6th Pick: 2014 NHL Entry Draft

[messier's_elbow]

Whom do you want to trade to get said assets? If you mean Kesler then on HF boards there is a huge 'auction' going on and the Duck fans are generally settling for Etem plus 10th OA plus middle prospect.

Pens fans are offering up Pouliot , 2014 1st plus some middle prospect. I like the Ducks deal better.

Really? Pouliot is a grade A prospect. Hes the future PMD we need. Much more needed then Etem in my opinion.

[86Viking]

i would prefer us use the 6th pick for a more skilled player. Getting someone with size like "plum" said can be done with our other picks. You can put a guy with size and grit with more skilled players to protect them and they will still get points. Like lucic for example, he is capable of doing it all but wasnt a top 6 pick. I think a power forward after round 1 isnt a bad idea but we need some higher end skill.

I think we took some safe picks and more two way players lately, so Ehlers is a top tier talent. If Dal Colle falls we definitely take him. Nylander is intriguing but he seems to be similar to Horvat skill and play wise?

[DrChill]

I would trade

Kesler and Higgins for Theodore , 10th , Etem 3rd

Draft

6th Ehlers/Top5 drop

10th Fabbri

Or

Kesler and Higgins for Pouliot, Bennett, 1st 2014

Draft

6th Ehlers/top5drop

Pits Lemieux

[davinci]

i would prefer us use the 6th pick for a more skilled player. Getting someone with size like "plum" said can be done with our other picks. You can put a guy with size and grit with more skilled players to protect them and they will still get points. Like lucic for example, he is capable of doing it all but wasnt a top 6 pick. I think a power forward after round 1 isnt a bad idea but we need some higher end skill.

I think we took some safe picks and more two way players lately, so Ehlers is a top tier talent. If Dal Colle falls we definitely take him. Nylander is intriguing but he seems to be similar to Horvat skill and play wise?

[Devoted]

i would prefer us use the 6th pick for a more skilled player. Getting someone with size like "plum" said can be done with our other picks. You can put a guy with size and grit with more skilled players to protect them and they will still get points. Like lucic for example, he is capable of doing it all but wasnt a top 6 pick. I think a power forward after round 1 isnt a bad idea but we need some higher end skill.

I think we took some safe picks and more two way players lately, so Ehlers is a top tier talent. If Dal Colle falls we definitely take him. Nylander is intriguing but he seems to be similar to Horvat skill and play wise?

Not really comparable at all. We all know that Bo brings a heavy 2-way game, however Nylander is a far more cerebral, crafty-styled player. He is not known for his physicality or defensive game. His hands and IQ however are fantastic.

With a little luck and a lot of hard work, Nylander could become a number 1 centre. He could also end up struggling and find no real role in the NHL (I see the former happening myself)

I think Bo will be much better suited as a number 2/3 guy, and to me he will no doubt have a long and successful career in that role.

[Watermelon]

We need star potential, we already have too many good but not great prospects. If one of the Top 5 drop then its a no brainer, if not get Nylander

[Ossi Vaananen]

Damn Fabbri looks good out there.

[Smashian Kassian]

I've been away for the weekend, and after reading through the thread, there have been some interesting topics.

I saw the Guelph/Oil Kings game.

I wasn't particularly impressed with Fabbri in that game, though I just got home so I'll catch the rest of this Val D'or game. I do completely understand why people like him. I wouldn't take him at a #6 but I see him going between 10-15 with his playoff performance.

I don't have an issue with Pronman, but I can understand why theminister & DJ K do. I don't put a high stock into his lists, but its interesting to gather other opinions.

Fiala has risen pretty high. I see him around the same area as Fabbri. I couldn't take him at #6 either, but somewhere around 15 like Fabbri is where he should go.

[CanuckleHorse]

2014 NHL Draft Profile: Nicholas Ritchie

By FlamesFan99 on May 18 2014, 4:00p +

As the third round of the playoffs are getting underway, only a few NHL fans are cheering their on their favourite teams due to all the upsets the have occured. On the other hand, Brad Treviling and the Flames have other plans.

With five picks in the first three rounds of the draft they will be scouting tons of players over the next month and a half. One of those five picks however, happen to be in the first round, fourth overall and will hopefully become another crucial piece in our rebuild. Nick Ritchie of the Peterborough Petes in the OHL is a candidate for the Flames top pick in the draft.

Prospect Overview

Born: December 5th, 1995

Position: LW/RW

Shoots: Left

Height: 191 cm (6'3'')

Weight: 107 kg (236 lbs)

Country: Canada

CSS Ranking: 7th - North America Skaters

Nick Ritchie was drafted second overall in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection by the Peterborough Petes of the OHL. He was able to get 39 points in 62 games that season, and was named to the OHL First All-Rookie team. In the 2012-2013 campaign however, he suffered a shoulder injury that kept him sidelined for the first half of the season. This of course, did not slow him down when he came back as he got 35 points in just 41 games.

