Hossa
Registered User
Another year, another update. The system in general is fairly balanced, perhaps lightest on left shooting defenceman, with Thomas Chabot graduated.
Graduations: Thomas Chabot, Jakub Vrana, Tristan Jarry, Nikita Soshnikov, and Anton Slepyshev.
1) Robert Thomas
Selected 23rd overall in 2017, Thomas has emerged as one of the very best centre prospects in the world in the past year. Skilled with the puck and reliable in all three zones, Thomas has continued to improve his skating and his shot, and should be in St. Louis next year. A potential impact centre.
2) Evan Bouchard
Another London Knight product, Bouchard put up video game numbers last year, and has a chance to do the same alongside Connor McDavid long-term. A general from the back end, Bouchard is an elite passer with a great shot and remarkable poise. Needs to continue to work on his skating and defence.
3) Henri Jokiharju
An aggressive ranking for a prospect who went mid-second round in our draft last year, but was outstanding in his draft +1 year, both in Portland and on a stacked Finnish blueline at the WJC. An outstanding skater who moves the puck well and has improved in his own zone, Jokiharju again could push for an NHL job, and either way is likely forego his last year of junior eligibility.
4) Adam Gaudette
The reigning Hobey Baker winner, Gaudette has developed unbelievably well since being drafted into the HFNHL two years ago. A highly skilled, Joe Pavelski-like centre who is more finisher than distributor, Gaudette went straight into the NHL last year, but may need half a season in the AHL.
5) Boris Katchouk
Took a major step forward this past year and had a similar season to Thomas, in the OHL, at the WJC, and ultimately in the OHL finals. A big, fast, energetic and deceptively skilled player, Katchouk makes things happen on the ice and projects as the kind of winger who can play all over your line-up in the NHL.
6) Connor Timmins
Another OHL star who performed well all season, including at the WJC and through to the OHL finals, Timmins is a well-rounded defenceman whose WJC performance was particularly illuminating, as he impressively adjusted to the speed of that game. Has a chance to break camp in Colorado, but injuries are a concern.
7) John Quenneville
After an outstanding rookie season in the AHL, Quenneville never really got on track last year, losing a camp battle to Jesper Bratt and struggling through injuries. A skilled player who is probably more of a winger long-term, Q should be an NHLer soon, but has to break through in New Jersey soon considering the competition.
8) Jake Walman
Walman's first AHL season did not go as planned, as he was bounced between two teams due to St. Louis not having an affiliate. An outstanding skater with a great shot and a physical element, Walman's defence remains a work in progress, but will get a shot in the NHL sooner rather than later.
9) Alex Formenton
Another London Knight, another OHLer, another WJC player, Formenton actually broke camp with the Ottawa Senators last year due to his plus-plus skating ability, but ultimately went back to London and was particularly good in the second half once Thomas and others were dealt. Still young and raw, he could be in the NHL next year, but playing out his junior career may be best for his long-term development.
10) Zach Senyshyn
Another Soo Greyhound product - clearly we have two OHL pipelines - Senyshyn had a decent first OHL season, taking some time to adjust to the speed of the game. Skating isn't an issue, but decision making can be. Boston develops very well though, so he should be in a Bruins uniform in some role soon.
11) Josh Norris
A hard player to slot because Norris has all the tools, is an outstanding athlete, but never seems to quite deliver the results you would expect. Was good, not great as a freshman at Michigan, and same at the WJC. Profiles as a safe bet to be a third line centre, maybe more if the hands and shot start turning into better numbers.
*Note: From this point on, the list opens up considerably.
12) Adam Erne
A perpetually frustrating player because he has all the tools to be a modern power forward, big, fast, physical and skilled, but cannot seem to put it together. At a minimum, he should be a Josh Anderson type. This coming year is probably his last chance in Tampa considering the depth of their system.
13) Will Borgen
A member of the US Olympics team, Borgen did not get the ice time that Greenway or Donato did, but the fact he made the team at all is notable. Borgen is a modern stay-at-home defender, 6'2", mobile and can make a first pass, but otherwise fairly calm and safe in how he plays. Could one day be the Marc Methot to Rasmus Dahlin's Erik Karlsson act.
14) Dominik Masin
Like Katchouk, one of several Tampa Bay Lightning prospects in the system, Masin profiles similarly to Borgen above - 6'2", mobile, reliable and can move the puck, but not dynamic offensively. Took a huge step forward as a sophomore in the AHL, often playing on the top pair, and should get a cup of coffee in Tampa this year.
