Photo: Forward Victor Rask split the 2012-13 season between the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL and the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. Rask projects to be a second-line forward for the Hurricanes, possibly as soon as next year. (courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Despite lacking a lot of depth and talent, the Carolina Hurricanes organization has top-end prospects in the pipeline, including the offensively talented defenseman Ryan Murphy, and a potential rising offensive star in Victor Rask. There are also several good depth defensemen who, in the near future, could solidify the Carolina blue line.

1. (1) Ryan Murphy, D, 8.0C
Drafted 1st round, 12th overall, 2011

Over the last eight months, Ryan Murphy played hockey for four different teams in two hemispheres at four levels of competition. Murphy captained the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL, and collected 49 points through 54 regular season games. He helped lead the Rangers to the Western Conference Semi-Finals, where they fell in five games to the eventual Western Conference champion London Knights. Murphy also played for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in Ufa, Russia, but his trip there also ended in disappointment after Canada lost to the US in the semi-finals and failed to win a medal. In late February, Murphy got his first chance to play in the NHL, and saw four games of scoreless action before his emergency call up ended. After his OHL season, he joined the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL where he scored four points in eight games.

Murphy is a gifted offensive defenseman, with great vision and the passing ability to get the puck to open players. The former first-round pick lacks size and still needs extensive development of his defensive skills, but when the puck is on his stick, he makes things happen. Although he seems destined to be a powerplay specialist at the NHL level, if he can acquire the patience and determination to play a solid game in his own end, he could become a valuable top-four defenseman.

2. (2) Victor Rask, C, 7.5C
Drafted 2nd round, 42nd overall, 2011

Rask missed significant time from the Hitmen roster this year, not due to injury (a knee injury caused him to miss several games at the end of the 2011-12 season), but because he was getting an extended look with the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL, and then playing for Sweden in the World Junior Championships. Yet, having played in just 37 regular season games in the WHL, Rask scored 14 goals and 27 assists, good enough for a seventh-overall spot on the team's scoring list. However, Rask shone during Calgary's playoff run. He was the team's leading scoring through seventeen games, and helped carry the Hitmen to the Eastern Conference Finals before they lost in seven games to the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Rask has speed and good size, and he uses both to protect the puck and buy time for his linemates to find space. He has the ability to battle in the corners and maintain puck possession, even when harried by several opponents. Rask is not an elite-level scorer, but with his hockey sense and physical play, he should develop into a valuable contributor on the Hurricanes second line.

3. (4) Zac Dalpe, C/W, 7.0C
Drafted 2nd round, 45th overall, 2008

Dalpe rebounded from a frustrating 2011-12 season and put in a performance that has him back on track for a possible NHL role in the near future. He used his well-rounded game to score 21 goals and 21 assists in 54 AHL games (among the top four in Checkers scoring). He also had the chance to play in 10 NHL games during the season, where he mostly held his own and tallied a goal and two assists while playing primarily third-line minutes. Dalpe will need to continue the hard work and gritty style of play if he is to secure a full-time NHL spot next season.

4. (8) Riley Nash, C, 6.5B
Trade with Edmonton Oilers, June 26th, 2010

The proximity of the Hurricanes AHL affiliate played an important role for Nash this season as he made several trips back and forth between Charlotte and Raleigh. By season's end, Nash had played in 32 NHL games and finished with four goals and five assists. His play with the Hurricanes was mostly average, interspersed with a few good games (he scored five of his nine points in just two games). His speed was an asset, but he will need to find more ways of being effective in a two-way effort in order to earn a permanent spot with the team.

5. (3) Jeremy Welsh, C, 7.0C
Signed as a free agent, April 5th, 2012

Welsh came into the season with high expectations after signing with the Hurricanes last spring. However, despite decent numbers with Union College, he has struggled to bring the same offense to the professional level. The 24 year old rookie forward failed to make the Hurricanes team after the truncated training camp, but he did see action in five games for Carolina during brief call-ups. Welsh will get another chance in the fall, but he faces a difficult climb to the NHL next year. He is in a precarious position of being older and more physically developed while still being new to the professional leagues. He will need to find the right mixture quickly if he is to have a shot at an NHL career.

