Ohio Jones
Game on...
Yet another year of exodus as defencemen Ryan McDonagh, Michael Sauer, Alexei Emelin and now Dylan Olsen have all been moved, demonstrating that I clearly have yet to learn patience when it comes to drafting and developing prospects. Based on past moves (Neal, Wideman, Henrique, Pacioretty, Stepan, Smith), these guys will all turn into top 3 core players for their new teams.
Organizational strengths
- Top-end blueliners
- Two-way play
- Depth at LW
Organizational weaknesses
- Game-breaking skill up front
- Starter in goal
- Depth at C/RW
Top 20 at a glance (previous ranking) [acquired]
1. D Dougie Hamilton (NEW) [D]
2. D Justin Schultz (3) [D]
3. C Andrei Loktionov (1) [D]
4. LW Jason Zucker (9) [D]
5. RW Devante Smith-Pelley (10) [D]
6. D Brian Dumoulin (NEW) [T]
7. LW Carl Klingberg (4) [T]
8. L/RW Mats Zuccarello (2) [FA]
9. G Leland Irving (11) [T]
10. C/LW Blake Geoffrion (6) [D]
11. C/LW Patrice Cormier (7) [D]
12. D Patrik Nemeth (15) [D]
13. LW Marcel Mueller (NEW) [T]
14. C/W Gabriel Dumont (13) [D]
15. D Eric Gryba (16) [D]
16. C Tanner House (NEW) [FA]
17. RW Andrei Nestrasil (14) [D]
18. LW Rob Klinkhammer (HM) [FA]
19. G Marco Cousineau (HM) [D]
20. D Collin Bowman (NEW) [T]
Honourable Mentions:
LW Levko Koper [D]
C Destry Straight [D]
D Rob O’Gara [D]
D Constantin Braun [D]
D Corey Fienhage [D]
G Mike Lee [D]
Columbus Top 20 Profiles – January 2012
1. D Dougie Hamilton (NEW)
Acquired: 1st round, 2011 (7th overall)
A draft-day trade sent David Booth and Semyon Varlamov to the Wild for Brandon Dubinsky and the 7th overall pick, used to grab Hamilton. A highly mobile and intelligent blueliner, Hamilton continues to grow and may top out in the 6’6†range. It’ll take some time for the muscle mass to catch up, but when it does he’ll be a force in all three zones. Boston GM Chiarelli (who drafted him in the NHL) compares him to Brent Burns; his ceiling may in fact be higher. Lights out in the OHL so far this season for a strong IceDogs side, although his time on the top pairing for Canada’s 2012 WJC Bronze medalists was merely good as opposed to dominant.
Projects as: #1 defenceman
2. RD Justin Shultz (3)
Acquired: 2nd round, 2008 (59th overall)
Following my time-honoured tradition of picking up Wisconsin Badgers, Schultz has pretty much owned the NCAA the past two seasons, at times leading all of Division 1 in scoring (including forwards). He will again be in the mix for the Hobey Baker award this spring. He’s supposed to be using this season to polish his defensive game and physical presence, which could both use some work, but elite level skating, vision and puck movement will give him a short path to the NHL when the time comes, depending on what Anaheim does with its other young blueliners in Luca Sbisa and Cam Fowler.
Projects as: Top-3 PP QB
3. C/LW Andrei Loktionov (1)
Acquired: 4th round, 2008 (107th overall)
After a brief run in Manchester to start this season, it became clear he has nothing left to prove in the AHL, and Loki has been up with the big club since November. Despite having top-6 playmaking abilities, however, he has not been given an opportunity to play in a scoring role in the midst of the Kings’ perplexing season, and the coaching change was less help than hoped for with another defence-first coach coming in (stupid, Deano), so Loki has been limited in minutes and opportunities - and production has therefore been harder to come by. Injuries continue to play a role, but the Kings won’t be in a hurry to make a decision on him – they’ll give him time to continue to develop and hopefully displace one of their established forwards – such as Jarret Stoll, whose hefty contract is up this summer...
