2011 BBKL Farm System Grades (Atlantic 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]

Pittsburgh Penguins



Strengths:

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

Weaknesses:

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.

[Media]

Philadelphia Flyers



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 combine to demonstrate a balanced approach to future flyer forwards, which is further supported by the likes of scoring winger D’Amigo, all round checker Bourque, and pesky Ross.

Some may consider the sheer # of prospects in the flyers system a strength, perhaps they’ll get a lucky bounce???

Weaknesses:

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.

[Media]

New Jersey Devils



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 defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Black Hawks).

Instead of beginning with the notable top 10 prospects, the story here is 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, Varlamov, Subban, Kindl & Butler are all reportedly ready for the show, PK in particular is a pre-season R.O.Y. favorite. The hype is well deserved, as he was a valuable piece in last seasons playoffs, Varlamov is also playoff tested, although a string of injuries was followed up by inconsistent play.

Weaknesses:

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.

[Media]

New York Rangers



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. Backing up Bernier is promising Finnish netminder, Riku Helinius. Also headlining this list are defenceman David Savard and William Wrenn. They combine to form a formidable future duo.

Weaknesses:

Top end talent outside of the goaltending position and overall depth appear to be missing, and the pipeline won’t be providing immediate support to the parent club anytime soon.

There are five notable prospects in the entire system, after that the list deteriorates, with several average prospects with minimal future prospects.

[Media]

New York Islanders



Strengths:

Goaltender Matt Hackett headlines the Islanders list of prospects, the talented netminder has shown continued growth and improvement at every level, and figures to play a prominent role in the crease for the Islanders in the future. Following Hackett, is hulking defenceman Taylor Doherty, the 6’8 defenceman has the size, mobility and skill level to make the jump at the next level, how high a jump remains to be seen. With his continued development and frame there is no telling how good Doherty can be, this bodes well for the Islanders franchise.

Weaknesses:

Outside of the top two prospects, the Islanders farm system lacks notable top end talent and depth at each position. Continued development at the minor league level, and scouting should be of particular importance for the Islanders to improve their mediocre farm system.

[Tony]

More evidence why ESPN sucks

[Scott]

What can I say

[Lee]

I'd strongly disagree with my D prospect pool being weak. Button has grown leaps an bounds, Vishnievski, Alt was a 2nd round pick this year, Stone was a top offensive dman in the WHL in the regular season and the post season.

You are also seriously under-estimating my forward group. Della Rovere, Daugavins, Bouchard and Cunningham are seriously under-rated in your rankings.

But hey... I like being under rated We'll see how they pan out this year.

[Nick]

oh, there's Lee, being all confrontational & shit.


I drafted Ryan Button, was a fan, but he had a brutal post-draft season.

[kyuss]

More evidence why ESPN sucks

yeah, i mean, Bonino is not even on your team anymore