Meh. I respect the Rangers and their organization more. Crosby has been jammed down our throats for years. Henrik Lundqvist isn't used as a poster boy.

I don't care that Crosby won a Cup. Adam Seravalling Burish won a Cup. Doesn't make him more likeable.
- Flyskippy

he looks like pauly shore. can't stand that guy

While Seth Jones is easily the most recognizable defenseman in the draft, and for just reasons, there is a Finnish prospect creating quite the buzz across the ocean.

An 6-3 210 pound 18 year old who already plays with grown men usually makes scouts drool, and Rasmus Ristolainen is no exception. Already playing in the SM-Liiga (the Finnish Elite League), Ristolainen is already getting accustomed to playing tough competition, and he hasn’t been a pushover. Actually far from one.

Ristolainen is eerily similar to Seth Jones in some aspects, including size, skating ability and offensive playmaking. He is less polished in the two-way game than Jones, all though he plays a much more noticeable physical game, with it being one of his bigger strengths. Ristolainen molds his game to the of Chris Pronger, and the comparisons fit here.

The weakness in Ristolainen’s game lies in one of his strengths, his physical play sometimes leaves him out of position at moments. Seasoning and coaching can easily fix that problem, which is his other area of need. Seasoning, that’s all.

With his physical play, the puck moving ability, and the fact he is already playing with grown men, Ristolainen is an interesting prospect and upside alone can force him into the top-10.

He won’t get as much press heading into the draft as Drouin, Jones, and MacKinnon but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if makes just as big an impact in their rookie year. His willingness to bang the body puts him in better position to play big minutes at the next level before Seth Jones.

http://thefarmclub.net/20...eview-rasmus-ristolainen/



The fact that he is already, at 18, playing grown men is what sold me on this kid when compared to the other defensemen available who are playing against their peers, who are typically smaller and not as physically developed/intimidating.

http://thefarmclub.net/2013/03/12/nhl-draft-preview-rasmus-ristolainen/


- wolfhounds

another right handed dman?

http://thefarmclub.net/2013/03/12/nhl-draft-preview-rasmus-ristolainen/


- wolfhounds

Razzy? Razzer? Risty? Rister?

Razzy? Razzer? Risty? Rister?
- bodiva88

Big fan of him.

another right handed dman?
- wilsonecho91

It'll balance out.

Razzy? Razzer? Risty? Rister?
- bodiva88

Risto? Wristo? Rasmonster?

Elias Lindholm - Brynäs

"ISS - Superior hockey IQ. 2-way player. Work ethic 2nd to none. Complete player in all 3 zones."


- ob18

Saw about 4-5 of his games this season. Very mature young player, whom I personally consider to be in the mold of P.J. Axelsson only with higher offensive upside. Can play any forward position, very responsible defensively, plus skater, very good passer, decent shot (but could shoot more often).

http://thefarmclub.net/2013/03/12/nhl-draft-preview-rasmus-ristolainen/



The fact that he is already, at 18, playing grown men is what sold me on this kid when compared to the other defensemen available who are playing against their peers, who are typically smaller and not as physically developed/intimidating.
- wolfhounds

The quality of the SM-Liiga has dipped a bit in recent years, though, with a lot of the better veterans opting for the KHL if they didn't make it in North America or became too old. That's not to discount anything Ristolainen has accomplished, but it's not as hard as was even about 5-6 years ago for a talented teenage player to earn an SM-liiga spot and do well.

Little suprised, Zadorov ranking. Physically a large d-man. More of an unfinished product, hence the lower ranking?
- ravishingone

I'd move up Hägg. Reminds me very much of Kenny Jönsson or Kim Johnsson.

Saw about 4-5 of his games this season. Very mature young player, whom I personally consider to be in the mold of P.J. Axelsson only with higher offensive upside. Can play any forward position, very responsible defensively, plus skater, very good passer, decent shot (but could shoot more often).
- bmeltzer

That's similar to what I've found on him minus the Axelsson comparison.

I'd move up Hägg. Reminds me very much of Kenny Jönsson or Kim Johnsson.
- bmeltzer

I just haven't watched enough footage yet but I like what I have found.

I just haven't watched enough footage yet but I like what I have found.
- ob18

Modo brought him along slowly this year in Elitserien but when he's played against players his own age, he's been dominant. One of the most mobile defensemen in the draft this year.

Also, during the WJC, Mikael Renberg said on Swedish TV that Flyers scouts had asked him his impressions of Hägg, so he's definitely on the Flyers' radar if they trade down a bit or somehow pick up another 1st-round pick. I don't think he'd make it to round 2.

Assuming the bottom 10 teams end in the same order and last place FLA gets 1st pick, and because I have WAY too much time on my hands, here is one man's guess at how the top 10 will shake out:
1. FLA- Mackinnon
2. COL- Jones
3. CAL- Barkov (leave it to Feastervto do something unexpected)
4. CAR- Drouin
5. TB-Nichushkin (him andvStamkos on a line, yikes!)
6. PHL- Ristolainen (Homer goes for D and Timonen gets a protege)
7. NAS- Lindholm
8. EDM- Nurse (Lou Lamiorello is not happy)
9. NJD- Monahan (Lou starts feeling better)
10. BUF - Domi

Thoughts?