Projects as: Top-6 playmaker
4. LW Jason Zucker (9)
2nd round, 2010 (50th overall)
Zucker’s college career continues to impress as he is among the ntion’s scoring leaders in his sophomore year. Drafted on character and smarts, the production is a gratifying bonus. Shows hustle and leadership in all three zones, but questions will be raised following the US WJC squad’s disappointing performance – a team Zucker captained. He was criticized by some for trying to do too much on that team, firing as many as 9 shots in some games without tallying a goal (he only managed 3 goals and 7 points in 6 games for the tournament), so despite his college production he’s not expected to be a big finisher at the NHL level. Zucker may be in the mix for the NHL Wild next season - what would be his junior year - but he could use the time to continue to grow and develop. The HFNHL Jackets will be patient with him.
Projects as: Two-way top-9 winger with character
5. RW Devante Smith-Pelley (10)
Acquired: 2nd round, 2010 (56th overall)
Big climber has gone from 15th to 10th to 5th on the Jackets’ prospect list on the strength of steady performance through his OHL career and a quick transition to the NHL with Anaheim. Injured in just his first game as an Alternate Captain with Team Canada at the WJC, DSP as he is known has been very consistent in his projection: a wrecking ball on skates, a hard-skating north-south guy with surprisingly decent hands to finish plays in close. Ultimately, his raison d’etre is to crush opposing players with big, timely, clean hits. In his first taste of the NHL he has shown that he has more to learn in all three zones, but he can’t be faulted for work ethic, and hasn’t looked all that out of place as a 19-year-old.
Projects as: Top-9 destroyer with upside
6. D Brian Dumoulin (NEW)
Acquired: Trade 2012
Picked up earlier this month for hard-hitting Habs blueliner Alexei Emelin, Dumoulin is a player I’ve coveted since before his draft year, and he fits nicely into my preference for strong, skilled two-way play from the back end. He was named Hockey East’s defensive defenceman of the year last season as a sophomore with Boston College, and stands a good chance of repeating this year. Big, mobile and well-rounded but without any one stand-out ability, he should complete his college career and a possible All American title before making the move to the pros.
Projects as: Top-4 two-way defender
7. L/RW Carl Klingberg (4)
Acquired: Trade, 2009
Klingberg’s really only moved down due to the addition of Dumoulin and the strong performances from Zucker and Smith-Pelley; he continues to be right on track as a big, impressively fast skater with powerful acceleration and a willing to play the body in all three zones. His first full season in the AHL has come in St. John’s as his parent NHL club moved to Winnipeg, but he’s made the adjustment smoothly, potting 23 points in 29 games to date, as well as earning a 6-game call-up for 4th line minutes with the Jets earlier in November. At a minimum looks like he’ll be a fierce third-liner, but the Jackets hope that he’ll continue to go to the net and find ways to contribugte on the scoreboard.
Projects as: Versatile power forward capable of playing anywhere in the lineup
8. L/RW Mats Zuccarello (2)
Acquired: UDFA Lottery 2010
Zuccarello slides here despite solid point-per-game production in the AHL, simply because questions remain about whether he’ll be able to keep up to the physical demands of the NHL game. Based on recent call-ups to the Rangers, it’s pretty clear he’s not in Tortorella’s plans there, so if he’s to get another shot at making the NHL for good, it may have to come with another club. Hopefully he gets that chance with a move at the trade deadline. MZA continues to demonstrate a high degree of offensive skill, both finishing and playmaking, and is a potent threat in the shootout, but needs to continue to get stronger on his skates and in his play without the puck.
Projects as: Second-line playmaking winger or SEL scoring leader
9. G Leland Irving (11)
Acquired: Trade 2007
Irving continues his gradual climb back up these rankings, sneaking back into the top 10 on the strength of a solid performance with the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat, where he’s among the league leaders in goals against and wins. More importantly, he impressed in his first two NHL games during a brief call-up over the holidays, before getting shelled by the league-leading Bruins. He has worked himself back into the Flames’ plans and should provide Henrik Karlsson with serious competition as Miikka Kipprusoff’s backup next season.
Projects as: Solid back-up with possible 1B upside for a middle-tier team
10. LW Blake Geoffrion (6)
Acquired: 3rd round, 2006 (78th overall)
Boom-Boom's grandson continues to develop gradually in the pros, but suffered a setback following an arm injury, and is only now starting to pick his game back up with Milwaukee. He needs to continue to add bulk and strength to handle the rough going he can expect from his banging style. Getting chances in the middle, he still projects better as a two-way winger, and will likely get a further audition with the Preds after the trade deadline, particularly if they start falling out of the playoff picture.
