MatthewFlames
Registered User
Rank Pos Name 2007 Rank Team [Drafted by] Year
1) F - Devin Setoguchi (3) – San Jose (NHL) - 2005
Devin started the season with another injury that stopped him from making the team out of camp. A short stint in the minors seemed to indicate he was ready, and with 7 goals in his first 10 games in the NHL, it seemed he had arrived. His play tailed off however and he finished the season with 11 goals in 44 games. His playoff ice-time was limited. San Jose is going through a transition with a new coaching staff but Setoguchi should be ready for a consistent top-6 role on the team this season.
2) F - Patrik Berglund (5) – Vasteras (Swe-1) - [St. Louis Draft Pick] - 2006
Patrick almost made the St. Louis Blues out of camp last year but the team felt he needed another year of adding muscle before he’d be ready to play in the NHL day to day. Despite being only 19 he was 7th in league scoring playing against men in the Allsvenskan in Sweden. A dominating performance in the World Juniors showed that he is truly amongst the best forwards in the world in his age group. Has stiff competition to make the Blues this season but another season in Sweden or in the AHL wouldn’t hurt his development.
3) F - Mikael Backlund (4) – Vasteras (Swe-1) - [Calgary Draft Pick] - 2007
A healthy season, a stunning World Juniors and the continued development of his all around game has lead TSN analyst Pierre McGuire to declare that Backlund is NHL ready. He will play in North America this season, either in the NHL or WHL with the Kelowna Rockets. His offensive abilities are still a little of an unknown as he didn’t put up big numbers in the Allsvenkan though he did against his own age group in the WJC.
4) F - Steve Downie (2) – Philadelphia (NHL) – 2005
What an introduction to pro hockey. Downie is now a household name and not for good reasons. His illegal hit on Dean McAmmond resulted in two suspensions, 20 games from the NHL and two months from the AHL. When Downie finally returned he was a feisty point a game player in the AHL and earned several call-ups to the Flyers. He acquitted himself well, occasionally earning top two line ice-time, but mostly his first season was about experience. With RJ Umberger traded to Columbus there should be a full time role for Downie this season.
5) D - Andrej Sekera (6) – Buffalo (NHL) - 2004
Sekera enjoyed a very good second pro season with Buffalo. He stepped in after the trade deadline and increased his ice-time and looks to be an option on the powerplay as well. He scored half his point total (8) in 2008 in his final 5 games. He will be a regular for the first time in 08-09.
6) D - Alexandre Picard (10) – Tampa Bay (NHL) – Arrived via Trade
After a full season in the NHL it must have been disappointing for Picard to find himself in the AHL because of the numbers game in Philadelphia. A trade to Tampa Bay (in return for Vaclav Prospal) on trade deadline day opened the door for Picard and he took it – playing 20 minutes a game for the Lightning, getting power play time and not looking out of place. His 22 points in 62 NHL games with Philly in 07 and 38 points in 53 games in the AHL last season show his offensive possibilities.
7) F - Artem Anisimov (8) – Hartford (AHL) – [New York Rangers Draft Pick] - 2006
2007/08 was a strong first pro season for Anisimov as the Russian to adapted to the North American way of life and style of hockey. He showed skill at both ends of the ice. The logjam at Centre in New York will allow Anisimov to continue to bulk up and get stronger with another season in the AHL.
8) F - Michael Repik (14) – Vancouver (WHL) [Florida Draft Pick] - 2007
Repik impressed at the Florida Panthers training camp last season and has shown that he is for real. Despite a mid-season concussion, the skilled speedster enjoyed a strong season in the WHL. His point-a-game performances in the playoffs continued – as well as his clutch play and leadership. It will be tempting for the Panthers to keep him around in the NHL this season. All signs point to him being a sure-fire NHL’er down the road - perhaps even as a 1st line player.
