[GDT] 2014 CHL/NHL Top Propspects Game 7PM MT Sportsnet/Webcast

[Miniac]

Originally Posted by getbak

Great ending. This ain't no All Star Game.

It would be awesome if it were a mini 3 game series.

[getbak]

Ekblad almost throws his back out lifting the trophy.

[Hockey_Ninja]

If there truly a hockey god then we should win the lottery and steal Ekblad from Edmonton.

[Miniac]

Originally Posted by lanny9

Great game, some nice talent, Reinhart, very good, Ekkblad out against him at all times. Still if the draft was today I would go with Ekblad, he I think you could build around.

I agree but you couldn't go wrong with either players, but we need to address our D regardless.

[Roof-Daddy]

Man, if you knew without a doubt we were going to walk away from the 2015 draft with one of the potential generational C's in McDavid or Eichel, then I'd say shoot for Ekblad in the 2014 draft as the big all round Dman to build the back end around, but because we don't know that for sure, it's hard not to covet Reinhart as another very talented C with a very high ceiling.....IMO you should be stockpiling potentially elite C's when picking high in the draft IMO.

Tough, tough choice if it comes down to picking between the two.


EDIT: On second thought, go with the C Sam Reinhart. Gotta stockpile potentially elite centerman. Can move them to the wing if you have to many or dangle them as trade bait if necessary.

[lanny9]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Man, if you knew without a doubt we were going to walk away from the 2015 draft with one of the potential generational C's in McDavid or Eichel, then I'd say shoot for Ekblad in the 2014 draft as the big all round Dman to build the back end around, but because we don't know that for sure, it's hard not to covet Reinhart as another very talented C with a very high ceiling.....IMO you should be stockpiling potentially elite C's when picking high in the draft IMO.

Tough, tough choice if it comes down to picking between the two.

I can't see without going into the free agent market in a big way that we won't be bottom two next year, i just see the other teams with a lot more talent ready to make the jump. That said we could always still lose the lottery and fall from 2nd to 3rd.

[nik-]

Comedy highlight of the night: Sportsnet shoehorning McLean and Kypreos onto the benches to try and lend them some credibility.

[djsFlames]

Either Ekblad or Reinhart and you can walk out of the draft feeling pretty damn ecstatic about the future, I'd say. Liking the sound of Lemieux, can't wait to get in and watch it all on pvr.

Here's to hoping Scrivens can pull Edmonton from 29th.

[Mass_nerder]

If we can't get Ekblad, I would really like Dal Cole.
He had a really good game and has a heck of a shot. I was sitting behind the net when he "hit the post" (I'm still convinced it was in). Wow.

[Table 5]

Just got back from the game. Really entertaining stuff...more so than many Flames games of recent memory.

Couple of random thoughts:

Ehlers always seemed to be in the thick of things, i really liked his game. I would love to be able to pick this guy up with a mid 1st if we can get another one this year. He was my biggest surprise (probably because I never heard too much of him before).

Goldobin has some really nice skills as well throughout the game. He made a beautiful setup on the Reinhart goal. Too bad he couldn't convert on the penalty shot (but man did he go into those boards hard...I'm surprised he could even take the shot). A little on the smaller side though, so who knows if that translates to the NHL.

Dal Colle seems like a really solid player... I think he played well and obviously has a great shot. I would have no trouble drafting him.

Draisaitl had some nice moments, I guess just nothing materialized in the end.

Josh Ho-Sang seemed to have good energy, and a few nice moves too.

Ryan MacInnis had a nice start, but didn't see too much of him as the game went on.

I thought Reinhart played solid, but maybe not as great as I'd hoped considering where he is ranked. His goal was somewhat of a tap-in on a nice play from Goldobin. Had some solid chances throughout the game though.

Alex Peters seemed to always be on the ice. The guy made a few mistakes but also made some nice plays. I think he's ranked fairly low (for this group) so he might be a decent D-man option for a 2nd/3rd round pick.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo1989

Man Reinhart is good

He played with a pissed off edge tonight having lost his top ranking.

I still would take Bennett easily.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Brayden Point (CSS 57) has been impressive. Small though at 5'9''

This.......I thought he was his teams best forward in the first period for sure......I asked a scout at the game who he had as his best player in white, and of course he flipped the question back to me, and my answer was point, and he seemed to agree with me (but he could have just been humouring me).....the scout in question normally worked games in the eastern Ontario area, so it seems a good sign for point that this scout seemingly noticed him.......

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Ehlers always seemed to be in the thick of things, i really liked his game. I would love to be able to pick this guy up with a mid 1st if we can get another one this year. He was my biggest surprise (probably because I never heard too much of him before).

