Dr.Sens(e)
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Strengths: Depth mostly, in particular on the blueline with 10 defencemen on this list aged 20-24 getting at least some NHL time this year already.
Weaknesses: No true blue chipper, in particular at the forward spot, although there a few with some upside
Blues top 25 prospects
(1) Johan Larsson (15) Some would see this as a reach, but Larsson has made quantum leaps this year. Arguably the best teenager in the SEL this year and was captain of Sweden’s gold medal U20 team in Alberta.
(2) Jhonas Enroth (5) Continues his presence in the Blues top 5, likely to graduate shortly after outplaying Miller for most of the year in Buffalo.
(3) Ian Cole (3) A long-time favourite of the Blues, Cole projects as a solid two-way top 4 d-man and has already begun to play that roll in the NHL as one of 9 Blues prospects making playing in the NHL this season.
(4) Nicklas Jensen (NR) The big winger with formidable offensive skills hopes to join fellow Great Dane Lars Eller in the years ahead. Lead Denmark in scoring at the WJC.
(5) Jordon Caron (6) There is no shame in not cracking a stacked Bruins squad line-up full-time, but Caron has made several appearances with the Bruins over the last two years and projects as a solid power forward.
(6) Roman Josi (8) Josi is in an organization stacked with talented Blueliners at the NHL and AHL level, but has forced his way onto the roster with his speed and puck possession. Projects as a solid offensive d-man in the years ahead.
(7) Alexander Khokhlachev (NR) Khoko has solid offensive skills and was only a few weeks away from being eligible for the 2012 draft. Recently played on one of the top lines for Russia at the WJC.
(8) Reilly Smith (17) Smith has continued his ascent as a late round steal for the Blues as he continues to rack up solid offensive numbers for Miami in the NCAA.
(9) Erik Gustafsson (16) Gustafsson has played well with the Flyers in his limited games thus far before a wrist injury and has proven all he has to at the AHL level. Potential PP quarterback.
(10) Evgeny Grachev (7) While Grachev surprised many by cracking the Blues roster this year, he projects more as a solid up and down 20 goal scorer, rather than a dominant power forward. But an elite skater with a high motor and massive frame, so the potential is there.
(11) Chris Summers (9) Yet another blueliner making his NHL debut, Summers will never be an offensive d-man at the NHL level, but has tremendous skating ability, leadership and intangibles.
(12) William Karlsson (NR) Putting up tremendous numbers for an 18 year old with Vasteras in Sweden, and was a solid contributor for the gold medal winning Swedes, where he centered one of the scoring lines.
(13) TJ Brennan (12) Another NHl call-up with the Sabres, Brennan has already displayed his booming shot at the NHL level and could see some PP time as part of his roll in the NHL. Tough and physical to boot.
(14) Jan Mursak (13) Suffered a massive setback by breaking his ankle in preseason while pencilled in for a 4th line roll with the Red Wings, but has recovered and already back with the Wings after a brief stint in the AHL
(15) Maxim Goncharov (4) Goncharov has had a very disappointing season this year after not cracking the Coyotes roster, and the Russian factor mitigates his value considerably. He has a big contract waiting for him in the KHL if he is so inclined, so a flight risk at this point.
(16) Tomas Kundratek (23) Made his NHL debut with the Caps recently, after finally seeing some PP time at the AHL level after being traded out of the Rangers organization.
(17) Yann Sauve (20) Big physical d-man biding his time in the AHL. Projects as a safe and solid physical presence and defensive d-man at the NHL level.
(18) Ben Maxwell (14) Proven what he has to at the AHL level, but having trouble getting a full time gig in the NHL. Bouncing around on waiver pick-up. Skates tremendously well, but must carve out a roll as a checking line center at the NHL level.
(19) Viktor Tikhonov (11) Another year, and another premature Russian exodus for Tikhonov, who returned to the KHL and once again, promptly rediscovered his scoring touch.
(20) Mattieu Corbeil (25) the massive goalie is enjoying playing on a solid team for the change, as he currently near the top of the Q statistically while playing for a stacked Saint John squad with Memorial Cup aspirations.
(21) Blake Coleman (NR) last year’s leading scorer in the USHL, Coleman has begun to put up some points with Miami in the NCAA after a slow start. Plays with a definite edge.
(22) Konrad Abelthauser (26) The massive German rearguard was recently named the top defenceman at the WJC-1 level. Averaging almost a point per game with Halifax and has significant upside as a two-way NHL defender.
(23) Joni Ortio (19) One of the top goalies at the WJC for Finland last year, Ortio has struggled in his North American debut in the AHL, but is just 20 years old and has come over much earlier to learn the NA game than most of his countryman.
(24) Dmitri Kugryshev (18) Yet another Russian who longed for home, Kugryshev is enjoying a solid rookie season in the KHL after riding in the bus in the AHL last year. Decent chance he doesn’t return to NA.
(25) Michael Houser (NR) Undrafted in the NHL, Houser has yet again established himself as one of the top goalies in the OHL with London. Fundamentals aren’t perfect, but gets the job done.
Honourable Mention: Zakhar Arazmastev, Sergei Barbashev, Frederik Petersson, Niclas Lucenisu, Jesse Forsberg, Nikita Zaystev, Nikita Dvurechensky, Anton Burdasov, Corey Cowick, Timo Seppanen.
