The top 10
The top end of the 2014 NHL entry draft in Philadelphia this week is dripping with powerful bloodlines and power forwards.
Throw in a compelling human interest story and the possibility of some flip-flopping picks and there remains plenty of excitement about what is an average draft.
There is certainly no guarantee about who will be selected first. Or even what team will make the first selection. Florida GM Dale Tallon has been dangling the first pick.
1. Aaron Ekblad, defence Team: Barrie Colts Stats: 58 GP, 23 G, 30 A, 53 Pts The background: Ekblad, unquestionably the best defenceman in the class, has the chance to step directly into the NHL next season. He’s a solid two-way player, but may not bring the type of dynamic play which could lift fans out of their seats. At 6-foot-4 and 217 pounds, he has big-league size.
2. Sam Bennett, centre Team: Kingston Frontenacs Stats: 57 GP, 36 G, 55 A, 91 Pts The background: According to Sabres GM Tim Murray, Bennett is a “bulldog” who never gives up. Scouts rave about Bennett’s mixture of talent, aggression and competitiveness. If there’s one factor which could cause him to drop, it’s his slight 6-foot, 181-pound frame.
3. Sam Reinhart, centre Team: Kootenay Ice Stats: 60 GP, 36 G, 69 A, 105 Pts The background: The latest branch on the Reinhart family — father Paul played for Atlanta/ Calgary and brothers Max and Griffin have been drafted — capped his outstanding season by being named the WHL’s player of the year and most sportsmanlike player. Reinhart is a superb playmaker.
4. Leon Draisaitl, centre Team: Prince Albert Raiders Stats: 64 GP, 38 G, 67 A, 105 Pts The background: Draisaitl has the strength, size and offensive instincts to fend off opponents and is capable of controlling the puck for extended periods. The son of Peter Draisaitl, he has been dubbed the “German Gretzky.” The only thing missing is a physical edge.
5. Michael Dal Colle, winger Team: Oshawa Generals Stats: 67 GP, 39 G, 56 A, 95 Pts The background: Mild-mannered off the ice, Dal Colle surprises observers by flipping a switch to become a relentless presence on the ice. He understands how fortunate he is — his older brother is autistic and his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, but has been clear since 2009.
6. Jake Virtanen, winger Team: Calgary Hitmen Stats: 71 GP, 45 G, 26 A, 71 Pts The background: He has NHL power forward written all over him. At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, Virtanen is outstanding at working the boards and bringing the puck to the tough areas in front of the net. If anything, he might have to tone down his physical game.
7. Nick Ritchie, winger Team: Peterborough Petes Stats: 61 GP, 39 G, 35 A, 74 Pts The background: Ritchie, too, has the makings of an NHL power forward at 6-foot-3 and 229 pounds. He models himself after Boston’s Milan Lucic and Dallas’ Jamie Benn and is hard to push off the puck. Brother Brett is a Dallas prospect.
8. Brendan Perlini, winger Team: Niagara Ice Dogs Stats: 58 GP, 34 G, 37 A, 71 Pts The background: Perlini had the benefit of seeing the world and playing with players several years older while growing up in Britain, where his father, Fred, was a hockey star. He returned to Canada when he was 12. Perlini will need to improve his defensive awareness.
9. Nikolaj Ehlers, winger Team: Halifax Mooseheads Stats: 63 GP, 49 G, 55 A, 104 Pts The background: The numbers are astounding, but there’s a hesitation to heap too much praise because he has spent most of the season on a line with Jonathan Drouin, who went third overall by Tampa last year. At 5-foot-11 and 162 pounds, he needs to bulk up.
10. William Nylander, winger Team: Sodertalje Stats: 17 GP, 11 G, 8 A, 19 Pts The background: He’s the son of former NHL star Michael Nylander. Red Line Report said he’s “very likely the most purely skilled offensive player in this draft.” NHL Central Scouting labelled him an “artist on the ice.” But Nylander is a gamble because of his size (5-foot-11, 169 pounds) and laissezfaire attitude toward defence.