Edmonton Oilers
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: Position: C Ht: 6’1 Wt: 175 Age: 18
The crown jewel of the 2011 NHL entry draft went to the Edmonton Oilers for the second time in two years. With the selection of Taylor Hall first overall in the previous draft, Edmonton added another future star in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. There are some other good prospects in the Oilers system, including Jeff Petry, Linus Omark and fellow 2011 first round draft choice Oscar Klefbom, but the skill and potential that RNH possess are unrivaled. Nugent-Hopkins wasn’t the clear cut number one pick in the months preceding the draft. The likes of Adam Larsson, Gabriel Landeskog and Sean Couturier were all gunning for the prestige of the top selection, but RHN proved throughout the season that he was the most worthy to be the number one pick. In Nugent-Hopkins, the Oilers get a playmaking center with excellent hockey IQ to go with their already star-studded group of youngsters. RNH can prove to be one of the best additions to the Oilers line-up in a long time.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins started impressing people early on in his hockey career. Playing for the Burnaby Winter Club Bruins, RNH potted 119 goals and notched 95 assists for a whopping 214 points in only 66 games. Those numbers along with his potential made him the 1st overall pick in the WHL Bantam draft by the Red Deer Rebels in 2008. In the 2009-2010 season, Nugent-Hopkins scored 24 goals and added 41 assists for just under a point per game with 65 points in 67 games. RNH was also named WHL rookie of the year, and narrowly lost out for CHL rookie of the year to Matt Puempel. Playing at only 17 years old most of the season, Nugent-Hopkins had a great season by totalling 31 goals and 75 assists for 106 points in 69 games, and though Red Deer had a short playoff run, he still tallied 9 points in just 7 games. Though RNH missed the cut for the World Juniors roster for Canada, he played in the CHL Subway Super Series, and the Home Hardware Prospect Game, earning player of the game in the latter. RNH also played in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and proved that he has big game ability too. He scored 5 goals and 2 assists in 5 games, and also scored the the game-winning goal in the Gold Medal game vs the U.S.
There is some debate over whether Nugent-Hopkins will play in the NHL this season. Some say he does not have NHL-ready size yet, but his numbers overshadow that factor. There have been many undersized prospect, like Jeff Skinner last season, who have impressed in their rookie season. If RNH returns to the WHL in 2011-2012, he will be the first draft pick since Erik Johnson in 2006 to not go straight to the NHL after being selected first overall. Nugent-Hopkins has the ability to play in the big leagues right now, but it is all up to the Oilers staff whether to let him develop more or start his career now. With names such as Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Magnus Paajarvi on the Oilers roster, RNH could jump right in and fit in with those second year players, especially if he is playing on a line with one or two of them. Though some do not consider RNH an elite player, he wouldn’t have to be elite in his first year is he is centering the likes of Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle. Anyone who is compared to Joe Sakic and Pavel Datsyuk, as RNH is, definately have a chance of being an elite player. Nugent-Hopkins possesses the amazing vision needed to be an all-star center, a great hockey IQ, and is also responsible in his defensive zone. With the cast of young talent that will be surrounding Nugent-Hopkins once he is in the NHL, there is a good chance he will be a Calder finalist and a 90 + point player down the road.
Hockey News
A busy few days regarding NHL news.
-Teemu Selanne will return to the Anaheim Ducks for at least one more season.
- Brad Marchand (BOS), Zach Bogosian (WPG), Luke Schenn (TOR) and Josh Bailey (NYI) have agreed to contracts with their respective teams.
- John Tavares (6 years with NYI) and Tyler Myers (7 years with BUF) have agreed to contract extensions
- NHL prospects tournaments such as Traverse City, Young Stars, Oshawa Rookie and Florida Rookie are rapping up while rookies competing in those games are making names for themselves.
- One of the two survivors of the tragic Lokomotiv plane crash, Alexander Galimov, passed away after suffering from burns from the crash. He will be dearly missed along with the rest of the Lokomotiv team and plane crew. RIP Alexander Galimov
Goaltending is a normal job, sure. How would you like it in your job if every time you made a small mistake, a red light went on over your desk and 15,000 people stood up and yelled at you.
Detroit Red Wings
Tomas Tatar: Position: C/LW Ht: 5’11 Wt: 176 Age: 20
This was one of the toughest picks yet. With a Detroit farm system that loves to develop prospects very slowly, you never know when you’ll see a full season out of any of their promising picks. Also following the Detroit drafting prowess, late pick Tomas Tatar (not that late, 60th overall in 2009) tops the Red Wings prospect system. Tatar is a gifted forward who can play center or wing. Hailing from Slovakia, Tatar shows the most promise out of a prospect pool that includes Brendan Smith, Teemu Pulkkinen and fellow countryman Tomas Jurco. The wings have always been known to find talent later in the draft, and Tatar is a perfect example. And with a mostly veteran Red Wings team, Tatar’s time to shine will come sooner rather than later.
