Buds Board Keepers League

Tampa Bay Lightning
# Top Prospects
1 Taylor Hall, LW
2 Cam Fowler, D
3 Nino Niederreiter, LW
4 Nazem Kadri, LW/C
5 Chris Kreider, RW
6 Nick Bjugstad, C
7 John McFarland, C
8 Viktor Tikhonov, LW
9 Casey Wellman, C
10 Igor Bobkov, G

Strengths:
The Lightning farm system offers no shortage of top end talent, Taylor Hall, Cam Fowler and Igor Bobkov headline an impressive group of prospects at each position, and perhaps represent the next wave of bright young talent in BBKL. Make no mistakes though, the strengths of the Lightning system do not end there, supporting their top end talent are prospects such as: Nazem Kadri, Nino Niederreiter, Chris Kreider, Nick Bjugstad, John McFarland and Viktor Tikhonov to name a few. Not unlike other top farm systems, the philosophy here is on skilled players with size and skill, a particular emphasis is also placed on agility and quickness. The Lightning appear to be growing a pipeline that caters to the exciting style of play of the parent club.
Secondary (#11+) prospects on the Lightning are almost as note worthy: NCAA frozen four MVP Colby Coehn owns a cannon of a shot and really throws his weight around. Sondre Olden has been nick-named “Thor” for his combination of dominating physical size and a heavy shot, Trevor Parkes turned enough heads in the off-season to earn high praise from Ken Holland as well as a contract, and finally not to be forgotten is the NHL-sized, slick skating d-man Nate Prosser from Colorado College.
Perhaps parallels can be drawn between the Lightning and Detroit Red Wings (NHL) in that respect. Also of note, is that top prospect Evander Kane was a mere one game shy of our prospect eligibility rankings, a loss like that would almost certainly devastate the pipeline of most systems, but the Lightning are so deep at every position that the loss is almost unnoticeable.

Weaknesses:
In goal, the Lightning farm system lack strong depth behind stellar backstop, Igor Bobkov. Marco Cosineau and JP Levasseur lack the top end talent and size most scouts look for in starting goaltenders, on top of that, neither have shown the elite athleticism and quickness to overcome those odds at the next level, although a strong camp by Levasseur has some wondering. Perhaps this is a secondary concern, with Jonas Hiller and Igor Bobkov blocking the crease for the foreseeable future, but it is in need of improvement nonetheless.
Also of concern is the center position, top pivot prospects: Nick Bjugstad, John McFarland and Nazem Kadri appear destined to make the switch to the wing long term, this could potentially be offset by top prospect Taylor Hall’s rumoured switch to the middle, but even still there aren’t an abundance of natural middle men in the organization. This could be an issue as the older group ages. Similar to the goalie situation, current NHLers Mike Richards, Jordan Staal, Brandon Sutter and Darren Helm have the middle of the rink well taken care of for the foreseeable future.

Grades
Offense A ++
Defence A
Goaltending B +
Overall A

# Prospect Position
1 Cody Hodgson F
2 Eric Tangradi F
3 Keaton Ellerby D
4 Philippe Paradis F
5 Philip Lane F
6 Zac Dalpe F
7 Brandon Archibald D
8 Trevor Cann G
9 Nick Spaling F
10 Nico Sacchetti F

Strengths: Lots of first round draft picks, many of whom are due to get a legitimate look at the NHL. Cody was touted as the top prospect in the world going into the 09-10 season, and the hype was apparently too much to live up to. However despite some negative rumors and a nagging back issue one would be wrong to consider him anything other then an elite, top end prospect. Eric Tangradi is a big scoring winger, who makes excellent use of his significant frame. Seven of the top ten prospects in the Cat’s system are forwards; depth up front is strong as is the range of player types. Paradis, Lane, Dalpe, Spaling and Sacchetti represent reasonable depth up front, the focus appears to be on big bodies that are capable skaters. The forward depth continues with the likes of Mike Hoeffel, Mike Blunden, Paul Carey, Tyler Shattock and Nathan Perkovich.

A few faltered prospects in the system hints at a willingness to give prospects a second or even third chance, Pat White, Kenndal McArdle, John Mitchell and David Fischer highlight this point.

Weakness: Hodgson is the lone projected true 1st liner in this system, and Ellerby is hardly projecting to be top pairing defenseman. So the broken record continues to spin, not enough top end talent in the system. Chris is also seriously soft in goal, and aside from Brandon & Keaton the blue-line group is empty.


After the forward group the system has serious issues that require attention. An Aging Vokoun will require a replacement in the coming years, and a slow-footed and aging d-core already requires support.

