Vagrant
The Czech Condor
1. D Miro Heiskanen - Dallas Stars (NHL)
2017 Draft - 3rd overall
Heiskanen takes 1st on the list due to presumed upside, but there's a lot of debate for the two defenders that are next on the list behind him. Heiskanen has had his upside questioned by some, but he remains one of the best defense prospects in hockey. Heiskanen probably spends another year in Finland due to his late birthday, but it won't be long until he's playing significant minutes in the NHL. Heiskanen projects as a minutes eating first pairing defenseman with moderate offensive upside. If he can play consistently to the level he played during the U18 tournament from an offensive perspective, it will certainly be hard to not consider him a potential top pairing defender. It will be fun to chart his progress this upcoming season.
2. D Charlie McAvoy - Boston Bruins (NHL)
2016 Draft - 17th overall
McAvoy had a breakout season last year as a key member of the U20 United States team that took home the gold medal. McAvoy made the All-Tournament team and this was just the start of an upward trajectory that saw him playing 20+ minutes a night in NHL playoff games to end his season. McAvoy has drawn comparisons to Drew Doughty for his abilities in both ends of the ice. The whirlwind season he just completed saw him start as something of a project on the Boston University blueline and ended with an invite to the US World Championship team roster despite being only 19 years old. NCAA to WJC Gold to AHL to NHL playoffs to World Championship games all in the span of one season for young McAvoy. What will he do for an encore?
3. D Brandon Montour - Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
2014 Draft - 108th overall
Montour has taken huge strides forward every year of his career and this year was no different. In a tough situation, he was stuck behind a lot of valuable defenders in Anaheim and was sent back to the AHL to start his season this year despite presumably being ready for NHL minutes. Montour once again decimated the AHL with 13 goals and 32 points in 36 contests before the Ducks had no choice but to promote him. Montour proceeded to make himself an indispensable member of the Ducks defense to such an extent that the organization felt comfortable parting with Shea Theodore, a blue chip prospect in his own right. Montour has electric offensive potential and there just aren't many players in the league exactly like him. It will be interesting to see how his progression goes. Shayne Gostisbehere might be a decent comparable.
4. C/RW Jack Roslovic - Winnipeg Jets (NHL)
2015 Draft - 31st overall
Roslovic had an interesting season this year as it pertains to his stock. After a tremendous start in the AHL, his production there leveled off around Christmas as he was heading into the WJC, of which he was expected to be a key member. After producing only 2 assists in 7 games of the tournament, despite a gold medal win, many were left wanting more. Roslovic went back to the AHL and played well enough to end the year and earn his first NHL call up. Roslovic appears on track to make the NHL Jets opening night roster next season after what could be considered a successful debut in the AHL with 48 points in 65 games for a pretty pedestrian club. Roslovic remains somewhat enigmatic like fellow Jets prospect Kyle Connor.
5. C/RW Blake Speers - New Jersey Devils (NHL)
2015 Draft - 104th overall
Speers would have to qualify as one of the pleasant surprises for the Capitals this season, despite a fairly anti-climactic NHL debut. The fact that he was thought of enough to even make his NHL debut this season was encouraging enough. Despite a broken wrist suffered during a 3 game cup of coffee with the NHL Devils, Speers did a lot to bolster his stock as one of the up and coming forward prospects in that system. Speers is an energetic and quick skating forward that can play a variety of roles and is valued for his versatility. A member of Team Canada's U20 WJC squad, Speers flashed potential to be a spark plug type offensive catalyst with his quick thinking and high energy approach.
