Top 10 prospects

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This article was published 28/03/2014 (4447 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PROSPECTING

FOR THE 2014 DRAFT

The Jets are now playing for a draft pick and here’s a look at the top 10 prospects:

 

1. Aaron Ekblad

Team: Barrie Colts (OHL)

Position: Defence

Height / weight: 6-4, 216 lbs.

Imagine this giant paired with Jacob Trouba. The Jets would have a pair of twin towers on their blue-line for the next decade or more.

 

2. Sam Reinhart

Team: Kootenay Ice (WHL)

Position: Centre

Height / weight: 6-1, 185 lbs.

A leader with top-end hockey sense. Son of former NHLer Paul Reinhart. Finished fourth in the WHL in scoring with a career-high 105 points (36 goals, 69 assists) in 60 regular-season games.

 

3. Sam Bennett

Team: Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

Position: Centre

Height / weight: 6-0, 178 lbs.

Crazy speed and elite hockey sense. Makes others around him better and is dominant at junior level.

 

4. Michael Dal Colle

Team: Oshawa Generals (OHL)

Position: Left-winger

Height / weight: 6-2, 171 lbs.

Just growing into his frame but already shows the balance and desire for physical action to be an effective power forward. Guessing on how far his upside can go is the key when drafting this player.

 

5. Leon Draisaitl

Team: Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

Position: Left-winger

Height / weight: 6-1, 208 lbs.

Mix of skill and power. Sees the ice well and is predicted to develop into a strong two-way centre. Skating is improving but has lots of room to grow in this area.

 

6. Haydn Fleury

Team: Red Deer Rebels (WHL)

Position: Defence

Height / weight: 6-2, 207 lbs.

Big, smart and skilled. The question on Fleury is whether his skating will allow him to be a dominant NHLer. Slows the game down and makes all the right decisions in junior. But can he do the same at the pro level?

 

7. Nick Ritchie

Team: Peterborough Petes (OHL)

Position: Left-winger

Height / weight: 6-2, 218 lbs.

Might be a sleeper and a team might move him up to the Top 5. Dominant player, who uses his size and an elite shot to overpower in junior. Lots are beginning to believe his game will smoothly transition to the NHL.

 

8. Brendan Perlini

Team: Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL)

Position: Left-winger

Height / weight: 6-2, 205 lbs.

Superior skating should make him a solid pro and maybe an elite one. Has a great release and already owns a pro shot that will only get better as he gets stronger.

 

9. Kasperi Kapanen

Team: KalPa (Finnish Elite League)

Position: Right-winger

Height / weight: 5-11, 172 lbs.

Son of former NHLer Sami Kapanen and has the same ability to score. Real good at making plays in tight areas. Size is an issue and could prevent him from being more than a strong second- or third-line NHL player.

 

10. Jake Virtanen

Team: Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

Position: Right-winger

Height / weight: 6-0, 213 lbs.

Speed, size and an elite shot. Virtanen has shown flashes that make some scouts believe he can be a dominant top-line winger in the NHL.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

 

The NHL holds a lottery at seasons’s end to determine which team will select first in the draft and all 14 non-playoff teams have a chance to gain the top pick. The likelihood of each team gaining the right to the first pick is:

 

30th place: 25 per cent

29th place: 18.8 per cent

28th place: 14.2 per cent

27th place: 10.7 per cent

26th place: 8.1 per cent

25th place: 6.2 per cent

24th place: 4.7 per cent

23th place: 3.6 per cent

22th place: 2.7 per cent

21th place: 2.1 per cent

20th place: 1.5 per cent

19th place: 1.1 per cent

18th place: 0.8 per cent

17th place: 0.5 per cent