The "next generation"

[Golbez]

The Slovaks...

Unfortunately, Slovakia's next generation is quite small in terms of quality depth...still

Goalies:
Jan Lasak - He's the here and now, and he's still very young and will be the cornerstone for many years
Jaroslav Halak - I like him b/c he's the most technically sound Slovak goalie I've seen. I think he'll eventually be the #1 guy
Michal Valent - 2004 draftable, and a few years down the round, he could develop to be a very good goalie. I like these 2 better than Stana and Budaj

Defense:
Andrej Meszaros - Extremely skilled and very underrated...the best all-around defenseman to come out of Slovakia in many years
Brano Mezei - He's developed slowly, and won't likely be a star, but at least a solid defenseman
Boris Valabik - Big and nasty, his star is rising fast
Ivan Baranka - Decent all-around defenseman, but more of a Rado Suchy ceiling.
Dominik Granak - He may never make the NHL, but he'll be a star in Europe and play on many more Team Slovakias. Was great at the 2004 WC

Forwards:
Marian Gaborik - He'll be back in form next year, no doubt
Jozef Balej - I hope he gets a real change with the Ranger$, but my hopes aren't high on that occuring.
Tomas Surovy - Mr. Production
Juraj Gracik - Size and scoring ability, he'll be a good one.
Miroslav Zalesek - He's ripped apart the AHL, now he needs to make the jump to the NHL. His development has been very steady and amazing in the past few years. He never seemed like a great prospect in his younger years, but he keeps on getting better.
Roman Kukumberg - May finally get drafted as an overager...similar career path to Tomas Surovy, minus a year. Hard-worker, productive scorer, and played well at 2004 WC.

Jes Golbez's Hockey Weblog

 

[habsfan9]

roach 4 the us?

 

[nomorekids]

Rämö, Ahonen, Ahlqvist, Lassila etc. etc

teemu lassila, future netminder of the Predators for years to come

 

[joe_shannon_1983*]

roach 4 the us?

What Roach are you referring to?

 

[Anthony*]

...don't forget Antero Niittymaki...

and toskala

 

[Sampe]

Anybody can fill me in on how Finland has become so good at developing goalies lately? You can trace Quebec's production to Patrick Roy, but what spurred this in Finland?

Along with the goalie coaches...Patrick Roy, actually. Unlike our previous generation of goalies, these guys grew up watching the NHL and learning from the very best.

 

[IFK]

Finlands future:

Forwards

Tuomo Ruutu (Chicago,NHL)
Mikko Koivu (TPS,FNL)
Lauri Tukonen (Blues,FNL)
Sean Bergenheim (Bridgeport,AHL)
Tuomas Pihlman (Albany,AHL)
Jussi Jokinen (Karpat,FNL)
Lauri Korpikoski (TPS,FNL)
Petteri Nokelainen (Saipa,FNL)
Jani Rita (Toronto,AHL)
Jesse Niinimaki (Ilves,FNL)
Jarkko Immonen (JYP,FNL)
Jesse Joensuu (Assat,FNL)
Valtteri Filppula (Jokerit,FNL)
Masi Marjamaki (Moose Jaw,WHL)
Aki Seitsonen (Prince Albert,WHL)
Miikka Lahti (JYP,FNL)
Arsi Piispanen (JYP,FNL)
Pasi Salonen (Pelicans,FNL)
Riku Hahl (Colorado,NHL)
Tomi Maki (Jokerit,FNL)
Lennart Petrell (HIFK,FNL)
Antti Miettinen (Utah,AHL)
Jari Viuhkola (Karpat,FNL)
Tuomas Mikkonen (JYP,FNL)
Ilkka Pikkarainen (Albany,FNL)
Tony Salmelainen (Toronto,AHL)
Janne Pesonen (Karpat,FNL)
Janne Kolehmainen (Saipa,FNL)
Jussi Makkonen (TPS,FNL)
Teemu Laine (Tappara,FNL)