15) Andrew Peeke
Yet another big, mobile blueliner in the Borgen/Masin mold, Peeke was solid but unspectacular at the World Juniors for the USA, and a rock throughout the year at Notre Dame. Columbus is very high on him, and it would not surprise if he went right into their line-up after his junior year.
16) Reilly Walsh
Another defenceman, Walsh was one of the best freshman in college hockey last year, transitioning extremely well from high school hockey and nearly forcing his way onto the US World Junior team. A great skater with puck skills, but also a coach's son who works hard on his game, Walsh will return to Harvard as a sophomore and likely play at the WJC for the US.
17) Nick Baptiste
One of the older prospects on the list, Baptiste has flashes NHL ability in multiple call-ups, but has yet to secure a spot in Buffalo as a hard driving complimentary winger. This coming year may be his last bet, and could tumble down this list if he cannot stick.
18) Kalle Kossila
A very hard player to place because he is one of the best players in the AHL, with analytics suggesting he should be able to translate very well to the NHL, but has not been given a real shot yet. Not the biggest or the fastest, but has scored everywhere he has played and could profit from holes in the Anaheim line-up next year.
19) Dennis Yan
Another hard player to place because if he makes the NHL, Yan could be a 30 goal scorer. He has great tools, has developed well since being drafted, and really knows how to score. Not as one-dimensional as when he was drafted, but still a boom or bust player.
20) Carl Dahlstrom
A bit like Ben Thomas last year, Dahlstrom emerged this year as a surprising star in the AHL, showing more skating and offence than was expected of a 6'4", 230 pound blueliner. Another step forward and he rockets up the list, or maybe graduates if he breaks camp in Chicago.
Honourable Mentions
Filip Hallander - A recent second round pick, considered him as high as 12, but want to see how he transitions to the SHL.
Alexander Georgiyev - A revelation in the second half last year, could compete with Jarry as goalie of the future if he continues to progress.
Jayce Hawryluk - Another player who could be in the 12-20 range, Hawryluk had an up and down second season. Needs to stay healthy and find his confidence offensively.
Jack Badini - Transitioned well to the NCAA, and could take an even bigger role with Donato and others gone.
Jack Dougherty - Still a solid prospect, but has lost ground in this system to other similar blueliners.
Graduations: Thomas Chabot, Jakub Vrana, Tristan Jarry, Nikita Soshnikov, and Anton Slepyshev.
1) Robert Thomas
Selected 23rd overall in 2017, Thomas has emerged as one of the very best centre prospects in the world in the past year. Skilled with the puck and reliable in all three zones, Thomas has continued to improve his skating and his shot, and should be in St. Louis next year. A potential impact centre.
2) Evan Bouchard
Another London Knight product, Bouchard put up video game numbers last year, and has a chance to do the same alongside Connor McDavid long-term. A general from the back end, Bouchard is an elite passer with a great shot and remarkable poise. Needs to continue to work on his skating and defence.
3) Henri Jokiharju
An aggressive ranking for a prospect who went mid-second round in our draft last year, but was outstanding in his draft +1 year, both in Portland and on a stacked Finnish blueline at the WJC. An outstanding skater who moves the puck well and has improved in his own zone, Jokiharju again could push for an NHL job, and either way is likely forego his last year of junior eligibility.
4) Adam Gaudette
The reigning Hobey Baker winner, Gaudette has developed unbelievably well since being drafted into the HFNHL two years ago. A highly skilled, Joe Pavelski-like centre who is more finisher than distributor, Gaudette went straight into the NHL last year, but may need half a season in the AHL.
5) Boris Katchouk
Took a major step forward this past year and had a similar season to Thomas, in the OHL, at the WJC, and ultimately in the OHL finals. A big, fast, energetic and deceptively skilled player, Katchouk makes things happen on the ice and projects as the kind of winger who can play all over your line-up in the NHL.
6) Connor Timmins
Another OHL star who performed well all season, including at the WJC and through to the OHL finals, Timmins is a well-rounded defenceman whose WJC performance was particularly illuminating, as he impressively adjusted to the speed of that game. Has a chance to break camp in Colorado, but injuries are a concern.
7) John Quenneville
After an outstanding rookie season in the AHL, Quenneville never really got on track last year, losing a camp battle to Jesper Bratt and struggling through injuries. A skilled player who is probably more of a winger long-term, Q should be an NHLer soon, but has to break through in New Jersey soon considering the competition.
