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Originally Posted by Freeway
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Pretty good list. At the top I'd just have some slight changes. Now I haven't seen a lot of these guys play but from what I have seen and the news/stats on some of them I'm going to go with:
1. Tim Erixon (D) - I think the organization thinks he can be a top 3 defenseman, perhaps even top 2. Good all around player, has a pretty heavy shot from the point.
2. T.J. Brodie (D) - His skill was obvious in camp and the one time I saw him for the Heat. I don't know if his defensive game will let him be a top 2-3 defenseman but he's got the skill and offensive ability to be a powerplay quarterback and puck rusher. The most exciting prospect we have.
3. Leland Irving (G) - Irving seems to have turned the corner after a questionable year last year. He proved he could be a consistently good starter at the AHL level. Has NHL starter potential I feel.
4. Joni Ortio (G) - Organization seems really high on him. I really liked what I saw of his technique in the WJC's. Now he needs to prove himself in the AHL in North America.
5. Max Reinhart (C) - Doesn't seem to get mentioned in the same breath as the above prospects but he's having an unreal performance when it counts the most, in the playoffs. His stock must be quite on the rise. Haven't seen him play myself but he's putting up fantastic numbers in the WHL playoffs and obviously isn't getting carried while doing so. Very excited about his potential.
6. Ryan Howse (W) - Obviously an elite goal scorer in the WHL and it looks like he's been working on his all around game. Interesting to see how he adapts to the AHL and how quickly he can become an impact player there. I'll have him higher once he proves himself at the pro level.
7. Greg Nemisz (W) - Had a good first year pro, was leading the team in points early in the season. I think he'll be a great complimentary player at the NHL level. Has enough skill to play on the scoring lines and has the size/strength to compete along the boards and in front of the net.
8. Chris Breen (D) - Towering blueliner has good mobility and makes good smart decisions with the puck. Looked miles ahead of Pelech when I saw him play for the Heat and was very impressed. Playfair and Feaster are both high on this kid for good reason.
9. Mitch Wahl (C) - High potential with this smart player but he had a rough year that mostly filled with injuries including the always worrying concussion. We'll hope to see him bounce back and have a healthy year for the Heat and become an impact player at the AHL level.
10. Lance Bouma (W) - Looks to be a role/energy guy at the NHL level. Proved he could compete at that level last year in his limited time.
Honorable mentions: John Negrin (D), Joey Leach (D), John Ramage (D), Spencer Bennett (F), Gord Baldwin (D), Bill Arnold (F), Matt Pelech (D)
Strengths:
1. Defense - We have top end blueline prospects in Erixon and Brodie, and then some nice looking depth guys with Breen, Negrin, Leach, Ramage, Baldwin, Pelech and Seabrook. Definitely our main area of strength.
2. Goaltending - Both Irving and Ortio seem to have starter potential. Our goaltending prospects look the best they have since we had Giguere in the system.
3. Depth Forwards
Weaknesses:
1. Skilled forwards - Not a lot of top end skill in our forward group. Reinhart, Wahl and Howse look like they have the most top 2 line potential but we have no real blue chipper in this area.
Draft Strategy: Take the best player available. I don't see us taking a goalie early. I know most fans only want a forward but there are some defensemen we might have to consider should they fall to us. There should be a lot of attractive forwards at #13 including I'm sure at least one that the Flames have ranked in their top 10.
I think Breen is the biggest omission on your list Freeway. He made some great strides in his rookie year of pro and despite not being drafted he is clearly ahead of some guys we drafted. The organization is talking quite highly of him and I thought he was the most polished player when I watched the Heat play at the Dome. Ramage on the other hand didn't impress me that much at the World Juniors. His skill is average and he's not that huge either.