Defenders

Joni Pitkanen (Philadelphia,NHL)
Ossi Vaananen (Colorado,NHL)
Risto Korhonen (Karpat,FNL)
Teemu Laakso (HIFK,FNL)
Lasse Kukkonen (Norfolk,AHL)
Sami Lepisto (Jokerit,FNL)
Mikko Kalteva (Jokerit,FNL)
Kevin Kantee (Jokerit,FNL)
Erkka Leppanen (JYP,FNL)
Mikko Viitanen (Hershey,AHL)
Jyri Marttinen (JYP,FNL)
Topi Jaakola (Karpat,FNL)
Olli Malmivaara (Saipa,FNL)

Goalkeepers

Kari Lehtonen (Chicago,AHL)
Hannu Toivonen (Providence,AHL)
Ari Ahonen (Albany,AHL)
Antero Niittymaki (Philadelphia,AHL)
Tuukka Rask (Ilves,FNL)
Teemu Lassila (TPS,FNL)
Aleksis Ahlqvist (JYP,FNL)
Karri Ramo (Pelicans,FNL)
Tuomas Nissinen (Assat,FNL)

I maybe forgot someone, but these players has potential to come regular NHL players or stars. They are all born to 80`s so i think we have nice 10-15 next year.

 

[Preds666]

trade us a goalie IFK!
Here's a similar future depth chart for Sweden (players born 1980+, among those that are not drafted and listed, they aren't necessarily the most talented ones, but IMO the safest ones at this very early stage)

Goaltenders
Already in the NHL/AHL
none

Still in Sweden/Juniors
Henrik Lundqvist (NY Rangers)
Stefan Liv (Detroit)

Net yet drafted
Magnus Ã…kerlund (2004 Eligible)
Mattias Modig (2005 Eligible)
Joel Gistedt (2006 Eligible)
Stefan Ridderwall (2006 Eligible)



Defensemen
Already in the NHL/AHL
Niklas Kronwall (Detroit)
Christian Bäckman (St. Louis)
Douglas Murray (San José)
Andreas Holmqvist (Tampa Bay)

Still in Sweden/Juniors
Lars Jonsson (Boston)
Tobias Enström (Anaheim)
Johnny Oduya (Washington)
Daniel Fernholm (Pittsburgh)

Not yet drafted
Johan Fransson (2004 Eligible)
Oscar Hedman (2004 Eligible)
Nicklas Grossman (2004 Eligible)
Alexander Täng (2004 Eligible)
Alexander Ribbenstrand (2005 Eligible)
Alexander Hellström (2005 Eligible)
Magnus Svanberg (2006 Eligible)
Erik Moe (2006 Eligible)



Forwards
Already in the NHL/AHL
Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit)
Henrik Sedin (Vancouver)
Daniel Sedin (Vancouver)
Fredrik Sjöström (Phoenix)
Mattias Weinhand (NY Islanders)
Christian Berglund (Florida)
Rickard Wallin (Minnesota)
Martin Samuelsson (Boston)

Still in Sweden/Juniors
Alexander Steen (Toronto)
Loui Eriksson (Dallas)
Robert Nilsson (NY Islanders)
Magnus Kahnberg (Carolina)
Yared Hagos (Dallas)
Jonas Johansson (Washington)
Andreas Jämtin (Detroit)
Jens Karlsson (Los Angeles)

Not yet drafted
Calle Söderberg (2004 Eligible)
Johannes Salmonsson (2004 Eligible)
Alexander Sundström (2005 Eligible)
Nicklas Bergfors (2005 Eligible)
Tom Wandell (2005 Eligible)
Patrik Zackrisson (2005 Eligible)
Mattias Ritola (2005 Eligible)
Oskar Johansson (2006 Eligible)
Tony Lagerström (2006 Eligible)

I love the depth among forwards, but defense and goalies.. not so much. There are some strong names though.

 

[IFK]

trade us a goalie IFK!

We could give you Kristian Antila. He even sound littlebit Swedis.

I copy your list cause this is better than mine. Everybody on this list are born 80´s.

