Vagrant
The Czech Condor
1. Brett Connolly - Prince George Cougars (WHL) 46-36-22-58 -4
The centerpiece of the trade of John Tavares to the Flyers has put in an impressive amount of tallies in the Western league with 36 in 46 games, but his performance in the WJC was a bit questionable in terms of being a Top 10 NHL draft pick and expected offensive force for that squad. He's still the top player in the Capitals organization in terms of pure upside and his play in the WHL has been adequate, but he still has quite a ways to go before he achieves the lofty expectations placed upon him by Lightning GM Steve Yzerman, who took the oft injured Connolly at 6th overall, one pick ahead of break out star Jeff Skinner. Like Skinner, Connolly is a May '92 which puts him about 6 months developmentally behind a lot of his peers already in the 2010 NHL draft and next season should really see him take strides.
2. Zac Dalpe - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) 38-16-20-36 +6
Drafted out of the BCHL, Dalpe has come a long way from his Junior A roots and developed into a sure fire prospect for the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL. At almost a point per game in his rookie AHL season, Dalpe has picked up 3 goals in 15 NHL games this year and shown a very encouraging appreciation for all around offensive ability. The former Ohio State standout is now entering a pivotal point in his development and could earn a full time role in Carolina as early as next season. He has consistently beaten Zach Boychuk, a former first round pick, in almost all measurable categories.
3. Linus Omark - Edmonton Oilers (NHL) 30-3-12-15 -10
Despite being somewhat redundant in an Oilers lineup that includes some very small and very skilled players, Omark has forced his way into the NHL lineup with a very impressive start to the season in the AHL for the Barons. 31 points in 28 games. Omark made waves while scoring in his NHL debut in the shootout with a spin move that drew the ire of many Tampa Bay veterans. The former youtube sensation is attempting to cultivate those talents into more production as his 15 points in 30 NHL games does little to convince the skeptics that he has full time Top 6 upside at the highest level. With Omark, you're sure that you're going to be entertained but his skill level to production ratio has been slightly skewed especially with his -10 rating for the hapless Oilers. A change of scenery may be required.
4. Calvin de Haan - Oshawa Generals (OHL) 43-2-32-34 +11
Calvin de Haan has had a very rough start to his career after his surprising selection at 12th overall by the New York Islanders. The season after his selection, he was operated on for a shoulder injury that required quite a bit of time to heal. Another one of the many Canadian prospects that failed to really impress at the WJC, de Haan is still expected to challenge for a full time roster spot on the Island next season as he physically matures into his frame. de Haan profiles as a potential powerplay quarterback with enough defensive awareness to take regular shifts in even strength situations as well. I am of the opinion that de Haan is still recovering from his shoulder operation and should really burst onto the scene next year.
5. Dmitri Orlov - Kuznetskie Medvedi (KHL) 46-2-10-12 -18
A brilliant WJC performance for the surprising Russian squad has sent Orlov's stock into the stratosphere with a performance that earned him a place on the tournament team. The slick puckhandler and deft passer scored 9 points in 7 games for the Gold winning squad and opened a lot of eyes around the league with his impressive vision and competence with the puck. Washington Capitals property in the NHL as well, Orlov has plans to play for Hershey of the AHL provided he is allowed to by his KHL club this season. The tournament team selection is one that really carries a lot of weight as the past 10 selections are as follows: Letang, Johnson, Doughty, Hedman, Karlsson, Subban, Pietrangelo, Carlson, Ellis, and Orlov. Fine company for any defensive prospect to reside with.
6. Carter Ashton - Tri-City Americans (WHL) 46-24-27-51 -12
Ashton, another member of the Canadian WJC team this season, is a project power forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL. Traded this season in the Dub, he has posted highly impressive numbers for an offensively impressive Tri-City squad to the tune of 24 points in 17 games. With the high salary core of the Lightning staying somewhat in tact, it's possible that the duo of Ashton and Connolly could get extended looks in camp next season to round out a highly impressive core of forwards. Ashton has great bloodlines as his father nearly played 1,000 NHL games and Carter looks to be the real deal. He has already scored his first professional goal in a late season experiment with Norfolk of the AHL last season.
7. Brian Dumoulin - Boston College Eagles (NCAA) 28-2-24-26
Dumoulin had a breakout season last year for BC as he played an unheralded role for the eventual National Champion Eagles. As an encore to leading the entire nation in plus minus, Dumoulin has taken his game to another level as a 19 year old Sophomore and scored nearly a point per game for BC and even made an appearance for the United States in the WJC. Dumoulin has been compared to Ryan Whitney in years past, which was not much of a compliment prior to this season, but his physical play and defensive zone smarts are improving. He should return for a Junior season at BC and could possibly be an early candidate for the Hobey Baker if his progression continues.
