KingAlex Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 This is a review of the top 10 prospects(in no particular order) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. I have gathered a quick summary of the top 10 based off of scouts, articles and several other sources.Aaron EkbladHe’s one of only four players in the history of junior hockey to be granted exceptional status. The consensus best defenseman in the draft, Ekblad has all the tools to be a future top pairing defenseman in the NHL. He has the imposing physical frame, the poise a defenseman needs to move the puck up ice, and his vision and positioning are second to none.~Shawn Reznik Player Comparison: Chris Pronger Chances of making NHL: OutstandingSam Reinhart Reinhart is a nice blend of poise, maturity and a high hockey IQ. He's got creative hands, excellent vision and superb instinct in the offensive end. He's able to slow things down and dissect the play. He battles hard and is a true team leader.~Future Considerations Player Comparison: John Tavares Chances of making NHL: OutstandingSam BennettBennett is an energetic, skilled winger who is quick on his feet and has deceptive speed. He generates chances with his quickness, awareness and constant effort. He's not flashy, but energetic and does possess an excellent release.~Future Considerations Player Comparison: Doug Gilmour Chances of making NHL: GoodLeon DraisaitlLeon Draisaitl is an intelligent playmaking forward with good offensive instincts. The German import is effective in puck possession using his lengthy frame to shield away defenders and maintain puck control. He displays top-end vision and can read the play ahead of his peers.~Brendan Ross Player Comparison: Anze Kopitar Chances of making NHL: Fair/GoodMichael Dal ColleDal Colle is a bull who uses his natural talents well. He's got an imposing frame and already shows great balance and strength on his skates. He plays a two-way game, battles hard and displays quick hands for his size.~Future Considerations Player Comparison: Patrick Marleau/Rick Nash Chances of making NHL: FairNikolaj EhlersEhlers is an explosive player who can beat even the quickest defensemen wide with his speed. He plays on his off wing and creates chances with sharp cuts to the middle comple- mented by an explosive wrister. He's equally good with the puck and can handle it both at top speed and in traffic.~Future Considerations Player Comparisons:Pavel Bure(Speed) Markus Naslund(Skill) Peter Forsberg(Vision) Overall: Patrick Kane Chances of making NHL: FairWilliam NylanderMany say, William is the most skilled player in the draft. Dynamic, quick, agile, great hands, great passes, always changing the pace of play, can accelerate out of the blocks.William has the vision and creativity to augment his physical skills to make himself an offensive wizard at times.~Eldon MacDonald Player Comparison: Jeff Skinner Chances of making NHL: FairNick Ritchie Ritchie is a prototypical power forward with an impressive blend of size, skill and strength. He skates well for a big player and has agile feet. He bulls his way around the ice and has an impressive, erratic shot.~Future Considerations Player Comparison: Max Pacioretty/Jamie Benn Chances of making NHL: GoodKevin Fiala Pushing his way up the draft rankings is Kevin Fiala, a dynamic Swiss-born forward with game-breaking offensive talents. Attacking through the neutral zone with sharp edges and quick feet, Fiala is a dangerous forward inside the offensive blueline with his ability to dangle his way to the net showcasing his quick puck skills.~Brendan Ross Player Comparison: Phil Kessel/Martin St. Louis Chances of making NHL: Fair/GoodJake VirtanenVirtanen is a heads-up player who thinks the game well and is willing to get his nose dirty. He has slick hands, a dynamic shot and a strong stride that makes him dangerous. He can be outright dominant at times offensively with his blend of size, skill and speed.~Future Considerations Player Comparison: Joffrey Lupul Chances of making NHL: Good If you could pick any player to play in a Canucks Uniform, who would you pick? I'll say Ehlers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Absolutely appreciate the effort put in to this post. But I warn you, as it is only your 3rd post. The regulars are unforgiving and are about to chew you up for both redundancy and because...it's what they do. That said, Reinhart, Draisatl, Nylander Ehlers Dal Colle or Virtanen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRAY Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Okay obvioulsy Id like to see Ekblad, Reinahart, and Bennett on the Canucks; theyre the best out of the 10 for heavens sakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex425 Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 I would like Reinhart, Bennett, Dal Colle, Ehlers, Virtanen, or Nylander. Would be happy with any of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ossi Vaananen Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 I'm too busy laughing at the Sam Bennett pull up picture. You're trying to hype these guys but you found the one picture of the activity he cannot do. Well played sir. Fiala shouldn't be on this list, and Nylander being compared to Skinner is inaccurate as Nylander does not play that kind of