9) F - Lauri Korpikoski (16) – Hartford (AHL) – [New York Rangers Draft Pick] - 2004
Korpiskoski had a breakout season in his second pro season after struggling offensively in his first year as a pro. The swift skating, physical winger found his offensive game, more than doubling his goal total and scoring 50 points in the AHL. Called up by the Rangers for game 5 of the playoff series against the Penguins, Korpikoski performed well, even scoring in the loss. Look for him to get a shot as a 3rd or 4th line player with the Rangers this year.
10) F -Eric Tangradi (NEW) – Belleville (OHL) - [Anaheim Draft Pick] - 2007
Tangradi showed that his pre-draft playoff performance was no fluke. This giant has all the tools to become a premier power forward. Despite breaking his thumb mid-season he still had 24 goals and 60 points. He was again a dominating figure in the play-offs with 18 points in 21 games. Needs to improve his skating to move to the next level.
11) F - Lukas Kaspar (17) – Worcester (AHL) – [San Jose Draft Pick] - 2004
Kaspar has everything you would want in an NHL player. Size. Strength. Skill. Defensive play. Offensive abilities. He set new career highs in goals and points in the AHL. He even earned a three game call-up to the NHL in his third pro season. The problem? Consistency. Great for three games and poor for the next three. This will be a pivotal season for Kaspar. He really needs to put it all together.
12) D - Josef Hrabal (NEW) – Cherepovets (RUS) – [Edmonton Draft Pick] - 2003
It’s taken a few years for Hrabal to add weight and round out his game but after two years in Russia the Czech is ready for the jump to North America. The Oilers are high on the puck moving defenseman and feel that he is NHL ready. Signed to a contract this off-season, Hrabal will be in camp come September.
13) F - Colton Sceviour (NEW) – Lethbridge (WHL) – [Dallas Draft Pick] - 2007
Injuries derailed Sceviours draft year and dropped him to the 4th round, where Dallas was grateful that he was passed over 111 times. Sceviour lacks height but he has a wide thick body, is a great skater and plays like a power forward. He exploded for 33 goals and 64 points, most after a trade to the Lethbridge Hurricanes, where he led the team to the Conference Finals. After three full years in the dub he is ready to start his pro career.
14) F - David Kveton (20) – Trinec (CZE) – [New York Rangers Draft Pick] - 2006
Kveton is a finesse player whose NHL journey has already gone through two separate trips through the QMJHL and the Czech Extraliga. A bad concussion derailed his pro season and his WJC. Most thought that the Rangers would pass on offering Kveton a pro contract but his surprise appearance at this weeks Prospect Camp show that Kveton has recovered and the Rangers are interested. He becomes a FA on July 1st unless the parties agree to a deal but indications are that the Rangers will do so.
15) F - Maxim Trunev (NEW) – Severstal-2 (RUS) – [Montreal Draft Pick] - 2008
Despite being drafted in the 5th round, Trunev offers first round offensive upside. He missed being eligible for the 2009 draft by only a few days. A great stickhandler Trunev “doesn't just deke- his quick feints make a puck appear as though it has been deked through an opposing player's stick or skates. Topping it off are bursts of acceleration that the young Russian expertly employs in order to cut defenders wide. He'll be a special player if he adds some muscle." A boom or bust type prospect.
16) F - Radek Smolenak (NEW) – Norfolk (AHL) – [Tampa Bay Draft Pick] - 2005
At long last Radek Smolenak has started to fill out and show some of the potential he demonstrated in junior in the pro ranks. After a first pro season in the ECHL Smolenak spent the majority of his second pro season in the AHL and was third in scoring on the Admirals despite playing only 56 games. Will probably never be a top line player but is still only 20 and shows signs of improvement.
17) G - Anton Khudobin (NEW) – Texas (ECHL) & Houston (AHL) – [Minnesota Draft Pick] – Free Agent
Khudobin was Goalie of the Year in the ECHL where he was the first rookie to win the award since 2001. He led the league with a 1.98 GAA and SV% of .934. He lost only one game all season, in 27 appearances. He also played 12 games in the AHL, with a GAA average of 1.99. Only 21, Khudobin has a bright future.
