Evander Kane?
- AdamFrench

fair enough... though he was drafted as a 17 year old, not an 18 year old.

No, were going to get him for nothing next year
- nbboy

Why? Did Snow decide he wants to trade him 3 years before his deal ends for nothing?

Why? Did Snow decide he wants to trade him 3 years before his deal ends for nothing?
- eichiefs9

Why? Did Snow decide he wants to trade him 3 years before his deal ends for nothing?
- eichiefs9

yes

Who has actually seen Ritchie play live? and Leafs draft both skill and grinders as previous drafts indicate, ridiculous to say they draft one way or another, for every Nazem Kadri, or Andreas Johnson there is a Tyler Biggs or Dave Broll, quit shinning a light on one player or draft year like its the end all

Who has actually seen Ritchie play live? and Leafs draft both skill and grinders as previous drafts indicate, ridiculous to say they draft one way or another, for every Nazem Kadri, or Andreas Johnson there is a Tyler Biggs or Dave Broll, quit shinning a light on one player or draft year like its the end all
- PinkSock

Kadri, Rielly, Finn, Percy, Johnsson are skilled players that the Leafs drafted that are doing well.

Schenn, Biggs, Ross, Gauthier, Devane, etc... not so much.

Leafs skill picks look better than Leafs size picks, IMO.

How do you think he compares to his older brother, Brett Ritchie. I think Brett has a reasonable chance of making the Stars opening roster this year and if not, being a call-up during the year.

How do you think he compares to his older brother, Brett Ritchie. I think Brett has a reasonable chance of making the Stars opening roster this year and if not, being a call-up during the year.
- jerryb

He isn't as much of a finesse player as Brett, nor does he have that explosive step that makes him dangerous. Brett had massive consistency issues himself early on. Nick is also bigger than Brett even now

Kadri, Rielly, Finn, Percy, Johnsson are skilled players that the Leafs drafted that are doing well.

Schenn, Biggs, Ross, Gauthier, Devane, etc... not so much.

Leafs skill picks look better than Leafs size picks, IMO.
- Feeling Glucky?

Everything I've read about this kid suggests he much more than just a big body that scores with his size. He's talked about as having a lot of high end skill. The issue seems to be more about motivation and conditioning.

If they think they can motivate him and get him into top shape then maybe they believe they have a Bertuzzi or Lucic. If they fail then maybe he's Penner or some other big lazy (frank).

Everything I've read about this kid suggests he much more than just a big body that scores with his size. He's talked about as having a lot of high end skill. The issue seems to be more about motivation and conditioning.

If they think they can motivate him and get him into top shape then maybe they believe they have a Bertuzzi or Lucic. If they fail then maybe he's Penner or some other big lazy (frank).
- The Law

Pretty much nailed it.

Pretty much nailed it.
- AdamFrench

My girlfriend always says the same thing.

My girlfriend always says the same thing.
- The Law

wait...

Everything I've read about this kid suggests he much more than just a big body that scores with his size. He's talked about as having a lot of high end skill. The issue seems to be more about motivation and conditioning.

If they think they can motivate him and get him into top shape then maybe they believe they have a Bertuzzi or Lucic. If they fail then maybe he's Penner or some other big lazy (frank).
- The Law

They said the same thing about Biggs though. Hell, early on in his draft year, he was a top-10 projected pick.

I'd rather have Viratenen. One of the younger players in the draft, similar mold to Ritchie... but look at each player at 17, in their second full season. Viratenen just put up 71 points in 71 games. Ritchie put up 34 in 62.

Everything I've read about this kid suggests he much more than just a big body that scores with his size. He's talked about as having a lot of high end skill. The issue seems to be more about motivation and conditioning.

If they think they can motivate him and get him into top shape then maybe they believe they have a Bertuzzi or Lucic. If they fail then maybe he's Penner or some other big lazy (frank).
- The Law

Moving that body around as an 18 year old would take a lot out of the kid...conditioning may be the issue - he just doesn't have it some nights. Whatever - the Leafs should get a decent player. There doesn't seem to be a top line forward or top pairing defense in this draft so how bad could their pick be? I shouldn't have said that.

Oh ya
- AdamFrench

A Hagelin?

A Hagelin?
- Woderwick

Not even close. More like Claude Giroux.

Not even close. More like Claude Giroux.
- AdamFrench

*gasp*

I don't think so....My guess would be Larkin or Fabbri with that pick. Grab an up the middle guy.

The Leafs keep picking guys like this. Size over skill.

It's not working.
- Feeling Glucky?

It works for the western conference and the boston bruins. This is the culture change they talk about. Its not all about offense. Kessel and Kadri types wont win you anything. You need big mobile guys to control the boards and cycle down low. You don't win games trying to score off the rush while cherry picking and not back checking. Give him, Gauttier and Biggs a shot. Typical leafs fan...looking for instant 80 pt players or they are a bust

it would be a waste of a pick to take Ritchie this high in the draft. 3rd liner at best

Scouts with far better opinions than this blgoger expect him to be a 30 goal player in the NHL one day. He's going to be one of the steals of the draft for whoever takes him

They said the same thing about Biggs though. Hell, early on in his draft year, he was a top-10 projected pick.

I'd rather have Viratenen. One of the younger players in the draft, similar mold to Ritchie... but look at each player at 17, in their second full season. Viratenen just put up 71 points in 71 games. Ritchie put up 34 in 62.
- Feeling Glucky?

I'm not promoting Ritchie but the scouting on him is significantly different then it was for Biggs.

From TSN draft reports in 2011 ....

Perhaps the most rugged forward to ever come out of the US development program, Biggs impressed scouts throughout the season with his robust and pro-style game. Strengths - Already built like a man, Biggs dominated his age group in terms of physical maturity and strength. Not afraid to drop the gloves or run over an opponent. Solid positional player, drives hard to the net, possesses a hard shot, strong character. Weaknesses - Feet and hands are average, limited offensive upside, lacks creativity. Prone to taking bad penalties, will need more discipline. NHL Upside - Has been compared to Los Angeles Kings' forward Kyle Clifford. Should be a tough, intimidating second or third-line winger who will battle hard.

Thanks French, good read.

it's the 8th pick in a super weak draft..you can expect someone like :

Zach Hamill
Peter Mueller
Alexandre Picard
Mark Bell
Brandon Convery
Taylor Pyatt
Braydon Coburn
Derek Pouliot
Alexandre Burmistrov
Mikkel Boedker
Scott Glennie
Jonathan Aitken
Terry Ryan
Jason Weimer

But a bit worse as everything outside the top 3 is pretty questionable

called it