6. (5) Phil Di Giuseppe, LW, 7.0C
Drafted 2nd round, 38th overall, 2012

Michigan suffered through a down year in 2012-13, and the effect on Di Giuseppe's overall performance shows in his statistical output. While ending the season tied for third for assists, fifth in scoring and third in shots on net would be welcome production for most NCAA players at an established program, the lack of relative improvement over the preceding year is disappointing for Di Giuseppe. However, in terms of his play on the ice, the 19-year-old sophomore exhibited many encouraging signs of development. Although there were moments when his decision-making still looked raw, he improved his on-ice presence and patience. Di Giuseppe is still a work in progress. However, if he continues to improve his mental game to the point where it augments his many skills instead of detracting from them, he could become a force in the NCAA game, and eventually at the NHL level. Further, while his 6'1, 201-pound frame is not small, he will continue to benefit from added strength in order to evolve his power game.

7. (9) Danny Biega, D, 7.0C
Drafted 3rd round, 67th overall, 2010

Biega finished out his college career as the captain for the Harvard Crimson. He led his team in scoring from the blue line with two goals and nine assists, totals that were a far cry from the 35 points of his junior season. To be fair, the team as a whole dropped more than 30 percent in goal-scoring from the 2011-12 season, as it staggered to a last place conference finish. At season's end, Biega signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Hurricanes.

Biega brings leadership, skating and a two-way skillset to Carolina's professional organization. After a year or so of AHL seasoning and acclimation to the speed and size of the highest level of minor-league hockey, he should progress into a dependable middle-pair defenseman for the Hurricanes.

8. (12) Brock McGinn, LW, 6.5C
Drafted 2nd round, 47th overall, 2012

McGinn is an interesting prospect. At just 5'10 and 174 pounds, he does not fit the physical mold of an agitator and defensive forward. However, the 19-year-old left winger plays the game as if he were 6'2, 215 pounds. He is an aggressive, shut-down defensive forward who is always moving his feet and challenging opponents. After missing half of the previous season with a wrist injury, McGinn returned to Guelph this year on a mission. He was again given alternate captain responsibilities, and he led the team through hard work and determination. He scored 28 goals in 68 games, and assisted on another 26 goals. With his size, McGinn will have to continue to show the same kind of intensity and willingness to battle all over the ice in order to eventually crack the NHL lineup.

9. (14) Michal Jordan, D, 6.5C
Drafted 4th round, 105th overall, 2008

In his third season of professional hockey, Jordan finally got his first taste of life in the NHL. He played five games with the Hurricanes in late February, called up to replace the injured Joni Pitkanen. Although he failed to score in those five games, he did show that he is a reliable and developing blueliner who is nearly ready for a full-time NHL roster spot. Jordan was named to the AHL All-Star team this year, and was consistently among the best of the Checkers defensemen. He scored six goals with 10 assists for Charlotte in just 54 games. He might not have the offensive flash of Ryan Murphy, or the size of Austin Levi, but he is a defenseman on the rise in the Hurricanes system.

10. (11) Austin Levi, D, 6.5C
Drafted 3rd round, 85th overall, 2010

Levi is one of the biggest defenders in the Hurricanes system at 6'4, and 205 pounds. The 21-year-old played an overage year with Plymouth, and finished with two goals and 15 assists in 58 games, off the pace of his previous season. Although he was not relied on to generate offense for the Whalers, he still finished third in scoring among the Plymouth defensemen. Levi is already under contract with Carolina, and will begin his professional career next season.