tenacious game. Good effort though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.53 Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 I'm too busy laughing at the Sam Bennett pull up picture. You're trying to hype these guys but you found the one picture of the activity he cannot do. Well played sir. Fiala shouldn't be on this list, and Nylander being compared to Skinner is inaccurate as Nylander does not play that kind of tenacious game. Good effort though. Right? Everyone else looks good in their picture but why no love for Bennett? hahaha, I like the subtle call out though. hahahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laxgoalie Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 I want Leon Draisaitl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSniper88 Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Nylander is not Skinner, he will be more like Kane. Way better playmaker than Skinner. I don't care about any other prospects Nylander is the guy to draft! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSniper88 Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 And please enough of those slow skating players we have drafted in recent years like Hodgson Gaunce. In todays NHL you need speed to have a chance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disaronno Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Nick Ritchie Ritchie is a prototypical power forward with an impressive blend of size, skill and strength. He skates well for a big player and has agile feet. He bulls his way around the ice and has an impressive, erratic shot.~Future ConsiderationsPlayer Comparison: Max Pacioretty Chances of making NHL: Good Is this your opinion of a comparison or from a source? I would say these two players are on completely different ends of the spectrum. Some scouts have tossed comparisons such as Nathan Horton, Jamie Benn & Rick Nash to that of Ritchie. Time will tell on what he pans out being, but definately will not be surprised if Calgary swoops in and drafts him; truly is a Burke prototypical kind of player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerEpic5 Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 We need some goal scoring depth. I'd say Reinhart, Virtanen, Ehlers, and basically anyone in top 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamJamIam Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 And please enough of those slow skating players we have drafted in recent years like Hodgson Gaunce. In todays NHL you need speed to have a chance Hodgson is slow. Gaunce isn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bure_Pavel Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 A for effort, but a lot of the comparisons are pretty off. Still get a kick out of the ehlers: Forsberg, Bure, Naslund, and Kane mix. One of the best hockey minds to play the game in Forsberg, One of the best skaters to play the game, a 100 point sniper, and arguably the best hands in the nhl today mixed. Move over Crosby! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davinci Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 John Tavares and Sam Reinhart is a bad comparison IMO. I see Sam more as an Eric Staal... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BanTSN Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 A for effort, but a lot of the comparisons are pretty off. Still get a kick out of the ehlers: Forsberg, Bure, Naslund, and Kane mix. One of the best hockey minds to play the game in Forsberg, One of the best skaters to play the game, a 100 point sniper, and arguably the best hands in the nhl today mixed. Move over Crosby!Pretty much. He's not even a top-10 prospect this year anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UFCanuck Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Not making much secret of the fact that you are in love with Ehlers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 And please enough of those slow skating players we have drafted in recent years like Hodgson Gaunce. In todays NHL you need speed to have a chance Gaunce is slow like Joe Thorton is slow.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken kaniff Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 How is Virtanen like Lupul?Virtanen hits and is a goal scorer. Lupul doesn't hit often and is a playmaker. Way different.Jake's more like a Jeff Carter type player, but hits more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred65 Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 hey who ever Vcr drafts we'll get the old yaddah, yaddah, yaddah...from management, we didn't expect him to be still there, we're lucky to get him ..he's going to be great and 95% of the fans will eat it up and think from then on we have a budding superstar as a prospect Few have ever seen the players in this years draft and base their opinion on media reports and here's a bit of breaking news few of the media have seen the players either...so they lie what's new Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSniper88 Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Hodgson is slow. Gaunce isn't.Gaunce is, looking at his scouting report his skating needs work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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