Prospect Info: Scott Ratzlaff, G, Seattle (WHL) - 141 OA, 2023; Signed ATO 3/27/24

[Chainshot]

And here we have... Scott Ratzlaff, Thunderbirds "other" tender with Milic.

Click to read more...

 

[Gabrielor]

Backup for a stacked Seattle team I believe.

Still, goalie!!!

 

[Chainshot]

Didn't get any playoff time, Milic was the T'birds top guy, but most had him in the top 100.

Ranked #97 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #81 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #69 by FLOHOCKEY/CHRIS PETERS
Ranked #98 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #96 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #89 by MCKEEN'S HOCKEY
Ranked #73 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #4 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Goalies)
Ranked #98 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #115 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

 

[Zip15]

Does he go by Rattler or Rattzy?

 

[Zman5778]

Pronman: Ranking the best goaltenders of the 2023 NHL Draft class

Corey Pronman breaks down which goalies in this year's draft class have the best shot at helping an NHL team in five years.

theathletic.com

Wheeler ranked him 3rd among goalies:

Ratzlaff is a similar type (Z NOTE: SIMILAR TO GAJAN) of goalie with excellent athleticism. He has good sense, but he’s barely 6-foot-1 and only played in 34 games this season for Seattle and none in the playoffs. Augustine and Fowler are built similarly; they are undersized goalies who had very productive seasons, are super intelligent and have enough quickness at their size to give themselves real chances even if they are not premium athletes, with Fowler’s athleticism especially being a question.

 

[Sabreality]

 

[Chainshot]

6'1", 172 lbs so not a giant, more of the smaller/quicker set.

 

[BuffaloGooner]

Smart teams pick 1 goalie per year, as a little treat

 

[Jim Bob]

2023 NHL Draft: Top 10 goalies | NHL.com

Bjarnason, Hrabal, Augustine rated among best

www.nhl.com

5. Scott Ratzlaff, Seattle (WHL)​

NHL Central Scouting ranking: No. 4 (North American goalies)

Ratzlaff (6-foot, 175) was 25-8-0 with a 2.15 GAA and .918 save percentage in 34 games for Seattle, which finished first in the WHL Western Conference. The 18-year-old also helped Canada win the gold medal at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, going 4-0 with a 0.50 GAA, .976 save percentage and two shutouts.

Scott Ratzlaff, Carson Rehkopf Among Top Performers At CHL Top Prospects - FloHockey

Connor Bedard had a good performance, but he wasn't the biggest standout at the annual CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

www.flohockey.tv

Scott Ratzlaff – 2023 NHL Draft Prospect Profile - The Hockey Writers NHL Entry Draft Latest News, Analysis & More

Scott Ratzlaff is an NHL Entry eligible prospect goaltending prospect who could be selected in the third round of the draft.

thehockeywriters.com

 

[Chainshot]

EP:

Ratzlaff can catch shooters by surprise with quickness and a unique approach off the rush. He is very aggressive in terms of the depth that he takes. He remains stoic as the shooter bears down – never showing his hand first. If the puck gets too close, he pounces and makes a move.

When moving laterally, he is very good at quickly setting his feet and making sure he has zero motion at the time of the release of the shot. He knows exactly how much ground he is capable of covering on his feet, and comes set at the perfect time.

Added to Ratzlaff’s mix of skills is his fluid post integration. He routinely gets strong pushes while transitioning out of reverse-VH and doesn’t open up many holes while moving, either. Sealing the ice is also not an issue for Ratzlaff, as he displays awesome flexibility on scramble plays, often stretching out with his legs all the way across the crease.

 

[Reddawg]

After the 4th round was completed, Pronman had Scott Ratzlaff ranked #5 best available player. Wheeler had him ranked #1.

 

[Dingo44]

Backup goalie who led the entire WHL in shutouts.

 

[elchud]

Milic pitched .928, Ratz pitched .918

 

[Dingo44]

NHL Network giving Ratzlaff a lot of love.

 

[Zip15]

I feel a heck of a lot better about this pick at 141 than I did with Leinonen at 41 last year.

 

[Ehran]

I'd like to hear Adams logic behind taking Ratzlaff ahead of Milic.

I'm sure there is solid reasons. As a casual observer I just wonder why.

 

[Gabrielor]

I feel a heck of a lot better about this pick at 141 than I did with Leinonen at 41 last year.

He may pass Leinonen on the prospect ranking before next season is over...

 

[Fjordy]

Milic pitched .928, Ratz pitched .918

Milic 20 year

Ratzlaff 18 year

 

[Zip15]

I'd like to hear Adams logic behind taking Ratzlaff ahead of Milic.

I'm sure there is solid reasons. As a casual observer I just wonder why.

Age probably has something to do with it. Ratzlaff is 18.3, Milic is 20.2.

And upside/projection plays into it, as well. Goalies are voodoo.

 

[Fjordy]

I'd like to hear Adams logic behind taking Ratzlaff ahead of Milic.

I'm sure there is solid reasons. As a casual observer I just wonder why.

Maybe age and potential?

 

[Chainshot]

I'd like to hear Adams logic behind taking Ratzlaff ahead of Milic.

I'm sure there is solid reasons. As a casual observer I just wonder why.

Milic is a multi-year overager at 20 who needs to be signed immediately. Ratzlaff has development runway and they don't clutter up the AHL with another prospect immediately.

 

[Reddawg]

I'd like to hear Adams logic behind taking Ratzlaff ahead of Milic.

I'm sure there is solid reasons. As a casual observer I just wonder why.

Like Fjordy said, Milic is an overager, two years older.

 

[Jim Bob]

I like Ratzlaff as a late round goalie pick.

His D+1 year is going to be big if he gets the crease as the #1 in Seattle.

 

[HOOats]

It clashes with the Leinonen pick last year, but I wonder if this front office has a type at goalie based on Levi. Great skaters, smaller, competitive, quick legs, good glove. In a league full of shooters calibrating their sights to beat 6'5 hybrid shooter tutors, maybe we think there's an advantage to switching it up. This season's trend of picking on big goalies low glove side above the pads was noticeable.

 

[Jim Bob]