11. (15) Daniel Altshuller, G, 7.0D
Drafted 3rd round, 69th overall, 2012

The Hurricanes third-round pick last year took over the starting goaltender job for the Oshawa Generals last season, and turned in a solid performance. In 58 regular season games he registered a .909 save percentage with a 2.62 goals against average. He has good size for the current NHL standard (he is 6'4, 205 pounds) and plays with sound technique and positioning. Although Altshuller did not receive the same kind of recognition as some of the other goaltenders in his draft class (he was the sixth netminder selected last year), he has become a steady performer and his stock is rising. 

12. (13) Keegan Lowe, D, 6.5C
Drafted 3rd round, 73rd overall, 2011

Keegan Lowe is a hometown player for the Edmonton Oil Kings and son of former NHL defenseman and Oilers President Kevin Lowe. In 64 games for the Oil Kings, the younger Lowe netted 15 goals (more than doubling his total from his three previous WHL seasons combined) with 148 penalty minutes and finished at plus-38. Already under contract with the Hurricanes, Lowe will get a chance to work his way into a top-pair role in the AHL next season.

13. (7) Chris Terry, LW, 7.0D
Drafted 5th round, 132nd overall, 2007

Terry got his first taste of NHL play this season, even if it was only for three games. The 24-year-old winger has played the last four seasons in the AHL, where he has established himself as a consistent scoring threat. However, as a smaller player, Terry simply does not have the type of skating ability that will allow him to create space and time in the NHL. As such, he will likely play out the rest of his career as a top-tier AHL player with brief opportunities to play in the NHL as an injury replacement.

14. (16) Jaccob Slavin, D, 7.0D
Drafted 4th round, 120th overall, 2012

Slavin played the season in the USHL as he prepared for his collegiate career. In 62 games for the Chicago Steel, Slavin led defensemen on his team with five goals and 28 assists. His offensive totals earned him a spot on the league's top-10 list for blueliners. Slavin has good height at 6'2, but at just 180 pounds, he needs add muscle and weight before he will be ready to play professional hockey.

15. (17) Erik Karlsson, C, 7.0D
Drafted 4th round, 99th overall, 2012

Karlsson played the majority of the year in the Swedish junior league, where he scored 10 goals and 25 assists in 40 games for Frolunda's junior team. He also saw action in five games for the men's team. He will continue to play in Sweden, and should spend the next season in the Elitserien in a full-time role, though like most players under twenty, his ice time will be limited. Getting experience at that level will help in Karlsson's development as a small but skilled forward.

16. (20) Trevor Carrick, D, 6.5C
Drafted 4th round, 115th overall, 2012

Yet another prospect that the Hurricanes added in the fourth round of the 2012 draft, Carrick is a stay-at-home type of defender with a good sense for moving the puck forward. He scored 10 goals for Mississauga this season despite playing in just 56 games. Carrick will play another year of junior hockey in 2013-14.

17.  (NR) Justin Shugg, LW, 6.5C
Drafted 4th round, 105th overall, 2010

Shugg can score, but he lacks the size and speed to be a major threat even at the AHL level. However, he works hard at both ends of the ice, and his production has begun to improve. He once again split time between the ECHL and the AHL this year, but he was on the Checkers post-season roster and scored a goal in four games. He will continue to play in the minor leagues as he tries to develop the non-scoring parts of his game and find a role that can help him make his way to the NHL.

18. (NR) Gregory Hofmann, C, 6.5D
Drafted 4th round, 103rd overall, 2011

Hofmann played for Davos in the Swiss league last season, and he finished sixth overall in team scoring behind a couple of NHL veterans (Joe Thornton played 33 games there during the lockout and former New Jersey Devils forward Petr Sykora signed with Davos after failing to receive an NHL contract). Hofmann scored 16 goals with 11 assists in 49 regular season games. He will play in Switzerland again next year, but could make the transition to North America in the near future.
 