Projects as: Third-line two-way grinder and leader
11. C/W Patrice Cormier (7)
Acquired: 2nd round, 2008 (58th overall)
Cormier has joined Klingberg in the move to St. John’s, and is quietly and gradually adjusting to the pro game. His 9 goals is good for 5th on the team, and he continues to make a physical impact with lots of big hits and 41 penalty minutes. His tough play earned him a 3-game stint with the parent Jets, and it’s expected he’ll continue to get cups of coffee over the next couple of seasons before making the jump to the NHL for good.
Projects as: Shutdown power pivot with upside
12. LD Patrik Nemeth (15)
Acquired: 3rd round, 2010 (63rd overall)
Got my first chance for an extended look at Nemeth in this month’s WJC, where he played a key role for eventual Gold Medal winners Sweden. Nemeth is a big-bodied stay-at-homer with a mean streak and the mobility to keep up in the modern game. He’s still raw, but showed a good head for the game playing major minutes against top-level competition and posting 5 assists in 6 games. More importantly, he showed that he can be an effective and physical defender while playing with discipline, earning only 2 penalty minutes for the tournament. In the Elitserien, he continues to make strides playing a shutdown role against grown men for AIK, where he is likely to remain for another couple of seasons before challenging for a role with NHL Dallas. His progress made it easier for me to trade Olsen. He’s considered a long-term project in the mold of Toni Lydman.
Projects as: Top-4 stay-at-home defenceman
13. LW Marcel Mueller (NEW)
Acquired: Trade, 2011
Picked up prior to free agency for the negotiation rights to Brian Rolston and Jaroslav Spacek, Mueller has been a solid addition this season, earning a spot among the scoring leaders for the surprisingly strong AHL Toronto Marlies (24 points in 36 games). The imposing winger (6-4/212) goes to the net and displays good hands combined with a feisty style and strong skating stride, but needs to continue to develop his work effort in all three zones to earn greater ice-time. His place in the NHL Leafs’ organization is up in the air given the development of players like Joey Crabb and Matt Frattin, but may look clearer soon as the club is expected to make a major move to bolster its NHL lineup this month, which should hopefully clear up some of the logjam on the wing.
Projects as: Third line power forward
14. C/RW Gabriel Dumont (13)
Acquired: 6th round, 2009 (152nd overall)
Dumont seems to have learned some discipline this season, cutting his penalty minutes per game by a third, but his offence has not taken much step forward as yet. This is his second pro season, and he doesn’t have the big body and top-end skating that could help him earn an energy role in the NHL, so if he’s unable to make a jump in production by this time next season he’s going to look increasingly like a guy who is a useful depth piece in the minors, but whose NHL (and HFNHL) future is limited. We’ll see. I still like his take-no-prisoners attitude, but need him to bring something else to the party.
Projects as: Two-way feisty playmaker on the bubble
15. D Eric Gryba (16)
Acquired: 2nd round, 2006 (56th overall)
In his second full season of the pros, Gryba continues to be a rock-solid stay-at-home defender who blocks shots, makes big hits and will drop the gloves when necessary. Tough as nails and oozing with character, footspeed and agility are his biggest hurdles to overcome in making it to the next level. Still has time to develop into an Andy Sutton-type blueliner, and may earn a brief audition at some point this spring if Ottawa looks to inject a little more toughness in the run-up to the playoffs.
Projects as: Tough stay-at-homer on the third pairing
16. C Tanner House (NEW)
Acquired: FA 2011
In his one-and-only appearance on this list, the 25-year-old Maine grad has made a decent impression as a defensive pivot for the Oklahoma City Barons. He has some decent puck skills as consecutive seasons with point-per-game production as the Black Bears’ Captain attest, but in the pros that translates to a 3rd/4th line role, where his strong faceoff skills, defensive awareness, work ethic and leadership will be where he earns his shot. Edmonton’s lack of a true shutdown pivot should be his opening at camp next summer, particularly if young Anton Lander is able to move up the depth chart into a scoring role. If not, House will be a valuable (if expensive, for me) leader and role player in the minors.