Weaknesses: No true blue chipper, in particular at the forward spot, although there a few with some upside
Blues top 25 prospects
(1) Johan Larsson (15) Some would see this as a reach, but Larsson has made quantum leaps this year. Arguably the best teenager in the SEL this year and was captain of Sweden’s gold medal U20 team in Alberta.
(2) Jhonas Enroth (5) Continues his presence in the Blues top 5, likely to graduate shortly after outplaying Miller for most of the year in Buffalo.
(3) Ian Cole (3) A long-time favourite of the Blues, Cole projects as a solid two-way top 4 d-man and has already begun to play that roll in the NHL as one of 9 Blues prospects making playing in the NHL this season.
(4) Nicklas Jensen (NR) The big winger with formidable offensive skills hopes to join fellow Great Dane Lars Eller in the years ahead. Lead Denmark in scoring at the WJC.
(5) Jordon Caron (6) There is no shame in not cracking a stacked Bruins squad line-up full-time, but Caron has made several appearances with the Bruins over the last two years and projects as a solid power forward.
(6) Roman Josi (8) Josi is in an organization stacked with talented Blueliners at the NHL and AHL level, but has forced his way onto the roster with his speed and puck possession. Projects as a solid offensive d-man in the years ahead.
(7) Alexander Khokhlachev (NR) Khoko has solid offensive skills and was only a few weeks away from being eligible for the 2012 draft. Recently played on one of the top lines for Russia at the WJC.
(8) Reilly Smith (17) Smith has continued his ascent as a late round steal for the Blues as he continues to rack up solid offensive numbers for Miami in the NCAA.
(9) Erik Gustafsson (16) Gustafsson has played well with the Flyers in his limited games thus far before a wrist injury and has proven all he has to at the AHL level. Potential PP quarterback.
(10) Evgeny Grachev (7) While Grachev surprised many by cracking the Blues roster this year, he projects more as a solid up and down 20 goal scorer, rather than a dominant power forward. But an elite skater with a high motor and massive frame, so the potential is there.
(11) Chris Summers (9) Yet another blueliner making his NHL debut, Summers will never be an offensive d-man at the NHL level, but has tremendous skating ability, leadership and intangibles.
(12) William Karlsson (NR) Putting up tremendous numbers for an 18 year old with Vasteras in Sweden, and was a solid contributor for the gold medal winning Swedes, where he centered one of the scoring lines.
(13) TJ Brennan (12) Another NHl call-up with the Sabres, Brennan has already displayed his booming shot at the NHL level and could see some PP time as part of his roll in the NHL. Tough and physical to boot.
(14) Jan Mursak (13) Suffered a massive setback by breaking his ankle in preseason while pencilled in for a 4th line roll with the Red Wings, but has recovered and already back with the Wings after a brief stint in the AHL
(15) Maxim Goncharov (4) Goncharov has had a very disappointing season this year after not cracking the Coyotes roster, and the Russian factor mitigates his value considerably. He has a big contract waiting for him in the KHL if he is so inclined, so a flight risk at this point.
(16) Tomas Kundratek (23) Made his NHL debut with the Caps recently, after finally seeing some PP time at the AHL level after being traded out of the Rangers organization.
(17) Yann Sauve (20) Big physical d-man biding his time in the AHL. Projects as a safe and solid physical presence and defensive d-man at the NHL level.
(18) Ben Maxwell (14) Proven what he has to at the AHL level, but having trouble getting a full time gig in the NHL. Bouncing around on waiver pick-up. Skates tremendously well, but must carve out a roll as a checking line center at the NHL level.
(19) Viktor Tikhonov (11) Another year, and another premature Russian exodus for Tikhonov, who returned to the KHL and once again, promptly rediscovered his scoring touch.
(20) Mattieu Corbeil (25) the massive goalie is enjoying playing on a solid team for the change, as he currently near the top of the Q statistically while playing for a stacked Saint John squad with Memorial Cup aspirations.
(21) Blake Coleman (NR) last year’s leading scorer in the USHL, Coleman has begun to put up some points with Miami in the NCAA after a slow start. Plays with a definite edge.
(22) Konrad Abelthauser (26) The massive German rearguard was recently named the top defenceman at the WJC-1 level. Averaging almost a point per game with Halifax and has significant upside as a two-way NHL defender.
(23) Joni Ortio (19) One of the top goalies at the WJC for Finland last year, Ortio has struggled in his North American debut in the AHL, but is just 20 years old and has come over much earlier to learn the NA game than most of his countryman.
(24) Dmitri Kugryshev (18) Yet another Russian who longed for home, Kugryshev is enjoying a solid rookie season in the KHL after riding in the bus in the AHL last year. Decent chance he doesn’t return to NA.
(25) Michael Houser (NR) Undrafted in the NHL, Houser has yet again established himself as one of the top goalies in the OHL with London. Fundamentals aren’t perfect, but gets the job done.
Honourable Mention: Zakhar Arazmastev, Sergei Barbashev, Frederik Petersson, Niclas Lucenisu, Jesse Forsberg, Nikita Zaystev, Nikita Dvurechensky, Anton Burdasov, Corey Cowick, Timo Seppanen.
