I was wondering why he is always ranked very high in draft rankings? His statistics don't look very impressive. What is it with this guy?
-Skates faster than anyone in his age group(see the skills testing for the top prospects game -Has an ability to play wing, centre, defensive -Played on a team this year with 0 1987 born players which is unheard of -Has only played forward for 2 years -Has the top skill set of any player in the draft. Good enough reason for first round? Oh yeah 6'4 203
lol Top skill set of any player in the draft??? That's quite a claim, not that his skillset isn't reasonably impressive with that size and speed, but he doesn't have hands.
See this other thread for Mr. Gillies' ... errrrrrr, I mean, WHL Follower's thoughts on Gillies. http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=352355
I mean i know stats don't tell the whole story but at little more production in the junior leagues are at least required. He may be a very trainable player and maybe coaches love him but with such little offensive production as a forward, i'm not sure if he will got in the 1st round at all
Do people try to hype themselves or their favorite prospect up on HF, in hopes he will go higher in the draft? I'm sure HF is visited by quite a few NHL scouts from time to time, and its pretty reasonable to assume a lot of players have been through here as well. Its just wierd how before the draft you get random posters jumping on starting posts to the effect that ____ is the best thing since sliced bread. I've definately seen media snowballs started from rumours on internet BBs before, I wonder if HF hype is worth anything at all.
lets try. lol. just find someone who is projected to go in the third or fourth round. then everyone joins in and give the biggest hype ever and see where he ends up. just a thought.
If he is 6'4" and can skate but has difficulty scoring; why would anyone move him to forward in the 1st place? There aren't enough quality D men that have size AND mobility. Move him back.
this is gillies 4th year as a forward , he played both growing up. no hands, and also hammil has a better skillset, and doesnt hit from behind
Give him guys to play with and you'll see a dynomite player above all PA Raiders have in the past 10 years including CHIPPER!!! overated= chipper.
if he was any good offensively he would have had more then 27 points. no matter who he's linemates are.
I think his size and skating combined with his lack of offensive awareness indicate that he should be on defence and not at forward. I have a feeling if the team that drafts him moves him back to defence then they will have themselves a solid NHL player for a long time.
Im not the coach but maybe because of his 'stone hands', the coach moved him to forward because he would make too many turnovers? Im just pulling this out of my ass since i have never seen the guy player or seen any1 in the WHL play
Colton Gillies is the most overrated player in this draft. I don't think he should be a 1st round pick. Why? Because vision is everything in hockey. The most important thing a hockey player should have is hockey sense...
Seems like people love this guy or hate him. He is the guy with the biggest variation of opinions on in this draft by far. Some say high 1st, others say low 2nd even 3rd.
Raw ability gets guys noticed first and it sounds like this guy has both the size (obviously) and skating ability to play in the bigs however you have to be able to play the game(hockey sense) and keep improving which it sounds like it has not been happening. I've never seen him play so I don't know but I've seen other guys ( Jeff Ware and Ben Eager ) go very high based solely (IMO) on physical ability. Personally I wouldn't draft him where he will end up but it will be interesting to see where he goes and who takes him. I'll bet it won't be one of the better drafting teams like the Devils.
Except for the couple brilliant displays of stickwork, passing ability, and explosive acceleration and skating ability. He wasn't nearly as physical as I thought he'd be for sure.
I've seen him play a fair amount and yes he is no superstar but I think your over rating the Blades a bit. The Saskatoon Blades are horrible this year, they are doing a little better than thier record breaking bad season a few years back but they still are one of the worst WHL teams this year.
Gillies was shifted from forward to D and back again last night vs the Pats. Not sure why, but he responded well. He had two penalties early in the first and then was put on D. Moved the puck quite well. Then, in the 3rd, he was back up front. Got a breakaway but was hooked from behind and forced to his backhand. Made a nice hit in OT, and scored in the shootout. Great turnaround. Now, if he had consistency. He is faster than any player out there.
