Craig Buttons December prospect rankings

[Axeman33]

I always enjoy Craig's list more than most. Always good for debates.

http://www.tsn.ca/craig-s-list-decem...terms-1.154887

[doulos]

A little surprised Strome is so high, but that might just be due to the lower quality of forwards (aside from the big 2) in this draft at the very top end. Strome's production without McDavid is noticeably smaller, but would still place him in the upper echelon.

Corey Pronman ‏@coreypronman · 2h2 hours ago
Dylan Strome has a 1.45 Pt/Gm without McDavid. Among last year's OHL 17 YOs, would slot him 3rd behind Bennett, Fabbri (ahead of Dal-Colle).

Also, where the heck did Brandon Guhle come from? I really am unfamiliar with a lot of these players aside from names. Time to hit the books.

[pmorrow]

The tie at the top is interesting. Maybe an eye opener for people who assume Eichel is a star who is a notch below McDavid. I remember last year people were saying theyd take Eichel first (obviously McDavid has shown he's the best this year though). I think people are having a tough time comprehending there being two generational talents available in a draft as it happens so so rarely.

[Axeman33]

A little surprised Strome is so high, but that might just be due to the lower quality of forwards (aside from the big 2) in this draft at the very top end. Strome's production without McDavid is noticeably smaller, but would still place him in the upper echelon.

Corey Pronman ‏@coreypronman · 2h2 hours ago
Dylan Strome has a 1.45 Pt/Gm without McDavid. Among last year's OHL 17 YOs, would slot him 3rd behind Bennett, Fabbri (ahead of Dal-Colle).

Also, where the heck did Brandon Guhle come from? I really am unfamiliar with a lot of these players aside from names. Time to hit the books.

You have to remember, Button does A LOT of his own scouting so he seems to find these guys by watching them play himself.

Also, his "list" isn't always a projection on where they will be drafted but more of his expectations on their long term ability.

[ericdaoust]

I don't really follow the draft class much until draft time but seeing how some people react to rankings vs their own views I wonder if some of these rankings are put out solely for entertainment purposes.

[Axeman33]

I don't really follow the draft class much until draft time but seeing how some people react to rankings vs their own views I wonder if some of these rankings are put out solely for entertainment purposes.

I won't lie, I don't follow much outside of the top 10, give or take, along with Halifax Mooseheads who are draft eligible until the draft gets closer. I do tend to peak up interest around the WJC as well to see how certain kids are doing as well.

[doulos]

Regarding Eichel vs McDavid (Taken from Croey Pronman's Twitter feed)

B4hnSDeCcAANyJ0.jpg

Both superb numbers, but McDavid's current pace is something on a totally different level as far as I'm concerned. I still don't see how the race us as close as Button would have people think. However, he would know better than me for sure.

[dodospice]

Regarding Eichel vs McDavid (Taken from Croey Pronman's Twitter feed)

B4hnSDeCcAANyJ0.jpg

Both superb numbers, but McDavid's current pace is something on a totally different level as far as I'm concerned. I still don't see how the race us as close as Button would have people think. However, he would know better than me for sure.

It really isn't as close as people make it out to be. Is Eichel a special talent? For sure. Is he on the level of McDavid? No, and there's nothing wrong with that. They'll both be very very good NHL talents, but one will be say on Crosby's level and the other on a Stamkos level. (Just a comparison) While both are stars, one is clearly better.

[theIceWookie]

Regarding Eichel vs McDavid (Taken from Croey Pronman's Twitter feed)

B4hnSDeCcAANyJ0.jpg

Both superb numbers, but McDavid's current pace is something on a totally different level as far as I'm concerned. I still don't see how the race us as close as Button would have people think. However, he would know better than me for sure.

Minor issue with those graphics but Schwartz really shouldn't be on that list. He only went to the NCAA after being drafted, where the rest of the players on it had their freshman seasons before being drafted.

Also I find it hard to use 18 games to draw a huge conclusion for any player. Is it incredible? Yes. Does it show that McDavid has special talent? Yes. But should it be used to suggest he is THAT much greater than Eichel? I don't think so.

For what it's worth I think McDavid is and will be the number 1 prospect when it's said and done. But I don't think Eichel is far behind. What he's doing is very impressive in it's own right. He'll make the gap a whole lot smaller by the end of the year too.

[theIceWookie]

Bruhle's been very impressive for a bad Prince Albert team. Didn't think he's at top 30 material yet but Button seems to like what's he's done. He's definitely a guy to keep an eye out. He's got a very late birthday and has good size, both things teams love in prospects.

[Rodgort]

The only reason they give it a tie at the top is so there is hype going into the draft about which player Edmonton will take. Really it is not that close though. It is all McDavid. He will go first.

Also I kind of enjoy how Zacha keeps falling down the list, not to give anything away (as I do not know if anyone in my keeper pools are on this site), he could be one to target with a late pick that could give huge returns in fantasy. But I will ackowlegde the risk as he hasn't played that great this year

[mister_mcgoo]

I don't think there's any question those guys go 1 and 2, after that you can make arguments for the order but I don't see anyway the top 2 change

[doulos]

The only reason they give it a tie at the top is so there is hype going into the draft about which player Edmonton will take. Really it is not that close though. It is all McDavid. He will go first.

Also I kind of enjoy how Zacha keeps falling down the list, not to give anything away (as I do not know if anyone in my keeper pools are on this site), he could be one to target with a late pick that could give huge returns in fantasy. But I will ackowlegde the risk as he hasn't played that great this year

Isn't it usually better to take draft risers rather than draft fallers? It would be interesting to do some research on this.

[Rodgort]

Isn't it usually better to take draft risers rather than draft fallers? It would be interesting to do some research on this.

Well there are always players that fall because of where they are from (Russia) that should go much higher. But there is always some cases of players falling for no real reason that still could pay dividends in fantasy. Off the top of my head... Forsberg was hyped but fell, Same with TT. Also I am pretty sure O'Rielly was hyped as a mid-first round pick and fell to the second.
I just always like to note the players that start high and fall as if you have a good team with a late pick they could pay the best returns