2010-11 BBKL Farm System Grades (Central Division)

[Media]

A player will be considered a prospect until he meets the following criteria:

• If a prospect is a skater (forward, defenseman) and has played in 65 NHL games or more before the completion of the season of his 24th birthday; or, if a goaltender has played in 45 NHL games before the completion of the season of his 24th birthday, that player will be considered graduated to the NHL.
• Conversely, if a player completes the season of his 24th birthday without passing those milestones, then that player will no longer be considered a prospect by Hockey’s Future, regardless of the player’s status with his NHL club.
• An NCAA player who signs his first contract at or above the age of 22 has three years to meet the above criteria (65/45), while those NCAA players that turn pro under the age of 22 will be subjected to
  the criteria above.
• European players who sign their first NHL contract at or above the age of 22 have three seasons from the time they sign that contract to meet the above criteria. Those European players below the age of 22 that have signed a NHL contract will be subjected to the criteria in section one.

[Media]

St. Louis Blues



Strengths:

The blues development system has a surprising # of blue-chip, top end potential skates, piloted by the Russian tank Tarasenko and the pocket sized QB Ryan Ellis the future of the St.Louis player appears safe. Forbort, Stalberg, Irwin, Bulmer and Gardiner ensure the future doesn’t lack size or physicality. Small forwards Andrei Loktionov & Teemu Pulkkinen project to bestow skill into the future lineup of the organization.

There is also a large number of lower and mid range prospects in the blues system (including notables: Darren Archilbald, Michael Bournival, Corey Locke, Ilja Kubalkov, Patrick Cehilin, Stephen Silas); as with others in the central division it would appear they are playing the odds.

Weaknesses:

Although not a strong point, it would be a stretch to view the goaltending prospects as a weakness. Backlund’s progress can be best described as inconsistent, and Plante needs to prove himself a top goalie at a lower level before he can begin providing some pressure from below for the club. Another consistency within the central division is a lack of true top end centers.

[Media]

Columbus Blue Jackets



Strengths:

The amazing development of Ryan Johnansen in the 2009 WHL season was too much for Columbus GM Bryan ma to look-past, and the club now needs Ryan to continue that trend, as he is the key piece in the pipeline. A good number of offensive-minded prospects such as Eakins, Nestrasil and Klinberg should help turn the Blue Jackets around, offensive defensemen Gustafsson, and Jake Muzzin should help as well. Lesser prospects Patrick Davis,Dustin Kohn, & Levko Koper are a sample of the depth in the system.

The crease is well looked after with Eriksson and Wesslau leading a reasonable number of red-light guardians.

Weaknesses:

All this talk of strong offensive potential is a sign that Bryma hopes goal scoring will overcome a lack of defensive or two-way play. After the top 3 prospects it look as if there is a lacking of high-end talent within the Blue Jackets. Neither Eriksson or Wesslau project as true #1 goalies, and although the position is very hard to predict, having prospect that have the tools would be a recommended start.

[Media]

Nashville Predators



Strengths:

With a GM change this off-season came a new approach to the foundation of the Predators. Kyuss has decided to put his large amount time spent scouting the European leagues to the test with the acquisitions of skilled players from across the pong such as MZA, Mueller, Cervenka, Goncharov & Almquvist. With the combination of a few select North American proven prospects the system is relatively strong.

The prospect pool is undoubtedly led by the MVP of the 2009-2010 NCAA season, Hobey Baker Winner Blake Geofrion, has the bloodline to backup his play. Strong skating, defense-first Luca Sbisa heads a group of defense who project as strong puck-moving core which includes Goncharov, Almqvist, and Regner, but is also deep with the likes of Orlov and Holos.

Taking a numbers approach to goaltending prospects -> Fallon, Ortio, Harri, Holtby, Ramo, Zatkoff & Dekanich, ensure that the crease is not an organizational issue.

Weaknesses:

Franchise type prospects are completely absent despite a large # of prospects. A lack of true top end talent is an organization weakness; many of the teams prospects are late bloomers, and notably lower ceiling, natural centre men also appear to be absent.

[Media]

Chicago Blackhawks



Strengths:

Speed & scoring from the wing nicely sums up the true strength of future Hawks, they also have a crop of goalies waiting to prove their game in the classic Indian head jerseys.