Goaltenders
Already in the NHL/AHL

Kari Lehtonen (Atlanta)
Hannu Toivonen (Boston)
Ari Ahonen (New Jersey)
Antero Niittymaki (Philadelphia)
Kristian Antila, ECHL (Edmonton)

Still in Finland/Juniors/

Teemu Lassila, TPS (Nashville)
Tuomas Nissinen, Assat (St. Louis)
Joni Puurula, HPK (Montreal)
Mikael Vuorio, Lukko (Florida)
Matti Kaltiainen, NCAA (Boston)
Antti Jokela, ? (Carolina)
Eero Kilpelainen, Kalpa (Dallas)
Ville Hostikka, ? (Philadelphia)

Not yet drafted

Aleksis Ahlqvist, JYP (2004 Eligible)
Karri Ramo, Pelicans (2004 Eligible,)
Ari Reunanen, TPS (2004 Eligible/overaged)
Pekka Rinne, Karpat (2004 Eligible/overaged)
Tuomo Karjalainen, TPS (2004 Eligible/overaged)

Tuukka Rask, Ilves (2005 Eligible)
Jani Nieminen, HIFK (2005 Eligible)
Tero Parkkinen, K-67 (2005 Eligible)
Juha Toivonen (2005 Eligible)

Jesse Kosonen, TPS (2006 Eligible)
Niko Hovinen, Jokerit (2006 Eligible)

Defensemen
Already in the NHL/AHL

Joni Pitkanen (Philadelphia)
Ossi Vaananen (Colorado)
Lasse Kukkonen (Chicago)
Mikko Viitanen (Colorado)
Mikko Jokela (Vancouver)
Juha Alen (Anaheim)

Still in Finland/Juniors

Mikko Kalteva, Jokerit (Colorado)
Kevin Kantee, Jokerit (Chicago)
Jyri Marttinen, JYP (Calgary)
Topi Jaakola, Karpat (Florida)
Olli Malmivaara, Saipa (Chicago)
Arto Laatikainen, Blues (NY Rangers)
Tero Maatta, Blues (San Jose)
Tuukka Makela, HPK (Boston)
Teemu Jaaskelainen, Ilves (Chicago)
Markus Kankaanpera, Jokerit (Vancouver)
Lauri Kinos, JYP (St. Louis)
Oskari Korpikari, Karpat (Montreal)
Jaakko Harikkala, Lukko (Boston)
Teemu Kesa, ? (New Jersey)
Jussi Timonen, Saipa (Philadelphia)
Ville Mantymaa, Tappara (Tampa Bay)
Markus Seikola, TPS (Toronto)
Tuukka Mantyla, Lulea (Los Angeles)
Niko Vainio, Jokerit (Dallas)
Arto Tukio, ? (Ny Islanders)

Not yet drafted

Sami Lepisto, Jokerit (2004 Eligible)
Mikko Kuukka, Red Deer (2004 Eligible)
Tuomas Gardstrom, Kookoo (2004 Eligible)
Ville Varakas, HIFK (2004 Eligible)
Anssi Salmela, Tappara (2004 Eligible)
Jarno Virkki, HPK (2004 Eligible)
Janne Jalasvaara, Blues (2004 Eligible)
Mikko Turunen, HIFK (2004 Eligible/overaged)
Hannu Pikkarainen, HIFK (2004 Eligible/overaged)
Ville Koistinen, Ilves (2004 Eligible/overaged)
Janne Niskala, Lukko (2004 Eligible/overaged)

Teemu Laakso, HIFK (2005 Eligible)
Risto Korhonen, Karpat (2005 Eligible)
Erkka Leppanen, JYP (2005 Eligible)
Joni Haverinen, HIFK (2005 Eligible)
Timo Seppanen, HIFK (2005 Eligible)

Juha-Petteri Purolinna, HIFK (2006 Eligible)
Robert Tenhunen, HIFK (2006 Eligible)

Forwards
Already in the NHL/AHL

Tuomo Ruutu (Chicago)
Sean Bergenheim (NY Islanders)
Tuomas Pihlman (New Jersey)
Jani Rita (Edmonton)
Riku Hahl (Colorado)
Antti Miettinen (Dallas)
Ilkka Pikkarainen (New Jersey)
Tony Salmelainen (Edmonton)
Janne Jokila, ECHL (Columbus)

