In the days leading up to the draft, Future Considerations will count down its top-ranked prospects for the 2014 NHL Draft in prospect profile segments.
Draft Countdown 30-26
Draft Countdown 25-21
Draft Countdown 20-16
Draft Countdown 15-11
Draft Countdown 10-6
Draft Countdown 5-1
To go even deeper into the draft class, pick up Future Considerations’ 2014 NHL Draft Guide, containing our ranking of the top-210 prospects, full profiles on 210 draft eligibles, a two-round mock draft, a glimpse at the 2015 NHL Draft and much, much more! Click HERE to find out more!
10. Jake Virtanen – RW – Calgary Hitmen
Virtanen dominated goaltenders in the WHL this past season, billing them for 45 goals in 71 games. He also had a tidy point-per-game average to boot. The hulking 6-foot-1, 210-pounder is one of the fastest skaters in the draft, if not the fastest after posting the best times in the forwards and backwards, with and without the puck, skating tests at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. For a forward to collect all those accolades is very impressive.
Virtanen’s elite blend of size and skill is complimented by an excellent set of hands and unbeatably elite shot. A heavy, pin point accurate dart is propelled from his blade with admirable consistency. Virtanen loves throwing his weight around, too, mowing down opponents with regularity. His hands are also not solely reserved for scoring, as he can, and is most willing to, fold opponents with his fists if brought to it.
9. Haydn Fleury – D – Red Deer Rebels
An even keeled, ‘jack-of-all-trades’ defenseman, Fleury plays an efficient and effective style at both ends of the rink. He has reliable skating ability and can join in on the rush on occasion, but on the same token, is rarely caught flat footed on the defensive side of the puck. He has high hockey IQ, allowing him to understand developing plays and make smart anticipatory reads, giving him a bit of an edge. He’s equipped with a standard issue cannon from the point – which certainly contributed to his eight goals and 46 points in 70 games this past season — but also has very shrewd passing ability, finding seams.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound blueliner also likes to use the full capacity of his frame, engaging in physical play and laying the occasional thunderous hit. The one drawback with Fleury at this point appears to be the timid play he displays on occasion. He is sometimes hesitant to make plays and loses his window of opportunity as a result.
8. Nikolaj Ehlers – LW – Halifax Mooseheads
Dubbed the ‘dashing Dane’, Ehlers torched his newly adopted league something fierce. The 6-foot, 165-pound winger racked up an attention-demanding 49 goals and 104 points in just 63 games this season with Halifax. Ehlers has a plentiful array of weaponry at his disposal, most noticeably electric mitts that allow him to quite literally stickhandle in a phone booth.
Ehlers is a world class skater and his agility allow him to change pace instantly. He’s also a very strong passer and shooter, allowing him to capitalize on the opportunities he creates with the rest of his skill-set. The biggest knock on Ehlers remains his frame, which is undersized at the moment. He is easily dislodged from the puck, although it’s quite the chore catching up with, and positioning oneself to place a hit on the slippery winger.
7. Nick Ritchie – LW – Peterborough Petes
The draft’s tank, Ritchie is measured at 6-foot-3 and 230-pounds of seemingly bulletproof armor. Whatever is thrown at him just bounces off and he makes for defenders quite the intimidating experience when he comes barreling down on them. His cannon fires flawlessly, picking targets precisely. In fact, it has ripped in 39 times this past season.
Ritchie also had 74 points to boot in 61 games. Unfortunately, this tank isn’t always fully-fueled and as a result doesn’t always work at 100 percent. It also has trouble staying healthy and often requires maintenance. Staying healthy will be an important key in Ritchie’s development moving forward.
6. Michael Dal Colle – LW – Oshawa Generals
A sleek point-producing machine, Dal Colle amassed 39 goals and 95 points in 67 games this past season and will be no doubt be quite sought after by offensive-thirsty teams choosing early in the draft. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound winger is a strong and quick offensive producer. He has tremendous vision linked with great passing ability allowing him to make opportune connections in the offensive zone.
He also possess a hard, accurate shot that whips past goaltenders with regularity. Unlike some of his offensively-gifted peers, Dal Colle pays attention to his defensive responsibilities and sticks to defensive assignments admirably. The only real area of weakness for Dal Colle is the explosiveness in his first few steps. He is a good skater but still needs to add that elite acceleration that can overwhelm defenders.
To go even deeper into the draft class, pick up Future Considerations’ 2014 NHL Draft Guide, containing our ranking of the top-210 prospects, full profiles on 210 draft eligibles, a two-round mock draft, a glimpse at the 2015 NHL Draft and much, much more! Click HERE to find out more!