Joined
·
6,007 Posts
Here is it:
NHL Organisation Rankings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins
Strengths: Dating back to the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, the Penguins have had two first overall, two second overall and a fifth overall draft pick, so it's no surprise they have consistently had one of the better prospect pools in the league. Currently they're loaded at center where they have Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, Maxime Talbot, and Ryan Stone, making this almost certainly the best prospect pool up the middle. Defense is also fairly good despite the graduation of Ryan Whitney, with Noah Welch, Alex Goligoski and Kristopher Letang all showing good pro potential.
Weaknesses: The most glaring shortcoming of the Penguins system is that they have no top goaltending talent, the highest ranked being Bobby Goepfert. Colby Armstrong is their only strong prospect on the wing, but they do have a number of third and fourth line potential wingers such as Jonathan Filewich, Michael Gergen and Daniel Carcillo.
Top Five Prospects: Evgeni Malkin (C), Jordan Staal (C), Colby Armstrong (RW), Noah Welch (D), Alex Goligoski (D)
Key Graduates: Ryan Whitney (D)
2. Los Angeles Kings
Strengths: Over the last year, the Kings have lost a number of top prospects to trade (Jeff Tambellini, Denis Grebeshkov, Tim Gleason) or graduation (Mike Cammalleri, Dustin Brown), however, they made two key offseason acquisitions that buoy their ranking greatly in Patrick O'Sullivan from the Wild and Jack Johnson from the Hurricanes. They also have a number of big and talented forwards including Anze Kopitar, Brian Boyle, and Lauri Tukonen. Behind Johnson on defense, the Kings have Richard Petiot, who has a season of NHL and AHL under his belt, and T.J. Fast and Joe Ryan, who each have some potential to be effective pros one day.
Weaknesses: In goal, Jonathan Bernier has the potential to possibly be an NHL starter as he continues to develop well in the QMJHL. Others are projects: Jonathan Quick is developing in college, and Barry Brust has yet to break out and show he belongs as a pro. At right wing, the Kings have Tukonen and Petr Kanko, but this position as a whole is not as good as some other organizations.
Key Graduates: Patrick O'Sullivan (C), Anze Kopitar (C), Brian Boyle (C), Lauri Tukonen (RW), Jonathan Bernier (G) with Jack Johnson (D) added after Top 20 ranking.
Key Graduates: None
3. Chicago Blackhawks
Strengths: The Blackhawks have been able to build a deep pool of prospects through the entry draft. Center is the position of greatest depth for the organization, with Toews heading up an enviable list. Of the Top 20 prospects, 18 have developed their skills on North American ice, showing a real change in approach from previous regimes. Five players (Cam Barker, David Bolland, Dan Bertram and Michael Blunden) were members of the gold-medal winning Canadian team at the 2006 WJC, while Jack Skille was a member of Team USA.
Weaknesses: If there is a question mark within the system, it may be in goal. The depth Chicago built up at this position is mostly out of the system now, but two college goalies in Joe Fallon and Joe Palmer could be the answer. Left wing lacks depth as well.
Top Five Prospects: Cam Barker (D), Jonathan Toews (C), David Bolland (C), Jack Skille (RW), Corey Crawford (G)
Key Graduates: Brent Seabrook (D)
4. Washington Capitals
Strengths: The Capitals have several forwards with great potential. Alexander Semin is a very skilled offensive winger who is making his return to the NHL in dramatic fashion. Nicklas Backstrom was the team’s first-round pick in 2006 and should be close to contributing. Eric Fehr has all the makings of a terrific sniper, and Tomas Fleischmann has been a big contributor at the AHL level. On the blue line, former first rounder Mike Green is now in the NHL full time.
Weaknesses: Washington lacks the overall depth that the other top organizations have, with more suspects than prospects past the top dozen or so. After Green, there is a significant drop-off among the defensive prospects.
Top Five Prospects: Nicklas Backstrom (C), Alexander Semin (LW), Mike Green (D), Eric Fehr (RW), Tomas Fleischmann (LW)
Key Graduates: none
5. Columbus Blue Jackets
Strengths: Even with the graduation of Dan Fritsche, the Blue Jackets system is still well stocked with both skilled and gritty forwards including Gilbert Brule, Derick Brassard, Adam Pineault, and Alexandre Picard. In goal, Pascal Leclaire is performing well in the NHL. Both Aaron Johnson and Ole Kristian Tollefsen made the team out of camp on the blue line, and Kris Russell was named the WHL’s top defenseman last season.
Weaknesses: Goaltending is an area of concern for the Blue Jackets. After Leclaire there are some middle-range pro prospects in net like Dan Lacosta, Tomas Popperle and Steve Mason. Restocking on defense after some imminent graduations will be important in the upcoming draft.
Top Five Prospects: Gilbert Brule (C), Pascal Leclaire (G), Derick Brassard (C), Adam Pineault, (RW), Alexandre Picard (LW)
Key Graduates: Dan Fritsche (C)
Those are the top Five.
Info on the rest of the 25 teams can be read here:
Hockey's Future: The Hockey Prospects Resource (Covering the WHL, QMJHL,AHL, OHL, College, The NHL Entry Draft, and All Junior Hockey)
NHL Organisation Rankings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins
Strengths: Dating back to the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, the Penguins have had two first overall, two second overall and a fifth overall draft pick, so it's no surprise they have consistently had one of the better prospect pools in the league. Currently they're loaded at center where they have Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, Maxime Talbot, and Ryan Stone, making this almost certainly the best prospect pool up the middle. Defense is also fairly good despite the graduation of Ryan Whitney, with Noah Welch, Alex Goligoski and Kristopher Letang all showing good pro potential.
Weaknesses: The most glaring shortcoming of the Penguins system is that they have no top goaltending talent, the highest ranked being Bobby Goepfert. Colby Armstrong is their only strong prospect on the wing, but they do have a number of third and fourth line potential wingers such as Jonathan Filewich, Michael Gergen and Daniel Carcillo.
Top Five Prospects: Evgeni Malkin (C), Jordan Staal (C), Colby Armstrong (RW), Noah Welch (D), Alex Goligoski (D)
Key Graduates: Ryan Whitney (D)
2. Los Angeles Kings
Strengths: Over the last year, the Kings have lost a number of top prospects to trade (Jeff Tambellini, Denis Grebeshkov, Tim Gleason) or graduation (Mike Cammalleri, Dustin Brown), however, they made two key offseason acquisitions that buoy their ranking greatly in Patrick O'Sullivan from the Wild and Jack Johnson from the Hurricanes. They also have a number of big and talented forwards including Anze Kopitar, Brian Boyle, and Lauri Tukonen. Behind Johnson on defense, the Kings have Richard Petiot, who has a season of NHL and AHL under his belt, and T.J. Fast and Joe Ryan, who each have some potential to be effective pros one day.
Weaknesses: In goal, Jonathan Bernier has the potential to possibly be an NHL starter as he continues to develop well in the QMJHL. Others are projects: Jonathan Quick is developing in college, and Barry Brust has yet to break out and show he belongs as a pro. At right wing, the Kings have Tukonen and Petr Kanko, but this position as a whole is not as good as some other organizations.
Key Graduates: Patrick O'Sullivan (C), Anze Kopitar (C), Brian Boyle (C), Lauri Tukonen (RW), Jonathan Bernier (G) with Jack Johnson (D) added after Top 20 ranking.
Key Graduates: None
3. Chicago Blackhawks
Strengths: The Blackhawks have been able to build a deep pool of prospects through the entry draft. Center is the position of greatest depth for the organization, with Toews heading up an enviable list. Of the Top 20 prospects, 18 have developed their skills on North American ice, showing a real change in approach from previous regimes. Five players (Cam Barker, David Bolland, Dan Bertram and Michael Blunden) were members of the gold-medal winning Canadian team at the 2006 WJC, while Jack Skille was a member of Team USA.
Weaknesses: If there is a question mark within the system, it may be in goal. The depth Chicago built up at this position is mostly out of the system now, but two college goalies in Joe Fallon and Joe Palmer could be the answer. Left wing lacks depth as well.
Top Five Prospects: Cam Barker (D), Jonathan Toews (C), David Bolland (C), Jack Skille (RW), Corey Crawford (G)
Key Graduates: Brent Seabrook (D)
4. Washington Capitals
Strengths: The Capitals have several forwards with great potential. Alexander Semin is a very skilled offensive winger who is making his return to the NHL in dramatic fashion. Nicklas Backstrom was the team’s first-round pick in 2006 and should be close to contributing. Eric Fehr has all the makings of a terrific sniper, and Tomas Fleischmann has been a big contributor at the AHL level. On the blue line, former first rounder Mike Green is now in the NHL full time.
Weaknesses: Washington lacks the overall depth that the other top organizations have, with more suspects than prospects past the top dozen or so. After Green, there is a significant drop-off among the defensive prospects.
Top Five Prospects: Nicklas Backstrom (C), Alexander Semin (LW), Mike Green (D), Eric Fehr (RW), Tomas Fleischmann (LW)
Key Graduates: none
5. Columbus Blue Jackets
Strengths: Even with the graduation of Dan Fritsche, the Blue Jackets system is still well stocked with both skilled and gritty forwards including Gilbert Brule, Derick Brassard, Adam Pineault, and Alexandre Picard. In goal, Pascal Leclaire is performing well in the NHL. Both Aaron Johnson and Ole Kristian Tollefsen made the team out of camp on the blue line, and Kris Russell was named the WHL’s top defenseman last season.
Weaknesses: Goaltending is an area of concern for the Blue Jackets. After Leclaire there are some middle-range pro prospects in net like Dan Lacosta, Tomas Popperle and Steve Mason. Restocking on defense after some imminent graduations will be important in the upcoming draft.
Top Five Prospects: Gilbert Brule (C), Pascal Leclaire (G), Derick Brassard (C), Adam Pineault, (RW), Alexandre Picard (LW)
Key Graduates: Dan Fritsche (C)
Those are the top Five.
Info on the rest of the 25 teams can be read here:
Hockey's Future: The Hockey Prospects Resource (Covering the WHL, QMJHL,AHL, OHL, College, The NHL Entry Draft, and All Junior Hockey)
