2014 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings

[Johnnydollaz89]

2014 NHL Draft prospects using WJC to showcase skills - Prospector Files

THE A LIST
Ivan Barbashev, LW, Russia: Barbashev is playing a bottom-six forward role on a team loaded with top talent. He has one goal, two points and a plus-2 rating in four games.
In 29 games with the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the 6-1, 185-pounder has 13 goals and 37 points in 29 games.
"Ivan is a very good playmaker with quick hands and he has a very good shot," Marr said. "He has an effective physical game and isn't afraid to mix it up. He's used in all situations and will battle for loose pucks."
Aaron Ekblad, D, Canada: Canada coach Brent Sutter thinks so highly of the A-rated prospect from the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League that he has him in a top-four role along the blue line, pairing him with Derrick Pouliot (Pittsburgh Penguins). Ekblad has one goal, two points a plus-1 rating and six shots on goal in four games.
Ekblad has 10 goals and 25 points in 29 games for the Colts.
"He's smart and an excellent all-round skater for his size [6-3.5, 216]," Marr said. "He handles and distributes the puck well in all zones, passes with authority and possesses an accurate shot from the point."
Julius Honka, D, Finland: He's played the role of fifth or sixth defenseman in the tournament, paired mostly with Mikko Vainonen (Nashville Predators) to form a pretty solid unit. Though he doesn't have a point, he has seven shots on goal and is very active.
NHL Director of European Scouting Goran Stubb refers to Honka as a "Reijo Ruotsalainen copy." Ruotsalainen spent seven seasons in the NHL, and won a Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers in 1987 and 1990. He also was named best defenseman at the 1980 World Junior Championship for silver medal-winning Finland.
Honka has 12 goals, 36 points, 32 penalty minutes and a plus-9 rating in 35 games with the Swift Current Broncos in the Western Hockey League.
"He's smallish but an excellent skater with great balance," Stubb said. "He's an offensive-minded defenseman with good vision and a high skill level. Quick moves, reads the game very well and loves to join the offensive rush. Used in all game situations."
Ondrej Kase, RW, Czech Republic: The 5-11, 165-pound right-handed shot received a B-rating from Central Scouting in the December players to watch list. He's earned a top-six role for the Czechs and has a goal and two assists in four games.
In 21 games with Chomutov in the top Czech professional league, he has two goals and five points.
"Ondrej is a good, mobile skater with speed and acceleration," Stubb said. "He's a very good playmaker with excellent puckhandling skills. He's tiny and rather light and he needs to bulk up, but he's still a fearless competitor who leads by example."
David Pastrnak, RW, Czech Republic: The A-rated forward, who plays for Sodertalje in Sweden's second division, was one of two players from the Czech to score in the shootout against Canada in a 5-4 upset in preliminary-round play. The 6-foot, 167-pound right-handed shot has one goal, one assist and a plus-1 rating. He's played on the team's top line for much of the tournament and has seven shots on goal.
"David is an offensive-minded player with smooth hands, great instincts and a very quick shot," Stubb said. "He's an excellent skater with speed and acceleration. He's very smart on ice but will need more weight and strength to excel at the next level."
Sam Reinhart, C, Canada: The 6-0.75, 185-pound right-handed shot has worked in a top-six role, striking for two goals, five points and a plus-3 rating in four games. Reinhart hasn't looked out of place on a line with Nicolas Petan (Winnipeg Jets) and Curtis Lazar (Ottawa Senators), and his performance so far only has solidified his position as a top-two pick in the 2014 draft. Reinhart, an A-rated skater on Central Scouting's December players to watch list, has 16 goals and 50 points in 33 games for the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League.
"He can dish the puck with laser-like passes," Marr said. "He's very good at taking what is given to him and finishing the play."

Some good names uptop of the list, Reinhart and Ekbald stand out the most. Also like Nikko and Hayden.

 

[puckhead]

Pastrnak and Prochazka were absolute studs in every CZE game that I saw.
Eklblad anchored the CDN defense, especially before G Reinhart arrived.... which is amazing for a 17 year old.

 

[puckhead]

@FriedgeHNIC 2h
Aaron Ekblad has four goals in the first 33 minutes tonight for Barrie.


why yes he is a 17 year old defenseman, why do you ask?

 

[puckhead]

@FriedgeHNIC 2h
Aaron Ekblad has four goals in the first 33 minutes tonight for Barrie.


why yes he is a 17 year old defenseman, why do you ask?

4 goals, 1 assist on the night.

 

[dash]

Ekblad will look great in Calgary next season...

 

[esls79]

Ekblad will look great in Calgary next season...

You got a great shot at him because you know the Oilers won't draft a d-man two years in a row

 

[dash]

Top 5 North American skaters (guys playing in North America) are as follows:

1 BENNETT, SAMUEL KINGSTON OHL C 6' 0.25" 178
2 DRAISAITL, LEON PRINCE ALBERT WHL C 6' 1.75" 208
3 EKBLAD, AARON BARRIE OHL D 6' 3.5" 216
4 REINHART, SAM KOOTENAY WHL C 6' 0.75" 185
5 DAL COLLE, MICHAEL OSHAWA OHL C/LW 6' 1.5" 179

2014 NHL Mid-Term Draft Ranking - NA Skaters

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

Bennett has climbed the rankings.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

I'd have ekblad at the top of those rankings personally. I haven't watched Bennett yet though.

 

[dash]

I'd have ekblad at the top of those rankings personally. I haven't watched Bennett yet though.

I haven't watched Bennett either, but from a Flames perspective, I want Ekblad.

 

[flyersfan4706]

McKeown, Deangelo, or Kapanen please

 

[Upstater]

I would love for the Sabres to get Reinhart. He is just what we need.