FC's 2014 NHL Draft Thread

[Commandant]

2nd round mock (31-45)

http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/06/...d-picks-31-45/

[FCAV]

We've started to do our 2014 Draft Countdown on FC, which will run down the prospects we've got ranked in the first round.

This will feature blurbs on Cornel, DeAngelo, McKeown, Kempe and Kapanen:

http://futureconsiderations.ca/fcs-d...untdown-30-26/

[FCAV]

Another Scout Series, heading back into the WHL this time:

Future Considerations’ WHL-based scout Donesh Mazloum gives his thoughts on who from the 2014 NHL Draft class left him impressed, who disappointed and who his sleeper is on draft day.

http://futureconsiderations.ca/fcs-s...h-mazloum-whl/

[Commandant]

Mock Draft Part 4 (46-60)
http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/06/...d-picks-46-60/

[Commandant]

#68 is Ben Thomas of the Hitmen
http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/06/...68-ben-thomas/

Our Flames writer also has a draft preview today, speaking about how new management could effect the picks and looking at a number of possible picks at 4th overall (as well as the trade possibility).
http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/06/...ew-management/

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Commandant

#68 is Ben Thomas of the Hitmen
http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/06/...68-ben-thomas/

Our Flames writer also has a draft preview today, speaking about how new management could effect the picks and looking at a number of possible picks at 4th overall (as well as the trade possibility).
http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/06/...ew-management/

A couple of Hitmen defencemen I'd like us to get.

[FCAV]

Over to Sweden for another Scout Series. Always some interesting stuff with a first-hand look from across the pond:

Future Considerations’ Swedish-based scout Mikael Kreutz gives his thoughts on who from the 2014 NHL Draft class left him impressed, who disappointed and who his sleeper is on draft day.

http://futureconsiderations.ca/scout...el-kreutz-swe/

[FCAV]

Originally Posted by Commandant

Our Flames writer also has a draft preview today, speaking about how new management could effect the picks and looking at a number of possible picks at 4th overall (as well as the trade possibility).
http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/06/...ew-management/

Found this interesting:

Ben Kerr, our resident prospect guru here at Last Word on Sports, believes the Flames will go somewhat off the board and take Peterborough Petes left-winger Nick Ritchie (And based on past drafts, if there’s a team in the top five that’s going to make a surprising pick, the Flames are the odds-on favourite.)

[cral12]

^While Ritchie very intriguing prospect if picking outside Top 5, really hope Flames don't reach to make this pick. SN's Sam Cosentino's analysis of Ritchie echoes my concerns - listen to his interviews on Fan 960 & The Pipeline Show recently. He does have Brian Burke written all over him though...

[Commandant]

Originally Posted by cral12

^While Ritchie very intriguing prospect if picking outside Top 5, really hope Flames don't reach to make this pick. SN's Sam Cosentino's analysis of Ritchie echoes my concerns - listen to his interviews on Fan 960 & The Pipeline Show recently. He does have Brian Burke written all over him though...

One of the site commentators did a huge amount of statistical work on this draft and submitted an article about it (I asked him to be a regular writer, but he doesn't have the time). Anyways today he takes a look at PPG, GPG, EV strength production, strength of team, and other factors in a prospects draft year and the success it correlates to in the NHL. Also includes 2015 Eligibles to try and predict their potential success. He looks at the WHL & OHL. For anyone into stats, its really, really interesting.

http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/06/...whl-big-board/

His analysis indicates that Ritchie is amongst the best prospects in this draft and is right there with the top 5 elite goal scorers of the last 10 drafts. All of whom went on to be NHL superstars.


Also today my next prospect Ondrej Kase from the Czech Republic.
http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/06/...9-ondrej-kase/

[Francis's Hairpiece]

Originally Posted by cral12

^While Ritchie very intriguing prospect if picking outside Top 5, really hope Flames don't reach to make this pick. SN's Sam Cosentino's analysis of Ritchie echoes my concerns - listen to his interviews on Fan 960 & The Pipeline Show recently. He does have Brian Burke written all over him though...

That being said, if the Oilers defy conventional wisdom and take one of the Sam's, would you take Draisaitl or Ritchie as the Flames GM?

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Commandant

One of the site commentators did a huge amount of statistical work on this draft and submitted an article about it (I asked him to be a regular writer, but he doesn't have the time). Anyways today he takes a look at PPG, GPG, EV strength production, strength of team, and other factors in a prospects draft year and the success it correlates to in the NHL. Also includes 2015 Eligibles to try and predict their potential success. He looks at the WHL & OHL. For anyone into stats, its really, really interesting.

http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/06/...whl-big-board/

His analysis indicates that Ritchie is amongst the best prospects in this draft and is right there with the top 5 elite goal scorers of the last 10 drafts. All of whom went on to be NHL superstars.

