I know that HF isn't the final say on team's prospect pools, but being ranked 29th out of 30 teams when you draft as high as they do year in and year out is embarrassing to say the least.
We have the worst NHL team and now the 2nd worst prospect pool? Way to go, Howson.
I'm surprised that this hasn't been a topic of discussion up until now...
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articl...ure-organizational-rankings-spring-2012-21-30
I know that HF isn't the final say on team's prospect pools, but being ranked 29th out of 30 teams when you draft as high as they do year in and year out is embarrassing to say the least.
We have the worst NHL team and now the 2nd worst prospect pool? Way to go, Howson.
I'm surprised that this hasn't been a topic of discussion up until now...
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articl...ure-organizational-rankings-spring-2012-21-30
I know that HF isn't the final say on team's prospect pools, but being ranked 29th out of 30 teams when you draft as high as they do year in and year out is embarrassing to say the least.
We have the worst NHL team and now the 2nd worst prospect pool? Way to go, Howson.
I can't take that ranking seriously after reading what they had written about the team.
Both Johansen and Moore our top 2 prospects according to Hockey's Future both "graduated" that plus their failure to count Atkinson as a top prospect really takes drops their credibility in my opinion. We don't have a single first round pick considered a prospect any promising prospects we have such as Atkinson, Jenner, Tynan, Chaput are disregarded because they don't project as first liners.
I can't take that ranking seriously after reading what they had written about the team.
This. I can see being critical of the Jackets prospects after poor years (especially for Calvert and Kubalik), but seriously, that was ridiculously uneducated.
The issue with the Jackets prospects pool getting respect from Hfboard is they lack players who followings that get overhyped.
If Atkinson were playing for a team like Montreal, we wouldn't stop hearing about him.
Combine that with the fact that OUR players either graduate or move on means that our prospect pool seems thin. We don't have guys like Tarasenko, Kuznetsov, or Granlund that are taking forever to reach the NHL.
Is there a reason they should be ranked better than 29th??
Is there a reason they should be ranked better than 29th??
If I remember correctly, I think Hockey News had Jacket's prospect pool rated 24th. Looking for the magazine to confirm. I know it is here somewhere.
Is there a reason they should be ranked better than 29th??
Yes, if they had someone who actually follows the team and their prospects, they would be rated ahead of at least a few of those teams. For example, HF has New Jersey at #2 on their list; led by Jon Merrill - who was suspended for a good part of the season by the Michigan Wolverines, and has question marks written all over him. Scott Wedgewood is their #2 prospect, and for me his high end is that of a backup NHL goaltender. We have Cam Atkinson, who could be a 30 goal scorer in the very near future, and David Savard, who will be a top-4 defenseman for us hopefully very soon.
You realize, of course, that HF was consistently ranking our prospect pool towards the top of the NHL until just recently, right?Until the CBJ prove they're not totally incompetent, hockey writers will continue to take the easy way out by ranking Columbus at the bottom of whatever rankings or projections they write about.
You realize, of course, that HF was consistently ranking our prospect pool towards the top of the NHL until just recently, right?
Correct me if I'm wrong about Merrill, but wasn't he also suspended a good part of the season when he was with the USNTDP as well? And is it true that several teams removed him off their draft boards entirely as a result of what exactly led to that suspension?*
*I've heard it, I'm just wondering if you have more info
Not to derail the thread - but this guy is the top prospect in the NJ system. Why are they a full seven spots ahead of us?
May I remind you all that are bashing HF for the ranking that "The Hockey News" also ranked the CBJ prospects at or near the bottom of the barrel in their last future watch edition.
And no, I won't provide a link. if you are interested you can find it out there.