Top DMan Prospects not in NHL

[scarface8982]

Who would you consider to be the top 10 defenseman not currently in the NHL????

My list:
1. Erik Johnson - St. Louis
2. Jack Johnson - Los Angeles
3. Marc Staal - New York Rangers
4. Luc Bourdon - Vancouver
5.Cam Barker - Chicago
6. Brian Lee - Ottawa
7. Ty Wishart - San Jose
8. David Fischer - Montreal
9. Ryan Parent - Nashville
10. Niklas Grossman - Dallas

Please give feedback, add your own list, let me know anyone major that I left out or someone that should be taken off and replaced. I am not including players that have not been draft however.

THANKS!

Click to read more...

 

[FuTMaR*]

Kris Letang?

 

[Abyss]

Lashoff, Goligoski, Chorney,Stuart, Baranka ( ), Kindl...would try to find a way to get at least a couple of those guys onto the list.

 

[le_sean]

1) Erik Johnson (St. Louis)
2) Jack Johnson (L.A.)
3) Cam Barker (Chicago)
4) Marc Staal (New York Rangers)
5) Luc Bourdon (Vancouver)
6) Keith Yandle (Phoenix)
7) Cody Franson (Nashville)
8) Kris Letang (Pittsburgh)
9) Brain Lee (Ottawa)
10) Alexei Emelin (Montreal)

There is also A.J. Thelen of Minnesota who is kind of an enigma. I also believe Yandle has played some games in the NHL, but he is not a regular. Noah Welch of Pittsburgh just got sent down I believe.

Anyways, good list, I just see Barker ahead of Staal and Bourdon as he is the complete package, and Staal is more of a defensive defenceman and Bourdon more of an offensive one. I also believe Franson is overall better than Parent. As for Fischer, he has loads of potential, but so far Emelin is a lot further developed and so is a better player at this moment. When Johnson and Goligoski leave the team next year, David should get a lot more ice time and with his first year experience will make a bigger impact.

 

[Victory Ali*]

I'll say it before another Canuck fan comes running in and says it but Kirill Koltsov should be considered even though I'm not buying his hype. Still the best DMAN in the 2nd best league in the world.

 

[Vman]

I'll say it before another Canuck fan comes running in and says it but Kirill Koltsov should be considered even though I'm not buying his hype. Still the best DMAN in the 2nd best league in the world.

Yes, Kirill Koltsov is the best dman in the RSL now.

 

[Jovavic]

Kris Russell?

 

[Rise from the Ashes]

1) Erik Johnson (St. Louis)
2) Jack Johnson (L.A.)
3) Marc Staal (New York Rangers)
4) Cam Barker (Chicago)
5) Luc Bourdon (Vancouver)
6) Kirill Koltsov (Vancouver)
7) Cody Franson (Nashville)
8) Kris Letang (Pittsburgh)
9) Brain Lee (Ottawa)
10) Kris Russell (Columbus)

hm: Andrej Sekera, Matt Lashoff, Ryan Parent.

 

[JEI]

Anton Stralman - TOR.

 

[islandermaniac]

denis grebeshkov of the isles?

 

[Alpine]

Only from what I've eye-balled and I ain't no scout and I am a homer
Letang and Yandle are two of the best juniors I've seen in 10 years and should after stints in AHL be sure fire NHL'ers. Bourdon always seemed lazy to me...played when he wanted to play kinda guy. Unless his work ethic changes I can see Luc despite his talent being a career AHL'er. I hope I'm wrong.
There is this kid with Sea Dogs, Sauve that has lotsa work ethic and this is his draft year.

 

[Buffalo87]

1) Erik Johnson (St. Louis)
2) Jack Johnson (L.A.)
3) Marc Staal (New York Rangers)
4) Luc Bourdon (Vancouver)
5) Keith Yandle (Phoenix)
6) Kris Letang (Pittsburgh)
7) Matt Lashoff (Boston)
8) Ryan Parent (Nashville)
9) Jakub Kindl (Detroit Red Wings)
10) Cody Franson (Nashville)

Cam Barker is in the NHL right now.

 

[TheRedressor]

Cam Barker is in the NHL

 

[monster_bertuzzi]

Kris Russell?

Will this guy even be an NHL regular?