18) F - Bryce Swan (7) – Halifax (QMJHL) – [Anaheim Draft Pick] - 2006
Swan didn’t really take a step back as a 20 year old in the QMJHL but neither did he take a step forward. He scored fewer goals and points despite playing a career-high in games. He stepped up his physical play and his physical size has started to catch up to his 6’3” stature. Its doubtful he will become an offensive player as a pro but Anaheim still feels that there is something to develop and he’ll start his pro career with the team next year.
19) F - Ondrej Fiala (19) – Saskatoon (WHL) – [Minnesota Draft Pick] - 2006
Fiala can skate and has high end passing skills. Despite playing with a very poor supporting cast in Saskatoon, Fiala cracked 50 points to lead the team and had a career high 32 assists and 20 goals. He may not be over all his knee problems (he's had 4 surgeries) and the Wild decided not to take a chance and declined offering him a contract and he re-entered the draft. He passed through the draft and is now a Free Agent, however the Wild have not completely given up on him and are negotiating a try-out.
20) D - Scott Jackson (18) – Seattle (WHL) – [Free Agent] - 2005
Jackson just hasn’t developed. He is still a rock solid defensive defenseman with NHL size and skating, but lacks puck skills and a mean streak that would take him to the next level. A try-out at the Red Wings camp last season didn’t land him a contract but another solid year as an overager in the WHL will surely get him another look by NHL teams this season.
NEW
Geordie Wudrick – 2008 Draft Pick
Eric Mestery – 2008 Draft Pick
Jordan Southorn – 2008 Draft Pick
Colin Stuart – Played first few games in the NHL in 2008
Dan Lacosta – Started a game for Columbus in the NHL in 2008
Adam Berti – Called up and finished the season with Chicago in the NHL in 2008
Dmitri Pazold – Was the Sharks back-up for most of 2008
GRADUATES
Wojtek Wolski (1)
David Moss (9)
Brandon Bochenski (11)
TRADED
Andrew Alberts (12)
Daniel Girardi (13)
Riley Holzapfel (15)
Anton Stralman (21)
1) F - Devin Setoguchi (3) – San Jose (NHL) - 2005
Devin started the season with another injury that stopped him from making the team out of camp. A short stint in the minors seemed to indicate he was ready, and with 7 goals in his first 10 games in the NHL, it seemed he had arrived. His play tailed off however and he finished the season with 11 goals in 44 games. His playoff ice-time was limited. San Jose is going through a transition with a new coaching staff but Setoguchi should be ready for a consistent top-6 role on the team this season.
2) F - Patrik Berglund (5) – Vasteras (Swe-1) - [St. Louis Draft Pick] - 2006
Patrick almost made the St. Louis Blues out of camp last year but the team felt he needed another year of adding muscle before he’d be ready to play in the NHL day to day. Despite being only 19 he was 7th in league scoring playing against men in the Allsvenskan in Sweden. A dominating performance in the World Juniors showed that he is truly amongst the best forwards in the world in his age group. Has stiff competition to make the Blues this season but another season in Sweden or in the AHL wouldn’t hurt his development.
3) F - Mikael Backlund (4) – Vasteras (Swe-1) - [Calgary Draft Pick] - 2007
A healthy season, a stunning World Juniors and the continued development of his all around game has lead TSN analyst Pierre McGuire to declare that Backlund is NHL ready. He will play in North America this season, either in the NHL or WHL with the Kelowna Rockets. His offensive abilities are still a little of an unknown as he didn’t put up big numbers in the Allsvenkan though he did against his own age group in the WJC.
4) F - Steve Downie (2) – Philadelphia (NHL) – 2005
What an introduction to pro hockey. Downie is now a household name and not for good reasons. His illegal hit on Dean McAmmond resulted in two suspensions, 20 games from the NHL and two months from the AHL. When Downie finally returned he was a feisty point a game player in the AHL and earned several call-ups to the Flyers. He acquitted himself well, occasionally earning top two line ice-time, but mostly his first season was about experience. With RJ Umberger traded to Columbus there should be a full time role for Downie this season.
