Prospect Info: Round 2, Pick 35: Isaac Ratcliffe, LW, Guelph (OHL)

[Flyotes]

Yeah, this is a pretty good pick. Color me impressed. Needed more LWs, should have gone earlier in the draft, held back by his team, another net front guy, and high IQ (seems to be the theme for the 1st three selections.) Probably a guy they liked, then realized he was falling to a spot they could reach, so they made it happen.

Needs to eat breakfast with Morin.

 

[FLYguy3911]

I always have questions about forwards this tall having enough coordination and hands to be an impact forward, but he has some pretty decent numbers for that kind of guy on an awful team.

They passed on Jason Robertson twice though. Hope the Flyers are right.

 

[SheasRebellion6]

I mean when you look at the depth of our prospect pool, it seems pretty logical that we would start making moves like this.

 

[Flyotes]

http://lastwordonhockeyprospects.com/2017/04/20/isaac-ratcliffe-scouting-report/

Comparison is Wayne Train, eh? I kind of had the same thought, but Simmer is so revered around here I don't want to say it.

Either way, he could eventually be a PP2 net front guy if Simmonds is still on the team, or a replacement if Simmonds isn't here (don't start this argument guys-- I used IF) and he has other aspects to his game. If he doesn't learn to use his size that would stink.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

NHL Draft Projection

Ratcliffe should go somewhere in the 25-40 range come draft night. Depends on which teams are there at the end of the first, beginning of the second. His combination of size and skill alone put him in the first-round discussion. A lottery team could take advantage if he falls out of the first round coupling him with a top prospect. Imagine New Jersey adding Ratcliffe to Nolan Patrick or Nico Hischier. I have him 32nd on my list, the first pick of day two.

http://thehockeywriters.com/isaac-ratcliffe-2017-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/

 

[tade]

Perfectly fine with this pick. This is a weak draft, so it is not needed to neccesary use all the picks, and if they feel that there's 1st round talent available in the 2nd round you move up for it. We were able to pay this price, no problem with amount of picks we have.

It will be very interesting to follow Ratcliffe's development.

 

[daynus]

Might as well take advantage of this draft, by getting what hexy and the scouts consider 3 first round picks. This guy is huge, mobile, has a cannon of a shot. With our defence and going all forwards here, so far, our team is gonna be fast,skilled and big.
I can see a few more trades, as hexy loads up for 2018.

 

[SheasRebellion6]

Also, when you break it down, we gave up 75, but pick 5 spots later at 80. We gave up 108, but that's only after we pick back-to-back at 106 and 107. Not too shabby.

 

[TheKingPin]

Might as well take advantage of this draft, by getting what hexy and the scouts consider 3 first round picks. This guy is huge, mobile, has a cannon of a shot. With our defence and going all forwards here, so far, our team is gonna be fast,skilled and big.
I can see a few more trades, as hexy loads up for 2018.

This can't be understated. We have one of if not the best scouting team in the league and we just got three of their first round picks.

 

[tictactoe]

Rankings
THW Consensus: 38th

ISS Hockey: 20th

Future Considerations: 23rd

NHL CSS: 15th (NA)

Strengths
Soft hands
Good offensive hockey sense
Net front presence

 

[BringBackHakstol]

Really like the aggressive trade up strategy. We simply don't need to be adding 10+ prospects again this year. Get some guys you believe in

 

[BobbyClarkeFan16]

This can't be understated. We have one of if not the best scouting team in the league and we just got three of their first round picks.

Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen the Flyers system as deep as it is right now. The depth is borderline ridiculous

 

[Captain Dave Poulin]

Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen the Flyers system as deep as it is right now. The depth is borderline ridiculous

It has never, ever been close to this deep in the four decades I have been following the team. We have had good four-line depth at the NHL level a few times, but nothing like this in the system. It's glorious.

 

[BringBackHakstol]

A guy this size that can skate should have a nice floor as well.