6. RW Alex DeBrincat - Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
2016 Draft - 32nd overall
DeBrincat is one of the most polarizing prospects in the entire league. You either feel really enthusiastic about his chances to be a productive NHL player, or you think he will quickly be exposed at the professional level for his lack of elite skating and being incredibly undersized. The one thing in which there can be no debate is that DeBrincat has torched the OHL at levels that no American born player ever has. 3 consecutive seasons of 50 goals or more, capping off his Junior career with an incredible 65 this season. With regular season and playoffs combined, DeBrincat scored 78 goals and 87 assists for 165 points in 85 contests. With the retirement of Marian Hossa, the opportunity for DeBrincat to make the Hawks roster as soon as next season is a realistic one. Is he an odds defying Johnny Gaudreau or Corey Locke? Team USA hockey leaving him off the U20 roster was one of their more questionable decisions in years.
7. RW Jeremy Bracco - Toronto Marlies (AHL)
2015 Draft - 35th overall
It's only fitting that Bracco and DeBrincat should share the same prospect home in the HFNHL, as Bracco was presumably the choice over DeBrincat for the WJCs. Bracco has created his own following as another undersized offensive catalyst for the Memorial Cup Champion Windsor Spitfires. Bracco was incredible during the Memorial Cup, with 8 points in 4 games. He was equally impressive with 3 goals and 2 assists for Team USA in the gold medal run. Quite a year for any prospect to win WJC Gold and a Memorial Cup in the same season. Bracco has elite vision and playmaking ability, but again questions about his skating have prevented him from being in the conversation of the elite prospects. Bracco also initially struggled to find his role after being traded to Windsor from Kitchener, where he was simply dominating and keeping step with DeBrincat early in the season. With nothing much left to prove in Junior, Bracco will take his game to the Marlies next season.
8. C/W Oskar Sundqvist - St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Trade 2016
Sundqvist had an interesting season for Wilkes-Barre this year. Riding shotgun with Jake Guentzel was an incredible spot for Sundqvist and may have inflated his production in the AHL, as he struggled somewhat to maintain his level of play upon his promotion to the NHL and looked less than stellar without Guentzel in the AHL. In a surprising move, the Penguins traded Sundqvist to St. Louis for Ryan Reaves. This move was highly criticized from a value perspective. Sundqvist is a tall and rangy player that skates well enough to have NHL value, but consistency remains a key concern for the young Swede. Despite finishing his AHL campaign with 46 points in 63 games, he had an abysmal stretch from January to February. Sundqvist very likely makes the NHL Blues this season.
9. C Hudson Elynuik - Charlotte Checkers (AHL)
Trade 2017
Hudson Elynuik, son of long time NHL player Pat, experienced a major uptick in his stock this season for Spokane in the WHL. The rangy and athletic 6'5" forward has yet to fill out his considerable frame, but his hands are catching up and the projections are encouraging. Washington made this player part of their move up for the 3rd overall pick because of their faith in his ability. Elynuik likely projects to wing as a professional, but his net front presence will be valuable once he begins to put on the required strength to play a professional game. He is no doubt incredibly raw, but Washington likes his long term upside due to a fantastic set of hands that are unlike most players of his stature. Washington also firmly believes in bloodlines as having an impact on a player's success. Hudson knows what it takes to be a professional and has been groomed to be a good one.
10. D Robert Hagg - Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
2013 Draft - 34th overall
Hagg has taken an odd path to his NHL debut, but he has arrived nonetheless. Despite a very healthy system of defenders in the Flyers system, Hagg has carved an interesting niche as a defensive specialist with a strong first pass despite limited offensive upside. It has been widely reported that Hagg is just now blooming into the player that was expected of him when he was taken in the 2nd round in the '13 NHL draft. Hagg projects to be firmly in the mix for the Flyers, but has an uphill climb against some great prospects like Travis Sanheim. The advantage for Hagg is that stylistically he isn't competing for the same role, so there should be room for both. Hagg is part of the new NHL defensive defensemen who can skate the game and not be a total offensive black hole.