5) D - Andrej Sekera (6) – Buffalo (NHL) - 2004
Sekera enjoyed a very good second pro season with Buffalo. He stepped in after the trade deadline and increased his ice-time and looks to be an option on the powerplay as well. He scored half his point total (8) in 2008 in his final 5 games. He will be a regular for the first time in 08-09.
6) D - Alexandre Picard (10) – Tampa Bay (NHL) – Arrived via Trade
After a full season in the NHL it must have been disappointing for Picard to find himself in the AHL because of the numbers game in Philadelphia. A trade to Tampa Bay (in return for Vaclav Prospal) on trade deadline day opened the door for Picard and he took it – playing 20 minutes a game for the Lightning, getting power play time and not looking out of place. His 22 points in 62 NHL games with Philly in 07 and 38 points in 53 games in the AHL last season show his offensive possibilities.
7) F - Artem Anisimov (8) – Hartford (AHL) – [New York Rangers Draft Pick] - 2006
2007/08 was a strong first pro season for Anisimov as the Russian to adapted to the North American way of life and style of hockey. He showed skill at both ends of the ice. The logjam at Centre in New York will allow Anisimov to continue to bulk up and get stronger with another season in the AHL.
8) F - Michael Repik (14) – Vancouver (WHL) [Florida Draft Pick] - 2007
Repik impressed at the Florida Panthers training camp last season and has shown that he is for real. Despite a mid-season concussion, the skilled speedster enjoyed a strong season in the WHL. His point-a-game performances in the playoffs continued – as well as his clutch play and leadership. It will be tempting for the Panthers to keep him around in the NHL this season. All signs point to him being a sure-fire NHL’er down the road - perhaps even as a 1st line player.
9) F - Lauri Korpikoski (16) – Hartford (AHL) – [New York Rangers Draft Pick] - 2004
Korpiskoski had a breakout season in his second pro season after struggling offensively in his first year as a pro. The swift skating, physical winger found his offensive game, more than doubling his goal total and scoring 50 points in the AHL. Called up by the Rangers for game 5 of the playoff series against the Penguins, Korpikoski performed well, even scoring in the loss. Look for him to get a shot as a 3rd or 4th line player with the Rangers this year.
10) F -Eric Tangradi (NEW) – Belleville (OHL) - [Anaheim Draft Pick] - 2007
Tangradi showed that his pre-draft playoff performance was no fluke. This giant has all the tools to become a premier power forward. Despite breaking his thumb mid-season he still had 24 goals and 60 points. He was again a dominating figure in the play-offs with 18 points in 21 games. Needs to improve his skating to move to the next level.
11) F - Lukas Kaspar (17) – Worcester (AHL) – [San Jose Draft Pick] - 2004
Kaspar has everything you would want in an NHL player. Size. Strength. Skill. Defensive play. Offensive abilities. He set new career highs in goals and points in the AHL. He even earned a three game call-up to the NHL in his third pro season. The problem? Consistency. Great for three games and poor for the next three. This will be a pivotal season for Kaspar. He really needs to put it all together.
12) D - Josef Hrabal (NEW) – Cherepovets (RUS) – [Edmonton Draft Pick] - 2003
It’s taken a few years for Hrabal to add weight and round out his game but after two years in Russia the Czech is ready for the jump to North America. The Oilers are high on the puck moving defenseman and feel that he is NHL ready. Signed to a contract this off-season, Hrabal will be in camp come September.
13) F - Colton Sceviour (NEW) – Lethbridge (WHL) – [Dallas Draft Pick] - 2007
Injuries derailed Sceviours draft year and dropped him to the 4th round, where Dallas was grateful that he was passed over 111 times. Sceviour lacks height but he has a wide thick body, is a great skater and plays like a power forward. He exploded for 33 goals and 64 points, most after a trade to the Lethbridge Hurricanes, where he led the team to the Conference Finals. After three full years in the dub he is ready to start his pro career.
