Prospect Info: HFOil Top 20 Oilers Prospects 2016 FINAL RANKINGS & DISCUSSION

[McMozesmadness]

So with Greg Chase winning the final poll we have our top 20 for 2016.

Here is the final ranking:

HFOil Top 20 Oilers Prospects 2016
1) Jesse Puljujärvi - RW - Oulun Kärpät - Liiga - 100%*
2) Drake Caggiula - LW - North Dakota - NCAA - 31.15%
3) Tyler Benson - LW - Vancouver Giants - WHL - 42.17%
4) Griffin Reinhart - D - Bakersfield Condors - AHL - 64.86%
5) Ethan Bear - D - Seattle Thunderbirds - WHL - 26.53%
6) Laurent Brossoit - G - Bakersfield Condors - AHL - 44.44%
7) Ziyat Paigin - D - Sochi Hockey Club - KHL - 38.46%
8) Caleb Jones - D - Portland Winterhawks - WHL - 27.91%
9) Anton Slepyshev - RW - Bakersfield Condors - AHL - 32.26%
10) Jujhar Khaira - C - Bakersfield Condors- AHL - 32.26%
11) Jordan Oesterle - D - Bakersfield Condors - AHL - 40.38%
12) Markus Niemelainen - D - Saginaw Spirit - OHL - 47.73%
13) Bogdan Yakimov - C - Bakersfield Condors - AHL - 36.36%
14) Dillon Simpson - D - Bakersfield Condors - AHL - 28.95%
15) Joey LaLeggia - D - Bakersfield Condors - AHL - 24.53%
16) Tyler Pitlick - RW - Bakersfield Condors - AHL - 26.19%
17) David Musil - D - Bakersfield Condors - AHL - 29.41%
18) William Lagesson - D - UMass Amherst - NCAA - 42.31%
19) Aapeli Rasanen - C - Tappara U20 - Liiga Jr - 27.27%
20) Gregory Chase - RW - Norfolk Admirals - ECHL - 19.35%
* Poll #1 was skipped due to obvious results.

Thanks to all who voted throughout.

Here is the list of prospects that didn't make the top 20:

• FILIP BERGLUND
• BEN BETKER
• MATTHEW CAIRNS
• EVAN CAMPBELL
• BRADEN CHRISTOFFER
• VINCENT DESHARNAIS
• NICK ELLIS
• EETU LAURIKAINEN
• JOHN MARINO
• GRAHAM MCPHEE
• MITCHELL MOROZ
• AIDAN MUIR
• ZACHARY NAGELVOORT
• KYLE PLATZER
• PATRICK RUSSELL
• JERE SALLINEN
• MIROSLAV SVOBODA
• TYLER VESEL
• DYLAN WELLS

And here is the final rankings from 2014 and 2015.

HFOil Top 20 Oilers Prospects 2015
1) Connor McDavid - C - Erie Otters - OHL - 100%*
2) Darnell Nurse - D - Soo Greyhounds - OHL - 66%
3) Leon Draisaitl - C - Kelowna Rockets - WHL - 30%*
4) Griffin Reinhart - D - Bridgeport S.Tigers - AHL - 78%
5) Bogdan Yakimov - C - OKC Barons - AHL - 38%
6) Laurent Brossoit - G - OKC Barons - AHL - 49%
7) Anton Slepyshev - LW - Salavat Yulayev - KHL - 49%
8) Greg Chase - RW - Victoria Royals - WHL - 36%
9) Joey LaLeggia - D - University of Denver - NCAA - 36%
10) Kyle Platzer - C/RW - Owen Sound Attack - OHL - 20%
11) Tyler Pitlick - RW - OKC Barons - AHL - 23%
12) Brandon Davidson - D - OKC Barons - AHL - 28%
13) Iiro Pakarinen - RW - OKC Barons - AHL - 21%
14) Jujhar Khaira - C - OKC Barons - AHL - 18%
15) Dillon Simpson - D - OKC Barons - AHL - 28%
16) Anders Nilsson - G - AK Bars Kazan - KHL - 21%
17) Ethan Bear - D - Seattle Thunderbirds - WHL - 26%
18) David Musil - D - OKC Barons - AHL - 29%
19) Caleb Jones - D - US National U18 - USHL - 21%
20) William Lagesson - D - Dubuque F.Saints - USHL - 21%
* Poll #1 and #3 was skipped due to obvious results.

