Future Considerations 2014 NHL draft guide is out and here’s a look at their top-30 rankings and my thoughts about the publication (for the last two year’s go here and here). In terms of accuracy here are their last three years (compared to ISS, Red Line Report, and Hockey Prospects, all of whom also predict the entire draft): 2013 68% (2nd out of 4), 2012 71% (3rd), and 2011 44% (4th). Last year I considered their guide the best deal available for fans and we’ll see how this one holds up.
1). D Aaron Ekblad, Barrie (OHL), 6 ‘4, 215
2). C Sam Reinhart, Kootenay (WHL), 6 ‘1, 185
3). C Sam Bennett, Kingston (OHL), 6 ‘0, 180
4). RW William Nylander, MODO (SHL), 5 ‘11, 170
5). C Leon Draisaitl, Prince Albert (WHL), 6 ‘2, 210
6). C Michael Dal Colle, Oshawa (OHL), 6 ‘2, 180
7). LW Nick Ritchie, Peterborough (OHL), 6 ‘2, 230
8). LW Nikolaj Ehlers, Halifax (QMJHL), 5 ‘11, 165
9). D Haydn Fleury, Red Deer (WHL), 6 ‘3, 200
10). C Jake Virtanen, Calgary (WHL), 6 ‘1, 210
11). LW Brendan Perlini, Niagara (OHL), 6 ‘2, 205
12). C Jared McCann, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), 6 ‘0, 180
13). LW Kevin Fiala, HV 71 (SHL), 5 ‘10, 180
14). C Dylan Larkin, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 6 ‘1, 190
15). C Robby Fabbri, Guelph (OHL), 5 ‘10, 165
16). LW Ivan Barbashev, Moncton (QMJHL), 6 ‘1, 185
17). LW Sonny Milano, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 5 ‘11, 185
18). RW David Pastrnak, Sodertalje (Allsvenskan), 5 ‘11, 170
19). RW Alex Tuch, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 6 ‘3, 215
20). RW Josh Ho ‘Sang, Windsor (OHL), 5 ‘11, 165
21). RW Conner Bleackley, Red Deer (WHL), 6 ‘1, 195
22). G Thatcher Demko, Boston College (NCAA), 6 ‘4, 180
23). RW Nikolay Goldobin, Sarnia (OHL), 6 ‘0, 175
24). D Jack Dougherty, USNTDP U18 (USHL), 6 ‘1, 185
25). C Jakub Vrana, Linkoping J20 (SuperElit), 5 ‘11, 185
26). RW Kasperi Kapanen, KalPa (SM JLiiga), 5 ‘11, 170
27). C Adrian Kempe, Modo J20 (SuperElit), 6 ‘2, 190
28). D Roland McKeown, Kingston (OHL), 6 ‘1, 200
29). D Anthony DeAngelo, Sarnia (OHL), 5 ‘11, 175
30). C Eric Cornel, Peterborough (OHL), 6 ‘2, 175
In FC‘s mock draft they have Ottawa selecting Marcus Pettersson in the second round, saying:
They need skilled defenders and a couple [of] high-end talents at the forward positions.
Last year they expected Ottawa to take Samuel Morin, but he was not available when Ottawa made their selection (Philadelphia picked him at 11th overall).
There’s no assessment of the various NHL organisations (or their scouting staffs), but they do offer a comment about the quality of this year’s draft:
The truth of the matter is, while there are no sure-fire ‘Next Great NHL Superstar’ types of talents available, there are a few kids who project to have very strong NHL futures ahead of them. Sure [many of] these prospects all have the potential to bust, but that potential is realized more than a handful of times in every draft class. The forward prospects are the real strength of this draft class with big power forwards, smaller skilled pivots and goal-scoring wingers deep into the third or fourth rounds. Also, add the odd agitating winger or two-way specialist into the mix and the forward position should be well represented in Philly. Plenty of strong goaltending prospects are also available this year. The list includes a couple calm and poised technical tenders, the bigger bodies with raw but potentially impressive upsides, as well as the more acrobatic types who are less blocker and more old school reflex stoppers. Defense is a weak area of this draft as there are very few guys who look like they can be developed into impact NHLers, but instead there appears to be a few blue-chippers and a bunch of guys who could be bottom-pairing contributors or career minor leaguers.
The guide contains profiles of varying extent for all 210 prospects listed and once again it’s very reasonably priced ($20.99). I haven’t seen the other guides yet, but they are all more expensive than FC so it’s likely it will be the best bet for fans again this year.
This article is written by Peter Levi (@eyeonthesens)
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[…] guide I consider the best value for draft fans (for previous reviews go here, here and here). Unlike Red Line Report or ISS, Future Considerations‘ is a guide made […]