Prospect Info: 2015 Annual Prospect Poll #3

[The Midnight Burrito]

Last Poll: Theodore wins, not even close. Kinda guessing the next one won't be more interesting.


Each poll will be open for 48 hours. If it's not close after 24 hours, I'll call it. If it is, it'll go the full 48. In the event of a tie after 48 hours, a 24-hour runoff will be held. The winner will get the open spot; the loser will go back into the pool, not get the next-lowest rank. The poll will go up to #25. Players are in the poll on the basis of HF's prospect criteria. Essentially, skaters with less than 65 games before the season of their 24th birthday, or goalies with less than 45 games before the season of their 24th birthday, are considered prospects. There are some nuances with respect to older-signed players, which I believe only applies to Matt Bailey this year.

Vote on players using whatever criteria you like. This isn't the readiness poll or the talent poll or the most-likely-to-be-best poll, it's just a survey of who we as Duck fans like.


Prior years results:
2004-05 Lockout II Edition
2010 Edition
2011 Edition
2012 Edition
2013 Lockout III Edition
2014 Edition
(if anyone can find other years, let me know and I'll add them)

year | rank | Prospect | year | rank | Prospect | year | rank | Prospect | change | year | rank | Prospect | change | year | rank | Prospect | change | year | rank | prospect | change 2005 | 1 | Getzlaf | 2010 | 1 | Sbisa | 2011 | 1 | Etem | +5 | 2012 | 1 | Palmieri | +2 | 2013 | 1 | Gibson | +6 | 2014 | 1 | Gibson |0
| 2 | Bryzgalov || 2 | Fowler || 2 | Holland | +2 || 2 | Vatanen | +2 || 2 | Lindholm | +3 || 2 | Vatanen | +5
| 3 | Perry || 3 | Gardiner || 3 | Palmieri | +2 || 3 | Etem | -2 || 3 | Silfverberg |n/a|| 3 | Karlsson | +7
| 4 | Smid || 4 | Holland || 4 | Vatanen | +3 || 4 | Holland | -2 || 4 | Etem | -1 || 4 | Ritchie |n/a
| 5 | Holmqvist || 5 | Palmieri || 5 | REDACTED | +11 || 5 | Lindholm |n/a|| 5 | Rakell | +3 || 5 | Andersen | +7
| 6 | Brent || 6 | Etem || 6 | DSP | +7 || 6 | DSP |0|| 6 | Holland | -2 || 6 | Rakell | -1
| 7 | Kunitz || 7 | Vatanen || 7 | Gibson |n/a|| 7 | Gibson |0|| 7 | Vatanen | -5 || 7 | Kerdiles | +1
| 8 | Popovic || 8 | Clark || 8 | Rakell |n/a|| 8 | Rakell |0|| 8 | Kerdiles | +1 || 8 | Theodore | +3
| 9 | Smirnov || 9 | Mitera || 9 | Maroon |n/a|| 9 | Kerdiles |n/a|| 9 | Noesen |n/a|| 9 | Noesen |0
| 10 | S. O'Brien || 10 | Bonino || 10 | Bonino |0|| 10 | Karlsson | +4 || 10 | Karlsson |0|| 10 | Sorensen | +4
| 11 | Saunders || 11 | Deschamps || 11 | Clark | -3 || 11 | Andersen |n/a|| 11 | Theodore |n/a|| 11 | Pettersson |n/a
| 12 | Smith || 12 | McMillan || 12 | Friberg |n/a|| 12 | Wagner | +6 || 12 | Andersen | -1 || T12 | Manson | +13
| 13 | Glenncross || 13 | DSP || 13 | Deschamps | -2 || 13 | Friberg | -1 || 13 | Smith-Pelly | -7 || T12 | Montour |n/a
| 14 | Korsunov || 14 | Newton || 14 | Karlsson |n/a|| 14 | Clark | -3 || 14 | Sorensen |n/a|| 14 | Friberg | +5
| 15 | Konopka || 15 | Bobkov || 15 | Bobkov |0|| 15 | Welinski | +5 || 15 | Roy | +2 || 15 | Wagner | +2
| 16 | Martensson || 16 | REDACTED || 16 | Macenauer |n/a|| 16 | Maroon | -7 || 16 | Welinski | -1 || 16 | Roy | -1
| 17 | Foster || 17 | Pielmeier || 17 | Cramarossa |n/a|| 17 | Roy |n/a|| 17 | Wagner | -5 || 17 | Welinski | -1
| 18 | Penner || 18 | Sharp || 18 | Wagner |n/a|| 18 | Bobkov | -3 || 18 | Laganiere |n/a|| 18 | Laganiere |0
| 19 | Klubertanz || 19 | Heed || 19 | Schofield |n/a|| 19 | Lind | +2 || 19 | Friberg | -6 || 19 | Thompson | +1
| 20 | Parenteau || 20 | Manson || 20 | Welinski |n/a|| 20 | Cramarossa | -3 || 20 | Thompson |n/a|| 20 | Kase |n/a
| 21 | Perrault || 21 |N/A|| 21 | Lind |n/a|| 21 | A. O'Brien |n/a|| 21 | Sarault |n/a|| 21 | Bobkov | +2
| 22 |N/A|| 22 |N/A|| 22 | Newton | -8 || 22 | Heed | +3 || 22 | Cramarossa | -2 || 22 | Blacker |n/a
| 23 |N/A|| 23 |N/A|| 23 | Carle |n/a|| 23 | Caputi |n/a|| 23 | Bobkov | -5 || 23 | Megna |n/a
| 24 |N/A|| 24 |N/A|| 24 | Perlini |n/a|| 24 | Cooper |n/a|| 24 |N/A||| 24 | Besse |n/a
| 25 |N/A|| 25 |N/A|| 25 | Heed | -6 || 25 | Manson |NR|| 25 |N/A||| 25 | Aaltonen |n/a