8) Jake Walman
Walman's first AHL season did not go as planned, as he was bounced between two teams due to St. Louis not having an affiliate. An outstanding skater with a great shot and a physical element, Walman's defence remains a work in progress, but will get a shot in the NHL sooner rather than later.
9) Alex Formenton
Another London Knight, another OHLer, another WJC player, Formenton actually broke camp with the Ottawa Senators last year due to his plus-plus skating ability, but ultimately went back to London and was particularly good in the second half once Thomas and others were dealt. Still young and raw, he could be in the NHL next year, but playing out his junior career may be best for his long-term development.
10) Zach Senyshyn
Another Soo Greyhound product - clearly we have two OHL pipelines - Senyshyn had a decent first OHL season, taking some time to adjust to the speed of the game. Skating isn't an issue, but decision making can be. Boston develops very well though, so he should be in a Bruins uniform in some role soon.
11) Josh Norris
A hard player to slot because Norris has all the tools, is an outstanding athlete, but never seems to quite deliver the results you would expect. Was good, not great as a freshman at Michigan, and same at the WJC. Profiles as a safe bet to be a third line centre, maybe more if the hands and shot start turning into better numbers.
*Note: From this point on, the list opens up considerably.
12) Adam Erne
A perpetually frustrating player because he has all the tools to be a modern power forward, big, fast, physical and skilled, but cannot seem to put it together. At a minimum, he should be a Josh Anderson type. This coming year is probably his last chance in Tampa considering the depth of their system.
13) Will Borgen
A member of the US Olympics team, Borgen did not get the ice time that Greenway or Donato did, but the fact he made the team at all is notable. Borgen is a modern stay-at-home defender, 6'2", mobile and can make a first pass, but otherwise fairly calm and safe in how he plays. Could one day be the Marc Methot to Rasmus Dahlin's Erik Karlsson act.
14) Dominik Masin
Like Katchouk, one of several Tampa Bay Lightning prospects in the system, Masin profiles similarly to Borgen above - 6'2", mobile, reliable and can move the puck, but not dynamic offensively. Took a huge step forward as a sophomore in the AHL, often playing on the top pair, and should get a cup of coffee in Tampa this year.
15) Andrew Peeke
Yet another big, mobile blueliner in the Borgen/Masin mold, Peeke was solid but unspectacular at the World Juniors for the USA, and a rock throughout the year at Notre Dame. Columbus is very high on him, and it would not surprise if he went right into their line-up after his junior year.
16) Reilly Walsh
Another defenceman, Walsh was one of the best freshman in college hockey last year, transitioning extremely well from high school hockey and nearly forcing his way onto the US World Junior team. A great skater with puck skills, but also a coach's son who works hard on his game, Walsh will return to Harvard as a sophomore and likely play at the WJC for the US.
17) Nick Baptiste
One of the older prospects on the list, Baptiste has flashes NHL ability in multiple call-ups, but has yet to secure a spot in Buffalo as a hard driving complimentary winger. This coming year may be his last bet, and could tumble down this list if he cannot stick.
18) Kalle Kossila
A very hard player to place because he is one of the best players in the AHL, with analytics suggesting he should be able to translate very well to the NHL, but has not been given a real shot yet. Not the biggest or the fastest, but has scored everywhere he has played and could profit from holes in the Anaheim line-up next year.
19) Dennis Yan
Another hard player to place because if he makes the NHL, Yan could be a 30 goal scorer. He has great tools, has developed well since being drafted, and really knows how to score. Not as one-dimensional as when he was drafted, but still a boom or bust player.
20) Carl Dahlstrom
A bit like Ben Thomas last year, Dahlstrom emerged this year as a surprising star in the AHL, showing more skating and offence than was expected of a 6'4", 230 pound blueliner. Another step forward and he rockets up the list, or maybe graduates if he breaks camp in Chicago.
Honourable Mentions
Filip Hallander - A recent second round pick, considered him as high as 12, but want to see how he transitions to the SHL.
Alexander Georgiyev - A revelation in the second half last year, could compete with Jarry as goalie of the future if he continues to progress.
Jayce Hawryluk - Another player who could be in the 12-20 range, Hawryluk had an up and down second season. Needs to stay healthy and find his confidence offensively.
Jack Badini - Transitioned well to the NCAA, and could take an even bigger role with Donato and others gone.
Jack Dougherty - Still a solid prospect, but has lost ground in this system to other similar blueliners.