Grades
Offence A-
Defense C
Goaltending E
Overall C+

# Prospect Position
1 John Carlson Defense
2 ------
3 Magnus S.Paajarvi Forward
4 Brandon Gormley Defense
5 Travis Hamonic Defense
6 Adam Comrie Defense
7 Kirill Petrov Forward
8 Carl Gunnerson Defense
9 Peter Holland Forward
10 Brent Krahn Goalie

Strengths: Elite, top-end potential; Kareem’s top 3 prospects would grace the top of almost every list of notable prospects. Carlson, and MSP could make a real impact as early as this season.

The Caps do not have a lack of second tier blue-chips, or a particular genre of player, BPA seems to be the approach, however if a single trait has to be labeled the most consistent throughout the pipeline it would be puck-skill, this is highlighted by Ratchuk and Latta, both of whom own top end-hands (but with notable deficiencies elsewhere in their game). WJC and mem-cup standout Hamonic says he’s ready to play, offensive d-man Adam Comrie has been turning heads at rookie camp. Peter Holland represent a long term project, but he’s got top line potential. The most well rounded d-man in the 2010 draft, Brandon Gormley, hasn’t been mentioned yet, which gives the Caps FIVE notable prospect dmen.

In the crease some might expect mem-cup champion Grubauer to warrant a notable mention, however anyone who watched would understand that the group in front of him had more to do with keeping the puck out of the net then he did. However that cannot be said for the MASSIVE Brent Krahn, who posted a comical .945 sv% in the AHL last season.

Weakness: With a slew of recent moves in the capitals system, goaltending has reasonable depth, but still lacks big name blue-chippers. However with Ryan Miller putting up a wall for the big club, this cannot be considered an organizational issue or a pressing concern.

Kareem manages and maintains a complete pipeline, elite forwards, outstanding defensemen, and solid goaltending.


Grades
Offence A-
Defense A+
Goaltending B
Overall A-

# Prospect Position
1 Jonas Enroth Goalie
2 Lars Eller Forward
3 Devan Dubnyk Goalie
4 Oscar Moller Forward
5 Greg Nemisz Forward
6 Tim Erixon Defense
7 Erik Gustafsson Defense
8 Simon Bertilsson Defense
9 Ryan Wilson Defense
10 Joacim Eriksson Goalie

Strengths: The Hurricanes must have had bad experiences with goaltending in the past, or have little faith in their starting tandem (Leighton/Boucher) as their goaltending pipeline is elite, developed, and deep. Many scouts consider Enroth the best goalie not in the NHL, however others will tell you that Dubnyk is as physically capable as any tender in the NHL, followed up by Eriksson, Cheverle, Beskorwany and Backlund. Other GMs seem to have ignored the future of their crease; Nate is consistent with the Southeast div, which has made it a priority.

Solid depth and near-NHL ready is the best way to describe Carolinas forward and defense prospects. That’s not to sell them short, Nate has focused on puck-skills when building this prospect pool, headed by Eller & the goalies, with Moller, Nemisz and Erixon all considered potential impact players. Gustafsson is near NHL ready as is Bert & Wilson. Perhaps this development system has been under-rated.

Note: an attention to detail is required when attempting to spell the names on the ‘canes notable prospect list.

Weakness: At the risk of beginning to sound like a broken record, top end talent is missing from the skating positions, and the list of potential top 6/top 4 is entirely empty behind this list of notable prospects. This development system still requires more attention, however the most important position on the ice is well attended to.

Grades
Offence B-
Defense B-
Goaltending A++
Overall B+

# Prospect Position
1 xxxxxx
2 xxxxxx
3 xxxxxx
4 xxxxxx
5 xxxxxx
6 xxxxxx
7 xxxxxx
8 xxxxxx
9 xxxxxx
10 xxxxxx

Strengths: Doesn’t need any support from the pipeline for short-term?

Weakness: Without a doubt the worst group of prospects in the BBKL, a true empty cupboard, a RL GM would be fired for letting a prospect pool reach this stage, and a trading away all future picks means the only route to improve the development stream would be at the cost of the NHL club.
Grades
Offence F
Defense F
Goaltending F
Overall F-

# Prospect Position
1 Jack Campbell Goalie
2 Jacob Josefson Forward
3 Joey Hishon Forward
4 Tyler Pitlick Forward
5 Jonathan Merrill Defense
6 Anton Rodin Forward
7 Kevin Connauton Defense
8 Sergei Bobrovsky Goalie
9 Petr Straka Forward
10 Charles O.Roussel Defense

Strengths: Jack Campbell is a human muscle; his physical fitness is off the charts, as is natural athleticism, when combined with near-NHL ready Bobrovsky, and sufficient depth in the form of Engren & Pechurski and the future of the crease is well looked after in Georgetown.