11. C/RW Scott Reedy
12. LW Kevin Roy
13. W Fabian Zetterlund
14. D Chase Priskie
15. D Cale Fleury
16. W Graham Knott
17. C David Cotton
18. D Trevor Carrick
19. W Alex Khoklachev
20. C Connor Hurley
2017 Draft - 3rd overall
Heiskanen takes 1st on the list due to presumed upside, but there's a lot of debate for the two defenders that are next on the list behind him. Heiskanen has had his upside questioned by some, but he remains one of the best defense prospects in hockey. Heiskanen probably spends another year in Finland due to his late birthday, but it won't be long until he's playing significant minutes in the NHL. Heiskanen projects as a minutes eating first pairing defenseman with moderate offensive upside. If he can play consistently to the level he played during the U18 tournament from an offensive perspective, it will certainly be hard to not consider him a potential top pairing defender. It will be fun to chart his progress this upcoming season.
2. D Charlie McAvoy - Boston Bruins (NHL)
2016 Draft - 17th overall
McAvoy had a breakout season last year as a key member of the U20 United States team that took home the gold medal. McAvoy made the All-Tournament team and this was just the start of an upward trajectory that saw him playing 20+ minutes a night in NHL playoff games to end his season. McAvoy has drawn comparisons to Drew Doughty for his abilities in both ends of the ice. The whirlwind season he just completed saw him start as something of a project on the Boston University blueline and ended with an invite to the US World Championship team roster despite being only 19 years old. NCAA to WJC Gold to AHL to NHL playoffs to World Championship games all in the span of one season for young McAvoy. What will he do for an encore?
3. D Brandon Montour - Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
2014 Draft - 108th overall
Montour has taken huge strides forward every year of his career and this year was no different. In a tough situation, he was stuck behind a lot of valuable defenders in Anaheim and was sent back to the AHL to start his season this year despite presumably being ready for NHL minutes. Montour once again decimated the AHL with 13 goals and 32 points in 36 contests before the Ducks had no choice but to promote him. Montour proceeded to make himself an indispensable member of the Ducks defense to such an extent that the organization felt comfortable parting with Shea Theodore, a blue chip prospect in his own right. Montour has electric offensive potential and there just aren't many players in the league exactly like him. It will be interesting to see how his progression goes. Shayne Gostisbehere might be a decent comparable.
4. C/RW Jack Roslovic - Winnipeg Jets (NHL)
2015 Draft - 31st overall
Roslovic had an interesting season this year as it pertains to his stock. After a tremendous start in the AHL, his production there leveled off around Christmas as he was heading into the WJC, of which he was expected to be a key member. After producing only 2 assists in 7 games of the tournament, despite a gold medal win, many were left wanting more. Roslovic went back to the AHL and played well enough to end the year and earn his first NHL call up. Roslovic appears on track to make the NHL Jets opening night roster next season after what could be considered a successful debut in the AHL with 48 points in 65 games for a pretty pedestrian club. Roslovic remains somewhat enigmatic like fellow Jets prospect Kyle Connor.
5. C/RW Blake Speers - New Jersey Devils (NHL)
2015 Draft - 104th overall
Speers would have to qualify as one of the pleasant surprises for the Capitals this season, despite a fairly anti-climactic NHL debut. The fact that he was thought of enough to even make his NHL debut this season was encouraging enough. Despite a broken wrist suffered during a 3 game cup of coffee with the NHL Devils, Speers did a lot to bolster his stock as one of the up and coming forward prospects in that system. Speers is an energetic and quick skating forward that can play a variety of roles and is valued for his versatility. A member of Team Canada's U20 WJC squad, Speers flashed potential to be a spark plug type offensive catalyst with his quick thinking and high energy approach.