 

[Thundermare]

Out of the blue Mine would probably look something like this
1) Erik Johnson (St. Louis)
2) Jack Johnson (L.A.)
3) Luc Bourdon (Vancouver)
4) Marc Staal (New York Rangers)
5) Cody Franson (Nashville)
6) Kris Letang (Pittsburgh)
7) Matt Lashoff (Boston)
8) Keith Yandle (Phoenix)
9) Kirill Koltsov (Vancouver)
10) Nigel Williams (Colorado)


OM Ryan Parent

 

[KBstyle]

Only one said Grossman, i know he's not an offensive treat and he play a couple of game in the NHL but c'mon, this guy is a really good D.

 

[Jovavic]

Will this guy even be an NHL regular?

Why wouldn't he be? Smaller defensemen have survived in the league for years.

 

[monster_bertuzzi]

Why wouldn't he be? Smaller defensemen have survived in the league for years.

He weighed in at a mere 162 at the WJC. He would get pushed around in the NHL, but he very well could add a lot of bulk.

 

[Dominator13]

Out of the blue Mine would probably look something like this
1) Erik Johnson (St. Louis)
2) Jack Johnson (L.A.)
3) Luc Bourdon (Vancouver)
4) Marc Staal (New York Rangers)
5) Cody Franson (Nashville)
6) Kris Letang (Pittsburgh)
7) Matt Lashoff (Boston)
8) Keith Yandle (Phoenix)
9) Kirill Koltsov (Vancouver)
10) Nigel Williams (Colorado)

OM Ryan Parent

wow, both David Fisher and especially Alexei Emelin are better prospects then Nigel ''I have to change the league i play to do something...'' Williams

 

[Blind Gardien]

Who would you consider to be the top 10 defenseman not currently in the NHL????

Most people do seem to be focusing on "top 10 defensemen" in terms of potential, although that's not necessarily the same as saying they're the top 10 defensemen not currently in the NHL. FWIW, I suppose I could see some mention of truly elite prospects like Erik Johnson in such a list. But definitely not guys like Brian Lee, or even longer range projects like Ty Wishart or David Fischer. Veterans in European leagues should probably dominate the list.

 

[babybruin]

He weighed in at a mere 162 at the WJC. He would get pushed around in the NHL, but he very well could add a lot of bulk.

One note about Russell, Ive seen a couple Tiger games this season. Noted a couple times he got smothered out by the bigger forwards bearing down on him, but still managed the outlet pass. I have hopes for Russell, he is quite small though. Sick offense in the W.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Too many to chose from for just a top 10.

I could easily make this a top 20 or 25... Sheesh!

1. Erik Johnson (STL)
2. Jack Johnson (LAK)
3. Marc Staal (NYR)
4. Ryan Parent (NAS)
5. Luc Bourdon (VAN)
6. Krisl Letang (PIT)
7. Matt Lashoff (BOS)
8. Cody Franson (NAS)
9. David Fischer (MTL)
10. Michael Sauer (NYR)
11. Keith Yandle (PHO)
12. Alexi Emelin (MTL)
13. Jakub Kindl (DET)
14. Ivan Baranka (NYR)
15. Kirill Koltsov (VAN)

 

[Dominator13]

Too many to chose from for just a top 10.

I could easily make this a top 20 or 25... Sheesh!

1. Erik Johnson (STL)
2. Jack Johnson (LAK)
3. Marc Staal (NYR)
4. Ryan Parent (NAS)
5. Luc Bourdon (VAN)
6. Krisl Letang (PIT)
7. Matt Lashoff (BOS)
8. Cody Franson (NAS)
9. David Fischer (MTL)
10. Michael Sauer (NYR)
11. Keith Yandle (PHO)
12. Alexi Emelin (MTL)
13. Jakub Kindl (DET)
14. Ivan Baranka (NYR)
15. Kirill Koltsov (VAN)

right now only from a Montreal standpoint Emelin is a far better defensmen then Fisher, i'm not talking about potential, just right now. BTW how is Franson's defensive game and shot, he seems to have the physique and offensive abilities going his way but i only saw him like once and didn't knew him at the time so i didn't try to notice him, thanks

 

[Rise from the Ashes]

Franson has all the tools, lately though he is worn down as he is used to NCAA style schedule and he has played in the WJ's and reg season. But he has a solid defensive game and a shot that has eyes.

 

[edd1e]

I think Janne Niskala should be somewhere in that list..