This year was by far his best year of the three that he's played in the OHL. His amazing stats prove that he is probably going to be one of the top prospects in the 2014 draft and possibly the fourth overall pick by the Flames. Apart from this 74 points in the season, Ritchie also got five goals and six points on February 7, in a shootout loss to the Kingston Frontenacs. The last player to get five goals in one game in the OHL was Nick's brother Brett Ritchie who plays for the Dallas Stars.

Strengths

Nick Ritchie is a big man with a nice frame, and given he has the skills, he could jump right into the NHL following the draft. Many players get hyped up for all their skill and talent, but cannot manage to compete at a high level like the NHL due to their lack of strength. This may be one of Ritchie's biggest assets as someone like Leon Draisaitl does not have the same advantage as him and is expected to go lower in the draft than projected.

Nick also has a lazer beam of a shot and likes to use his size and strength to get around defenders. He is your typical Brian Burke type of power forward and should get some attention from the Flames' scouts.

Weaknesses

Although many people say that Nick Ritchie can skate very well, I tend to disagree and agree with that as well. From what I've seen, his skating itself, the technique and the way he accelerates, is pretty good. However, I do believe that he can try to improve his speed as it's hard to call a player a good skater if his skating is sub-par.

I also think that Ritchie can sometimes get too streaky and that can have an effect on his stats and how his own team plays. Nonetheless, he still has great upside and depending on the development team he has, he could easily overcome the weaknesses.

Peterborough Petes Head Coach Jody Hull on Nicholas Ritchie:

He's a smarter player this year. He's more aware, especially when he doesn't have the puck or when the other team has the puck. Those are things you develop over time; it doesn't just happen overnight. I think he's starting to realize the amount of work that you have to put in if you want to play on a consistent basis at the next level.

Comparables: Corey Perry, James Neal, Evander Kane

[Shinkorvat]

2014 NHL Draft Profile: Nicholas Ritchie

By FlamesFan99 on May 18 2014, 4:00p +

As the third round of the playoffs are getting underway, only a few NHL fans are cheering their on their favourite teams due to all the upsets the have occured. On the other hand, Brad Treviling and the Flames have other plans.

With five picks in the first three rounds of the draft they will be scouting tons of players over the next month and a half. One of those five picks however, happen to be in the first round, fourth overall and will hopefully become another crucial piece in our rebuild. Nick Ritchie of the Peterborough Petes in the OHL is a candidate for the Flames top pick in the draft.

Prospect Overview

Born: December 5th, 1995

Position: LW/RW

Shoots: Left

Height: 191 cm (6'3'')

Weight: 107 kg (236 lbs)

Country: Canada

CSS Ranking: 7th - North America Skaters

Nick Ritchie was drafted second overall in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection by the Peterborough Petes of the OHL. He was able to get 39 points in 62 games that season, and was named to the OHL First All-Rookie team. In the 2012-2013 campaign however, he suffered a shoulder injury that kept him sidelined for the first half of the season. This of course, did not slow him down when he came back as he got 35 points in just 41 games.

This year was by far his best year of the three that he's played in the OHL. His amazing stats prove that he is probably going to be one of the top prospects in the 2014 draft and possibly the fourth overall pick by the Flames. Apart from this 74 points in the season, Ritchie also got five goals and six points on February 7, in a shootout loss to the Kingston Frontenacs. The last player to get five goals in one game in the OHL was Nick's brother Brett Ritchie who plays for the Dallas Stars.

Strengths

Nick Ritchie is a big man with a nice frame, and given he has the skills, he could jump right into the NHL following the draft. Many players get hyped up for all their skill and talent, but cannot manage to compete at a high level like the NHL due to their lack of strength. This may be one of Ritchie's biggest assets as someone like Leon Draisaitl does not have the same advantage as him and is expected to go lower in the draft than projected.

Nick also has a lazer beam of a shot and likes to use his size and strength to get around defenders. He is your typical Brian Burke type of power forward and should get some attention from the Flames' scouts.

Weaknesses

Although many people say that Nick Ritchie can skate very well, I tend to disagree and agree with that as well. From what I've seen, his skating itself, the technique and the way he accelerates, is pretty good. However, I do believe that he can try to improve his speed as it's hard to call a player a good skater if his skating is sub-par.

I also think that Ritchie can sometimes get too streaky and that can have an effect on his stats and how his own team plays. Nonetheless, he still has great upside and depending on the development team he has, he could easily overcome the weaknesses.

Peterborough Petes Head Coach Jody Hull on Nicholas Ritchie:

He's a smarter player this year. He's more aware, especially when he doesn't have the puck or when the other team has the puck. Those are things you develop over time; it doesn't just happen overnight. I think he's starting to realize the amount of work that you have to put in if you want to play on a consistent basis at the next level.

Comparables: Corey Perry, James Neal, Evander Kane

So...does that mean we're probably going to draft Draisaitl?

[Absent Canuck]

I would trade

Kesler and Higgins for Theodore , 10th , Etem 3rd

Draft

6th Ehlers/Top5 drop

10th Fabbri

Or

Kesler and Higgins for Pouliot, Bennett, 1st 2014

Draft

6th Ehlers/top5drop

Pits Lemieux

I like Etem out of their avail prospects the best. He was rated way higher in the draft .12th on some boards. He is chugging along but by age 25 he will be a 60 point power forward.