Future goal scorers for the light blue-yellow & maroon are a slightly under-szied group, but no one can question their skill, top prospect Josefson is a well-rounded, smooth skating two-way centre who had a disappointing year in the SEL, but finished strong with 5 pts in his last 6 games. Hishon possess great hockey sense; but struggled with injuries this year, many thought he would fall out of the first round because of it, but apparently his skill was too much to pass up. Other forwards Pitlick, Rodin, & Straka all seem destined to play in the NHL, however their inclusion in a top 10 notables hints at a lacking of top end talent in the organization.

Connauton experienced a breakout season in last years campaign, and has shown extremely well in pre-season camp, however he’s unlikely to be a top 4 any time soon.

Weakness: A lack of true top end potential, as well as sufficient quality defenders appears to be the major short fallings of the Thrashers. Size and grit also appear to be absent from future Thrashers, perhaps GM Luke prefers the finesse game. Although expected Campbell did not show exceptional well during pre-season camps, which is a constant across the Thrashers organization who’s prospects require some patience as very few are knocking on the door for an NHL job.

Grades
Offence B
Defense C
Goaltending A
Overall B

lol took long enough.



Fowler looks pretty kick ass to me!!!

Media wroteCOLON# Prospect Position
1 xxxxxx
2 xxxxxx
3 xxxxxx
4 xxxxxx
5 xxxxxx
6 xxxxxx
7 xxxxxx
8 xxxxxx
9 xxxxxx
10 xxxxxx

Strengths: Doesn’t need any support from the pipeline for short-term?

Weakness: Without a doubt the worst group of prospects in the BBKL, a true empty cupboard, a RL GM would be fired for letting a prospect pool reach this stage, and a trading away all future picks means the only route to improve the development stream would be at the cost of the NHL club.
Grades
Offence F
Defense F
Goaltending F
Overall F-

I think this is the most accurate of all the prospect rankings hahaha

LOL @ Pens.

Media seems to have not taken a very good look at my prospects.....They forgot forwards Anton Lander, Quinton Howden, Defanceman Jared Cowen, and Alex Ubrom, Ryan McDonagh, Ivan Vishnevskiy, and Golie Jake Allen.

Florida Chris wroteCOLONMedia seems to have not taken a very good look at my prospects.....They forgot forwards Anton Lander, Quinton Howden, Defanceman Jared Cowen, and Alex Ubrom, Ryan McDonagh, Ivan Vishnevskiy, and Golie Jake Allen.

Agreed.

On my list, 28 year old goaltender Johan Backlund was ranked 4th, over the likes of: Voynov, Loktionov, Bulmer, Gardiner, Pulkkinen, Stalberg, Petrecki, etc..

Why are the Pens even in this write up? Wrong divison lol. But I guess making fun of his prospects again is alright haha

Media's top 10

1 Cody Hodgson F
2 Eric Tangradi F
3 Keaton Ellerby D
4 Philippe Paradis F
5 Philip Lane F
6 Zac Dalpe F
7 Brandon Archibald D
8 Trevor Cann G
9 Nick Spaling F
10 Nico Sacchetti F

My top10

1 Cody Hodgson F
2 Eric Tangradi F
3 Jake Allen G
4 Jared Cowen D
5 Zac Dalpe F
6 Anton Lander F
7 Alex Ubrom D
8 Ivan Vishnevskiy D
9 Keaton Ellerby D
10 Philippe Paradis F


I think mine looks better

Just to rain on your parade you never did the Northeast Division. You're not done yet!

# Prospect Position
1 Matt Hackett Goalie
2 Taylor Doherty Defense
3 Simon Dahl Forward
4 Nick Bonino Forward
5 Andreas Engqvist Forward
6 Robin Figren Forward
7 Michael Neal Forward
8 Ian Schultz Forward
9 Nick Holden Defense
10 Aaron Ness Defense

Strengths: Doherty, Hackett, Bonino, and a few others have all developed better then expected.

Weakness: See notable list -> none should be notable.


Grades
Offence D
Defense F
Goaltending D
Overall E

# Prospect Position
1 Jeremy Morin Forward
2 Dana Tyrell Forward
3 Kyle Palmieri Forward
4 Cedrick Desjardins Goalie
5 Jussi Rynnas Goalie
6 Jerry D’Amigo Forward
7 Ryan Bourque Forward
8 Brad Ross Forward
9 Ben Scriven Goalie
10 Ryan Button Defense

Strengths: Lee has a formidable group of goalie prospects, led by elite AHL net-minder Desjadrin, with top end depth in the form of NCAA standout Ben Scrivens, and FNL backstop Jussi Rynnas, the depth continues with Tyson Sexsmith (a future member of the NHL all-name team), and even struggling Hannu Toivonen deserves mention.

