Taking a look back at over 30 years worth of Habs prospect top 10 lists

[Habsfan18]

Hey guys, using my old issues of THN I thought I would compile a set of lists from the old "Future Watch" and "In The System" issues. The first "In The System issue was in 1989. In 1992 it became "Future Watch."

I figure some of you might find this interesting. Just to see how our prospects were ranked at that time by scouts and personnel.

Keep in mind that with these FW issues, as long as you're not considered an NHL regular at the time of printing, you're considered a prospect for these lists. Age doesn't matter.

Also, I'm not sure about back in the early 90's. But for the past 20+ years at least, the lists were provided by a member of the actual organization. The overall prospect rankings in the issues are compiled by a panel of NHL scouts.

1989:

1.Andrew Cassels
2.Mathieu Schneider
3.John LeClair
4.Stephane Lebeau
5.Randy Exelby
6.Sylvain Lefebvre
7.Benoit Brunet
8.Eric Charron
9.Francois Gravel
10.Jocelyn Lemieux

1990:

1.Andrew Cassels
2.Mathieu Schneider
3.Mark Pederson
4.Tom Chorske
5.Andre Racicot
6.Lindsay Vallis
7.Patrice Brisebois
8.Patrick Lebeau
9.Ed Cristofoli
10.Eric Charron

1991: (they only did a top 5 this year)

1.Gilbert Dionne
2.Lindsay Vallis
3.Patrice Brisebois
4.Patrik Kjellbrg
5.Patrik Carnback

1992:

1.Vladimir Vujtek
2.Gilbert Dionne
3.Patrick Lebeau
4.Paul DiPietro
5.Patrice Brisebois
6.Sean Hill
7.Brent Bilodeau
8.Patrik Kjellberg
9.Turner Stevenson
10.Jim Campbell

1993:

1.Brent Bilodeau
2.Valeri Bure
3.Turner Stevenson
4.Paul DiPietro
5.Pierre Sevigny
6.Yves Sarault
7.Jesse Belanger
8.Brian Savage
9.Oleg Petrov
10.David Wilkie

1994:

1.Valeri Bure
2.Saku Koivu
3.Jim Campbell
4.Brian Savage
5.Christian Proulx
6.David Wilkie
7.Craig Darby
8.Turner Stevenson
9.Les Kuntar
10.Rory Fitzpatrick

1995:

1.Saku Koivu
2.Valeri Bure
3.Darcy Tucker
4.David Wilkie
5.Rory Fitzpatrick
6.Craig Darby
7.Martin Brochu
8.Brad Brown
9.Jim Campbell
10.Sebastien Bordeleau

1996:

1.Jose Theodore
2.David Wilkie
3.Darcy Tucker
4.Terry Ryan
5.Sebastien Bordeleau
6.Craig Rivet
7.Brad Brown
8.Craig Conroy
9.Scott Fraser
10.Jonathan Delisle

1997:

1.Terry Ryan
2.Matt Higgins
3.Mathieu Garon
4.Brad Brown
5.Adam Wiesel
6.Miloslav Guren
7.Arron Asham
8.Tomas Vokoun
9.Eric Houde
10.Jonathan Delisle

1998:

1.Mathieu Garon
2.Jason Ward
3.Jose Theodore
4.Terry Ryan
5.Tomas Vokoun
6.Matt Higgins
7.Brad Brown
8.Eric Houde
9.Miloslav Guren
10.Aaron Asham

1999:

1.Mathieu Garon
2.Jose Theodore
3.Eric Chouinard
4.Andrei Markov
5.Jason Ward
6.Matt Higgins
7.Terry Ryan
8.Iikka Mikkola
9.Miloslav Guren
10.Mike Ribeiro

2000:

1.Mathieu Garon
2.Eric Chouinard
3.Mike Ribeiro
4.Andrei Markov
5.Chris Dyment
6.Timo Vertala
7.Alexander Buturlin
8.Iikka Mikkola
9.Michael Ryder
10.Matt Higgins

