritic. He is improving at a very fast pace. Even in his limited time with the Heat at the end of last season he was impressive. Hard not to be excited about Poirier.

I know I am not the first person to ask this, and I'm sure it's been asked a lot of times, why wasn't Jankowski at the prospect earlier this month?

He was but had a hip injury and didn't participate on-ice

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

<1st bold> Which is fine

<2nd bold> I don't think anyone else does either

I've been reading otherwise.

[N26]

I think the Flames' most undervalued prospect is Reinhart. I don't deny that Poirier, Granlund, Klimchuk, Arnold and Jankowski may all pass him but until they actually do I think Reinhart and his accomplishments/attributes deserve more love. I've seen him left off several top ten lists and I don't think that's right.

He has:
- led his Jr team in scoring twice
- led the same Jr team in playoff scoring during a league championship season
- captained his Jr team
- led his AHL team in scoring in his sophomore season
- improved his points 200% from his first to second AHL season
- drastically improved his defensive play between his first and second AHL season
- scored his first NHL goal
- got almost 20 games of NHL experience
- played two different forward positions at the pro level
- become a player that could play anywhere from 1st to 4th line

Constant progress, NHL bloodlines and success at each level.

While Granlund is close none of the other Flames prospects, including Bennett, Gaudreau and Baertschi have this resume.

I'm not arguing that he is better, just underappreciated and I don't think he should fall too far down this list

[StrykerSteve]

Granny



Or Poirier



I can't decide!

Poirier's was the nicer dangle, but Granny's had two guys draped on him and was with 60 seconds left to win an elimination playoff game.

Granny takes this one for me.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by Hesla

I once again looked at it as if I was 20 years down the road :

My thoughts at this point. .

1) Porier - 50 pt - two-way winger that hits and plays big. Gets first because you need size and speed to win
2) Granlund - 50-60pt offensive winger
3) Ortio - Could turn into a number 1
4) Gillies - Could turn into a number 1
5) Klimchuk - top 9 Forward with uncertain offensive potential
6) Wotherspoon - Looks like a solid all-around guy, just not likely to be a top pairing Dman
7) Jankowski - project that could end up anywhere in the spectrum

My reasoning really. I think it does come down to Granlund vs. Porier.. i picked the latter because of his size and speed.

I think with these guys you are looking at their top end potential.

The other 4 you are looking more at reasonable expectations.

If Granlund turns into a 1st/2nd line winger everyone will call that a success.

If Poirier turns into a 2nd/3rd Line Power forward, some may feel that is a bit of let down.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by N26

I think the Flames' most undervalued prospect is Reinhart. I don't deny that Poirier, Granlund, Klimchuk, Arnold and Jankowski may all pass him but until they actually do I think Reinhart and his accomplishments/attributes deserve more love. I've seen him left off several top ten lists and I don't think that's right.

He has:
- led his Jr team in scoring twice
- led the same Jr team in playoff scoring during a league championship season
- captained his Jr team
- led his AHL team in scoring in his sophomore season
- improved his points 200% from his first to second AHL season
- drastically improved his defensive play between his first and second AHL season
- scored his first NHL goal
- got almost 20 games of NHL experience
- played two different forward positions at the pro level
- become a player that could play anywhere from 1st to 4th line

Constant progress, NHL bloodlines and success at each level.

While Granlund is close none of the other Flames prospects, including Bennett, Gaudreau and Baertschi have this resume.

I'm not arguing that he is better, just underappreciated and I don't think he should fall too far down this list

I like Max and have him 6th on my list. I'd like to see him do some more scoring when he gets called up to the Flames. That may just be a matter of experience though. It's going to be a good training camp watching these prospects.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I've been reading otherwise.

examples?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

examples?

I'm not in the mood for an internet war or have the patience to go back picking out posts and posters.

[N26]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I like Max and have him 6th on my list. I'd like to see him do some more scoring when he gets called up to the Flames. That may just be a matter of experience though. It's going to be a good training camp watching these prospects.

More NHL scoring would be nice but even if that doesn't happen to any great extent I still see a NHL role for him. For example how about a fourth line of Bouma-Stajan-Reinhart in a year or two. I see them playing a good defense, decent puck possession, strong forechecking role with the odd bit of offense thrown in. Somewhat like Bernier-Carter-Gionta used to do for the Devils. Or if BBBT insist on a face puncher perhaps a Bouma-Reinhart-Wolf/Bollig line?

What I like about Reinhart over Granlund and Klimchuk and some others is being in the top 6 or 9 doesn't seem as crucial with him.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I'm not even so much impressed by his last season in Juniour as I am by his outstanding upward trajectory. He rocketed up the prospect rankings in his draft year from a late second round possibility to a top-20 pick, and then followed it up with a 30% improvement in his pts/game scoring average. He is accelerating in the right direction, and looking damn good in the process.

Yeah is really a fast riser. Went under the radar to some at the 2013 draft. Bon Mckenzie even said it was a little off the board (but not way off like Jankowski). Porier definitely justified his first round selection this year an has given plenty of hope that he will be an effective top 6 forward in the future.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Poirier.

I don't think Wotherspoon would be out of place here though. Wouldn't be surprised if he never plays another game in the AHL.