I'm gonna jack some really good info from NKI's top 120 list along with his ranking. A lot of great info in there. It's on the prospect board if you're interested.
Colin White 25 (6'0")
Keywords, unique identity traits: decently sized two-way C that excels in all three zones and has high-end skating ability
Room for improvement: doesn't translate his toolset into being a consistent offensive zone factor as it would be expected out of a high-end forward prospect
Projection: I'd project White as a 2nd/3rd line two-way center that can play special teams. If he manages to be an offensive factor as he moves up through the ranks then that should solidify his top 6 role, however he should still be capable of playing on the 3rd line as his game should translate relatively well to that role as well if needed.
Paul Bittner 16 (6'4")
Keywords, unique identity traits: size, skill, skating, shot
Room for improvement: inconsistent approach in his physicality, defensive zone effort could be better on a shift-to-shift basis
Projection: I would project him as a top 6 winger with the combo of size, skill, and mobility, that has the potential to be a scorer. If his game doesn't completely come together a 3rd line wing might be a more realistic projection.
Evgeny Svechnikov 34 (6'2")
Keywords, unique identity traits: explosiveness, size, skill
Room for improvement: could utilize frame-size better to protect the puck at the wall, defensive zone awareness could be better, sometimes tries to do too much
Projection: Top 6 skilled power forward and a power play option.
Joel Eriksson-Ek 24 (6'2")
Keywords, unique identity traits: ability to track and support play, compete level, shot and nose for net, can play in traffic and around the net, quick-response time from in-close
Room for improvement: lacks muscle to battle effectively, despite good compete level and 6'2 frame can be overpowered physically as he needs to fill out considerably
Projection: Ideally you would be looking at someone who can project as a 2nd line center with the ability to play both PP and PK. More conservatively he should still be projectable to a 3rd line C role. If the transition to wing would be required, I think there is some chance there that his game would translate to wing as well as he has the size, the smarts, the compete level, and the scoring ability to at least have a fighting chance if the move ever gets considered.
Denis Guryanov 26 (6'2")
Keywords, unique identity traits: sizeable winger with speed and skill, excels in puck protection and in cycle, can gain space through neutral zone with puck handling and speed, great shot and finds soft spots to get it off
Room for improvement: can be prone to overdoing his offensive rushes through transition, tries to gain entry by himself a bit too much, which can result in turnovers
Projection: I'd project Guryanov as having the ability to play as a top 9 winger with size and skill. Good puck protection, can sustain zone time, skates with the puck and can gain space, and does a good job of finding open spaces to get his shot off. Could play on the PP. Probably a better fit for a top 6 role but could make a contribution in a bottom 6 role as well.
Jansen Harkins 19 (6'1")
Keywords, unique identity traits: ability to read the play, mature two-way game and attention to detail, anticipation without the puck
Room for improvement: offensive zone deception and creativity, footwork
Projection: I would project him as a two-way 3rd line center with smarts and a decent compete level that has capability to play on the PK. Provided he improves his footwork, 2nd line C might be an option
Daniel Sprong 29 (6'0")
Keywords, unique identity traits: skill, offensive zone control from the perimeter, lateral agility, deceptive shot
Room for improvement: play without the puck, getting his teammates involved, excessive individualism can make him look like he's playing on an island, could simplify his approach
Projection: I would project him as a top 6 winger and a PP option if he does make it, don't see the skillset for him to be a bottom 6 forward.
Jake DeBrusk 37 (5'11")
Keywords, unique identity traits: scoring winger with high-end offensive instincts from in-close, excellent offensive zone reads and timing around the net, combines that with decent skill and compete level
Room for improvement: defensive zone positioning is fine but could stand to play at a higher intensity in defensive zone, adding strength and size to his frame would aid with his leverage and explosiveness, that should improve both his strength on skates and puck-protection which should in turn make him more projectable to a top 6 role at the NHL level
Projection: If things work out well for DeBrusk I could see him as high as 1st line complimentary scoring wing with his around-the-net instincts, if his overall game and physical fitness reach NHL standards then he would be a perfect complimentary top line winger. More conservatively we would be looking at a 2nd/3rd line scoring wing that can also play on the PP.