While somewhat undersized, Tatar makes up for his build with his scoring and playmaking ability. In his native country, Tatar put up tremendous numbers with Dukla Trencin U-18 in 2006-2007 with 33 goals and 44 assists in 48 games. The following season, he built on his goal scoring numbers by tallying 41 goals in just 42 games. After Tatar was drafted in 2009, he went straight to the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins, and did not look out of place. as an 18 year old rookie playing amongst full grown men and seasoned veterans, he registered 32 points in 58 games, with 16 goals and 16 assists. Once again Tatar would build on those totals with a great total of 24 goals and 33 assists in 70 games. Tatar also earned a 9 game call-up to the big leagues last season. Though he only totalled one goal, he showed promise and the flashes of brilliance that the Wings drafted him for.
The Red Wings have two elite forwards in Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, plus some secondary scoring in Johan Franzen, Todd Bertuzzi and Valtteri Filppula. Though an injury call-up might be what Tatar needs to get back on the Wings NHL roster, a strong training camp and preseason showing can get him there as well, and there is a good chance of the latter. With his great puck-handling skills, good speed, and deadly shot, there is no reason Tatar shouldn’t be a top six forward within the next year or two. Veteran presence on the Wings will help develop and guide Tatar to reaching his full potential. In the end, Tatar’s hard work ethic will help him become one of the next European Red Wings superstars, and we know how well the Wings do in that category.
Dallas Stars
Jack Campbell: Position: G Ht: 6’3 Wt: 175 Age: 19
The first goaltender on this list headlines the Dallas Stars as top prospect. While it was a bit of a tough decision, Jack Campbell is ultimately the Stars top prospect, and future of the organization. Other up and comers, including Scott Glennie, Philip Larsen and 2011 first round pick Jamie Oleksiak have good potential, but Campbell has more upside than the other prospects and can contribute more once he makes the team. Dallas has needed a franchise goalie since Marty Turco started running out of gas, and Campbell will be that goalie. Kari Lehtonen is too injury prone, and though he does put up decent numbers, he is not the top notch goalie that the Stars need.
Campbell, who was born in Michigan, came up playing in the US NTDP and impressed at every level. For the under 18 squad, Campbell posted a terriffc 1.71 GAA and a .950 SV% in 7 games, winning every one of them. The next season in the USHL, he posted a 2.21 GAA, a .917 SV% and a 6-3-1 record. But perhaps his best attributes is his play during high pressure situations. In three World Juniors tournaments while representing the U.S, Campbell has an amazing combined record of 13-3, posting goals against averages of 0.75, 0.83 and 1.70. respectively. He won gold with the U.S. in the first two Under 18 WJC tournaments, and bronze in the Under 20 WJC tournament, while also earning the MVP award and best goaltender award.
Campbell struggled in his first OHL season with the Windsor Spitfires. his statistics were less than stellar, but once the playoffs came around, Campbell turned it up again. Though the Spifires were eventually eliminated, Campbell proved that he has the tools to become an elite goalie in the NHL. Campbell has great glove, blocker puck-handling and passing skills, but perhaps his best skill is his compete level. He never gives up on a play and is always striving to be the best he can. Traits like those are what separate the “almost” all-stars from the perennial all-stars. Young goaltenders usually stay in the CHL or AHL for a few years before they get the chance to play in the NHL, and the Stars will follow that trend with Campbell. There is no reason to rush a young goaltender into a stressful situation when he isn’t physically or mentally ready yet. While it is so hard to predict goal-tending talent nowadays, Campbell will be a top goaltender soon enough. It might be a couple of years before we see even one start from him, but he will shine once he has the chance to on the NHL stage.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Ryan Johansen: Position: C Ht: 6’2 Wt: 192 Age: 19
Ryan Johansen is by far Columbus’ top prospect. Ever since the Jackets came into the league, they have lacked a true #1 center. With Jeff Carter now on the roster, Columbus can use Carter on the first line and bring up Johansen slowly, and not putting astronomical expectations on him right away. There are several defensive prospects in the Jackets farm system, including David Savard and John Moore, but as much as Columbus needs a defensive boost right now, Johansen still reigns supreme as the top prospect by a long shot.
Johansen is a big center with excellent vision and goal scoring ability. He rose through the draft ranks during the 2009-2010 season and his play was rewarded by being selected 4th overall by Columbus. Although he “failed” to make the team during training camp, Johansen went back and lit up the WHL with the Portland Winterhawks. Building off his rookie season in 2009-2010, Johansen lit the lamp 40 times (as compared to 25 in his rookie season) and added 52 assists for a great total of 92 points in only 63 games. Based on his progression, Johansen will only get better with time. He has also proved that he can produce in post-season and tournament play, scoring 28 points in 21 playoff games for the Winterhawks last season, and netting 9 points in 7 games for Canada in the World Juniors.
Rick Nash has needed a number one center on his line for a long time now. Jeff Carter can possibly fill that role for now, but Johansen’s style of play fits better with Nash and he will be that number one center soon enough. Another possible scenario is a line of Carter on the right wing, Johansen at center and Nash on the left wing, making that one of the best lines in hockey if Johansen lives up to his potential. Johansen’s style of play has been compared to Ottawa Senators Jason Spezza, but he also possesses the size and skill to get to the dirty areas to score, making him an interesting playmaker/power forward combination. Puck moving and vision skills put Johansen not only at the top of the Blue Jackets prospect ranks, but also the entire NHL’s prospect ranks. If Johansen can find his rhythm with the new look Blue Jackets, count him in as a Calder front-runner this year.
