Central Scouting Final Rankings

[Shake]

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=9363

[Dobber]

Rank Player Team League Pos. Ht Wt
1 BENNETT, SAMUEL KINGSTON OHL C 6' 0.25" 178
2 EKBLAD, AARON BARRIE OHL D 6' 3.5" 216
3 REINHART, SAM KOOTENAY WHL C 6' 0.75" 185
4 DRAISAITL, LEON PRINCE ALBERT WHL C 6' 1.5" 204
5 DAL COLLE, MICHAEL OSHAWA OHL LW 6' 1.5" 182
6 VIRTANEN, JAKE CALGARY WHL RW 6' 0.75" 208
7 RITCHIE, NICHOLAS PETERBOROUGH OHL LW 6' 2.25" 226
8 PERLINI, BRENDAN NIAGARA OHL LW 6' 2.75" 205
9 FLEURY, HAYDN RED DEER WHL D 6' 2.5" 203
10 MCCANN, JARED SAULT STE. MARIE OHL C 6' 0.25" 179

Top 10

[Pengwin7]

Thanks for linking!
I know nothing (yet) about this year's prospects, but I believe I recall seeing a few articles saying that the top three were above the rest.
Is that true?
Are the top three going to be the "top three" regardless of team order in the draft???

[Axeman33]

Top 10

Top 10 NA Skaters. Not necessarily the top 10 overall.

[mounD]

Thanks for linking!
I know nothing (yet) about this year's prospects, but I believe I recall seeing a few articles saying that the top three were above the rest.
Is that true?
Are the top three going to be the "top three" regardless of team order in the draft???

IMO guys like Draisaitl and Dal Colle should be considered just a bit below the Big3, if at all. Dal Colle is a pure scoring winger with great size, speed, skills, etc. and I see a lot of Anze Kopitar in Draisaitl, a guy who could've competed for a top-3 spot but had some consistency issues this year. I think Bennett is the clear-cut #1 choice, partly due to his age (June, 1996 -- compared with October/November 95 for Reinhart/Ekblad) and his development curve being ahead of his draft peers at his age. Also in Bennett's favor is his feisty streak, which could be GOLD in multi-cat leagues. He reminds me a lot of Toews, as he's got that "clutch" scoring ability and edge to his game.

I think this draft isn't really getting a lot of credit because it doesn't have a Mackinnon/Drouin, and 2015 obviously has McDavid/Eichel; however, there are a bunch of quality options and I'd guess several above-average fantasy options within the first round.

Cheers.

[Axeman33]

IMO guys like Draisaitl and Dal Colle should be considered just a bit below the Big3, if at all. Dal Colle is a pure scoring winger with great size, speed, skills, etc. and I see a lot of Anze Kopitar in Draisaitl, a guy who could've competed for a top-3 spot but had some consistency issues this year. I think Bennett is the clear-cut #1 choice, partly due to his age (June, 1996 -- compared with October/November 95 for Reinhart/Ekblad) and his development curve being ahead of his draft peers at his age. Also in Bennett's favor is his feisty streak, which could be GOLD in multi-cat leagues. He reminds me a lot of Toews, as he's got that "clutch" scoring ability and edge to his game.

I think this draft isn't really getting a lot of credit because it doesn't have a Mackinnon/Drouin, and 2015 obviously has McDavid/Eichel; however, there are a bunch of quality options and I'd guess several above-average fantasy options within the first round.

Cheers.

A lot of people also compare Bennett to Dougie Gilmour as well, for multiple reasons. He game looks like Gilmours and the fact he is coached by Gilmour can't be discarded (he also wears #93) as well. Toews is a good comparison as well.

[Big Ev]

IMO guys like Draisaitl and Dal Colle should be considered just a bit below the Big3, if at all. Dal Colle is a pure scoring winger with great size, speed, skills, etc. and I see a lot of Anze Kopitar in Draisaitl, a guy who could've competed for a top-3 spot but had some consistency issues this year. I think Bennett is the clear-cut #1 choice, partly due to his age (June, 1996 -- compared with October/November 95 for Reinhart/Ekblad) and his development curve being ahead of his draft peers at his age. Also in Bennett's favor is his feisty streak, which could be GOLD in multi-cat leagues. He reminds me a lot of Toews, as he's got that "clutch" scoring ability and edge to his game.

I think this draft isn't really getting a lot of credit because it doesn't have a Mackinnon/Drouin, and 2015 obviously has McDavid/Eichel; however, there are a bunch of quality options and I'd guess several above-average fantasy options within the first round.

Cheers.

How much of have you actually seen of any of these players living in Pittsburgh?