 

[Hockeypete49]

One of the kids I was hoping the Flyers could get their hands on. Love this pick!!!

 

[DrinkFightFlyers]

The traded picks seem like a fair deal, especially given our surplus this year. A third and a fourth and swapping a 2nd to move up 9 seems about right. Those picks in 3+ rounds are such a small likelihood of making an impact that this is a no brainier, especially given we have multiple in each of those rounds

 

[Hockeypete49]

Apparently ranked higher than Frost.

Yep way higher.

 

[The Madrigal]

I love this pick. This is a kid who was projected be a first round pick by pretty much everyone. There is no way he was going to slide to 44. I was hoping for a LW with some upside and Ratcliffe (or Robertson would have as well) will fill that need big time.

As for the cost to move up and get him, I don't see it as being as high as some are suggesting. The Flyers still have a 3rd and two 4ths after moving the two picks. They also got a first round talent at 35, who wasn't going to be there at 44.

I hate the Schenn trade and think the Frost pick was a little questionable but obviously I love getting Patrick and I really like the move up/drafting of Ratcliffe.

 

[hatcher]

Great pick

 

[Cyborg LeClair]

Happy with this pick. A 6'6" player whose player comparable is Wayne Simmonds? Yes please.

I think Hextall has really killed it with his first 3 picks. The rest of the draft is gonna be a crapshoot but we got Patrick, another consensus teens/20's ranked player, and a high riser in Frost.

Love it.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Comparison is Wayne Train, eh? I kind of had the same thought, but Simmer is so revered around here I don't want to say it.

Either way, he could eventually be a PP2 net front guy if Simmonds is still on the team, or a replacement if Simmonds isn't here (don't start this argument guys-- I used IF) and he has other aspects to his game. If he doesn't learn to use his size that would stink.

He compared his game to Rick Nash.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

^

“I’m numb,” said Ratcliffe, adding he has known Flyers winger Travis Konecny for a while. “It’s going to be awesome.”

Ratcliffe said the draft was “unpredictable” and that he didn’t know if he would go in the first round Friday or slip into Saturday’s rounds.

“I’m just unbelievably proud and excited to say that I’m now a Flyer,” he said. “..It feels surreal.”

Ratcliffe said he needs to gain weight and get stronger “to get to the next level.”

Added Ratcliffe: “I believe I can be one of the top players in this draft with my size and with my talent and with my progress in the future.”

Ratcliffe said the Flyers were one of the first teams to interview him at the recent scouting combine in Buffalo. He has played left and right wing and center.

He said he tries to emulate Nash’s style.

“He’s a big guy like myself and I think he moves well,” he said. “He has that offensive instinct, but he can play well in the defensive zone.”

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports...liffe-in-2nd-round-of-nhl-draft-20170624.html

 

[BritainStix]

He's a gangly skater,, definitely not very fluid. I'm not sure he has the best hands, but my god can he snipe! He shoots just like Jeff Carter.

 

[dats81]

Quanity for quality. They must have liked him a lot.

Low risk move. A guy that big who can skate seems like a sure bet. In the worst case you get a big intimidating bottom 6 checker. In the best case...a Milan Lucic in the making.

 

[Hockeypete49]

I love this pick. This is a kid who was projected be a first round pick by pretty much everyone. There is no way he was going to slide to 44. I was hoping for a LW with some upside and Ratcliffe (or Robertson would have as well) will fill that need big time.

As for the cost to move up and get him, I don't see it as being as high as some are suggesting. The Flyers still have a 3rd and two 4ths after moving the two picks. They also got a first round talent at 35, who wasn't going to be there at 44.

I hate the Schenn trade and think the Frost pick was a little questionable but obviously I love getting Patrick and I really like the move up/drafting of Ratcliffe.

With you on these points, however getting two 1st round picks with maybe a 3rd thrown in was to much to pass on. St Louis fans are going nuts with landing Brayden. I wish him nothing but the best.