8. Ryan Stoa - Lake Eerie Monsters (AHL) 48-16-17-33 +5
The former 34th overall pick for the Colorado Avalanche has taken a very deliberate path to the NHL. The big hulking power forward took a while to put it together at the NCAA level but eventually had a breakout season for Minnesota prior to turning professional. In 102 games in the AHL, Stoa has 39 goals and 34 assists for 73 scoring points. He has also played 19 NHL games and tallied 4 times. It should only be a matter of time before Stoa is given at least a full time checking role in the NHL, but how much he scores will dictate where he plays. Time is of the essence for Stoa if he plans to play a Top 6 role for the Avalanche as he must show signs of development.
9. Zach Hamill - Providence Bruins (AHL) 47-4-27-31 +5
Hamill, drafted 8th overall in 2007, is an interesting prospect. While he certainly has a great deal of natural skill, his production has not matched it to this point in his professional career. With Marc Savard going on the long term injured list, opportunity has been there for Hamill to take. He has shown a slow progression in the AHL from a very disappointing start and now seems to be working his way towards viable prospect once again. Things could either go very well for Hamill in the next year or very bad, which could possibly see him lose his prospect status all together. Only time will tell on this former Top 10 pick.
10. Kirill Petrov - Khanty-Mansiysk Yugra (KHL) 46-8-11-19 +2
Petrov remains an intriguing package of talent despite being somewhat of an afterthought when discussing top prospects that play overseas. He was a high risk selection due to his contractual commitment in the KHL that ends this upcoming season. Chances are good that Petrov could play his way into roster consideration for the Islanders as soon as next season, but it's probable that he starts for Bridgeport of the AHL. Petrov has the size and skill to be an effective NHL player, but his lack of North American experience is a bit of a concern.
11. Justin Shugg
12. Colby Robak
13. Marcel Mueller
14. Drew Schiestel
15. Andre Petersson
16. Pavel Valentenko
17. Ivan Vishnevskiy
18. Lance Bouma
19. Michael Chaput
20. Josh Shalla
HM: Craig Cunningham, Ryan Button, Luke Judson, Michael Sgarbossa
The centerpiece of the trade of John Tavares to the Flyers has put in an impressive amount of tallies in the Western league with 36 in 46 games, but his performance in the WJC was a bit questionable in terms of being a Top 10 NHL draft pick and expected offensive force for that squad. He's still the top player in the Capitals organization in terms of pure upside and his play in the WHL has been adequate, but he still has quite a ways to go before he achieves the lofty expectations placed upon him by Lightning GM Steve Yzerman, who took the oft injured Connolly at 6th overall, one pick ahead of break out star Jeff Skinner. Like Skinner, Connolly is a May '92 which puts him about 6 months developmentally behind a lot of his peers already in the 2010 NHL draft and next season should really see him take strides.
2. Zac Dalpe - Charlotte Checkers (AHL) 38-16-20-36 +6
Drafted out of the BCHL, Dalpe has come a long way from his Junior A roots and developed into a sure fire prospect for the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL. At almost a point per game in his rookie AHL season, Dalpe has picked up 3 goals in 15 NHL games this year and shown a very encouraging appreciation for all around offensive ability. The former Ohio State standout is now entering a pivotal point in his development and could earn a full time role in Carolina as early as next season. He has consistently beaten Zach Boychuk, a former first round pick, in almost all measurable categories.
3. Linus Omark - Edmonton Oilers (NHL) 30-3-12-15 -10
Despite being somewhat redundant in an Oilers lineup that includes some very small and very skilled players, Omark has forced his way into the NHL lineup with a very impressive start to the season in the AHL for the Barons. 31 points in 28 games. Omark made waves while scoring in his NHL debut in the shootout with a spin move that drew the ire of many Tampa Bay veterans. The former youtube sensation is attempting to cultivate those talents into more production as his 15 points in 30 NHL games does little to convince the skeptics that he has full time Top 6 upside at the highest level. With Omark, you're sure that you're going to be entertained but his skill level to production ratio has been slightly skewed especially with his -10 rating for the hapless Oilers. A change of scenery may be required.
