[Oats101]

Another thing, I think Chris Kreider is going to be a real hit or miss pick. he is apparently a really good athlete playing at a low level with tons of potential. So he could go either thrive on more competition or go downhill. I for one think he will go up.
Kreider Article

[LandonAuger]

chewbacov, on May 4 2009, 07:25 PM, said:

Hypothetical Question: When your team is killing a 5-3 or even 5-4 penalty kill, would you trust a 5'9 D-man to handle the physical pressures in the game?

This is nothing against the Ellis or Barrie, it just they are a new mold of Defenceman entering the draft... basically an untested commodity

Of course not but Ellis's job isn't to kill penalities it is to QB a PP and based on watching him play at the World Jrs and the few OHL games I've seen him in I would trust him 5 on 5. Any team he plays on will have at least 5 other 5 dmen out there that can kill penalties, not every Dman has to play the PK.

[ilikecanucks]

chickenman92, on Jun 4 2009, 11:15 AM, said:

thanks to everyone, this whole year has been a blast chatting prospects

Agreed, this is the best part of CDC bar none.

VanIsleNucks, on Jun 4 2009, 11:39 AM, said:

Of course not but Ellis's job isn't to kill penalities it is to QB a PP and based on watching him play at the World Jrs and the few OHL games I've seen him in I would trust him 5 on 5. Any team he plays on will have at least 5 other 5 dmen out there that can kill penalties, not every Dman has to play the PK.

Well if in fact you draft Ryan Ellis, you would assume he is going to be one of your best defensman, right?

Well it is a real problem, especially with the way the game is called now, that if his team took 3 or 4 consecutive penalties, Ellis wouldnt hit the ice.

Its a problem when your best players cant play in every situation. Look at teams like Detroit, there best forwards and defensman are their best offensively and defensively.

Whereas, a team like the Canucks struggle when they take consecutive penalties becuase they cant get the Twins into the game.

Ryan Ellis is a top prospect for the NHL, but he is a specialty player at this point, a PP specialist. All that being said, he will likely play PK when he figures out the PRO game, it definately wont be a seamless tranisition like Drew Doughty's was.

[LandonAuger]

ilikecanucks, on Jun 4 2009, 12:06 PM, said:

Agreed, this is the best part of CDC bar none.



Well if in fact you draft Ryan Ellis, you would assume he is going to be one of your best defensman, right?

Well it is a real problem, especially with the way the game is called now, that if his team took 3 or 4 consecutive penalties, Ellis wouldnt hit the ice.

Its a problem when your best players cant play in every situation. Look at teams like Detroit, there best forwards and defensman are their best offensively and defensively.

Whereas, a team like the Canucks struggle when they take consecutive penalties becuase they cant get the Twins into the game.

Ryan Ellis is a top prospect for the NHL, but he is a specialty player at this point, a PP specialist. All that being said, he will likely play PK when he figures out the PRO game, it definately wont be a seamless tranisition like Drew Doughty's was.

Detroit is a good example when talking about Ellis manly cause he reminds me so much of Brian Rafalski
I would agrue Ralfalski is one the Wings top 3 Dmen but I wouldn't put him out to kill penalities his talent lies in playing on the PP with Lidstrom which still makes him a great addition to the Wings. Whereas Stuart on the Wings is the opposite of Rafalski or Ellis he can be one of your top PK guys but is less likely to get PP time.

[ilikecanucks]

VanIsleNucks, on Jun 4 2009, 12:58 PM, said:

Detroit is a good example when talking about Ellis manly cause he reminds me so much of Brian Rafalski
I would agrue Ralfalski is one the Wings top 3 Dmen but I wouldn't put him out to kill penalities his talent lies in playing on the PP with Lidstrom which still makes him a great addition to the Wings. Whereas Stuart on the Wings is the opposite of Rafalski or Ellis he can be one of your top PK guys but is less likely to get PP time.

Rafalski kills penalties! He is on the 1st unit with Lidstrom.

The comparisons between Rafalski and Ellis end at size. Rafalski is an exceptional skater, Ellis, plain and simple, is not. Its true Ellis probably has more offensive instincts than Rafalski at the same age, Rafalski has a better 2-way game, and his skating allows him to be effective, whereas Ellis' skating will hinder him, because he wont have the speed to pick up the puck and move it when there are NHL calibre players chasing him down. Since Ellis doesnt shy away from physical play, I can see him taking a lot of big hits in his own zone, and if he doesnt take these hits he will give the other team possession, which wont endear himself to coaches.

I like Ellis, and wouldnt be too sad if we picked him at 22, but trading up like many previous Ellis-lovers have posted will be a mistake, when a comparable player with better skating will be available.