HFOil Top 20 Oilers Prospects 2014
1) Leon Draisaitl - C - Prince Albert Raiders - WHL - 56.44%
2) Darnell Nurse - D - Soo Greyhounds - OHL - 94.20%
3) Oscar Klefbom - D - Oklahoma City Barons - AHL - 47.20%*
4) Martin Marincin - D - Edmonton Oilers - NHL - 47.20%
5) Bogdan Yakimov - C - Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk - KHL - 47.33%
6) Jujhar Khaira - C - Everett Silvertips - WHL - 29.05%
7) Dillon Simpson - D - UND Fighting Sioux - NCAA - 32.67%
8) Greg Chase - RW - Calgary Hitmen - WHL - 37.90%
9) Mitchell Moroz - LW - Edmonton Oil Kings - WHL - 29.84%
10) Laurent Brossoit - G - Bakersfield Condors - ECHL - 32.08%
11) Martin Gernat - D - Oklahoma City Barons - AHL - 29.91%
12) Tyler Pitlick - RW - Oklahoma City Barons - AHL - 31.48%
13) David Musil - D - Oklahoma City Barons - AHL - 30.97%
14) Marco Roy - LW - Blainville-Boisbriand Armada - QMJHL - 51.09%
15) Anton Slepyshev - LW - Salavat Yulaev Ufa - KHL - 67.31%
16) Travis Ewanyk - C - Oklahoma City Barons - AHL - 17.35%
17) Brandon Davidson - D - Oklahoma City Barons - AHL - 28.57%
18) William Lagesson - D - Frölunda HC - SEL - 27.45%**
19) Jackson Houck - RW - Vancouver Giants - WHL - 27.45%
20) Iiro Pakarinen - RW - HIFK Helsinki - Liiga - 25.30%
* Klefbom won in a tie-breaker (52.34%)
** Lagesson won in a tie-breaker (59.70%)

Id love to see peoples personal top 20's and I'd love to hear who people think from the prospects that didn't make it is their darkhorse prospect...

Thanks again to everyone for voting!!!

Click to read more...

 

[McMozesmadness]

Here is my top 20:

1) J.Puljujarvi
2) C.Jones
3) D.Cagguila
4) G.Reinhart
5) J.Oesterle
6) J.Khaira
7) L.Brossoit
8) A.Slepyshev
9) T.Benson
10) E.Bear
11) W.Lagesson
12) D.Simpson
13) D.Musil
14) M.Niemelainen
15) Z.Paigin
16) A.Rasanen
17) K.Platzer
18) J.Marino
19) B.Yakimov
20) G.Chase

My big sleeper from who missed the poll is Evan Campbell Ive watched him quite a few times and seen some video on him and Ive always been impressed his numbers dipped which is very concerning but his work ethic and style of play will translate well to the pro game IMO.

 

[nexttothemoon]

I'm hoping at least 1 of those 10 dmen in the top 20 became top 4 dmen at the NHL level someday.

You would think sooner or later there has to be some success at developing a legit top 4 dman from out of the multitude they have drafted.

 

[lakai17]

I would have Paigin in my top 5 list.

Rasanen will rise vastly I believe.

I would probably make room for Eetu on my personal top 20 list.

Berglund, Sallinen and Cairns have potential to make the next top 20 list.

 

[BarDownBobo]

Chia has done a hell of a job restocking the prospect pool since taking over. Ellis and Russell were two of the bigger NCAA free agents available this summer, and Laurikainen did quite well in Bakersfield after returning from Finland; so the fact that none of them are in our top 20 is rather impressive IMO.

 

[belair]

My top 10. The rest are either too young, too unknown or too underwhelming to really solidify themselves at this point. My top 2 are my only 'sure fire' prospects to make the NHL full-time.