Still in Finland/Juniors

Mikko Koivu, TPS (Minnesota)
Jussi Jokinen, Karpat (Dallas)
Jesse Niinimaki, Ilves (Edmonton)
Jarkko Immonen, JYP (NY Rangers)
Valtteri Filppula, Jokerit (Detroit)
Masi Marjamaki, Moose Jaw (Boston)
Arsi Piispanen, JYP (Columbus)
Joonas Vihko, HIFK (Anaheim)
Tomi Maki, Jokerit (Calgary)
Jari Viuhkola, Karpat (Chicago)
Kim Hirschovits, HIFK (Ny Rangers)
Tuomas Mikkonen, JYP (Dallas)
Teemu Laine, Tappara (New Jersey)
Arttu Luttinen, HIFK (Ottawa)
Joni Lindlof, Tappara (Washington)
Tomek Valtonen, Jokerit (Detroit)
Jarkko A. Immonen, Blues (Dallas)
Tommi Jaminki, Ilves (Chicago)
Ossi Louhivaara, JYP (Ottawa)
Juhamatti Aaltonen, Karpat (St. Louis)
Henrik Juntunen, Karpat (Los Angeles)
Toni Koivisto, Lukko (Florida)
Samu Isosalo, Lukko (Atlanta)
Tommi Hannus, Pelicans (Los Angeles)
Sami Venalainen, Tappara (Phoenix)
Karri Akkanen, Tappara (Tampa Bay)
Tuukka Pulliainen, TPS (Los Angeles)
Juha-Pekka Ketola, ? (Ny Islanders)

Not yet drafted

Lauri Tukonen, Blues (2004 Eligible)
Petteri Nokelainen, Saipa (2004 Eligible)
Lauri Korpikoski, TPS (2004 Eligible)
Aki Seitsonen, Prince Albert (2004 Eligible)
Janne Kolehmainen, Saipa (2004 Eligible)
Valtteri Tenkanen, JYP (2004 Eligible)
Jarmo Jokila, TPS (2004 Eligible)
Petteri Wirtanen, HPK (2004 Eligible)
Miikka Tuomainen, Tuto (2004 Eligible)
Lennart Petrell, HIFK (2004 Eligible)
Petri Kontiola, Tappara (2004 Eligible)
Teemu Nurmi, Tappara (2004 Eligible)
Jussi Makkonen, TPS (2004 Eligible)
Pasi Salonen, HIFK (2004 Eligible)
Tommi Laine, TPS (2004 Eligible)
Tommi Oksa, Jokerit (2004 Eligible)
Jesse Uronen, Jokerit (2004 Eligible)
Antti Jaatinen, Tappara (2004 Eligible)
Janne Pesonen, Karpat (2004 Eligible/overaged)
Turo Jarvinen, HIFK (2004 Eligible/overaged)
Janne Laakkonen, HPK (2004 Eligible/overaged)
Janne Lahti, HPK (2004 Eligible/overaged)
Ville Leino, Ilves (2004 Eligible/overaged)

Miika Lahti, JYP (2005 Eligible)
Perttu Lindgren, Ilves (2005 Eligible)

Jesse Joensuu, Assat (2006 Eligible)
Jonas Enlund, HIFK (2006 Eligible)
Oskar Osala, Sport (2006 Eligible)
Robert Nyholm, HIFK (2006 Eligible)
Teemu Mustaniemi, HIFK (2006 Eligible)
Teemu Ramsted, HIFK (2006 Eligible)
Taneli Jaatinen, Ilves (2006 Eligible)
Tommi Huhtala, Ilves (2006 Eligible)

If there is some player who missing that list then tell me and if he is decent player i maybe put him on the list.

 

[Kugel]

make a team not just listing all the players....

 

[PMP5030]

What Roach are you referring to?

Defenseman Andy Roach, who's playing professionally with the Mannheim Eagles in Germany. He was part of the recent US World Championship roster. He's a skilled offensive defensemen who formerly played at Ferris State University. Seems odd to me no NHL teams taken a chance on him, as I remember him being very good at FSU.

Anyhow, I don't know if you could really count him as a part of the future, as he's 30 years old.

 

[Blackshad]

How about Canada ?

Nash
Heatley
Bouwmeester
Thornton
Horton
Staal
Crosby

Ryder he is only 23

 

[ZombieMatt]

Ryder he is only 23

He is...um....well, not quite in the class(or projection) of Crosby, Heatley, Nash, J-Bo and Co.