Wow, that's huge praise. So the statistics are actually suggesting that Richie is in the same company as Kane, Stamkos, etc.?

I said it in a different thread, but there are very few weaknesses in Richie's game. People think power forward and have this idea that they're all slow, powerful, mean, possibly undisciplined, garbage-goal-getters. This isn't the case whatsoever with Richie. He's quick, strong, can snipe it, he's a great passer and has a high hockey IQ.

His two biggest weaknesses are his conditioning and durability. Conditioning comes with time, effort, maturity and keeping proper company. His durability issues are a huge question mark. He can't seem to stay healthy, which is concerning considering his style of play, but it's a risk I'd be willing to take.

With that said, I'd prefer Draisaitl because good centres are hard to come, but I wouldn't be heart broken at all if they took Richie.

[Commandant]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Wow, that's huge praise. So the statistics are actually suggesting that Richie is in the same company as Kane, Stamkos, etc.?

I said it in a different thread, but there are very few weaknesses in Richie's game. People think power forward and have this idea that they're all slow, powerful, mean, possibly undisciplined, garbage-goal-getters. This isn't the case whatsoever with Richie. He's quick, strong, can snipe it, he's a great passer and has a high hockey IQ.

His two biggest weaknesses are his conditioning and durability. Conditioning comes with time, effort, maturity and keeping proper company. His durability issues are a huge question mark. He can't seem to stay healthy, which is concerning considering his style of play, but it's a risk I'd be willing to take.

With that said, I'd prefer Draisaitl because good centres are hard to come, but I wouldn't be heart broken at all if they took Richie.

Check the comments this guy made on my site on this article (this is how he came to our attention). He has huge praise for Ritchie and shows how he compares to the guys like Kane and Stamkos (he's not quite up to their level but he's not far behind, and is in the elite company).

http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/06/...ne-picks-1-15/

You'll identify his comment quickly... he wrote under the name NDRE

[FCAV]

Future Considerations’ New England-based scout John Healy gives his thoughts on who from the 2014 NHL Draft class left him impressed, who disappointed and who his sleeper is on draft day.

http://futureconsiderations.ca/scout...john-healy-ne/

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

The stats really suggest Richie could be an elite talent in the NHL. Unfortunately, unlike many of the already-established players he's being compared to, intangibles like conditioning and consistency will certainly play a factor. Again, this kid is not nearly as useless as Flames fans are making him out to be.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

The stats really suggest Richie could be an elite talent in the NHL. Unfortunately, unlike many of the already-established players he's being compared to, intangibles like conditioning and consistency will certainly play a factor. Again, this kid is not nearly as useless as Flames fans are making him out to be.

When I see him, I see a player that might become a 15-20 goal guy 40 point guy in the NHL who has to play physically to stick. Basically Dustin Penner meets Zach Kassian. A 2nd/3rd line winger with a little upside.

That's fine to acquire, but at #4 with Draisaitl, Bennett, and Reinhart on the board, all of whom play a more significant and important position, to me that would be a very bad move. Even according to the same chart, all 3 of those guys are better in all aspects except Reinhart scores slightly less and puts up slightly less primary points per game (puts up .5 PPG higher though)

I'll be the first in line to say I was mistaken if Ritchie becomes a 70 point monster, but as it sits, you have 3 very low minimal risk players that all figure to become 1b Centers at least, with a mid to mid/high risk RW. You can gamble with the RW, but you would be gambling, verses taking a safer project-able center.

[Commandant]

I see a lot more goal scoring in Ritchie than 15-20 per year. He has the body to score in close, and from further out that wrist shot/release is the best in this draft by far.

He gets the puck off ridiculously fast.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Commandant

I see a lot more goal scoring in Ritchie than 15-20 per year. He has the body to score in close, and from further out that wrist shot/release is the best in this draft by far.

He gets the puck off ridiculously fast.

He could possibly get 25-30 if he's in the right situation at the peak of his performance (and that team would have to lack any forward depth). Similar to Penner's one good year with Edmonton when he got 60+ points. Draisaitl/Bennett/Reinhart will likely do the same amount of goal scoring though (25-30), which is good.

I'd take Bennett and Ehlers' wristers/slappers over Ritchie's easily.

[Caged Great]

My top 7 heading into the draft

1 Ekblad
2 Reinhart
3 Bennett
4 Draisaitl
5 Ehlers
6 Dal Colle
7 Ritchie

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[FCAV]

Originally Posted by Commandant

I see a lot more goal scoring in Ritchie than 15-20 per year. He has the body to score in close, and from further out that wrist shot/release is the best in this draft by far.

Having seen both live this year, I'd give that edge to Virtanen. If we're talking slap shots as well (which I don't really think we are), Ekblad jumps into the conversation, too.