Brock
Registered User
It's time to update the Florida Panthers Top 20 Prospect's List (Thanks Vegas for the idea to kickstart these threads).
1. Cutter Gauthier - Center
Gauthier had a terrific freshman year for Boston College and will be returning for a sophomore season, which should only help his development. He looks like he could be a long time top six player who can play in all situations
2. Lukas Reichel - Wing
Terrific year in the AHL and is now getting tons of playing time in Chicago to finish out the NHL season. Really excited for his development.
3. Olen Zellweger - Defense
Another top end prospect having a monster year, Zellweger has done nothing but produce at the junior level. It seems pretty likely that he'll translate effortlessly offensively, but can he defend at the pro level?
4. Devon Levi - Goaltender
Levi has finally signed his NHL ELC, finishing his college career as one of the league's most decorated goaltenders of all time. Can't wait to see him play his first NHL game, which likely happens this season down the home stretch.
5. JJ Peterka - Wing
Peterka is having a solid first NHL season playing in Buffalo's bottom six. He'll be brought along slowly, but he definitely looks like he should be a longtime pro in the middle six.
6. Nick Robertson - Wing
Injuries, injuries, and more injuries. The poor kid just can't stay healthy. At some point he needs to take that next step. For now, the upside is too high for him to be any lower.
7. Jack McBain - Center
McBain has had a really solid rookie year in Arizona, playing a more defensively oriented role. Not sure the offensive upside is significant, but he looks the part of a long time third line pivot.
8. Wade Allison - Wing
Injuries, injuries, and more injuries. Didn't I just say that? Another really talented winger who just can't stay healthy. Has played well for the Flyers this year when he's been in the lineup.
9. Nikita Alexandrov - Wing
Alexandrov has been excellent in the AHL this year and it has led to him getting in his first NHL games and scoring his first NHL goal. His upside is probably as a middle six guy, but he certainly looks like a long term NHL'er in some capacity.
10. Jack Rathbone - Defense
Kind of a disappointing season for Rathbone from a developmental perspective. I had pretty high expectations for him. Too soon to give up on him and he'll try to crack the Canucks again next year.
11. Zach Ostapchuk - Center/Wing
Ostapchuk's development has gone really well since being drafted and he is now one of the better prospects in the Senators organization. My guess is that he jumps right to the NHL level next year as a bottom six player.
12. Josh Doan - Wing
Hard to truly say how Doan has developed playing in Arizona State, however he's finally signed his ELC and will begin his pro career. He needs to continue to get quicker, but could be a quality third line winger.
13. Brandon Bussi - Goaltender
Has been arguably the best goaltender in the AHL this year as a rookie. Truly a diamond in the rough. The crease is pretty crowded in Boston right now, but he may be close to earning a roster spot somewhere.
14. Riley Kidney - Center
Kidney has continued to improve his strength and quickness and has emerged as one of the best players in the QMJHL this season. Excited to see how he does in the playoffs and as a first year pro next season.
15. Angus Crookshank - Wing
Kind of an underrated prospect. Has rebounded nicely from a knee injury to be one of Ottawa's most consistent scoring prospects at the AHL level. Like Ostapchuk, he could be in line for an NHL role next year.
16. Topias Vilen - Defense
Has had a breakout year in Liiga and has emerged as one of the better young defenders in Finland. What's the upside? I'm not sure, but his breakout season has me intrigued.
17. Tucker Robertson - Center
Just a real workhorse who projects as a solid, bottom six guy in the future. He's had a great year for Peterborough and has been the team's best player this year despite many other more highly touted stars on the roster.
18. Matt Maggio - Wing
The favourite to win the OHL's Red Tilson Trophy this year as the league's most outstanding player, Maggio has taken his development to yet another level this year. Still to be determined how his game translates, but he deserves a spot on this list.
19. Elliott Desnoyers - Wing/Center
Desnoyers has had an excellent first pro season in the AHL and even earned a call-up because of it. Like the others ranked around here, he looks like a potential bottom six guy for years to come.
20. Gavin Hayes - Wing
Has quietly been outstanding in the OHL this year for a Flint team that will look to make noise in the playoffs. Scorer with an edge, Hayes could be poised for another breakout year next season.
HM's
Tyler Madden
Riley Damiani
Marcus Bjork
Josh Bloom
Julian Lutz
Ian Moore
1. Cutter Gauthier - Center
Gauthier had a terrific freshman year for Boston College and will be returning for a sophomore season, which should only help his development. He looks like he could be a long time top six player who can play in all situations
2. Lukas Reichel - Wing
Terrific year in the AHL and is now getting tons of playing time in Chicago to finish out the NHL season. Really excited for his development.
3. Olen Zellweger - Defense
Another top end prospect having a monster year, Zellweger has done nothing but produce at the junior level. It seems pretty likely that he'll translate effortlessly offensively, but can he defend at the pro level?
4. Devon Levi - Goaltender
Levi has finally signed his NHL ELC, finishing his college career as one of the league's most decorated goaltenders of all time. Can't wait to see him play his first NHL game, which likely happens this season down the home stretch.
5. JJ Peterka - Wing
Peterka is having a solid first NHL season playing in Buffalo's bottom six. He'll be brought along slowly, but he definitely looks like he should be a longtime pro in the middle six.
6. Nick Robertson - Wing
Injuries, injuries, and more injuries. The poor kid just can't stay healthy. At some point he needs to take that next step. For now, the upside is too high for him to be any lower.
7. Jack McBain - Center
McBain has had a really solid rookie year in Arizona, playing a more defensively oriented role. Not sure the offensive upside is significant, but he looks the part of a long time third line pivot.
8. Wade Allison - Wing
Injuries, injuries, and more injuries. Didn't I just say that? Another really talented winger who just can't stay healthy. Has played well for the Flyers this year when he's been in the lineup.
9. Nikita Alexandrov - Wing
Alexandrov has been excellent in the AHL this year and it has led to him getting in his first NHL games and scoring his first NHL goal. His upside is probably as a middle six guy, but he certainly looks like a long term NHL'er in some capacity.
10. Jack Rathbone - Defense
Kind of a disappointing season for Rathbone from a developmental perspective. I had pretty high expectations for him. Too soon to give up on him and he'll try to crack the Canucks again next year.
11. Zach Ostapchuk - Center/Wing
Ostapchuk's development has gone really well since being drafted and he is now one of the better prospects in the Senators organization. My guess is that he jumps right to the NHL level next year as a bottom six player.
12. Josh Doan - Wing
Hard to truly say how Doan has developed playing in Arizona State, however he's finally signed his ELC and will begin his pro career. He needs to continue to get quicker, but could be a quality third line winger.
13. Brandon Bussi - Goaltender
Has been arguably the best goaltender in the AHL this year as a rookie. Truly a diamond in the rough. The crease is pretty crowded in Boston right now, but he may be close to earning a roster spot somewhere.
14. Riley Kidney - Center
Kidney has continued to improve his strength and quickness and has emerged as one of the best players in the QMJHL this season. Excited to see how he does in the playoffs and as a first year pro next season.
15. Angus Crookshank - Wing
Kind of an underrated prospect. Has rebounded nicely from a knee injury to be one of Ottawa's most consistent scoring prospects at the AHL level. Like Ostapchuk, he could be in line for an NHL role next year.
16. Topias Vilen - Defense
Has had a breakout year in Liiga and has emerged as one of the better young defenders in Finland. What's the upside? I'm not sure, but his breakout season has me intrigued.
17. Tucker Robertson - Center
Just a real workhorse who projects as a solid, bottom six guy in the future. He's had a great year for Peterborough and has been the team's best player this year despite many other more highly touted stars on the roster.
18. Matt Maggio - Wing
The favourite to win the OHL's Red Tilson Trophy this year as the league's most outstanding player, Maggio has taken his development to yet another level this year. Still to be determined how his game translates, but he deserves a spot on this list.
19. Elliott Desnoyers - Wing/Center
Desnoyers has had an excellent first pro season in the AHL and even earned a call-up because of it. Like the others ranked around here, he looks like a potential bottom six guy for years to come.
20. Gavin Hayes - Wing
Has quietly been outstanding in the OHL this year for a Flint team that will look to make noise in the playoffs. Scorer with an edge, Hayes could be poised for another breakout year next season.
HM's
Tyler Madden
Riley Damiani
Marcus Bjork
Josh Bloom
Julian Lutz
Ian Moore