 

[Vic Rattlehead*]

Unfortunately, Slovakia's next generation is quite small in terms of quality depth...still

Goalies:
Jan Lasak - He's the here and now, and he's still very young and will be the cornerstone for many years
Jaroslav Halak - I like him b/c he's the most technically sound Slovak goalie I've seen. I think he'll eventually be the #1 guy
Michal Valent - 2004 draftable, and a few years down the round, he could develop to be a very good goalie. I like these 2 better than Stana and Budaj

Defense:
Andrej Meszaros - Extremely skilled and very underrated...the best all-around defenseman to come out of Slovakia in many years
Brano Mezei - He's developed slowly, and won't likely be a star, but at least a solid defenseman
Boris Valabik - Big and nasty, his star is rising fast
Ivan Baranka - Decent all-around defenseman, but more of a Rado Suchy ceiling.
Dominik Granak - He may never make the NHL, but he'll be a star in Europe and play on many more Team Slovakias. Was great at the 2004 WC

Forwards:
Marian Gaborik - He'll be back in form next year, no doubt
Jozef Balej - I hope he gets a real change with the Ranger$, but my hopes aren't high on that occuring.
Tomas Surovy - Mr. Production
Juraj Gracik - Size and scoring ability, he'll be a good one.
Miroslav Zalesek - He's ripped apart the AHL, now he needs to make the jump to the NHL. His development has been very steady and amazing in the past few years. He never seemed like a great prospect in his younger years, but he keeps on getting better.
Roman Kukumberg - May finally get drafted as an overager...similar career path to Tomas Surovy, minus a year. Hard-worker, productive scorer, and played well at 2004 WC.

Jes Golbez's Hockey Weblog

Nagy is also quite young, and Kolnik should be there.

 

[me2]

I like Canada as clear #1, the Russians at #2, and the US at #3. The US v Russia debate interesting but I give the edge to the Russians. Their forwards are awesome, their defense is solid but not spectacular and their goal is relatively weak. In terms of having a completely solid team the Russians only need to find 1 player, an elite goalie prospect. The US are a lot more than 1 forward short of the Russians.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

I like Canada as clear #1, the Russians at #2, and the US at #3. The US v Russia debate interesting but I give the edge to the Russians. Their forwards are awesome, their defense is solid but not spectacular and their goal is relatively weak. In terms of having a completely solid team the Russians only need to find 1 player, an elite goalie prospect. The US are a lot more than 1 forward short of the Russians.

So what you're saying is you would take excellent forwards, average defensemen, and below average goaltending over above average forwards, excellent defensemen, and above average goaltending? Interesting.

 

[Epsilon]

So what you're saying is you would take excellent forwards, average defensemen, and below average goaltending over above average forwards, excellent defensemen, and above average goaltending? Interesting.

Russia's defense is definitely better than "average", at least in terms of making a top 6.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Russia's defense is definitely better than "average", at least in terms of making a top 6.

Okay. Above average defense, excellent forwards and below average goaltending. I don't mind saying Russia has a superior crop of forwards, but the defense and goaltending is lagging behind IMO.

 

[Epsilon]

One thing to consider is that three of those forwards (Kovalchuk, Ovechkin, Malkin) are considered "franchise player" level prospects. The only player the US has produced recently that would rate that classification is Dipietro, with the next one likely to be Kessel in 2006.

 

[Postman]

One thing to consider is that three of those forwards (Kovalchuk, Ovechkin, Malkin) are considered "franchise player" level prospects. The only player the US has produced recently that would rate that classification is Dipietro, with the next one likely to be Kessel in 2006.

That's true, but the U.S. has defensive depth in prospects from the 2000 draft onwards that *compares* to the depth of Canada's D. I do think Canada has the edge, but I think the U.S. has a big advantage here over Russia. Also in terms of goalie prospects with DiPietro, Miller, Howard, Bacashihua, Montoya, and Schnieder.