6. RW Alex DeBrincat - Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
2016 Draft - 32nd overall
DeBrincat is one of the most polarizing prospects in the entire league. You either feel really enthusiastic about his chances to be a productive NHL player, or you think he will quickly be exposed at the professional level for his lack of elite skating and being incredibly undersized. The one thing in which there can be no debate is that DeBrincat has torched the OHL at levels that no American born player ever has. 3 consecutive seasons of 50 goals or more, capping off his Junior career with an incredible 65 this season. With regular season and playoffs combined, DeBrincat scored 78 goals and 87 assists for 165 points in 85 contests. With the retirement of Marian Hossa, the opportunity for DeBrincat to make the Hawks roster as soon as next season is a realistic one. Is he an odds defying Johnny Gaudreau or Corey Locke? Team USA hockey leaving him off the U20 roster was one of their more questionable decisions in years.
7. RW Jeremy Bracco - Toronto Marlies (AHL)
2015 Draft - 35th overall
It's only fitting that Bracco and DeBrincat should share the same prospect home in the HFNHL, as Bracco was presumably the choice over DeBrincat for the WJCs. Bracco has created his own following as another undersized offensive catalyst for the Memorial Cup Champion Windsor Spitfires. Bracco was incredible during the Memorial Cup, with 8 points in 4 games. He was equally impressive with 3 goals and 2 assists for Team USA in the gold medal run. Quite a year for any prospect to win WJC Gold and a Memorial Cup in the same season. Bracco has elite vision and playmaking ability, but again questions about his skating have prevented him from being in the conversation of the elite prospects. Bracco also initially struggled to find his role after being traded to Windsor from Kitchener, where he was simply dominating and keeping step with DeBrincat early in the season. With nothing much left to prove in Junior, Bracco will take his game to the Marlies next season.
8. C/W Oskar Sundqvist - St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Trade 2016
Sundqvist had an interesting season for Wilkes-Barre this year. Riding shotgun with Jake Guentzel was an incredible spot for Sundqvist and may have inflated his production in the AHL, as he struggled somewhat to maintain his level of play upon his promotion to the NHL and looked less than stellar without Guentzel in the AHL. In a surprising move, the Penguins traded Sundqvist to St. Louis for Ryan Reaves. This move was highly criticized from a value perspective. Sundqvist is a tall and rangy player that skates well enough to have NHL value, but consistency remains a key concern for the young Swede. Despite finishing his AHL campaign with 46 points in 63 games, he had an abysmal stretch from January to February. Sundqvist very likely makes the NHL Blues this season.
9. C Hudson Elynuik - Charlotte Checkers (AHL)
Trade 2017
Hudson Elynuik, son of long time NHL player Pat, experienced a major uptick in his stock this season for Spokane in the WHL. The rangy and athletic 6'5" forward has yet to fill out his considerable frame, but his hands are catching up and the projections are encouraging. Washington made this player part of their move up for the 3rd overall pick because of their faith in his ability. Elynuik likely projects to wing as a professional, but his net front presence will be valuable once he begins to put on the required strength to play a professional game. He is no doubt incredibly raw, but Washington likes his long term upside due to a fantastic set of hands that are unlike most players of his stature. Washington also firmly believes in bloodlines as having an impact on a player's success. Hudson knows what it takes to be a professional and has been groomed to be a good one.
10. D Robert Hagg - Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
2013 Draft - 34th overall
Hagg has taken an odd path to his NHL debut, but he has arrived nonetheless. Despite a very healthy system of defenders in the Flyers system, Hagg has carved an interesting niche as a defensive specialist with a strong first pass despite limited offensive upside. It has been widely reported that Hagg is just now blooming into the player that was expected of him when he was taken in the 2nd round in the '13 NHL draft. Hagg projects to be firmly in the mix for the Flyers, but has an uphill climb against some great prospects like Travis Sanheim. The advantage for Hagg is that stylistically he isn't competing for the same role, so there should be room for both. Hagg is part of the new NHL defensive defensemen who can skate the game and not be a total offensive black hole.
11. C/RW Scott Reedy
12. LW Kevin Roy
13. W Fabian Zetterlund
14. D Chase Priskie
15. D Cale Fleury
16. W Graham Knott
17. C David Cotton
18. D Trevor Carrick
19. W Alex Khoklachev
20. C Connor Hurley
