2010-11 BBKL Farm System Grades (Northwest 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]

Minnesota Wild



Strengths:

The Wild’s prospect system is a major organizational strength, their rebuild will be coming to an end sooner then many expected. Owning many of the names to watch in regards to the race for the calder, Ennis, Eberle, & Turris leading the offensive charge. Not as elite as the forward prospects, Sanguinetti & Summers lead the blue-line squad, and have shown that they are ready for the next level. However the Wild’s prospect strength does not end with NHL-ready blue-chips, the pipe-line is full of top end prospects, proven scorer Derek Stepan who was an important player for USA’s gold medal @ WJC and earned more ice-time for the NCAA Badgers. Wingers Austin Watson and Kyle Clifford will add roughness to the Wild. Scoring sensation Jaden Schwartz broke records held by Brad Richards and Vincent Lecalvier, thought of as a longer-term prospect, he’s projecting as a dynamic offensive force. Although not as deep as the skater positions, Calvin Pickard & Kevin Poulin should provide competition for Roberto Luongo as he ages. This top 10 is impressive, but the names off the list mean having a few graduates will not empty the system: Toffoli, Sheahan, Spooner, Kitsyn, Teubert, Gaunce, Cuma, J.Hayes, DiDomenico & Sonne would make a very reasonable top 10 on their own.

Weaknesses:

Goalies are a difficult position to predict, a lack of depth in the crease is the lone weak-point in Minnesota’s system.

[Media]

Edmonton Oilers



Strengths:

Having a forward, defenseman and goalie in the 1,2, & 3 spot is a sure sign of prospect strength and careful planning. Neuvirth, Cole, and Backlund are all tested to the highest degree and ready to show their stuff at the next level. Their graduation will barely be noticed thanks to impressive depth in the form for shifty Russian Burmistrov, creative WJC stand-out Schroeder, and other notables VV, Etem, Hayes & Moore. Ending the prospect list at 10 was to do an injustice to the assests in the system; McKegg possesses perhaps the best name of all prospects, nearly besting Osala. Prospects such as Plante, Palushaj, Andronov would grace the list of 10 on most, but of secondary pieces to Oilers GM Arian.

Weaknesses:

A team committed to a youthful rebuild, the Oilers have a prospect pool the envy of many.

[Media]

Calgary Flames



Strengths:

In goal the Flames have a safe future, Ondrej Pavelec & Jeff Frazee are both upper-tier goaltending prospects. Pavelec proved this year that he has starter potential, whether or not he can carry a team to the playoffs is still up in the air. Jeff has carried the load in the AHL for a couple of years, and has shown the signs that he’s ready to try for a backup job in the show.

Blacker & Blum have skill and up-tapped potential, enough so to be considered interesting blue-line prospects, neither could be referred to as reliable or well rounded.

Weaknesses:

Aside from the crease, and some 2nd tier offensive blue-line prospects, the pipeline is empty. Ilya Zubov is skilled, however it’s a major question whether or not he’ll ever cross the ocean again. Brophey, Parshin & Szwarz representing the 6,7, & 8 spots respectively is more a sign of weakness then it is a reflection of their potential as NHLers.

[Media]

Colorado Avalanche



Strengths:

Perhaps the sleeper in the prospect pool, as well as the BBKL Western conference, the Avs have serious top end potential. Couture has future first line centre written all over him, skill, work ethic, and NHL size. Erik Gudbranson is a physical monster, defensively excellent, and has shown signs of being more then capable offensively, he’s a natural leader, and has shown character well beyond he years. The forward core is packed with more top end potential, Brandon Wheat Kings, scoring winger Scott Glennie, the ‘most intelligent” player in the 2010 draft, Mikael Granlund, well rounded Gustafsson, High-school standout Brock Nelson, as well as McGinn, Halischuk, & Lander. Other mentionable forwards include Kevin Lynch, Jordan Weal, Curtis Hamilton, Joe Basaraba, Chris Bourque, Brendan Gallagher & Wade Megan.

Assuming the Avalanche loaded up on offence and neglected the defense-core would be making an ass of your-self. NCAA & WJC proven, Kevin Shattenkirk is set to make an impact in the mile high-city, Colby Robak has done not but impress since his draft year. After the 3 blue chip defense prospects the pipeline has sufficient depth: Yann Sauve, Mark Barberio, Chris Tanev, Taylor Ellington and Danny Biega (fitness freak).

Weaknesses:

Well the skater positions are well stocked, the crease is empty. No notables, no real depth, however GM Bryan Shook is likely not worried with recent breakout keeper Anderson currently holding down the fort, and proven back-up Budaj providing able rest for him as required.

[Media]

Vancouver Canucks



Strengths:

Gabriel Bourque brings a tireless work ethic with him to the rink, and with that type of intensity he’ll eventually break into the NHL. Althought his first shot at the NHL didn’t got as planned, Syvert will get another shot, he’s a skilled, mobile, puck-moving defense man which are a hot commodity in today’s game.

Weaknesses:

Lack of top end potential, lack of depth, and an empty line-up beyond starter MAF means that the entire prospect system could be referred to as an organizational weakness.

[MSP4LYFE]

LOL @ Vancouver...I disagree with the low ranking of John Moore, and think that Burmistrov is easily the Thrashers best prospect, but outside of that excellent work.

[The BBKL Insider]

very nicely done

I think the Oilers prospects have been overrated by a lot,,,but wow...The Avs and Minny have some serious prospects.

[Scott]

Ftr, I own Michal Neuvirth

[Nick]

Ftr, I own Michal Neuvirth

You would.

[shooker]

I feel the F mark on my goaltending us unfair. I drafted a 2nd round goaltending prospect this year in Kent Simpson and Kieran Millan has put up some very serious numbers in the ncaa. To say I deserve and A would be retarded but a solid F is also fairly retarded.

[Nick]

I agree with the F.

[shooker]

I agree with the F.

as in its deserve it? fair enough. I just feel if Gabriele Bourque and Joel Broda gets a C+ then Kent Simpson and Kieran Millan should get at least a C-.

[shooker]

not gonna complain too hard here tho. This is all pretty well done. Great job shiv!

[The BBKL Insider]

I like Simpson

at least worth a D+

That being said, goalies are so hit or miss....you need to have 8 in your system and hope 1 can cut it

[shooker]

I agree. I had zero offensive depth going into this offseason, so that was priority one. Next season will be goaltending.

[Shep]

not gonna complain too hard here tho. This is all pretty well done. Great job shiv!

Definitely Kareem..

The spreadsheet colours even match that of his team page.

[Mike]

The spreadsheet colours even match that of his team page.

Diversionary tactics.

[The BBKL Insider]

The marks have been pretty liberal thus far - i think Kareem would mark harder.

[MSP4LYFE]

I agree with the F.

POST OF THE YEAR AHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA