HF Article: Top 20 Prospects

http://hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=8431&mode=threaded&order=0

This really should have been done a while back, but then things kept changing, first with Jordan Smith and then the trades of Joel Perrault and Brett Skinner. For the record, I originally had Smith in at 8 and Perrault was 16.

I don't know about dropping Hynes so far, but I wasn't sure where else to put him. The number of injuries throughout this list made it had to rank players, because so many players have missed significant time.

I really like this list, I think it's a very strong group.

Anyway, enjoy.

Ryan still ahead of Getzlaf? I just don't understand that.

O'Brien behind Rome and Brent is slightly puzzling as well.

I understand Ryan ahead of Getzlaf. I may not agree, but it's definitely a legiment argument. However, I think Penner should be #5.

What do you guys think of Salcido? Seems like a draft day steal.

Keep in mind it's about trying to predict future development.

I'm of the thinking that at the end of their careers Bobby Ryan will be considered a "better" player then Ryan Getzlaf. The way I am looking at it is that Bobby Ryan is dominating a league offensively like Corey Perry did, but with the physical tools of Ryan Getzlaf. All of the slights on Bobby Ryan's game are ones that will come around with time. Obviously it's difficult because Getzlaf/Perry are playing in the NHL now and Ryan is still in junior, but the list is based on long-term impact. This isn't a slight on Getzlaf or Perry as I feel they'll be around for a long time as well.

That thought process goes the same for Shane O'Brien. I think he has worked out very well for an eighth round pick, but at the same time, I think his NHL ceiling is a #5-7 defenseman. Then when factoring Rome and Brent using the rankings they all come out as 6.0, bottom pairing defensemen and third line forwards. I personally feel that Rome and Brent has tools to move up on their ranking a bit, like for Brent to be a very good third liner or Rome to be a solid #5 defenseman. They are all very close and I can understand arguing them the other way. It's very difficult, because after the top six, there is a very obvious drop where you find a lot of players who all seem to bring the same qualities and a lot of question marks.

Penner was the hardest player to rank, no question. He has a history of beating the odds and obviously this has been a huge breakout year for him. However, Mikkelson's scouting report has him as a very strong player and everyone who I talked to about him agreed. Because Penner's ascent was so sudden, and Mikkelson's injury troubles deep sixed his season, I put them as such. My feeling was Mikkelson hadn't played enough to get a very accurate read on him, so I had to rely a bit more on what the expectations were after the draft. I don't think this season was enough to call Mikkelson 'injury prone', but it is a situation that will need to be watched closely. If Mikkelson continues to have injury troubles and Penner continues to play at a high level, or even raises his game further, you'll probably see them switch.

Ryan's season is nothing like Perry's, though. Perry had his foot on the gas all year. Ryan has split his season in half, good and bad.

Good job Forbesy, I like the list!

To bad about Mikkelson's injurys, hopefully he can stay healthy next year and play for Canada at the WJC. Kondratiev will probably be gone soon so like Korsunov before him, maybe he is taking up a spot.

looks like Burke is doing pretty well with number 10 and 11 on the list being people he brought in!

Great job foresby. Excellent read! :) :handclap:

The future looks bright!!! :D

Living in Portland, Maine, I had the chance to see Dustin Penner several times this season and was very impressed.

He's not the classic power forward in the Cam Neely snarly mode, but is a player with good finesse skills and hockey sense in addition to a 240 pound frame.

He's very strong along the boards and while he wont bring you outa your seat, I believe he can be a 25 goal man at the NHL level.

Penner worked out from time to time in the same gym that I work out in. I've been weight lifting forever and he's at least 40 pounds stronger than I am in all heavy lifts. He was also casually doing crunches with 2 - 45 pound plates across his gut.

With his strong work ethic and skills, the Duck's unearthed a solid 2nd line potential left wing.

I only wish the Bruin's had unearthered him.

My initial reaction:

Glencross and O'brien are a bit low. I'm telling you Glenncross has the ability to be an elite 3rd liner, which is very valueable. He has the potential to give you 15-20 goals, physical play, and solid defensive play although I understand the injury concerns.. O'brien is showing some previously unknown offensive skills, and he's always been regarded as a solid defensive guy. His mean streak can go two ways but if he gets that under control I see no reason why he's not here next year.

I feel Glencross and O'brien are far more likely to be successful NHL players than Brent and Kondratiev IMO.

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I understand Ryan ahead of Getzlaf. I may not agree, but it's definitely a legiment argument. However, I think Penner should be #5.
Well hopefully in a few years Corey, Ryan, and Bobby are dominating the league.

A few things:

-I'm done arguing that Getzlaf and Perry should be ahead of Ryan. Hopefully they will both graduate before the next top 20 is made.

-I don't know how Levasseur can be 7th and Bouthillette can't crack the top 20. There isn't that big of gap between the two goalies.

-Glad to finally see Korsunov removed from the top 20, he is never coming over here.

-Parenteau ahead of Glencross makes me laugh...hehe...Glencross is a legit NHL prospect someone that could play on an NHL third line for 10 years. Parenteau is an AHLer. Same thing with Ryan Shannon being ahead of Glencross...come on Shannon is an AHL star that just doesn't have the game for the NHL that Glencross does.

A few things:

-I'm done arguing that Getzlaf and Perry should be ahead of Ryan. Hopefully they will both graduate before the next top 20 is made.

-I don't know how Levasseur can be 7th and Bouthillette can't crack the top 20. There isn't that big of gap between the two goalies.

-Glad to finally see Korsunov removed from the top 20, he is never coming over here.

-Parenteau ahead of Glencross makes me laugh...hehe...Glencross is a legit NHL prospect someone that could play on an NHL third line for 10 years. Parenteau is an AHLer. Same thing with Ryan Shannon being ahead of Glencross...come on Shannon is an AHL star that just doesn't have the game for the NHL that Glencross does.
I could see Shannon being like McDonald. Shannons upside could be that of a 2nd liner, but Glencross could be an elite 3rd liner, a poor mans Morrow if you will..

I'm done arguing that Getzlaf and Perry should be ahead of Ryan. Hopefully they will both graduate before the next top 20 is made.
Don't think you'll luck out with that one. We've got 20 games left, and they've got 36/37 games. They won't pass the 65 game mark with out a play off run, and the chances are we won't get that. There'll be the post draft top 20 for you to endure.

Don't think you'll luck out with that one. We've got 20 games left, and they've got 36/37 games. They won't pass the 65 game mark with out a play off run, and the chances are we won't get that. There'll be the post draft top 20 for you to endure.

man the HF prospect number is way to high...65 :shakehead

I hate seeing established NHLers on all these top 20s.

man the HF prospect number is way to high...65 :shakehead

I hate seeing established NHLers on all these top 20s.
I don't know about you, but I won't call a guy 'established' until they've been in the league about two years. If you lower the 65 game limit, then some guys would pass it with injury call-ups over a few years.

man the HF prospect number is way to high...65 :shakehead

I hate seeing established NHLers on all these top 20s.

Where would you see the line?

Would you consider Penner a prospect?
How about Kondratiev?

I don't know about you, but I won't call a guy 'established' until they've been in the league about two years. If you lower the 65 game limit, then some guys would pass it with injury call-ups over a few years.

I don't know about that.

I wanna see prospects on these lists, not guys like Crosby, Ovechkin and Phaneuf. They are NHLers.

Where would you see the line?

Would you consider Penner a prospect?
How about Kondratiev?

Maybe 40 games instead of 65.

I was just listening to Burke on the radio, and he said Smid will definitely be playing in Anaheim next year. Even went as far as to say Smid has the best hockey sense of any defensemen in the organization besides Niedermayer.

Also said great things about Getzlaf, Perry, Lupul, Ryan, and Shannon.

I was just listening to Burke on the radio, and he said Smid will definitely be playing in Anaheim next year. Even went as far as to say Smid has the best hockey sense of any defensemen in the organization besides Niedermayer.

Also said great things about Getzlaf, Perry, Lupul, Ryan, and Shannon.

Wow, that is quite a statement for Burke to make. Shows just how much he thinks of the young man. :clap:

GL to all of them! :)

Though it will be a shame that DiPenta will probably not be re-signed because of this. He has played extremely well for the Ducks.

I was just listening to Burke on the radio, and he said Smid will definitely be playing in Anaheim next year. Even went as far as to say Smid has the best hockey sense of any defensemen in the organization besides Niedermayer.

Also said great things about Getzlaf, Perry, Lupul, Ryan, and Shannon.
I'm happy to hear that he thinks that about Smid. Quite aside from my opinion of his trading prowess, I have come to trust his ability to evaluate talent.

I'm happy to hear that he thinks that about Smid. Quite aside from my opinion of his trading prowess, I have come to trust his ability to evaluate talent.
In Burke we trust.

I'm happy to hear that he thinks that about Smid. Quite aside from my opinion of his trading prowess, I have come to trust his ability to evaluate talent.
Well he basically credited the scouting staff mostly. I think we fans give too much credit to gm's and blame them too much as well, but that goes with the GM title I guess.

To some extent you're right, but we've had mediocre talent here for 12 years for the most part.

Maybe I'm placing too much emphasis on the whole Beauchemin diamond-in-the-rough thing.

I've only seen Smid during the WJC but he was easily the best player on that Czech team and just watching a few games, you could tell his hockey sense is through the roof for a guy his age. Very happy they took him instead of Thelen :biglaugh:

I've only seen Smid during the WJC but he was easily the best player on that Czech team and just watching a few games, you could tell his hockey sense is through the roof for a guy his age. Very happy they took him instead of Thelen :biglaugh:

Those years in the Czech Senior League have seem to really benefit him. Of course in the WJCs this year, he was there for the third time and was one of the only North American pro players there.