Colorado Avalanche
Stefan Elliott: Position: D Ht: 6’1 Wt: 185 Age: 20
While everyone is already considering Gabriel Landeskog the Av’s top prospect, I’m going to have to go with Stefan Elliott. I say this, not because I don’t think Landeskog will make the team, he will make the team this season, but I think the area that can be most improved is Colorado’s back end. The Av’s have a lot of young talent up front already in Matt Duchene, Paul Stastny, Ryan O’Reilly, David Jones and possibly Peter Mueller. While on the back end, Erik Johnson is their best player and John-Michael Liles is gone. Colorado needs an emerging defensive superstar who can quarter-back the power play, move the puck and protect in his own zone. That D-man is Stefan Elliott.
Elliott is one of the best defensemen not playing in the NHL right now. his numbers in the WHL speak for them self. Since his first full season with the Saskatoon Blades in 2007-2008, Elliott has steadily put up more points year after year. His totals from last season are great, netting 31 goals and 50 assists in 71 games. 31 goals would be a good total for some forwards in the WHL, and Elliot did it from the back end. He was also a plus 41 for the season, showing he has grown more and more responsible in his own end. Elite, two-way defensemen are starting to dominate this league, and Elliott is showing he can be one of those D-men
The core for the Avalanche is young. They do have some veteran presence in Milan Hejduk, J.S. Giguere, and recently signed Jan Hejda, but their future lies in the hands of their future stars. Although the Av’s have signed a number of defense-man this off-season, including re-signing Kyle Cumiskey today, none of them are anywhere near top two, or even top four D-men. I think Elliott can make the jump to the pros with ease and would consider him a dark horse candidate for the Calder Trophy this season. Stefan Elliot will be a part of that young, upcoming superstar group that includes Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog, and Erik Johnson.
Chicago Blackhawks
Jeremy Morin: Position: LW Ht: 6’1 Wt: 189 Age: 20
This pick was rather tough. While the Blackhawks have a lot of great young players, many of them are not prospects anymore. As I am not completely sold on Chicago’s top defensive prospect, Nick Leddy, I had to go with Jeremy Morin. Morin is a gritty winger with a great goal scoring ability. He put up good numbers throughout his years on the U.S. National Under 18 Team, and then took it to the next level in the OHL.
Playing 58 games for the Kitchener Rangers, Morin potted 47 goals along with 36 assists for a total of 83 points. Combine that with 76 PIMs and you’ve got a good sized tough goal scorer who isn’t afraid to finish his checks or drop his gloves. This past season, Morin played 22 games in the AHL and 9 games in the NHL. He totaled 3 points in the NHL and 12 points in the AHL, a nice total for a young player competing for minutes on both teams. A concussion in January de-railed him for the remainder of the 2010-2011 season, but it looks like Morin is fine and is ready to compete.
The Blackhawks posses a lot of talent and toughness on there roster. While it could be difficult for Morin to find ice time on this stacked roster, his playing style fits in well and a could training camp can propel him onto the roster. From there, Morin could put up good numbers if paired with many of the talented Chicago players, or could provide tenacity and energy on the third or fourth line. After a few years though, I think he will be an integral part of the Blackhawks roster.
Carolina Hurricanes
Zac Dalpe: Position: C Ht: 6’1 Wt: 195 Age: 21
While a certain Hurricanes forward dazzled us last year by winning the Calder Trophy at 18 years old, another Carolina forward could be stepping up to wow us this season. This prospect, however, has been slowly waiting to make a splash in the NHL since he was drafted 45th overall in 2008. Zac Dalpe has some experience already, with 70 AHL games and 15 NHL games under his belt, but I’m hoping to see a full NHL season from this prospect in 2011-2012. In 61 AHL games last season, Dalpe put up 23 goals and 34 assist for the Charlotte Checkers. Those 57 points ranked him third overall for points scored amongst AHL rookies.
Though his 4 points in 15 NHL games aren’t anything special, his production at other levels has shown that he has the talent of a top six forward. If Dalpe gets more ice time this season than last (he only averaged 7:56 per game), I can see him battling with the other top rookies in the league for a Calder nomination. There is a big talent drop off in Carolina after the first line center spot. If Dalpe can prove that he is capable of playing a second line center, or possibly RW role, he will most likely be there to stay for a while. Dalpe has good size and great goal scoring ability. He also proved he can perform in high pressure situations, by scoring a hat trick for Canada West in the final game of the World Junior A Challenge.
While there are some other prospects that are close to NHL ready, mainly D-men such as Brian Dumoulin, Juston Faulk and the recently drafted Ryan Murphy, Zac Dalpe is the top prospect for the Hurricanes coming into this season. Should he find chemistry with the likes of Jeff Skinner, Jussi Jokinen, Eric Staal, or even the recently aquired Alexei Ponikarovsky, I can see a well rounded statistical season coming from Dalpe.