1. Puljujarvi (A-) High end: Elite level winger with size. (think Jamie Benn) Low end: Limited upside winger with size. (think Teddy Purcell)
2. Reinhart (B+) High end: Top pair shutdown defenseman. (think Willie Mitchell) Low end: Bottom pair PK specialist. (think Douglas Murray)
3. Benson
4. Caggiula
5. Bear
6. Jones
7. Brossoit
8. Slepyshev
9. Paigin
10. Khaira

 

[slim2001]

My Top 20:

1) Jesse Puljujärvi - RW
2) Griffin Reinhart - D
3) Tyler Benson - LW
4) Ziyat Paigin - D
5) Markus Niemelainen - D
6) Drake Caggiula - LW
7) Laurent Brossoit - G
8) Jujhar Khaira - C
9) Patrick Russell - RW
10) Nick Ellis - G
11) Caleb Jones - D
12) Ethan Bear - D
13) Anton Slepyshev - RW
14) Jordan Oesterle - D
15) Tyler Pitlick - RW
16) David Musil - D
17) Bogdan Yakimov - C
18) Dillon Simpson - D
19) Joey Laleggia - D
20) Jere Sallinen - LW

 

[Oiler in stockholm]

Good ranking. John marino should be in there around 15 and pitlick is to old to be called prospect

 

[Stud Muffin]

Don't know how Marino isn't in here. He's going to suprise a lot of people next season.

 

[oilinblood]

I am excited to see Drake at Oilers main camp

 

[McFlyingV]

This is what I threw together after a little thought.

1) Puljujarvi - Self explanatory, elite level talent.

2) Benson - Should have been a 10-15 OA pick imo if not for his injury riddled season. I could see him becoming a very good 2nd line 2-way winger that plays with a physical edge.

3) Reinhart - Was a little on the fence whether to put him 3 or 4. Imo he still has the potential to be a rock solid middle pairing shutdown D + PK specialist if he just improves his first couple steps a little bit more and keeps adding to his physical game, definitely reads the game well enough. I think he's starting to realize also that he's a big boy and he can play physical against men and handle his own.

4) Caggiula - Small, but I like his motor, feistiness, and 2-way game. Has a heck of a shot as well and a good pair of hands. Could see him as a good middle 6er as early as next year if all goes well.

5) Bear - Made huge strides last year to improve in a lot of areas. He'll never be physically dominating, but should be able to handle his own as he matures and gets stronger. Still needs some work on some areas of his skating and defending, but has great offensive instincts and both a great wrister and slap shot. The fact he's a RH shot makes it even better. Could see a bottom pair PP specialist, or a less physical Ryan Ellis type middle pairing D.

6) Paigin - Put him here because of his boom potential. What he did in the KHL last year was very impressive. His 6'6 frame will likely take another 5+ years to fill out, but he's a good skater with a bomb of a shot and good offensive instincts. If he can add a physical element when he grows into his body and works on his defensive side of the game he has enormous potential.

7) Jones - Love a lot about his game. Good skater, competes hard and plays physical, has a quality breakout pass and some offence to him. Not sure how well his offence will translate to the next levels, but could see him becoming a middle pair physical and mobile 2-way D.

8) Brossoit - Little disappointed with his NHL stint last year. He has the tools, great athleticism, good size, decent lateral movement and technical skills. Would like to see him attack shooters more as he seems to play a lot more conformed to the "let the puck hit me" style that some goaltenders play, which I think is the opposite of what I saw of him on the Oil Kings. Could be a confidence thing where he just needs some time to feel like he can stop NHL shooters and that could get him back to attacking and challenging shooters. Still needs work on his rebound control and puck playing. Overall I see him as a safe bet to be an NHL backup with a shot at becoming a solid NHL goalie if he can keep developing.

9) Slepyshev - Loved him in camp last year. Really like his willingness to engage physically and he is a quality skater with a good shot. I know there were reports of him being 220lbs last year, but I don't think those are right as he looks a lot closer to the ~190 he's listed at. With another year or 2 getting accustomed to the NA game and adding some more weight and strength I think he has the potential to be a good big bodied scoring winger on the 3rd line. Could see him being ready earlier than that if everything just clicks

10) Khaira - Love this player. Think he'll be a very good bottom 6er for us. Good size and physicality, has pretty good speed for his size and decent puck skills to contribute a bit offensively. He's also fearless and a pretty tough dude. If he could turn into a Dwight King type player, which I don't see as out of the question, that would be pretty good for us.