Crawford leads the goalie crew in perceived potential, however Ersberg & Reimer are projecting as NHL substance as well. Slovakian sniper Richard Panik will strike panic in the minds of opposing goalies; some scouts suggest Chiasson & Sweat have the skill-sets to do the same. Hard working Carter Ashton and Alex Hutchings insure to keep the forward-core well rounded.

Weaknesses:

A consistent problem within the organization lies up the middle, lacking top end NHL centers as well as centre prospects, this flaw turns a relative strength on forward potential into a weakness due to poor planning. A less pressing organizational issue is the # of players fighting for a spot in the blue-line, Corrente seems to have a bright future, but surely he alone can not carry the load.

[Media]

Detroit Red Wings



Strengths:

Bulk, numbers, playing the odds; with enough prospects someone is sure to surprise. That is not to say that the Red Wings lack prospects worth mentioning. Although lacking top end potential, forwards like Sexton, Smith, MacMillan, SDR & Tropp represent a healthy depth at forward, covering all genres, from skill to compete level to some grit.

Weaknesses:

Seriously lacking future defenders as well as top end goalie prospects will hinder the future of the team from Mo-town. More then a surprise would be required for significant future help to come out of the crop present here, a miracle trade may be the only hope.

[Nick]

C, B, B+, B-, B.

I thought Shep had more then what was shown here, but he's used the value in his assets to upgrade his active-roster.

I wish I was in this division, easy FOW category and potential to grab the 'top prospect team"... which at this stage is tight between NSH and STL.

[Shoalzie]

I can live with a C because I expected worse. All ten of my top 10 were guys acquired during the offseason...including 3 in the waiver draft, which I thought I really made some nice additions to my team. Forward is definitely my deepest position for prospects right now...no arguments from me. The defense is suspect, no doubt. I went overboard in dealing away the depth I had at that position to point where there don't appear to be any immediate help but it's not to say that I'm completely void of talent at that position. Considering my sad state in goal with the big club, I hope I can luck out with one of my goalie prospects but it's going to take a few years for that to happen.

[anton]

really good job with mine. can't really argue with any of it.

[kyuss]

Looking at my team analysis, nicely written piece! But i'm surprised by some rankings to say the least.

I would have at least M.Johansson, A.Petersson and Jarnkrok (who projects as a C btw) in my top 10.

In these rankings i find interesting to look at the different opinions over certain prospects, as they can drastically change from one GM to another.


Couple of things to be fixed btw:
- It's Geoffrion
- the Finn goalie is Sateri, not Harri some players names on my roster are reversed as they were copied from CBS, where that flaw is frequent.
- MZA is a winger (preferably a RW), not a center.

[shooker]

I actually think a lot of these are pretty flattering. I also think shep's prospects weren't given enough credit. However, all in all another very steller job.

[MSP4LYFE]

Looking at my team analysis, nicely written piece! But i'm surprised by some rankings to say the least.

I would have at least M.Johansson, A.Petersson and Jarnkrok (who projects as a C btw) in my top 10.

In these rankings i find interesting to look at the different opinions over certain prospects, as they can drastically change from one GM to another.


Couple of things to be fixed btw:
- It's Geoffrion
- the Finn goalie is Sateri, not Harri some players names on my roster are reversed as they were copied from CBS, where that flaw is frequent.
- MZA is a winger (preferably a RW), not a center.

I completely agree Mik, the afformentioned three should not have been excluded from the top 10, there is no excuse for it.

[Shep]

Odd that you included Johan Backlund as he is 29 years old, especially over Voynov, who was also omitted in the "notables" along with Petrecki. But to each is there own of course.

Other than that, good job. My prospect depth got depleted after my Parise trade losing: Couture, Kulemin and Granlund at once.

Nice work, these are great to read.

[Shep]

I actually think a lot of these are pretty flattering. I also think shep's prospects weren't given enough credit. However, all in all another very steller job.

Thanks bud

[Lee]

Are we getting more of these?

<3

[tyler]

im scared what my prospect grading will be like, rofl.

[Lee]

I'm excited I have a deep prospect pool.

[Nick]

I'm excited I have a deep prospect pool.

Is this some bad joke?

[Scott]

I'm excited I have a deep prospect pool.

Is this some bad joke?

Hahaha

[bills09]

pwned