Hockey's Future - The #1 Online Prospects Resource

1St. Louis Blues

Strengths: The Blues continue to have one of the deepest and most talented prospect pipelines in the league. St Louis added the offensively-gifted David Rundblad in the first round of the 2009 draft to compliment a blue line that already features future cornerstone Alex Pietrangelo as well as solid prospects Ian Cole and Cade Fairchild. Up front, talented forwards like Lars Eller, Aaron Palushaj, and Brett Sonne continue to develop. Jake Allen seized the top spot among the goalie prospects. Weaknesses: Depth on the left wing is somewhat lacking. Depth in goal could also be a concern. Ben Bishop's stock fell after an uneven rookie season. Questions about how prolific forwards such as Sonne and Palushaj will translate to the pro ranks should be answered this season. Top 5 Prospects: 1. Alex Pietrangelo, D, 2. Lars Eller, LW, 3. Ian Cole, D, 4. Aaron Palushaj, RW, 5. David Rundblad, D.

2Nashville Predators

Strengths: Nashville has a top goalie prospect in Chet Pickard as well as a top forward prospect in Colin Wilson. The Predators' blue line prospect pool, however, is still among the deepest and most talented in the entire league. Jon Blum, Ryan Ellis, Cody Franson, and Charles-Olivier Roussel all project as skilled offensive defensemen. Wilson and Zach Budish headline the Predators' forward group, which is rounded out by players like Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling. Behind Pickard, Nashville boasts other solid goalie prospects in Mark Dekanich and Anders Lindback. Weaknesses: Their best prospects on defense are decidedly offensive-minded, and they lack the shut-down defender. The emphasis on skill along the blue line has not necessarily carried over to the forwards. After Wilson, the forwards drop off in quality. Top 5 Prospects: 1. Colin Wilson, C, 2. Chet Pickard, G, 3. Jon Blum, D, 4. Ryan Ellis, D, 5. Cody Franson, D

3New York Rangers

Strengths: The Blueshirts' blueline is the jewel of the system. Ryan McDonagh was a key acquisition in the offseason from Montreal, and welcome defensive addition to go with Michael Del Zotto, Bobby Sanguinetti, and Hobey Baker winner Matt Gilroy. Russian power forward Evgeny Grachev has begun to emerge as a powerhouse in junior. The 19-year-old is the organization's top-flight scorer. Fellow Russian Artem Anisimov is also highly prized, and has begun his rookie campaign this season after a dominant year last year in the AHL. McDonagh's teammate with the University of Wisconsin, forward Derek Stepan, also turned heads as a freshman last year. Weaknesses: The biggest deficit in the system is in goal. With three netminding prospects in the organization, none have distinguished themselves. With difficulty as of late cultivating their own draft choices at the position, free agent Chad Johnson, a Hobey nominee, is the team's best bet as of now. Top 5 prospects: 1. Evgeny Grachev, C, 2. Artem Anisimov, C, 3. Ryan McDonagh, D, 4. Derek Stepan, C, 5. Michael Del Zotto, D.

4Columbus Blue Jackets

Strengths: Russian Nikita Filatov is a contender for the Calder Trophy this year and is considered one of the most offensively gifted players to be stepping into the NHL. Center Derick Brassard hopes his injury problems are behind him so that he can continue turning heads. A strong group of collegiate blueliners await their turn – Cody Goloubef in Wisconsin, Ohio State's Will Weber and Notre Dame's Teddy Ruth among them. John Moore chose the OHL instead of Colorado College and is off to a good start. Matt Calvert will be a key leader for the Brandon Wheat Kings as the host club for the 2010 Memorial Cup. Weaknesses: The Blue Jackets will need to get a injection of youth into the system soon though, since many of their top prospects are nearing graduation. They are without a top prospect at the right wing position. Depth at center may also be a concern. Top 5 Prospects: 1. Nikita Filatov, LW, 2. Derick Brassard, C, 3. John Moore, D, 4. Cody Goloubef, D, 5. Maksim Mayorov, LW.

5Los Angeles Kings

Strengths: Seven consecutive years of picking top 15, and top five the last three drafts, has enabled the Kings to maintain a good prospect pool despite the graduation of key players each fall. Thomas Hickey highlights a blueline crew that includes Colten Teubert and Vyacheslav Voinov. Prospect goalie depth is not a problem as Jonathan Bernier, Martin Jones and Jeff Zatkoff all appear to have bright futures. Sniper Brayden Schenn is the top newcomer to the list of forwards and he joins CHL imports Andrei Loktionov and Oscar Moller. Toughness, scoring, goaltending -- there's not much missing for L.A. Weaknesses: Perhaps high-end natural wingers could be considered an area that might be getting thin. The Kings might lack top-notch checkers. The Kings have more boom or bust prospects than some teams around them. Top 5 Prospects: 1. Thomas Hickey, D, 2. Jonathan Bernier, G, 3. Brayden Schenn, C, 4. Oscar Moller, RW, 5. Vyacheslav Voinov, D.

6Atlanta Thrashers

Strengths: An already solid group of prospects was bolstered by the 2009 entry draft. The club's first-round choice last June, Evander Kane, has already joined Zach Bogosian on the Atlanta roster, and second-round choice Carl Klingberg is off to a hot start to the 2009-10 season with Frolunda in the SEL. All take up spots in the top five prospects of the system. There is considerable strength up the middle with Kane, Riley Holzapfel, Eric O'Dell, and Angelo Esposito all natural centermen. Intriguing prospects such as the highly talented Esposito, and WHL's most productive defenseman last season, Paul Postma, turns pro this year. There is little reason to worry about the future in the nets, with Ondrej Pavelec, Edward Pasquale, and Alex Kangas in the organization. Weaknesses: The Thrashers don't possess much size up front beyond Kane. Bogosian will soon graduate, leaving the system without a top-notch defensive prospect. Top 5 prospects: 1. Zach Bogosian, D, 2. Ondrej Pavelec, G, 3. Evander Kane, C, 4. Spencer Machacek, RW, 5. Carl Klingberg, LW.

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