Schremp, O'Sullivan, Parise, and Brown aren't exactly chopped liver in terms of offensive prospects either. The U.S.'s problem is the big gap between their established stars and their upcoming stars. The 2003 draft is really the only real strong crop of US prospects in a while, then there's some scattered in the previous drafts. I think 2006 is going to be another monster year for the U.S. with guys like Kessel, Mueller, Camper, Morin, Mitera, Frazee, etc. Not to mention there are even younger U.S. prospects that are getting some hype, so the U.S. is certainly starting to turn out a good prospect base as opposed to pre-2000.

 

[montreal]

Canada will have the most overall depth and quality for the forseeable future. IMO, the nation that will come closest in the next ten or so years is the U.S. followed by Russia. The other major hockey playing countries have stellar prospects, but not at all positions, and not in sheer numbers. I'll do a list of some American prospects to keep an eye out on:


Ryan Miller
Al Montoya
Patrick O'Sullivan
Dustin Brown
Rob Schremp
Ryan Suter
A.J. Thelen
Mark Stuart
Zach Parise

Chris Higgins, Mike Komisarek, Phil Kessel, Jack Johnson

 

[Canuck21t]

Okay. Above average defense, excellent forwards and below average goaltending. I don't mind saying Russia has a superior crop of forwards, but the defense and goaltending is lagging behind IMO.

Man, why can't you accept that some people think that Russia has a better future crop than the USA?!? It that so outlandish?! I don't care if the USA have better defensemen. The difference is not that great. Russia's offense though is miles better than the US. That alone makes them superior IMO.

 

[Blackshad]

He is...um....well, not quite in the class(or projection) of Crosby, Heatley, Nash, J-Bo and Co.

Well 63 points for a first season is damn good.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Man, why can't you accept that some people think that Russia has a better future crop than the USA?!? It that so outlandish?! I don't care if the USA have better defensemen. The difference is not that great. Russia's offense though is miles better than the US. That alone makes them superior IMO.

Miles better? How so?

 

[Postman]

Man, why can't you accept that some people think that Russia has a better future crop than the USA?!? It that so outlandish?! I don't care if the USA have better defensemen. The difference is not that great. Russia's offense though is miles better than the US. That alone makes them superior IMO.

I think he has a legit argument. Russia indeed has a better crop of forwards, but their superiority ends there.

As for defensive and goalie depth, if we were only to take players 24 and under, this is how the two countries stack up:

U.S.:
*Leopold
*Orpik
Suter
Komisarek
Gleason
Whitney
*Jillson
*Tanabe
Stuart
Hainsey
Ballard
*Hale
*Martin
*Liles
Welch
Thelen

Russia:
*Kalinin
Tjutin
Kolstov
Grebeshkov
Knyazev
*Volchenkov
Babchuk
Kadeykin
Kondratiev
Lyamin

*Already in the NHL full-time

There's a notable difference in quantity at first glance, but also in quality, IMO. Not to mention you see many of the U.S. defensemen have already found full-time jobs in the NHL, while only two notable Russian defensemen have. Guys like Komisarek, Tjutin, Kondratiev, Hainsey, Gleason, Babchuk, and Grebeshkov have also played some games, but none have yet stuck for a full season. And although Russia has the blue chip forwards that the U.S. doesn't have, the U.S. has the blue chip defensemen that Russia doesn't in Suter, Komisarek, and Whitney who are all top 10 picks (this is if you wanna leave Leopold out of the discussion). Not to mention they seem to churn out at least one top defenseman in each draft.

As for goaltending, there's also a noticable difference.

U.S.:
DiPietro
Miller
Howard
Bacashihua
Montoya
Schneider

Russia:
Bryzgalov
Medvedev
Barulin


This is by far Russia's weak point. The U.S. isn't incredibly strong, they seem to rank behind Canada and Finland at this position, but they do have one blue chipper in DiPietro who has already established himself as a starting NHL goaltender at the age of 22. Then you have Miller breaking his way in, Howard as the top goalie in college, and two of the top goaltending prospects for this upcoming draft. Russia's top goaltending prospect is Bryzgalov, and although he is a good prospect, he is hardly a bluechipper.

As much as Russia has superiority in forwards, the U.S. has superiority in defense and goaltending. You can disagree, that's fine, we can't all agree on everything, we have our own opinions, influenced by bias or not. Either way, however, Rabid Ranger does have an argument, so don't be so quick to attack his opinion just because you disagree.