14) F - David Kveton (20) – Trinec (CZE) – [New York Rangers Draft Pick] - 2006
Kveton is a finesse player whose NHL journey has already gone through two separate trips through the QMJHL and the Czech Extraliga. A bad concussion derailed his pro season and his WJC. Most thought that the Rangers would pass on offering Kveton a pro contract but his surprise appearance at this weeks Prospect Camp show that Kveton has recovered and the Rangers are interested. He becomes a FA on July 1st unless the parties agree to a deal but indications are that the Rangers will do so.
15) F - Maxim Trunev (NEW) – Severstal-2 (RUS) – [Montreal Draft Pick] - 2008
Despite being drafted in the 5th round, Trunev offers first round offensive upside. He missed being eligible for the 2009 draft by only a few days. A great stickhandler Trunev “doesn't just deke- his quick feints make a puck appear as though it has been deked through an opposing player's stick or skates. Topping it off are bursts of acceleration that the young Russian expertly employs in order to cut defenders wide. He'll be a special player if he adds some muscle." A boom or bust type prospect.
16) F - Radek Smolenak (NEW) – Norfolk (AHL) – [Tampa Bay Draft Pick] - 2005
At long last Radek Smolenak has started to fill out and show some of the potential he demonstrated in junior in the pro ranks. After a first pro season in the ECHL Smolenak spent the majority of his second pro season in the AHL and was third in scoring on the Admirals despite playing only 56 games. Will probably never be a top line player but is still only 20 and shows signs of improvement.
17) G - Anton Khudobin (NEW) – Texas (ECHL) & Houston (AHL) – [Minnesota Draft Pick] – Free Agent
Khudobin was Goalie of the Year in the ECHL where he was the first rookie to win the award since 2001. He led the league with a 1.98 GAA and SV% of .934. He lost only one game all season, in 27 appearances. He also played 12 games in the AHL, with a GAA average of 1.99. Only 21, Khudobin has a bright future.
18) F - Bryce Swan (7) – Halifax (QMJHL) – [Anaheim Draft Pick] - 2006
Swan didn’t really take a step back as a 20 year old in the QMJHL but neither did he take a step forward. He scored fewer goals and points despite playing a career-high in games. He stepped up his physical play and his physical size has started to catch up to his 6’3” stature. Its doubtful he will become an offensive player as a pro but Anaheim still feels that there is something to develop and he’ll start his pro career with the team next year.
19) F - Ondrej Fiala (19) – Saskatoon (WHL) – [Minnesota Draft Pick] - 2006
Fiala can skate and has high end passing skills. Despite playing with a very poor supporting cast in Saskatoon, Fiala cracked 50 points to lead the team and had a career high 32 assists and 20 goals. He may not be over all his knee problems (he's had 4 surgeries) and the Wild decided not to take a chance and declined offering him a contract and he re-entered the draft. He passed through the draft and is now a Free Agent, however the Wild have not completely given up on him and are negotiating a try-out.
20) D - Scott Jackson (18) – Seattle (WHL) – [Free Agent] - 2005
Jackson just hasn’t developed. He is still a rock solid defensive defenseman with NHL size and skating, but lacks puck skills and a mean streak that would take him to the next level. A try-out at the Red Wings camp last season didn’t land him a contract but another solid year as an overager in the WHL will surely get him another look by NHL teams this season.
NEW
Geordie Wudrick – 2008 Draft Pick
Eric Mestery – 2008 Draft Pick
Jordan Southorn – 2008 Draft Pick
Colin Stuart – Played first few games in the NHL in 2008
Dan Lacosta – Started a game for Columbus in the NHL in 2008
Adam Berti – Called up and finished the season with Chicago in the NHL in 2008
Dmitri Pazold – Was the Sharks back-up for most of 2008
GRADUATES
Wojtek Wolski (1)
David Moss (9)
Brandon Bochenski (11)
TRADED
Andrew Alberts (12)
Daniel Girardi (13)
Riley Holzapfel (15)
Anton Stralman (21)