I dont take the Pittsburg deal just for Pouliot and Sutter. The weak first rounder is nonsense . I would far rather have the 10th OA because there are some solid players in the top 10 of this draft.

If its Pouliot Bennett and the first , I ask for the 2015 pick and take that deal.

I draft Ehler or Nylander if none of the top 5 fall.

[CanuckleHorse]

[sims]

I would trade

Kesler and Higgins for Theodore , 10th , Etem 3rd

Draft

6th Ehlers/Top5 drop

10th Fabbri

Or

Kesler and Higgins for Pouliot, Bennett, 1st 2014

Draft

6th Ehlers/top5drop

Pits Lemieux

The Anaheim trade would be ideal, better than Pittsburgh,

I would take Ehlers, Nylander or one of the 4 top 5, no to Draisaitl, I have a feeling that he will be the bust of this draft, something about his game is just a bit off, to me anyways.

with the 10th I would take Adrian Kempe.

So...does that mean we're probably going to draft Draisaitl?

if it's Draisaitl that drops then pass, take Ehlers, Nylander

I like Etem out of their avail prospects the best. He was rated way higher in the draft .12th on some boards. He is chugging along but by age 25 he will be a 60 point power forward.

I dont take the Pittsburg deal just for Pouliot and Sutter. The weak first rounder is nonsense . I would far rather have the 10th OA because there are some solid players in the top 10 of this draft.

If its Pouliot Bennett and the first , I ask for the 2015 pick and take that deal.

I draft Ehler or Nylander if none of the top 5 fall.

I agree I think Etem has the highest ceiling of their forward prospects, though I like Theodore better than Pouliot. I think Anaheim would be the best trading partner for Kesler.

[thad]

The Anaheim trade would be ideal, better than Pittsburgh,

I would take Ehlers, Nylander or one of the 4 top 5, no to Draisaitl, I have a feeling that he will be the bust of this draft, something about his game is just a bit off, to me anyways.

with the 10th I would take Adrian Kempe.

if it's Draisaitl that drops then pass, take Ehlers, Nylander

I agree I think Etem has the highest ceiling of their forward prospects, though I like Theodore better than Pouliot. I think Anaheim would be the best trading partner for Kesler.

Theodore over pouliot? Pouliot is one of the best defense prospects out there. He's got a Duncan Keith like ceiling. Out of any of the assets aquirable from Pitt or Ana, I think pouliot is the best by far.

[Shinkorvat]

if it's Draisaitl that drops then pass, take Ehlers, Nylander

Why is that? Draisaitl is also highly skilled along with having decent size that he uses to protect the puck. Although I do have to admit that Ehlers and Nylander probably have more skill than Draisaitl but I think he is a great candidate for being the future first line centre when Henrik is done.

[CanuckleHorse]

Another pick please so we can take Fabbri and Ritchie no small player is even close to this guys he has heart and skill takes hits to make plays does it all to win.

[Gyllenhaal]

Dale Tallon on possibly taking Nikolaj Ehlers with the first overall pick(source):

"Dale Tallon on Ehlers potentially being drafted top 5: 'Why not? I’m willing to take some chances. We took a chance with Kane first overall. We have a great young nucleus of centers now and tremendous depth on the blue line and up the middle and for us moving forward. We need to add skill speed and grit on the wing.' "

If he takes Ehlers first overall that leaves us with someone from the top 5. If he really wants Ehlers it would be smart to just trade down out of the top 3.

[Ossi Vaananen]

Dale Tallon on possibly taking Nikolaj Ehlers with the first overall pick(source):

"Dale Tallon on Ehlers potentially being drafted top 5: 'Why not? I’m willing to take some chances. We took a chance with Kane first overall. We have a great young nucleus of centers now and tremendous depth on the blue line and up the middle and for us moving forward. We need to add skill speed and grit on the wing.' "

If he takes Ehlers first overall that leaves us with someone from the top 5. If he really wants Ehlers it would be smart to just trade down out of the top 3.

Hell ya, I like the idea of Tallon screwing himself taking Ehlers. It was already a possibility of one the top 5 falling due to Calgary or NYI going off the board but FLA at #1? That's freaking awesome.

If someone drops I think it will be Bennett or MDC. Edmonton loves Draisaitl, I could see them passing on both at 3. I'm excited.

[Absent Canuck]

Hell ya, I like the idea of Tallon screwing himself taking Ehlers. It was already a possibility of one the top 5 falling due to Calgary or NYI going off the board but FLA at #1? That's freaking awesome.

If someone drops I think it will be Bennett or MDC. Edmonton loves Draisaitl, I could see them passing on both at 3. I'm excited.

You honestly think the guy is going to take Ehlers at #1? lol

[Absent Canuck]

Another pick please so we can take Fabbri and Ritchie no small player is even close to this guys he has heart and skill takes hits to make plays does it all to win.

Fabbri is great . I think Ehlers is the better player but he had a better playoff than just about anyone!! I can see him going 10th to 15th.