Modo brought him along slowly this year in Elitserien but when he's played against players his own age, he's been dominant. One of the most mobile defensemen in the draft this year.

Also, during the WJC, Mikael Renberg said on Swedish TV that Flyers scouts had asked him his impressions of Hägg, so he's definitely on the Flyers' radar if they trade down a bit or somehow pick up another 1st-round pick. I don't think he'd make it to round 2.
- bmeltzer

I can see that happening, I've even though of them checking out Fucale in the last 1st early 2nd.

Assuming the bottom 10 teams end in the same order and last place FLA gets 1st pick, and because I have WAY too much time on my hands, here is one man's guess at how the top 10 will shake out:
1. FLA- Mackinnon
2. COL- Jones
3. CAL- Barkov (leave it to Feastervto do something unexpected)
4. CAR- Drouin
5. TB-Nichushkin (him andvStamkos on a line, yikes!)
6. PHL- Ristolainen (Homer goes for D and Timonen gets a protege)
7. NAS- Lindholm
8. EDM- Nurse (Lou Lamiorello is not happy)
9. NJD- Monahan (Lou starts feeling better)
10. BUF - Domi

Thoughts?
- BiggE

Dont the Devils have to give up that pick this year?

Assuming the bottom 10 teams end in the same order and last place FLA gets 1st pick, and because I have WAY too much time on my hands, here is one man's guess at how the top 10 will shake out:
1. FLA- Mackinnon
2. COL- Jones
3. CAL- Barkov (leave it to Feastervto do something unexpected)
4. CAR- Drouin
5. TB-Nichushkin (him andvStamkos on a line, yikes!)
6. PHL- Ristolainen (Homer goes for D and Timonen gets a protege)
7. NAS- Lindholm
8. EDM- Nurse (Lou Lamiorello is not happy)
9. NJD- Monahan (Lou starts feeling better)
10. BUF - Domi

Thoughts?
- BiggE

If Monahan is there at 6 and the Flyers pass, I would be disappointed.

Assuming the bottom 10 teams end in the same order and last place FLA gets 1st pick, and because I have WAY too much time on my hands, here is one man's guess at how the top 10 will shake out:
1. FLA- Mackinnon
2. COL- Jones
3. CAL- Barkov (leave it to Feastervto do something unexpected)
4. CAR- Drouin
5. TB-Nichushkin (him andvStamkos on a line, yikes!)
6. PHL- Ristolainen (Homer goes for D and Timonen gets a protege)
7. NAS- Lindholm
8. EDM- Nurse (Lou Lamiorello is not happy)
9. NJD- Monahan (Lou starts feeling better)
10. BUF - Domi

Thoughts?
- BiggE

Well right now the Flyers are 5th based on playing less games and Tampa having the season series against the Flyers. And at 6 you don't pass up Monahan even for Ristolainen

Assuming the bottom 10 teams end in the same order and last place FLA gets 1st pick, and because I have WAY too much time on my hands, here is one man's guess at how the top 10 will shake out:
1. FLA- Mackinnon
2. COL- Jones
3. CAL- Barkov (leave it to Feastervto do something unexpected)
4. CAR- Drouin
5. TB-Nichushkin (him andvStamkos on a line, yikes!)
6. PHL- Ristolainen (Homer goes for D and Timonen gets a protege)
7. NAS- Lindholm
8. EDM- Nurse (Lou Lamiorello is not happy)
9. NJD- Monahan (Lou starts feeling better)
10. BUF - Domi

Thoughts?
- BiggE

Put all the names on a dart board and see which one it hits.

Dont the Devils have to give up that pick this year?
- hereticpride

They can choose this year or 2014

Dont the Devils have to give up that pick this year?
- hereticpride

Not when they are the host site of the draft.

They can choose this year or 2014
- BiggE

Ahhh, I thought this was the final year.

Well, Bryzgalov is going tonight, I'd guess that means Mason tomorrow
- Jsaquella

good. i'll get my first look at him up close as i'll be at the game tomorrow night - my first of the year. and true to my word, i have not spent one penny on the flyers this season - the ticket is free because the Maccabi team is playing in an exhibition match at the WFC tomorrow night after the flyers/rangers game. we've been invited as guests by CommVault with a pre-game reception and club box tickets. it's as close as i'll ever get to the real thing. sure, it'll be in front of 19000 empty seats but who cares. i'll get an idea of what it must be like to play for the devils.

Well right now the Flyers are 5th based on playing less games and Tampa having the season series against the Flyers. And at 6 you don't pass up Monahan even for Ristolainen
- ob18

Havent seen Monahan at all, scouting report??
All I know is he put up good numbers on a bad team.

If Monahan is there at 6 and the Flyers pass, I would be disappointed.
- Jsaquella

prepare to be disappointed.