Projects as: Shutdown pivot and PK specialist
17. RW Andrej Nestrasil (18)
Acquired: 3rd round, 2009 (84th overall)
This is Nestrasil’s first season as a pro after a solid if unspectacular QMJHL career, and he played a handful of games in the A before being sent down to Toledo in the ECHL for further development. The big bodied winger is not expected to be more than a complimentary scorer as a pro, but with a physical edge and the ability to make plays at speed, he could prove to be a good two-way contributor. Skating continues to be his Achilles heel, but that’s something that can be improved if he’s willing to put in the work. A project, we’ll check back in after a couple of seasons. He’s a good candidate for a long apprenticeship in the Detroit Red Wings’ patient development system.
Projects as: Third line banger, complimentary scorer
18. LW Rob Klinkhammer (HM)
Acquired: FA 2010
Rob was traded from the Chicago affiliate in Rockford to the Binghampton Baby Sens, and the move has sparked a surge in production from the 25-year-old with 10 goals and 17 points in 19 games. Will never be more than an energy-line player in the NHL, but can provide very useful depth for a team looking to add grit with a modicum of talent.
Projects as: Low-rent power forward on the bubble
19. G Marco Cousineau (HM)
Acquired: 7th round, 2008 (183rd overall)
Cousineau sneaks into the top 20 somewhat out of the blue after a pair of impressive wins in the AHL. Super low sample size, considering the bulk of his experience the last couple of years has come in the ECHL where he has appeared average, so we’re not holding our breath here, but Anaheim isn’t exactly rich with strong tenders in their system (and neither are we!), so it doesn’t hurt to have gotten a little positive notice. We’ll see if he is starting to figure things out after a strong Q career.
Projects as: Depth goalie and possible backup
20. D Collin Bowman (NEW)
Acquired: Trade, 2012
Acquired as a depth dump from the Washington Capitals, the younger brother of Drayson Bowman is a hulking stay-at-home blueliner in his final year of Junior. His surge in production the last couple of seasons (for Moose Jaw and now Calgary in the Dub) can be attributed to his maturity and icetime rather than to any particular offensive toolkit, but as a big kid with a willingness to drop the gloves, he stands a decent chance of establishing a respectable pro career. He earned an invite to Rangers training camp last fall, and they’ll no doubt be keeping their eye on him, as will we.
Projects as: Depth stay-at-home muscle
Organizational strengths
- Top-end blueliners
- Two-way play
- Depth at LW
Organizational weaknesses
- Game-breaking skill up front
- Starter in goal
- Depth at C/RW
Top 20 at a glance (previous ranking) [acquired]
1. D Dougie Hamilton (NEW) [D]
2. D Justin Schultz (3) [D]
3. C Andrei Loktionov (1) [D]
4. LW Jason Zucker (9) [D]
5. RW Devante Smith-Pelley (10) [D]
6. D Brian Dumoulin (NEW) [T]
7. LW Carl Klingberg (4) [T]
8. L/RW Mats Zuccarello (2) [FA]
9. G Leland Irving (11) [T]
10. C/LW Blake Geoffrion (6) [D]
11. C/LW Patrice Cormier (7) [D]
12. D Patrik Nemeth (15) [D]
13. LW Marcel Mueller (NEW) [T]
14. C/W Gabriel Dumont (13) [D]
15. D Eric Gryba (16) [D]
16. C Tanner House (NEW) [FA]
17. RW Andrei Nestrasil (14) [D]
18. LW Rob Klinkhammer (HM) [FA]
19. G Marco Cousineau (HM) [D]
20. D Collin Bowman (NEW) [T]
Honourable Mentions:
LW Levko Koper [D]
C Destry Straight [D]
D Rob O’Gara [D]
D Constantin Braun [D]
D Corey Fienhage [D]
G Mike Lee [D]
Columbus Top 20 Profiles – January 2012
1. D Dougie Hamilton (NEW)
Acquired: 1st round, 2011 (7th overall)
A draft-day trade sent David Booth and Semyon Varlamov to the Wild for Brandon Dubinsky and the 7th overall pick, used to grab Hamilton. A highly mobile and intelligent blueliner, Hamilton continues to grow and may top out in the 6’6†range. It’ll take some time for the muscle mass to catch up, but when it does he’ll be a force in all three zones. Boston GM Chiarelli (who drafted him in the NHL) compares him to Brent Burns; his ceiling may in fact be higher. Lights out in the OHL so far this season for a strong IceDogs side, although his time on the top pairing for Canada’s 2012 WJC Bronze medalists was merely good as opposed to dominant.