Thomas Chabot 15 (6'1")
Keywords, unique identity traits: mobility, puck-movement, poise, low-panic blue liner
Room for improvement: Could stand to add more definition to his game both defensively and offensively. Needs to fill out frame-size. Could have more bite physically in the defensive zone.
Projection: With Chabot, as mentioned, there are really a lot of different "outs" for what he can become. He already has an intriguing skill-set and a very solid foundation to build on, so he could really develop into a variety of roles. The ideal scenario might even have him playing on the top pairing, but with what he is showing now a mobile two-way puckmoving 2nd pair is probably a realistic projection, but it is important to recognize with Chabot that there is upside for more.
Brandon Carlo 18 (6'5")
Keywords, unique identity traits: size, reach, mobility
Room for improvement
evelopmentally, he has to be careful not to be stuck in being only a guy with attractive "tools". Needs to further develop his identity and define himself as a modern shutdown defenseman that can also make plays.
Projection: Big modern defensive defenseman that has mobility and can make a play, depending on how a team has their pairings set up and his development, could play anywhere from a safety-valve even on first pairing if a team likes having a stay-at-home type to pair with a puck-mover, down to a more conservative 3rd pairing projection. Potential for 1st PK unit.
Jakub Zboril 21 (6'0")
Keywords, unique identity traits: positional sense, composure, mature low-maintenance game, willing to physically engage and can move the puck
Room for improvement: at his size needs more snarl around the net, footwork in-tight could be a bit better
Projection: I'd say he can realistically be a two-way guy that leans more to the defensive side of things but is capable of integrating himself and contributing in all zones. A 1st pairing guy in an ideal scenario if he is paired with someone who would do the driving on his pairing, realistically though he is probably going to be your #3 to #5 defenseman that can also play both special teams
Noah Juulsen 49 (6'1")
Keywords, unique identity traits: compete level and intensity, physically involved and is a presence on the ice, mid-sized defenseman that can move the puck and plays with a bit of a snarl
Room for improvement: structure in his game is a work in progress, prone to "overheating" and taking himself out of the play
Projection: I would project him as a two-way physical defenseman that can get involved all over the ice with good mobility and hockey IQ. I think he's a player worth watching going forward to discover whether there is more untapped top 4 potential there. My gut feeling says he could do it.
Gabriel Carlsson 35 (6'4")
Keywords, unique identity traits: big mobile defensive defenseman, competitive and will battle every shift, good defensive stick ability, can make basic solid fundamental plays
Room for improvement: lacks offensive creativity
Projection: I'd project Carlsson as a modern defensive defenseman that isn't deficient at puck-skills or mobility, probably on 2nd or 3rd pairing, but that would be dependant on how a team sets-up their pairings (teams that prefer puck-mover - defensive D look on each pair could utilize a player like Carlsson in their top 4 if he hits his potential). Should have the capability to play on PK and would be best paired with a puck-moving or an offensive defenseman.
Jacob Larsson 17 (6'2")
Keywords, unique identity traits: smooth and fluid puck-moving D plays a smart game, solid size and compete level, heady break-outs, smart in closing down
Room for improvement:jack of all trades master of none means that he might not be more than depth defenseman at the NHL level
Projection: I'd project Larsson at the high-end of his upside as a 2nd pairing two-way/puck-moving defenseman that can play some PP minutes as well as PK
Oliver Kylington 33 (6'1")
Keywords, unique identity traits: skating, shot, unique offensive weapon from the blue-line
Room for improvement: needs to fill out his frame, handling forwards down-low, net presence, gap-control and protecting middle of ice in defensive zone
Projection: Unique offensive weapon from the blue-line, would be best slotted as an offensive weapon that doesn't have to be that all-around #1 defenseman who exhibits control on ice. Realistically, second pairing and 1st powerplay unit. Excellent PP option. Would be best paired with a physical defenseman that has a strong positional sense and can handle forwards down low.
