Montreal Canadiens prospects making do with limited playoff action Photo: Brady Vail and the Windsor Spitfires failed to make the playoffs in 2012-13. Vail posted 55 points in 68 regular games with Windsor. (Terry Wilson / OHL Images.) The Montreal Canadiens prospects at the lower professional levels were unable to gain any post-season playing experience as the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) and the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) failed to qualify for their respective playoffs. Los Angeles Kings prospect pool seeing a wealth of playoff action across North America Photo: Martin Jones won his last six starts of the regular season to clinch a playoff berth for the Monarchs, but not even his strong play could help the team overcome the Springfield Falcons in the first round of the AHL playoffs (courtesy of Fred Kfoury/Icon SMI) The prospect pool of the Los Angeles Kings saw varying amounts of playoff game time this year, but one of the more important points is that the majority of them did in fact see the postseason. Over twenty-five skaters for the Kings saw playoff action across multiple levels. Defensemen make up majority of Edmonton Oilers NCAA and European prospect group Photo: Although limited by injury in 2012-13, Oscar Klefbom has ample experience playing professionally and on the international stage for Sweden (courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) The Edmonton Oilers had four prospects playing in Europe for the 2012-13 season, the most notable being defensive prospect Oscar Klefbom who, despite being injured for the majority of the 2012-13 season, is one of the Oilers’ most anticipated defensive prospects. The Oilers also have defenseman Erik Gustafsson and a pair of goaltending prospects with Samu Perhonen and Frans Tuohimaa who are both showing signs of potential, although neither are quite blue chip prospects as of yet. New Jersey Devils have numerous forward prospects at the Canadian junior level Photo: Forward prospect Stefan Matteau had plenty of drama in his 2012-13 season, from playing 17 games in the NHL to later being dismissed by his QMJHL team. (Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon SMI) The New Jersey Devils 2012 draft class included seven junior level prospects, the most they have had come out of the CHL and Junior 'A' levels since 2008. With seven of the nine players at the junior level being forwards, the Devils can look ahead to restocking a struggling and low scoring Albany Devils AHL squad that has missed the playoffs three years in a row. NCAA and European pipelines provide depth for Detroit Red Wings’ blue line Photo: St. Cloud State defenseman Nick Jensen, the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year, helped lead his team to it’s first Frozen Four appearance in school history (courtesy of Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI) Any team that loses three of its top six defensemen over the course of two seasons is bound to experience some growing pains as the organization looks to reload. While the current Detroit Red Wings roster may feature a blue line in flux, the future looks bright for Detroit's defensive depth. The Red Wings have a number of defensemen in their system that have developed their game a great deal during the 2012-13 season, including some who have already joined the NHL club. Detroit may have fewer forwards playing in the NCAA or Europe than defensemen but that is not an indictment of their quality, as that group features at least two players who appear to be future NHL players. Gardiner, Schultz notable members of Anaheim Ducks disappointing 2008 NHL Draft class Photo: Bruising winger Josh Brittain is one of only four Anaheim draft picks from 2008 that is still part of the Ducks system (courtesy of Jeff Gross/Getty Images) Drafting is not always an exact science, and scouting is indeed one of the toughest jobs in the world. In 2008, the Anaheim Ducks had a draft you could describe as disappointing. While the franchise hit big with talented blueliners in Jake Gardiner and Justin Schultz, neither would ever don an Anaheim uniform, instead breaking into the NHL with Toronto and Edmonton respectively. The rest of the draft was a mixed bag of busts, project players, and depth acquisitions. While every draft is going to have the aforementioned group, the Ducks had very little to take away from a 2008 NHL Draft class that has produced many NHL players across all rounds. Minor pro players lead the Colorado Avalanche prospect awards Photo: After a long stint in Colorado in 2011-12, defenseman Stefan Elliott underachieved at the AHL level for most of his season with Lake Erie in 2012-13 (courtesy of Jimmy Simmons/Icon SMI) Despite making the playoffs a few seasons ago, the Colorado Avalanche have been languishing the last few seasons, not fully able to cash in on the promise of their young players. Not only have they struggled on the ice, but they have struggled in the draft as well, lacking the organizational depth that makes the great teams truly great. All that aside, there are players in their system that have stood out a bit above the rest. Ottawa Senators top 20 led by trio of Swedish prospects Photo: Forward Mika Zibanejad is one of several talented Swedish players in the Ottawa Senators prospect pool. (courtesy of Jay Kopinski/Icon SMI) The Ottawa Senators pipeline features plenty of homegrown talent, including Kanata's Mark Borowiecki, and nearby Hull's Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Cody Ceci and Shane Prince both played in the Senators' backyard for the Ottawa 67's. Ekblad transitioning from exceptional status to leadership role Photo: Barrie Colts defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been effective during his team’s run to the OHL Championship series (courtesy of CHL Images) There are those who wonder if the Ontario Hockey League is being too liberal with its application of Exceptional Player status. But for the now-17-year-old defenseman who was the second to burst through those now-open floodgates, the key to exceptional status is the ability to be a normal, functioning, part of a junior team. Morgan Rielly big winner in Toronto Maple Leafs prospect awards Photo: Goaltender Garret Sparks had a breakout season in 2012-13, posting a 36 wins and 2.65 goals against average. Sparks was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round of the 2011 NHL Draft. (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images) The following article details the 2012-13 Toronto Maple Leafs Prospect Award winners. Morgan Rielly was the big winner with three awards, while Tony Cameranesi also took home multiple awards. The annual award winners were selected by the author with input from Hockey's Future staff members. |