Projects as: #1 defenceman
2. RD Justin Shultz (3)
Acquired: 2nd round, 2008 (59th overall)
Following my time-honoured tradition of picking up Wisconsin Badgers, Schultz has pretty much owned the NCAA the past two seasons, at times leading all of Division 1 in scoring (including forwards). He will again be in the mix for the Hobey Baker award this spring. He’s supposed to be using this season to polish his defensive game and physical presence, which could both use some work, but elite level skating, vision and puck movement will give him a short path to the NHL when the time comes, depending on what Anaheim does with its other young blueliners in Luca Sbisa and Cam Fowler.
Projects as: Top-3 PP QB
3. C/LW Andrei Loktionov (1)
Acquired: 4th round, 2008 (107th overall)
After a brief run in Manchester to start this season, it became clear he has nothing left to prove in the AHL, and Loki has been up with the big club since November. Despite having top-6 playmaking abilities, however, he has not been given an opportunity to play in a scoring role in the midst of the Kings’ perplexing season, and the coaching change was less help than hoped for with another defence-first coach coming in (stupid, Deano), so Loki has been limited in minutes and opportunities - and production has therefore been harder to come by. Injuries continue to play a role, but the Kings won’t be in a hurry to make a decision on him – they’ll give him time to continue to develop and hopefully displace one of their established forwards – such as Jarret Stoll, whose hefty contract is up this summer...
Projects as: Top-6 playmaker
4. LW Jason Zucker (9)
2nd round, 2010 (50th overall)
Zucker’s college career continues to impress as he is among the ntion’s scoring leaders in his sophomore year. Drafted on character and smarts, the production is a gratifying bonus. Shows hustle and leadership in all three zones, but questions will be raised following the US WJC squad’s disappointing performance – a team Zucker captained. He was criticized by some for trying to do too much on that team, firing as many as 9 shots in some games without tallying a goal (he only managed 3 goals and 7 points in 6 games for the tournament), so despite his college production he’s not expected to be a big finisher at the NHL level. Zucker may be in the mix for the NHL Wild next season - what would be his junior year - but he could use the time to continue to grow and develop. The HFNHL Jackets will be patient with him.
Projects as: Two-way top-9 winger with character
5. RW Devante Smith-Pelley (10)
Acquired: 2nd round, 2010 (56th overall)
Big climber has gone from 15th to 10th to 5th on the Jackets’ prospect list on the strength of steady performance through his OHL career and a quick transition to the NHL with Anaheim. Injured in just his first game as an Alternate Captain with Team Canada at the WJC, DSP as he is known has been very consistent in his projection: a wrecking ball on skates, a hard-skating north-south guy with surprisingly decent hands to finish plays in close. Ultimately, his raison d’etre is to crush opposing players with big, timely, clean hits. In his first taste of the NHL he has shown that he has more to learn in all three zones, but he can’t be faulted for work ethic, and hasn’t looked all that out of place as a 19-year-old.
Projects as: Top-9 destroyer with upside
6. D Brian Dumoulin (NEW)
Acquired: Trade 2012
Picked up earlier this month for hard-hitting Habs blueliner Alexei Emelin, Dumoulin is a player I’ve coveted since before his draft year, and he fits nicely into my preference for strong, skilled two-way play from the back end. He was named Hockey East’s defensive defenceman of the year last season as a sophomore with Boston College, and stands a good chance of repeating this year. Big, mobile and well-rounded but without any one stand-out ability, he should complete his college career and a possible All American title before making the move to the pros.
Projects as: Top-4 two-way defender
7. L/RW Carl Klingberg (4)
Acquired: Trade, 2009
Klingberg’s really only moved down due to the addition of Dumoulin and the strong performances from Zucker and Smith-Pelley; he continues to be right on track as a big, impressively fast skater with powerful acceleration and a willing to play the body in all three zones. His first full season in the AHL has come in St. John’s as his parent NHL club moved to Winnipeg, but he’s made the adjustment smoothly, potting 23 points in 29 games to date, as well as earning a 6-game call-up for 4th line minutes with the Jets earlier in November. At a minimum looks like he’ll be a fierce third-liner, but the Jackets hope that he’ll continue to go to the net and find ways to contribugte on the scoreboard.
Projects as: Versatile power forward capable of playing anywhere in the lineup
8. L/RW Mats Zuccarello (2)
Acquired: UDFA Lottery 2010
Zuccarello slides here despite solid point-per-game production in the AHL, simply because questions remain about whether he’ll be able to keep up to the physical demands of the NHL game. Based on recent call-ups to the Rangers, it’s pretty clear he’s not in Tortorella’s plans there, so if he’s to get another shot at making the NHL for good, it may have to come with another club. Hopefully he gets that chance with a move at the trade deadline. MZA continues to demonstrate a high degree of offensive skill, both finishing and playmaking, and is a potent threat in the shootout, but needs to continue to get stronger on his skates and in his play without the puck.
Projects as: Second-line playmaking winger or SEL scoring leader
9. G Leland Irving (11)
Acquired: Trade 2007
Irving continues his gradual climb back up these rankings, sneaking back into the top 10 on the strength of a solid performance with the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat, where he’s among the league leaders in goals against and wins. More importantly, he impressed in his first two NHL games during a brief call-up over the holidays, before getting shelled by the league-leading Bruins. He has worked himself back into the Flames’ plans and should provide Henrik Karlsson with serious competition as Miikka Kipprusoff’s backup next season.
Projects as: Solid back-up with possible 1B upside for a middle-tier team
10. LW Blake Geoffrion (6)
Acquired: 3rd round, 2006 (78th overall)
Boom-Boom's grandson continues to develop gradually in the pros, but suffered a setback following an arm injury, and is only now starting to pick his game back up with Milwaukee. He needs to continue to add bulk and strength to handle the rough going he can expect from his banging style. Getting chances in the middle, he still projects better as a two-way winger, and will likely get a further audition with the Preds after the trade deadline, particularly if they start falling out of the playoff picture.
Projects as: Third-line two-way grinder and leader
11. C/W Patrice Cormier (7)
Acquired: 2nd round, 2008 (58th overall)
Cormier has joined Klingberg in the move to St. John’s, and is quietly and gradually adjusting to the pro game. His 9 goals is good for 5th on the team, and he continues to make a physical impact with lots of big hits and 41 penalty minutes. His tough play earned him a 3-game stint with the parent Jets, and it’s expected he’ll continue to get cups of coffee over the next couple of seasons before making the jump to the NHL for good.
Projects as: Shutdown power pivot with upside
12. LD Patrik Nemeth (15)
Acquired: 3rd round, 2010 (63rd overall)
Got my first chance for an extended look at Nemeth in this month’s WJC, where he played a key role for eventual Gold Medal winners Sweden. Nemeth is a big-bodied stay-at-homer with a mean streak and the mobility to keep up in the modern game. He’s still raw, but showed a good head for the game playing major minutes against top-level competition and posting 5 assists in 6 games. More importantly, he showed that he can be an effective and physical defender while playing with discipline, earning only 2 penalty minutes for the tournament. In the Elitserien, he continues to make strides playing a shutdown role against grown men for AIK, where he is likely to remain for another couple of seasons before challenging for a role with NHL Dallas. His progress made it easier for me to trade Olsen. He’s considered a long-term project in the mold of Toni Lydman.
Projects as: Top-4 stay-at-home defenceman
13. LW Marcel Mueller (NEW)
Acquired: Trade, 2011
Picked up prior to free agency for the negotiation rights to Brian Rolston and Jaroslav Spacek, Mueller has been a solid addition this season, earning a spot among the scoring leaders for the surprisingly strong AHL Toronto Marlies (24 points in 36 games). The imposing winger (6-4/212) goes to the net and displays good hands combined with a feisty style and strong skating stride, but needs to continue to develop his work effort in all three zones to earn greater ice-time. His place in the NHL Leafs’ organization is up in the air given the development of players like Joey Crabb and Matt Frattin, but may look clearer soon as the club is expected to make a major move to bolster its NHL lineup this month, which should hopefully clear up some of the logjam on the wing.