4. Calvin de Haan - Oshawa Generals (OHL) 43-2-32-34 +11
Calvin de Haan has had a very rough start to his career after his surprising selection at 12th overall by the New York Islanders. The season after his selection, he was operated on for a shoulder injury that required quite a bit of time to heal. Another one of the many Canadian prospects that failed to really impress at the WJC, de Haan is still expected to challenge for a full time roster spot on the Island next season as he physically matures into his frame. de Haan profiles as a potential powerplay quarterback with enough defensive awareness to take regular shifts in even strength situations as well. I am of the opinion that de Haan is still recovering from his shoulder operation and should really burst onto the scene next year.
5. Dmitri Orlov - Kuznetskie Medvedi (KHL) 46-2-10-12 -18
A brilliant WJC performance for the surprising Russian squad has sent Orlov's stock into the stratosphere with a performance that earned him a place on the tournament team. The slick puckhandler and deft passer scored 9 points in 7 games for the Gold winning squad and opened a lot of eyes around the league with his impressive vision and competence with the puck. Washington Capitals property in the NHL as well, Orlov has plans to play for Hershey of the AHL provided he is allowed to by his KHL club this season. The tournament team selection is one that really carries a lot of weight as the past 10 selections are as follows: Letang, Johnson, Doughty, Hedman, Karlsson, Subban, Pietrangelo, Carlson, Ellis, and Orlov. Fine company for any defensive prospect to reside with.
6. Carter Ashton - Tri-City Americans (WHL) 46-24-27-51 -12
Ashton, another member of the Canadian WJC team this season, is a project power forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL. Traded this season in the Dub, he has posted highly impressive numbers for an offensively impressive Tri-City squad to the tune of 24 points in 17 games. With the high salary core of the Lightning staying somewhat in tact, it's possible that the duo of Ashton and Connolly could get extended looks in camp next season to round out a highly impressive core of forwards. Ashton has great bloodlines as his father nearly played 1,000 NHL games and Carter looks to be the real deal. He has already scored his first professional goal in a late season experiment with Norfolk of the AHL last season.
7. Brian Dumoulin - Boston College Eagles (NCAA) 28-2-24-26
Dumoulin had a breakout season last year for BC as he played an unheralded role for the eventual National Champion Eagles. As an encore to leading the entire nation in plus minus, Dumoulin has taken his game to another level as a 19 year old Sophomore and scored nearly a point per game for BC and even made an appearance for the United States in the WJC. Dumoulin has been compared to Ryan Whitney in years past, which was not much of a compliment prior to this season, but his physical play and defensive zone smarts are improving. He should return for a Junior season at BC and could possibly be an early candidate for the Hobey Baker if his progression continues.
8. Ryan Stoa - Lake Eerie Monsters (AHL) 48-16-17-33 +5
The former 34th overall pick for the Colorado Avalanche has taken a very deliberate path to the NHL. The big hulking power forward took a while to put it together at the NCAA level but eventually had a breakout season for Minnesota prior to turning professional. In 102 games in the AHL, Stoa has 39 goals and 34 assists for 73 scoring points. He has also played 19 NHL games and tallied 4 times. It should only be a matter of time before Stoa is given at least a full time checking role in the NHL, but how much he scores will dictate where he plays. Time is of the essence for Stoa if he plans to play a Top 6 role for the Avalanche as he must show signs of development.
9. Zach Hamill - Providence Bruins (AHL) 47-4-27-31 +5
Hamill, drafted 8th overall in 2007, is an interesting prospect. While he certainly has a great deal of natural skill, his production has not matched it to this point in his professional career. With Marc Savard going on the long term injured list, opportunity has been there for Hamill to take. He has shown a slow progression in the AHL from a very disappointing start and now seems to be working his way towards viable prospect once again. Things could either go very well for Hamill in the next year or very bad, which could possibly see him lose his prospect status all together. Only time will tell on this former Top 10 pick.
10. Kirill Petrov - Khanty-Mansiysk Yugra (KHL) 46-8-11-19 +2
Petrov remains an intriguing package of talent despite being somewhat of an afterthought when discussing top prospects that play overseas. He was a high risk selection due to his contractual commitment in the KHL that ends this upcoming season. Chances are good that Petrov could play his way into roster consideration for the Islanders as soon as next season, but it's probable that he starts for Bridgeport of the AHL. Petrov has the size and skill to be an effective NHL player, but his lack of North American experience is a bit of a concern.
11. Justin Shugg
12. Colby Robak
13. Marcel Mueller
14. Drew Schiestel
15. Andre Petersson
16. Pavel Valentenko
17. Ivan Vishnevskiy
18. Lance Bouma
19. Michael Chaput
20. Josh Shalla
HM: Craig Cunningham, Ryan Button, Luke Judson, Michael Sgarbossa