11) Niemalainen - Similar to Paigin I put him fairly high on his boom potential. A lot depends on whether his offensive game develops and if he can add some weight and physicality. Either way he's got the tools to be an NHL Dman. Size, good skater, quality passer. Might take him a little while to get the awkwardness that comes with that size out of his game on the defensive side of things.

12) Oesterle - Really didn't expect a ton out of this player, but he has progressed every year since signing and his ability to make quality passes and skate are certainly intriguing. If he can get himself up to about 6'0 190 to handle himself a little better physically and improve on his shot then I could see him as a very good bottom pairing PMD who can spend some time on the PP.

13) Rasanen - Like the potential in him to be a 2-way bottom 6 centre, especially since he's pretty good on the draw. I think he has enough skill and playmaking to be a quality 3C someday, but that likely won't be for some time.

14) Marino - One of my dark horses from our prospect pool. I like all of his tools quite a bit. He has a good frame at 6'2 that he should fill out at college, he's a good skater with a pretty good shot, moves the puck pretty well, competes hard and can be a little physical when he wants to which will likely improve as he gets bigger. A lesser Jeff Petry is the potential I see in him.

15) Simpson - A safer, but lower upside pick imo. He's very smart and has a decent frame that he could still use to add some size to. Loved him at North Dakota and he looked like a beast in the frozen four. I see him as a steady eddy bottom pairing D who can block and lot of shots, defend well, and move the puck well enough. Skating, shot, size and physicality all need to improve if he wants to have a Davidson like jump, but I'm not sure he'll ever be able to.

16) Yakimov - Really not sure if he'll ever be able to cut it in the NHL. Has the size and some skill, but his skating needs a ton of work and he really doesn't use that 6'5 230 body like he should be able to. Maybe those aspects will come in time, but not holding my breath.

17) Lagesson - liked his play at the WJC's quite a bit. Doesn't possess a ton of great offensive tools, although he has decent offensive instincts and can jump in on the rush. Probably needs to work on his puck moving and decision making a bit. The thing I really like about him though is that he's a decent skater, uses his stick well, has decent size that he still needs to fill out, and he plays with a feisty physical edge. Definitely a guy who could be a bottom 4 D who's an annoying ***** to play against that gets under people's skin.

18) Laleggia - Thought he had a good pre-season last year and I like how well he skates and moves the puck, and he has a quality shot. Really not sure if he'll be able to overcome his size and strength deficiencies as I'd hoped he'd be a little stronger than he is at 24. Also didn't put up the Krug/Barrie type numbers in his first year pro that I had hoped for. We'll see what happens with him, but maybe there's more hope for him to be converted into a forward. Maybe a poor man's Cogliano type if he can't get his foot in the door on D.

19) Berglund - Another dark horse for me. Put up some impressive numbers in Swedish JR as a 19 y/o and by the sounds of it is a good RH shot PP QB. He has the size, but from what I've heard will need to improve his skating and physicality.

20) Platzer - Decided to throw him on as the last pick. He's not overly big and that might prevent him from being gritty at the next level, although smaller guys have succeeded in it before. I like how he projects as being somewhat defensively responsible and he has a quality shot. Could see him as a 2-way bottom 6 scoring C/W who can play with a bit of grit.

These of course are just potential I see in the players. I obviously don't expect even half of them to reach those projections, and really we'd be lucky if even a few outside of the top 4 could become quality NHLers for us.

Edit - also sorry for the long post, really didn't realize how long it had become until I posted it.

 

[Zaddy]

Surprised not to see Eetu in the top20. He's had legit great numbers at every level he has played at until last year in the AHL, but he had a pretty weird season where he split the season in FEL and AHL. Wasn't really given any time to adjust. Think he can establish himslef as a solid goalie in the AHL next year and maybe fight with Brossoit for the backup spot in the NHL a year or two after that. Liking his chances at seeing NHL ice way more than some of the lower ranked prospects in the top20. Anyway, it's nice to see that we actually have some legit prospects in our prospect pool nowadays. It can still improve but the last two drafts have been fairly good and we've added some interesting FA's both from Europe and NCAA. Chia has done some good work in this regard.