Projects as: Third line power forward
14. C/RW Gabriel Dumont (13)
Acquired: 6th round, 2009 (152nd overall)
Dumont seems to have learned some discipline this season, cutting his penalty minutes per game by a third, but his offence has not taken much step forward as yet. This is his second pro season, and he doesn’t have the big body and top-end skating that could help him earn an energy role in the NHL, so if he’s unable to make a jump in production by this time next season he’s going to look increasingly like a guy who is a useful depth piece in the minors, but whose NHL (and HFNHL) future is limited. We’ll see. I still like his take-no-prisoners attitude, but need him to bring something else to the party.
Projects as: Two-way feisty playmaker on the bubble
15. D Eric Gryba (16)
Acquired: 2nd round, 2006 (56th overall)
In his second full season of the pros, Gryba continues to be a rock-solid stay-at-home defender who blocks shots, makes big hits and will drop the gloves when necessary. Tough as nails and oozing with character, footspeed and agility are his biggest hurdles to overcome in making it to the next level. Still has time to develop into an Andy Sutton-type blueliner, and may earn a brief audition at some point this spring if Ottawa looks to inject a little more toughness in the run-up to the playoffs.
Projects as: Tough stay-at-homer on the third pairing
16. C Tanner House (NEW)
Acquired: FA 2011
In his one-and-only appearance on this list, the 25-year-old Maine grad has made a decent impression as a defensive pivot for the Oklahoma City Barons. He has some decent puck skills as consecutive seasons with point-per-game production as the Black Bears’ Captain attest, but in the pros that translates to a 3rd/4th line role, where his strong faceoff skills, defensive awareness, work ethic and leadership will be where he earns his shot. Edmonton’s lack of a true shutdown pivot should be his opening at camp next summer, particularly if young Anton Lander is able to move up the depth chart into a scoring role. If not, House will be a valuable (if expensive, for me) leader and role player in the minors.
Projects as: Shutdown pivot and PK specialist
17. RW Andrej Nestrasil (18)
Acquired: 3rd round, 2009 (84th overall)
This is Nestrasil’s first season as a pro after a solid if unspectacular QMJHL career, and he played a handful of games in the A before being sent down to Toledo in the ECHL for further development. The big bodied winger is not expected to be more than a complimentary scorer as a pro, but with a physical edge and the ability to make plays at speed, he could prove to be a good two-way contributor. Skating continues to be his Achilles heel, but that’s something that can be improved if he’s willing to put in the work. A project, we’ll check back in after a couple of seasons. He’s a good candidate for a long apprenticeship in the Detroit Red Wings’ patient development system.
Projects as: Third line banger, complimentary scorer
18. LW Rob Klinkhammer (HM)
Acquired: FA 2010
Rob was traded from the Chicago affiliate in Rockford to the Binghampton Baby Sens, and the move has sparked a surge in production from the 25-year-old with 10 goals and 17 points in 19 games. Will never be more than an energy-line player in the NHL, but can provide very useful depth for a team looking to add grit with a modicum of talent.
Projects as: Low-rent power forward on the bubble
19. G Marco Cousineau (HM)
Acquired: 7th round, 2008 (183rd overall)
Cousineau sneaks into the top 20 somewhat out of the blue after a pair of impressive wins in the AHL. Super low sample size, considering the bulk of his experience the last couple of years has come in the ECHL where he has appeared average, so we’re not holding our breath here, but Anaheim isn’t exactly rich with strong tenders in their system (and neither are we!), so it doesn’t hurt to have gotten a little positive notice. We’ll see if he is starting to figure things out after a strong Q career.
Projects as: Depth goalie and possible backup
20. D Collin Bowman (NEW)
Acquired: Trade, 2012
Acquired as a depth dump from the Washington Capitals, the younger brother of Drayson Bowman is a hulking stay-at-home blueliner in his final year of Junior. His surge in production the last couple of seasons (for Moose Jaw and now Calgary in the Dub) can be attributed to his maturity and icetime rather than to any particular offensive toolkit, but as a big kid with a willingness to drop the gloves, he stands a decent chance of establishing a respectable pro career. He earned an invite to Rangers training camp last fall, and they’ll no doubt be keeping their eye on him, as will we.
Projects as: Depth stay-at-home muscle