2001:

1.Ron Hainsey
2.Mathieu Garon
3.Marcel Hossa
4.Eric Chouinard
5.Jozef Balej
6.Mike Ribeiro
7.Timo Vertala
8.Chris Dyment
9.Alexander Buturlin
10.Christian Larrivee

2002:

1.Mike Komisarek
2.Ron Hainsey
3.Marcel Hossa
4.Alexander Perezhogin
5.Eric Chouinard
6.Mathieu Garon
7.Duncan Milroy
8.Jozef Balej
9.Tomas Plekanec
10.Chris Dyment

2003:

1.Alexander Perezhogin
2.Ron Hainsey
3.Chris Higgins
4.Mike Komisarek
5.Mathieu Garon
6.Jozef Balej
7.Duncan Milroy
8.Tomas Plekanec
9.Michael Ryder
10.Konstantin Korneev

2004:

1.Andrei Kostitsyn
2.Mike Komisarek
3.Chris Higgins
4.Alexander Perezhogin
5.Marcel Hossa
6.Ron Hainsey
7.Cory Urquhart
8.Michael Lambert
9.Maxim Lapierre
10.Jozef Balej

2005:

1.Andrei Kostitsyn
2.Chris Higgins
3.Alexander Perezhogin
4.Yann Danis
5.Kyle Chipchura
6.Tomas Plekanec
7.Ron Hainsey
8.Marcel Hossa
9.Mark Streit
10.Maxim Lapierre

2006:

1.Carey Price
2.Guillaume Latendresse
3.Andrei Kostitsyn
4.Kyle Chipchura
5.Yann Danis
6.Alexei Yemelin
7.Mikhail Grabovski
8.Sergei Kostitsyn
9.Juraj Mikus
10.Matt D'Agostini

2007:

1.Carey Price
2.Andrei Kostitsyn
3.Mikhail Grabovski
4.Ben Maxwell
5.David Fischer
6.Sergei Kostitsyn
7.Maxim Lapierre
8.Jaroslav Halak
9.Kyle Chipchura
10.Alexei Yemelin

2008:

1.Carey Price
2.Ryan McDonagh
3.Max Pacioretty
4.PK Subban
5.David Fischer
6.Alexei Yemelin
7.Yannick Weber
8.Ben Maxwell
9.Ryan White
10.Mikhail Grabosvki

2009:

1.Max Pacioretty
2.PK Subban
3.Ryan McDonagh
4.Matt D'Agostini
5.Ben Maxwell
6.Kyle Chipchura
7.Yannick Weber
8.Danny Kristo
9.David Fischer
10.Steve Quailer

2010:

1. P.K. Subban
2. Danny Kristo
3. Louis Leblanc
4. Ryan White
5. Yannick Weber
6. Joonas Nattinen
7. Mathieu Carle
8. Mac Bennett
9. Cedrick Desjardins
10. Ben Maxwell

2011:

1. Louis Leblanc
2. Jarred Tinordi
3. Danny Kristo
4. Alexander Avtsin
5. Michael Bournival
6. Ryan White
7. Aaron Palushaj
8. Joonas Nattinen
9. Mark MacMillan
10. Brendan Gallagher

2012:

1. Nathan Beaulieu
2. Louis Leblanc
3. Jarred Tinordi
4. Brendan Gallagher
5. Aaron Palushaj
6. Michael Bournival
7. Andreas Engqvist
8. Alexander Avtsin
9. Danny Kristo
10. Patrick Holland

2013:

1. Alex Galchenyuk
2. Nathan Beaulieu
3. Jarred Tinordi
4. Sebastian Collberg
5. Brendan Gallagher
6. Charles Hudon
7. Michael Bournival
8. Patrick Holland
9. Louis Leblanc
10. Danny Kristo

2014:

