FutureWatch

[metaldude26]

I am not only talking about numbers. This isn't a fantasy magazine.

He's definitely not #11 prospect in the world good (and clearly Gudbranson and Ellis are better prospects). But I wouldn't expect much else than WJ biased rankings from THN.

Let me guess, you own Charlie Coyle? Have you actually watched him "dominate all over the ice" besides the WJ or are you just going off hearsay?

Also Ev, we play in a league together so you know I don't own him in at least one league but I suppose you're ignorant about that as well.

[ridinryan44]

I watched him at the WJ and a bit of his highlights in college. One great tourney does not make a guy who was drafted in the late first the #11 prospect in the world (according to THN). People get sucked in to the WJ.

THN needs to get their head out of their ass.

That's the point I'm trying to make. You saw the WJ everyone else saw, and a highlight package. While I agree that the ranking was too high, and actually completely agree that people get sucked into the tournament, there may be a lot more to this kids game that we don't know since we've only seen 1 tourny.

You've made your assessment based on what you've seen yet you call out metaldude on his assessment even though he's watched the same hockey you have... just not sure what makes your statement of "not #11 in the world" more accurate than metaldude's analysis.

[Big Ev]

Too late to rank players right now, but I'd have him in the 30's or 40's. I'll post who I would rank ahead of him if I feel like it tomorrow.

I just don't think you can rank a late 1st round pick like him (and Kuznetsov) over other guys like Kadri who have been touted for years now and have had some pro success already.

and yes MD, I am ignorant about that since I haven't checked that league in months, and have no idea who's even on my own team.

[austeane]

Why is B Smith only an honourable mention?!?

[metaldude26]

Too late to rank players right now, but I'd have him in the 30's or 40's. I'll post who I would rank ahead of him if I feel like it tomorrow.

I just don't think you can rank a late 1st round pick like him (and Kuznetsov) over other guys like Kadri who have been touted for years now and have had some pro success already.

and yes MD, I am ignorant about that since I haven't checked that league in months, and have no idea who's even on my own team.

Please tell me you are leaving the league then. That's unacceptable.

[Riverboat Danglers]

this lists are always flawed depending on who you talk to and how u vaule guys. i like to take them with a grain of salt. i honestly think kuznestov is a little high along with boedker, adam, kassian and erixon. personally i think granlund should be ahead of all though guys. this kid can play. also rundblad, connelly, tatar and hison all deep in the list and should be alot higher. i personally would put rundblad top 10 but thats just my opinion. its always interesting to see these lists though and get another take on where different people rank these guys. kinda like this site.

[dodospice]

Too late to rank players right now, but I'd have him in the 30's or 40's. I'll post who I would rank ahead of him if I feel like it tomorrow.

I just don't think you can rank a late 1st round pick like him (and Kuznetsov) over other guys like Kadri who have been touted for years now and have had some pro success already.

and yes MD, I am ignorant about that since I haven't checked that league in months, and have no idea who's even on my own team.

I dont know why it matters so much too you?

[dodospice]

Wrong and you reek of ignorance.

Coyle has been awesome all year for BU and his performance as the top forward for the US merely cemented his place as one of the top prospects in the game. Last summer's draft was bad in a sense that a lot of teams made out like bandits, San Jose being one of them. If they re-did the draft Coyle would be a lock for top 15 and maybe even in the top 10.

It's not about numbers for him. He's a complete two-way player and dominates all over the ice. If you wanted to quibble you could certainly slot a few guys ahead of him like Hodgson, Smith, Granlund and Rundblad but I'd also take Coyle on my team ahead of Gudbranson, Ellis, or Boedker so don't quibble.

Id definatley have him,buzzing around the #15 spot. Depending on who drafts he could go higher or lower.

[Kudelskis Krushers]

I love how this happens every year. I remember these forums absolutely ripping THN last year for putting Crawford so high. I believe one of the quotes was something along the lines of "Crawford is a terrible goalie and doesn't even deserve to be on the list, let alone that high". Riiiiight... because us random fantasy poolies know more about player development than the guys getting paid by the multi-million dollar organisations to do this for a living. Obviously people make mistakes, no matter how experienced, but I'd bet that the professionals who provide the info to THN to compile these lists are right more often than any one of us.

[Penman]

I love how this happens every year. I remember these forums absolutely ripping THN last year for putting Crawford so high. I believe one of the quotes was something along the lines of "Crawford is a terrible goalie and doesn't even deserve to be on the list, let alone that high". Riiiiight... because us random fantasy poolies know more about player development than the guys getting paid by the multi-million dollar organisations to do this for a living. Obviously people make mistakes, no matter how experienced, but I'd bet that the professionals who provide the info to THN to compile these lists are right more often than any one of us.

Well said..

[Killer67]

I understand that this is not a fantasy ranking but I found it odd that Gudbranson was ranked ahead of Markstrom. Maybe because goalies are more hit and miss I guess, but Markstrom seems to be fairly legit as far as I can tell.

Anyone know how they figure this out?

[Dean Youngblood]

I know I am seriously delayed on the Future Watch disxussion but I finally found time to read it tonight cover to cover after finding it in my mail upon returning from vacation

I am not going to criticize the Top 50 rankings (too easy to do) but I do enjoy reading this magazine. Specifically, I like reading through each teams' prospects and the projected rankings for the 2011 NHL draft and also the 2012 NHL draft (Yakupov oh ya).

I did have one criticism/complaint with the issue and that was that some of the Teams' Beat writers were SEVERELY out of date. I understand that some of these writers probably submitted their Team ranks months ago but I find it unacceptable to have a player like Colborne still on Boston - especially when the issue comes out post trade deadline. Also, several of the player writeups were done using stats from back in early January (based on GP stats)

Anyways I enjoyed flipping throw the issue even though I don't take the rankings seriously (especially after the Top 9 - Jack Campbell @ 10th is laughable) since prospects can change so frequently. I really enjoyed rwading the focused articles on Edmonton, Schenn and Sneak Peaks (Landeskog, Darnell Nurse and Ryan Murray)