Adjusted rankings. The skinny's for each player have been edited with new observations, while the NHL comparisons, futures, and ETA's have been streamlined.
1. Sven Baertschi LW, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
He looks strong on his skates and brimming with confidence. I think Derek Smith might have to find a new number next season.
NHL Future: A strong 2-way winger who can handle tough assignments. Used in all situations.
ETA: 1 year.
NHL Comparison: Martin Havlat.
2. Leland Irving G, Abbotsford Heat (AHL)
We have seen both ends of his performance spectrum now. He's looked like an NHL goalie, though his last two NHL starts have been during weak streaks of his. The constant movement from the AHL to the NHL and back probably isn't helping his comfort level. On the whole, I've liked what I've seen. There doesn't seem to be quite as much variance to his game as I had feared.
NHL Future: A solid 1A or B goalie. He might be sharing NHL duties with Karri Ramo as soon as the 2013/14 season.
ETA: 1 or 2 years.
NHL Comparison: Carey Price.
3. Max Reinhart C, Kootenay Ice (WHL)
He's been fighting some injuries of late. I still have high hopes, however.
NHL Future: Prototypical hard-minutes center. Likely playing on a 2nd or 3rd line, but being fed tough matchups and defensive starts.
ETA: 1 or 2 years.
NHL Comparison: Manny Malhotra or Eric Belanger.
4. Greg Nemisz RW, Abbotsford Heat (AHL)
This last call up has been by far his best, in spite of his lack of points. He's been highly effective at even strength for the first time in his young NHL career; strong at both ends of the ice. He WILL be an NHL player, likely starting next season unless the Flames choose to retain most of their veterans.
NHL Future: A middle rotation or bottom 6 forward who plays in all situations at all positions, while adding a little offense.
ETA: 1 year or less.
NHL Comparison: David Moss.
5. John Gaudreau LW, Boston College (NCAA HE)
Johnny Gaudreau makes a jump in my rankings due to a torrid scoring pace over the second half of the NCAA season. He is currently 2nd in BC scoring to Chris Kreider.
NHL Future: He looks like a Patrick O'Sullivan type secondary scorer. If the Flames are lucky, he might end up being a similar player to Nashville's Sergei Kostitsyn.
ETA: could be as much as 5 years.
NHL Comparison: Patrick O'Sullivan.
6. Roman Horak C, Abbotsford Heat (AHL)
Holy cripes is he fast!! I mean, wow! He's weirdly good at limiting scoring chances against, especially for a young player.
NHL Future: 2-way forward with offensive talent and a lot of speed.
ETA: 1 year or less.
NHL Comparison: Frans Nielsen.
7. Bill Arnold C, Boston College (NCAA HE)
He slips in my rankings mainly because my giddiness from the WJC has worn off.
NHL Future: A robust defensive forward with scoring ability.
ETA: 2 or 3 years.
NHL Comparison: Michal Handzus.
8. Michael Ferland LW, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Has crested 40 goals, and was (relatively) recently named the WHL's player of the week.
NHL Future: Gritty 3rd line forward with soft hands.
ETA: 2 or 3 years, maybe more.
NHL Comparison: T.J. Galiardi.
9. Markus Granlund C/RW, HIFK (SM-liiga)
He slips slightly, but he's still doing better than I expected this season. Of course, he's been playing on a line with Mikael Granlund for most of the season, though Mikael has been injured recently. At first, Markus had only 1 point in 6 games, but he has come on strong with 4 in his last 2. He has 34 in 47 games.
NHL Future: A secondary scoring forward with slow skating and some defensive awareness.
ETA: 2 or 3 years. That might be optimistic.
NHL Comparison: Sam Gagner.
10. John Ramage D, University of Wisconsin (NCAA WCHA)
Captained a bad team into the playoffs, though they lost in the first round. He was ejected from a game a few months ago for a vicious hit (that was, in truth, clean).
NHL Future: Heavy-hitting shutdown defenseman.
ETA: 1 or 2 years.
NHL Comparison: Andrew Ference.
11. Ryan Howse LW, Abbotsford Heat (AHL)
Has been on a mini tear since recording his first professional point (a goal) about a month ago. Is one of the few players on the Heat who is scoring. He's currently playing on a line with Akim Aliu, more's the pity.
NHL Future: top 6 or bust.
ETA: 3, 4, 5 years. Who can guess?
NHL Comparison: Dany Heatley.
12. Tyler Wotherspoon D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Not much to report. He's boring as they come. Can you handle the awesome?
NHL Future: Heavy-hitting bottom pair defenseman who kills penalties.
ETA: 3 years.
NHL Comparison: Jim Vandermeer.
13. Paul Byron C, Abbotsford Heat (AHL)
Spent a little time injured and recently returned to the Heat lineup. I doubt he'll see any more NHL time this season.
NHL Future: A middle rotation winger who is lauded for his speed if nothing else.
ETA: 1 year.
NHL Comparison: Blake Comeau.
14. Joni Ortio G, TPS (SM-liiga)
Sent to the Finnish league for ice time, and has been TPS's starter ever since. His stats are unimpressive at first glance, but considering he plays for such a bad team, and 2 of his 3 wins are shut-outs, it is forgivable.
NHL Future: Talented, inconsistent netminder.
ETA: too long to figure.
NHL Comparison: Miikka Kiprusoff.
15. Joey Leach D, Kootenay Ice (WHL)
Enjoyed a 3-point game last week. His play has elevated slightly as the games have become more important. It is a tad frightening that he's his team's best defenseman, but he hasn't disappointed... much. I read a scouting report recently that claimed he was a good skater. I laughed.
NHL Future: Bottom pair shutdown defenseman.
ETA: 4 years.
NHL Comparision: Cory Sarich.
16. Chris Breen D, Abbotsford Heat (AHL)
Same-old, same-old. No doubt you've noticed he's slipped 2 spots in my ranking. I shouldn't have had him that high in the first place.
NHL Future: Likely a bottom pair stay-at-home defenseman at most. Like Keith Aulie.
ETA: 1 maybe 2 years. He really doesn't have a lot of development to do, though he does need to improve his skating.
NHL Comparison: Hal Gill.
17. Laurent Brossoit G, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Starting goalie for the WHL's best team.
NHL Future: He already looks better than when he was drafted. A large, reasonably consistent goalie whose positioning needs to be constantly monitored.
ETA: 8 years?
NHL Comparison: Roberto Luongo.
18. Lance Bouma LW, Calgary Flames (NHL)
If the Flames decide not to re-sign Tom Kostopoulos, this young man could replace him without a wink. I like Kosto, but I like Bouma more.
NHL Future: 4th line forward.
ETA: imminent.
NHL Comparison: Brandon Prust.
19. Mitch Wahl C, Utah Grizzlies (ECHL)
He was a depth forward on a bad team (the Hamilton Bulldogs, on loan from the Heat). He has since returned to the ECHL, and has scored at a nearly point per game pace. I'm getting ready to get my "bust" label out.
NHL Future: Depth forward.
ETA: 3 years to get his development back on track.
NHL Comparison: Sami Pahlsson.
20. James Martin D, Abbotsford Heat (AHL)
Is ineligible for the Heat's playoff roster for some incomprehensible reason. But the rules state that any injured player can be replaced by anybody, so I don't know. Has 2 goals and an assist in 23 games for the Heat.
NHL Future: Maybe as high as a 2nd pair defenseman. Likely not, though.
ETA: 4 or 5 years. Maybe less though, as he appears to be a late bloomer.
NHL Comparison: Tom Gilbert?