1. Jacob De La Rose
2. Zach Fucale
3. Jarred Tinordi
4. Michael McCarron
5. Arturri Lehkonen
6. Sebastian Collberg
7. Charles Hudon
8. Sven Andrighetto
9. Martin Reway
10. Tim Bozon

2015:

1. Jacob De La Rose
2. Nikita Scherbak
3. Zach Fucale
4. Jarred Tinordi
5. Michael McCarron
6. Martin Reway
7. Sven Andrighetto
8. Charles Hudon
9. Michael Condon
10. Arturri Lehkonen

2016:

1. Michael McCarron
2. Noah Juulsen
3. Nikita Scherbak
4. Jacob De La Rose
5. Zach Fucale
6. Charles Hudon
7. Arturri Lehkonen
8. Lukas Vejdemo
9. Sven Andrighetto
10. Daniel Carr

2017:

1. Mikael Sergachev
2. Noah Juulsen
2. Michael McCarron
4. Nikita Scherbak
5. Jacob De La Rose
6. Zach Fucale
7. Charles Hudon
8. Michael McNiven
9. Will Bitten
10 Victor Mete

2018:

1. Ryan Poehling
2. Nikita Scherbak
3. Noah Juulsen
4. Charlie Lindgren
5. Josh Brook
6. Joni Ikonen
7. Michael McNiven
8. Michael McCarron
9. Jake Evans
10. Cayden Primeau

2019:

1. Nick Suzuki
2. Ryan Poehling
3. Alexander Romanov
4. Cayden Primeau
5. Noah Juulsen
6. Josh Brook
7. Jesse Ylonen
8. Cale Fleury
9. Jacob Olofsson
10. Joni Ikonen

2020:

1. Alexander Romanov
2. Cole Caufield
3. Cayden Primeau
4. Ryan Poehling
5. Josh Brook
6. Mattias Norlinder
7. Jesse Ylonen
8. Jake Evans
9. Jayden Struble
10. Jordan Harris

2021:

1. Cole Caufield
2. Kaiden Guhle
3. Cayden Primeau
4. Ryan Poehling
5. Mattias Norlinder
6. Josh Brook
7. Jordan Harris
8. Luke Tuch
9. Jesse Ylonen
10. Jan Mysak

Click to read more...

 

[Wats]

Here's hoping this year's top 10 will turn out at least like the 89 group.

 

[Joey]

really interesting :|

I particularly enjoy the year they professed Garon > Theodore > Vokoun


Ryder appeared twice, both as #9's, with 2 years in between both rank placements. And now he's a bonafide 25 goal man. Really fun post, thanks

 

[overlords]

really interesting :|

I particularly enjoy the year they professed Garon > Theodore > Vokoun


Ryder appeared twice, both as #9's, with 2 years in between both rank placements. And now he's a bonafide 25 goal man. Really fun post, thanks

what happened to theo in 97's list?

 

[FrankMTL]

Wow, the lists from 1997 & 1998 make me want to throw up!

2001 wasen't very good either looking back...

 

[CGG]

How did Garon crack the list in SEVEN consecutive years?

 

[Habsfan18]

what happened to theo in 97's list?

Most likely he was left off because he was backing up Jocelyn Thibault in Montreal.

 

[Habs8517]

Wow, a lot of bust over the years. So many wasted opportunities, if only the habs management would have been half decent, we would not be in this present crappy situation.

 

[Fish on The Sand]

Most likely he was left off because he was backing up Jocelyn Thibault in Montreal.

what made that even more difficult was the fact that he was better than Thibault.

 

[Fish on The Sand]

compare 2009 to 1999. what a difference.

 

[Natedawg]

compare 2009 to 1999. what a difference.

Unbelievable, and yet people still Sh** on Trevor Timmins.

 

[JeromeHP]

vladimir vujtek

 

[FlyingKostitsyn]

Who the hell is Vladimir Vujtek? Terry Ryan's fall from grace is sad yet funny somehow.