[Dean Youngblood]

Speaking to the OHL guys, I don't see a whole lot of difference between a player like Sam Bennett and Michael Dal Colle so it's certainly close. I feel Bennett has a higher upside but I love how Dal Colle plays and thinks the game and feel he has a ton of room to grow.

[Ed.]

Going to paste a Twitter convo I had with Corey Pronman last month, re: Nylander

Corey Pronman ‏@coreypronman Mar 12

Skill level on Willie Nylander is incredible. As a U18 just went through 3-4 SHL players like it was nothing.

Ed Cunningham ‏@BloodonIce Mar 12

@coreypronman How does that fit with the "No elite 2014 eligibles" thing?

Corey Pronman ‏@coreypronman Mar 12

@BloodonIce my view has been consistent that if anyone could be a star from the draft, it's him.
Hide conversation


Pronman isn't exactly infallible (what scout or prospect writer is?) but I thought this was an interesting bit of insight.

[vandalay]

IMO guys like Draisaitl and Dal Colle should be considered just a bit below the Big3, if at all. Dal Colle is a pure scoring winger with great size, speed, skills, etc. and I see a lot of Anze Kopitar in Draisaitl, a guy who could've competed for a top-3 spot but had some consistency issues this year. I think Bennett is the clear-cut #1 choice, partly due to his age (June, 1996 -- compared with October/November 95 for Reinhart/Ekblad) and his development curve being ahead of his draft peers at his age. Also in Bennett's favor is his feisty streak, which could be GOLD in multi-cat leagues. He reminds me a lot of Toews, as he's got that "clutch" scoring ability and edge to his game.

I think this draft isn't really getting a lot of credit because it doesn't have a Mackinnon/Drouin, and 2015 obviously has McDavid/Eichel; however, there are a bunch of quality options and I'd guess several above-average fantasy options within the first round.

Cheers.

Ekblad is a 1996, this was his third OHL season only because of the exceptional status that he received. But obviously your point remains with respect to Bennett vs. Reinhart.

[mounD]

How much of have you actually seen of any of these players living in Pittsburgh?

The internet exists in 2014.

[agentzero]

From what I have seen and read to this day, we're looking at a crop of potential top 6 forwards, top 4 D, but no potential generational superstars. Obviously superstars can't come out of every draft, but good players can come just the same (i.e. RNH for EDM). I think Ekblad is the most talented of the bunch, but that's just me. I wonder of Bennett will be more successful at the NHL level than would Reinhart, in the style of the Taylor vs Tyler debate from a few years back. I don't think these guys are those 2 players, but they won't be bad players necessarily either.

Drafting 18 yr olds is such a crap shoot, even in the consensus top 5 or so.. It's hardly a science, no matter how much it tries to be. I think we've got a bunch of Sean Monahans.. Who will be very solid contributors, who can be all-stars and who can produce significantly, but who you would hesitate to call elite. Arnott, Elias, Sykora... Langenbrunner, S. Koivu, K. Primeau, Hejduk, Lang, Hossa, Roberts.... Guys that post some hefty numbers for stretches, but not guys who will routinely threaten for the league lead in scoring.

I'd still take one of them on my team, that's for sure. I just wouldn't expect any of them to be Taylor Hall or Nathan Mackinnon, 'cause they ain't...

[agentzero]

How much of have you actually seen of any of these players living in Pittsburgh?

The internet exists in 2014.

These are my favourite battles on the forum lol.

I am relying almost completely (unfortunately) on internet clips. I love when I can get the chance to watch them in person (I narrowly missed the chance to watch the Oil Kings and Wheat Kings in the playoffs last week!! Argh!!!), but otherwise am stuck with a lot of internet. We all are. Don't tell me Ross or Youngblood travel around with the teams they scout lol, but they do give solid opinions.

[als_revenge]

Thanks for linking!
I know nothing (yet) about this year's prospects, but I believe I recall seeing a few articles saying that the top three were above the rest.
Is that true?
Are the top three going to be the "top three" regardless of team order in the draft???

I've been reading up on the high end prospects for this draft for awhile, and catching a game here and there while I can. I think it would be fairer to say that the top 5 are above the rest. And while there are some good European prospects (e.g. Kapanen, Nylander, etc.), I wouldn't put any of them in the top 5. Mind you, I know a lot less than Pronman...

[Pengwin7]

I've been reading up on the high end prospects for this draft for awhile, and catching a game here and there while I can. I think it would be fairer to say that the top 5 are above the rest. And while there are some good European prospects (e.g. Kapanen, Nylander, etc.), I wouldn't put any of them in the top 5. Mind you, I know a lot less than Pronman...

Thanks! (REP)
There always seems to be an early first-round drop off at some point.
I'm always curious where people feel the talent drops off.

If I recall, last year there was good depth with a significant drop off after the first 16 (!!!) picks.
I think I read that somewhere.

Appreciate it.