Notable Graduates/Departures:
Aaltonen
Andersen
Blacker
Bobkov
Karlsson
Laganiere
Rakell
Vatanen

This year's results:

Rank | Prospect | yearly change | overall change
1| Gibson |n/a| +7 (since 2011)
2| Theodore | +6 | +9 (since 2013)

Click to read more...

 

[Ducksforcup]

Pretty clear choice here. After Ritchie there is a bit of a dropoff IMO.

 

[The Mighty Duck Man]

I would love to hear the reasoning for anyone not named Ritchie. I think there's a pretty big difference between him and the next guy.

 

[Ducks Nation*]

Just do #4

 

[Gliff]

Now is where it gets interesting with a LOT of defensemen.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Rick Nitchie

 

[Ducks Nation*]

Next is Montour imo

 

[JabbaJabba]

Richie is pretty clear pick here, even though I wouldn't call him a sure thing but his potential makes up for it.

Next one is going to be tough.

 

[Duck Off]

Next is Montour imo

It'll be close. I'd give slight edge to Larsson (higher upside IMO), but Montour would be next.

 

[Ducks Nation*]

I've seen clips of Larsson and watched him at the scrimmage. I don't like the pick personally his skate stride is awful. I hope I'm wrong. He's not physical at all, I am not even sure what his strength are? Someone said skating but that's laughable his stride can be seen in the prospect clips its like maroon. I know it was a ducks pick and a first rounder so we should defend it, I trust our scouts with D men and I hope I'm wrong.

Montour impressed at every level and the times I've seen him in person so I'm going with him next.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

Ritchie
not close.

 

[Vipers31]

He's not physical at all, I am not even sure what his strength are? Someone said skating but that's laughable (...)

Well, most scouting reports say something different. I just went over the first bunch I could find, and the attributes given to him/his skating were "very mobile", "very good skater", "skates very well", with one leaving it at "skates solid and maneuvers well". While I respect your own impression, it might be a bit of a small basis to consider something else quite "laughable".

The most highlighted part about his game seems to be his strong hockey-IQ, in both offensive and defensive decisions.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

I've seen clips of Larsson and watched him at the scrimmage. I don't like the pick personally his skate stride is awful. I hope I'm wrong. He's not physical at all, I am not even sure what his strength are? Someone said skating but that's laughable his stride can be seen in the prospect clips its like maroon. I know it was a ducks pick and a first rounder so we should defend it, I trust our scouts with D men and I hope I'm wrong.

Montour impressed at every level and the times I've seen him in person so I'm going with him next.

you are putting too much weight into a prospect scrimmage

 

[Ducks Nation*]

you are putting too much weight into a prospect scrimmage

Not how he played, but his stride and skating movements seem awkward to say the least... you can see it here when he skates away alittle.

https://vine.co/v/e1J96e19J9l

 

[The Mighty Duck Man]

Not how he played, but his stride and skating movements seem awkward to say the least... you can see it here when he skates away alittle.

https://vine.co/v/e1J96e19J9l

Who cares if his stride looks awkward? Seriously, what does it matter at all?

 

[Ducks Nation*]

Who cares if his stride looks awkward? Seriously, what does it matter at all?

Nothing except for the fact his strength was listed as skating

 

[The Mighty Duck Man]

Nothing except for the fact his strength was listed as skating

There's a difference between being a great skater and having an asethically pleasing stride. Etem has a weird stride too, and skating is certainly a strength of his.

 

[Ducks Nation*]

Skating straight yes, I don't think he is a great skater overall.

Anyways hope he proves me wrong and is as good as Lindholm, its just my opinion at the current moment Montour is the better prospect for #4. You can vote for Larsson

 

[AngelDuck]

I've seen clips of Larsson and watched him at the scrimmage. I don't like the pick personally his skate stride is awful. I hope I'm wrong. He's not physical at all, I am not even sure what his strength are? Someone said skating but that's laughable his stride can be seen in the prospect clips its like maroon. I know it was a ducks pick and a first rounder so we should defend it, I trust our scouts with D men and I hope I'm wrong.

Montour impressed at every level and the times I've seen him in person so I'm going with him next.

He just turned 18 3 months ago. There are an endless amount of players who have fixed skating problems in their teenage years. Hell, some of them never fix them but are good enough in other areas to make up for it. I can't speak about Larsson because I've never seen the kid play, but you are clearly overreacting to one game.

He was drafted because of his hockey sense and ability to make plays with the puck. He's supposed to have the ability to be an elite passer which is great to hear for any defenseman.

Montour is pretty great though, I do agree with that. I've been pimping him since we drafted him. Some amazing puck skills and creativity to his game

 

[The Mighty Duck Man]

Skating straight yes, I don't think he is a great skater overall.

Anyways hope he proves me wrong and is as good as Lindholm, its just my opinion at the current moment Montour is the better prospect for #4. You can vote for Larsson

Oh, I was probably going to, or at least someone else over Larsson. I really could not care less, though, about how his skating stride looks. If he's an effective skater regardless, as most scouting reports noted, then who cares?

 

[KaseMeOutside]

yeah i am not discrediting sauced opinions about larsson, i too have montour rated ahead of him but that's more due to montour than anything else

 

[Ando]

Next poll will be much more interesting.

 

[Getzmonster]

I could see a good debate around 4-5 guys being #4. The next few spots of this poll will be pretty interesting. I lean towards Montour as well, but I don't feel super confident that it's the right pick.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I would love to hear the reasoning for anyone not named Ritchie. I think there's a pretty big difference between him and the next guy.

Noesen.

I was debating between the two. Being on the ice ruled over potential. You don't have to worry about Noesen's motor or desire to want to play... in any capacity. Yet there he is after consecutive years of season, or near season long. He's actually productive when on the ice... it's just he's not on it often enough that people forget his talent exists.

Noesen was the guy that Bob wanted. Then traded out of our original spot when the Sens snatched him ahead of us. Years later, Bob made sure he was part of the deal being sent back in the Bobby Ryan trade. He also made a lasting impression in the waning days in Norfolk for their fans. High character, high motor, and high talent... just missing the time of development.

If Noesen remains healthy all year, then I wouldn't be surprised to see his stock rise and possibly rise higher than Ritchie.

 

[DaDucks*]

Noesen.

I was debating between the two. Being on the ice ruled over potential. You don't have to worry about Noesen's motor or desire to want to play... in any capacity. Yet there he is after consecutive years of season, or near season long. He's actually productive when on the ice... it's just he's not on it often enough that people forget his talent exists.

Noesen was the guy that Bob wanted. Then traded out of our original spot when the Sens snatched him ahead of us. Years later, Bob made sure he was part of the deal being sent back in the Bobby Ryan trade. He also made a lasting impression in the waning days in Norfolk for their fans. High character, high motor, and high talent... just missing the time of development.

If Noesen remains healthy all year, then I wouldn't be surprised to see his stock rise and possibly rise higher than Ritchie.

Interesting word choice here. The guy has only played 1 game in the nhl and is already 1 knee injury away from retirement. Who in their right mind would "invest" hope in him to have a lengthy and successful career over a prospect like Ritchie.