 

[Habsfan18]

Who the hell is Vladimir Vujtek? Terry Ryan's fall from grace is sad yet funny somehow.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=5605

We drafted him in the 4th round in the '91 draft. He has part of the package sent to Edmonton to obtain Damphousse. Only 7 goals in 110 NHL games..

 

[Freaky Habs Fan]

From 2003 to 2007, 6 players of each top 10 made the NHL (even if some are there a few times), and a few of the others still have great chances of making it. If only a few of those players could break out, it would be sweet because we are very good at developing NHL talent, but they are just not fulfilling their full potential...

 

[Fish on The Sand]

really interesting :|

I particularly enjoy the year they professed Garon > Theodore > Vokoun


Ryder appeared twice, both as #9's, with 2 years in between both rank placements. And now he's a bonafide 25 goal man. Really fun post, thanks

How did Garon crack the list in SEVEN consecutive years?

Garon had to be the most overrated prospect we've ever had. Even in Theo's Hart trophy year the buzz was that Theodore was a stop-gap until Garon could take over. The rumored deal in 2001 for Kovalchuk was alleged to have been Garon and not Theodore to Atlanta. I'm not sur ehow true that was, but it still went to show just how much the media thought of Garon.

 

[Dgill]

compare 2009 to 1999. what a difference.

While now im sure there is a difference, I don't think a fair assesement can be made on which year had the better prospects until another 10 years.

Im not a Habs fan, but I do like PK Subban. Could be a steal there.

 

[Fish on The Sand]

While now im sure there is a difference, I don't think a fair assesement can be made on which year had the better prospects until another 10 years.

Im not a Habs fan, but I do like PK Subban. Could be a steal there.

even in 1999 that prospect pool was considered crap. Its not like it was a shock that pretty much all of those players busted. They were mostly considered duds from the time they were drafted.

 

[MonacoBlue]

From 2003 to 2007, 6 players of each top 10 made the NHL (even if some are there a few times), and a few of the others still have great chances of making it. If only a few of those players could break out, it would be sweet because we are very good at developing NHL talent, but they are just not fulfilling their full potential...

Baby steps

 

[Weip]

David Fischer What a waste...

 

[Habsfan18]

David Fischer What a waste...

While I wasn't really that much of a supporter of the pick even when it happened, I'd say it's a little early to call the pick a "waste"...

 

[Freaky Habs Fan]

Garon had to be the most overrated prospect we've ever had. Even in Theo's Hart trophy year the buzz was that Theodore was a stop-gap until Garon could take over. The rumored deal in 2001 for Kovalchuk was alleged to have been Garon and not Theodore to Atlanta. I'm not sur ehow true that was, but it still went to show just how much the media thought of Garon.

The Habs offered Garon, two first, Markov and Zednik for Kovalchuk, but the Trashers asked to replace Garon for Theodore in order to accept the deal.

David Fischer What a waste...

Don't you think you should wait a little bit before making that statement? He still have potential...

 

[Colezuki]

The Habs offered Garon, two first, Markov and Zednik for Kovalchuk, but the Trashers asked to replace Garon for Theodore in order to accept the deal.



Don't you think you should wait a little bit before making that statement? He still have potential...

Jesus who would have done that deal now looking back on it?

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

In 1999, nobody expected Markov to become what he is now.

In fact, I'm pretty sure that if you proclaimed Markov would become a top-10 D in this league, you would be told that you wear rose-colored glasses and that Markov would probably become no better than Patrice Brisebois.


Can't wait to see one or several of Subban, McD, Fischer, Weber and others try to reach for that, and I have a pretty good feeling that at least one of them may become an underated superstar like Markov.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

The Habs offered Garon, two first, Markov and Zednik for Kovalchuk, but the Trashers asked to replace Garon for Theodore in order to accept the deal.



Don't you think you should wait a little bit before making that statement? He still have potential...

I thought the Habs refused because they didn't want to trade Markov?