That guy had some serious creativity tonight, and some silky mitts too, but he looked pretty small out there.

I left after the second because my seats were too close to see anything well. Reinhart though, he's not flashy at all but always in the mix when something's happening.

You can see it in Draisaitl too, he'll be quite the disher. And Dal Colle ... dat snipe.

Ryan MacInnis looked pretty big out there, but Alexis Vanier is a monster. That is one big kid.

Goldobin looked good too.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Back from the game.

My total non expert thoughts.

- Reinhart is underwhelming but only because of expectations. He's Smart and solid but not wow.
- Lemieux is like his old man. I don't know how skilled he is but so many little weasel pokes and shots and chirps. I'd hate him for the other team, but love him on the flames.
- ho sang reminds me of yakupov. Great hands and gets really excited but looked totally lost when not attacking.
- I thought de Leo and deangelo were really solid for guys I had never heard of. Ehlers too.
- draisaitl seemed to do very little. He looked a bit lost at times.

What was with the fight, game misconduct, and then back again? Did they explain on tv? What a stupid fight. I might have missed something but it seemed so contrived.
- with all the posts I couldn't tell if the goalies were good or just lucky.

[Bunk]

Was at the game with Table. The thing I learned in this game is that this is turning into a decent draft year. Top three, I don't think we can go wrong with one of Bennett, Reinhart or Ekblad. Even top 5, players like Dal Colle or Draisaitl look like very solid prospects.


Ekblad was very solid and always seems very engaged in the play. Reinhart was very good, but not really dominant or anything. Goldobin was one of the most noticeable players, but in the last 30 seconds under the pressure trying to tie the game, he made two blunders in short succession that eliminated chances.

[nik-]

I'd like to see more of Goldobin for sure. Maybe a nice late first pickup if we get another pick from trades, but I definitely don't know enough about him at this point ... but Right Winger! I was hoping we'd do the same for Zykov last year though.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

What was with the fight, game misconduct, and then back again? Did they explain on tv? What a stupid fight. I might have missed something but it seemed so contrived.

The game misconducts were for removing their helmets before fighting. Paul Reinhart convinced the refs to let the players back into the game, because the point of the game was to showcase the players.

[HighLifeMan]

I was at the game tonight so here is my somewhat intoxicated list of who impressed, and who did not..

Impressed by...
- Nikita Scherbak ( I thought he was the most notable forward in the game on a shift to shift basis)
- Aaron Ekblad ( He is an absolute monster that is all I have to say..Great young player at both ends of the ice )
- Sam Reinhart ( He is a cerebral, smart, simple, mistake free type of player that can put up points. He will never wow you but he is sure an effective two way player )
- Daniel Audette ( I have read a few not so favorable reviews of his game tonight, but after watching him live I couldn't help but to be drawn to his speed and consistent puck touches)
- Haydn Fleury ( He has good size, good smarts, good positioning, and relatively good mobility. He will need to continue to work on his offensive game moving forward, but there is no denying his package of skills )
Joshua Ho Sang - Skill, skill, skill. He may have a few character concerns and is certainly not one of the biggest of players but if he were to fall to the second round then it would be well worth the risk to call his name. Brayden Point falls into this category of players as well.

Disappointments
- Leon Draisaitl ( To me he was totally invisible throughout the game except for when he was turning over the puck )
- Brenden Perlini ( I was looking forward to watching him tonight but he consistently left me wanting more..)
- Alex Peters ( There was simply nothing on this night that I was impressed by..other than the fan who would consistently yell his name "PEEEETEEERS" every time he touched the puck )
- Eric Cornel ( did he even play? )
- Nikolaj Ehlers ( The only time I really took notice of him was when he went crashing into the net in what was the 2nd period I believe. For someone as offensively gifted as he is..I was expecting more )

[Phaneuf_Rules]

Reinhart reminds me exactly of Monahan. In the right places, makes smart plays, works hard, will never dazzle you but will be very solid. Because of that I would be hesitant to pick him in the draft.

A 6'2" Dal Colle on the other hand looks like he has high skill and a great shot. His laziness last night and floating around the ice seems a bit concerning but as much as people want to say its not an "all star game" for soemone like Dal Colle who somewhat carries his team in scoring maybe he just couldnt get up for it.

Of course Ekblad is probably the most tempting.

All in all I was pretty underwhelmed with the talent but I guess thats been the word on the street with this draft year. Hopefully Calgary can pick out the gems.

[Resolute 14]

Well, there was probably two Flames prospects in that game last night. We just don't know who they are yet.