Philly has also collected a reasonable group of forwards, the group headed by offensive sniper Morin, and two-way force Tyrell who combine to demonstrate a balanced approach to future flyer forwards, which is further support by the likes of scoring winger D’Amigo, all round checker Bourque, and pesky Ross.

Perhaps considered a strength is the sheer # of prospects in the flyers system, perhaps they’ll get a lucky bounce???

Weakness: Defense, a weak blue-line in the BBKL is not going to be getting any real help in the foreseeable future, Button is not NHL ready and does not project as a top-pairing guy. Alt and Denis-Pepin do not represent reasonable depth on the blue-line.

Although Morin, Tyrell, Palmieri, D’Amgio, Bourque, & Ross are solid prospects, none of them are truly top end type stuff, as important as balance and secondary scoring is, no one has ever won the cup without a go to scorer.


Grades
Offence B
Defense F
Goaltending A
Overall B

# Prospect Position
1 Jonathon Bernier Goalie
2
3 Rhett Rakhshani Forward
4 Cody Almond Forward
5
6
7
8
9
10

Strengths: Perhaps the best goalie prospect in the world, Bernier represents a top-end protector of the crease who has been tested and excelled at every-level, including a few NHL games! Jon is so far and away the best prospect in this system I saw fit to leave the #2 hole empty, however Kyle has perhaps shown too much at stake in regards to the future of the Rangers net-minders, as Bernier is the only goaltending prospect.

Weakness: Top end? Depth? Risers? Its all missing and the pipeline won’t be providing help to a BBKL roster anytime soon or of any real impact, a roster that could use some help as well.

There are 3 notable prospects in the entire system, the #3 and #4 should not be making a teams notable list, and they are notably better then the next tier of prospects in the NYR system.



Grades
Offence E
Defense F
Goaltending B-
Overall D

# Prospect Position
1 PK Subban Defense
2 Semyon Varlamov Goalie
3 Ryan Johansen Forward
4 Jakub Kindl Defense
5 Bobby Butler Forward
6 Michal Neuvirth Goalie
7 Thomas Hickey Defense
8 Evgeny Grachev Forward
9 Jared Knight Forward
10 Calvin de Haan Defense

Strengths: Balance and depth, Scott has taken a relatively empty and weak development systems and transformed it into an organizational strength (many similarities can be drawn to the RL Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Black Hawks).

Instead of beginning with the notable top 10 prospects, the story here may be best told by the next 10 prospects: Jarred Tinordi, Phil McRae, Quinton Howden, Alex Urbom, Colton Gillies, Brandon McMillan, Ryan Stoa, Brandon Kozun, Karl Alzner & Danny Kristo. The system is loaded with former and recent top 100 selections, exceptionally balanced between offence, defense, and goaltending, as shown by each owning a 1/2/3 spot, and appearing again in the top 10.

Another strength would be the prospects nearing the end of their trip to the NHL, Varalamov, Subban, Kindl & Butler are all reportedly ready for the show, PK being a pre-season R.O.Y. favorite. This hype is well earned, as he was a valuable piece in last years playoffs (RL), Varalamov is also playoff tested, although a string of injuries was followed up by inconsistent play.

Weakness: If Scott had drafted all of these players one might question his scouting, as many have experienced blips and down turns on their road to the NHL. Alzner has not lived up to his touting as an NHL ready defense-man, McMillan & Gillies are struggling with the transition to the pro ranks, and players such as Kozun, Kristo, Grachev, & Howden each have potential short-comings. However the New Jersey development system has taken advantage of these road-bumps in the development paths of these players, essentially buying at a perceived low.

The sole area where the Devils could improve is their top-end, elite-potential forwards, Ryan Johansen is the lone top teir forward prospect and he’s seen by most as a bit of a project.

This is by no means a real weakness, top end-forwards are not lacking in their pro-lineup and as such the development system is well catered to the teams need, thereby earning Scott and additional +5% for a nearly perfect overall score.
Grades
Offence B+
Defense A+
Goaltending A+
Overall A

Changes happen faster then updates can be made, the scouts apologize for any out of date comments or oversights.

Missing a couple players on my list: Brett Maclean, Eric Gelinas and Brian Dumoulin. But overall, no complaints I guess.