19. (NR) Matt Mahalak, G, 6.5D
Drafted 6th round, 163rd overall, 2011

After getting his first opportunity as the number one netminder for the Whalers, Mahalak struggled in the 2012-13 season and eventually lost the Plymouth starting job to seventeen-year-old rookie Alex Nedeljkovic. Inconsistent and often lackluster play caused Mahalak's downfall last season. He posted a .868 saves percentage in the month of January, stopping just 203 of 226 shots and allowed 23 goals in nine games. Things went downhill from there, and he saved only 86.2 percent of the 123 shots he faced in six games in February. Mahalak turned 20 in January, and at this time his future is uncertain. However, with the lack of depth in goal throughout the Carolina organization, Mahalak could get a chance to sign a contract with the team this offseason and try to work his way back into form in the lower levels of professional hockey.

20. (NR) Brendan Woods, RW, 6.0C
Drafted 5th round, 129th overall, 2012

Woods has excellent size at 6'3 and 201 pounds, and he uses that size to play a physical game. He signed an entry-level contract at the end of his sophomore season with the University of Wisconsin, and got a brief taste of professional hockey for Charlotte. In his 75 games of NCAA hockey, Woods scored just 10 goals and 12 assists. He will need to work hard to earn a spot as an energy player at the NHL level.

Photo: Defenseman Robbie Russo had a successful sophomore season with Notre Dame, where he posted five goals and 18 assists through 41 games. (courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The New York Islanders do not have a large quantity of prospects playing at the NCAA level and overseas, but some of these youngsters have a good chance of making a considerable impact with the organization in the 2013-14 season.

Anders Lee and Scott Mayfield both signed entry-level contracts recently, allowing them to make the jump to the professional ranks at the conclusion of their collegiate seasons. On the other hand, it appears Robbie Russo, another promising college prospect, will continue to hone his skills at Notre Dame for at least another season.

Across the pond, the Islanders also have three other prospects competing in both the KHL and Finland. Of those three prospects it appears Ville Pokka is the most likely to cross the pond to play in North America. Kirill Petrov and Mikko Koskinen are still up in the air with when or if they will ever decide to play in North America.

NCAA

Anders Lee, C/LW, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (CCHA)
Drafted 6th Round, 152nd overall, 2009

Anders Lee captained Notre Dame to the last ever CCHA Championship and received many personal honors along the way including: CCHA First All-Star Team and NCAA (West) Second All-American Team. At the conclusion of the Fighting Irish's season he signed a two-year entry-level contract and joined the big club immediately. In his first NHL game he scored a goal and added an assist in his second. Lee remained with the Islanders to finish out the season and was also able to get a feel of what playoff atmosphere is like.

Lee has great size, which he uses to dominate along the boards and in front of the net. He is not afraid to drive the net and get his nose dirty. Due to his size he has a very heavy shot. The one thing he needs to work on this offseason is his foot speed. If he can increase his speed he will be a force to be reckoned with in the near future. Because he did not play more than five games, two years will remain on his entry-level contract. Lee will fight for a spot on the Isles to start next season and hopefully can lock down a spot or he will start the season in Bridgeport.

Scott Mayfield, D, Denver Pioneers (WCHA)
Drafted 2nd Round, 32nd overall, 2011

Scott Mayfield did not experience a sophomore slump in any way this season. He competed in all 39 games for the Pioneers and increased his offensive output scoring four goals and adding 17 assists for 21 points. However, the 20-year-old is never going to blow anyone away with his offensive instincts, as he is a shutdown defenseman. He has a lengthy frame, standing at 6'4 and weighing just north of 200 pounds. He can definitely benefit from adding a few more pounds of muscle this summer so he is able to handle grown men at the AHL or NHL level. The best aspect of Mayfield's game is his nastiness and willingness to battle the opposition. He loves to throw his body around and not give his opponents an inch. The one thing he will work on this offseason is his mobility, which is not a huge concern, but there is always room for improvement.

At the conclusion of his sophomore campaign he decided to sign a three-year entry-level contract with the Islanders and joined Bridgeport. He played six games for the Tigers where he more than held his own and proved he can play at the professional level. Mayfield will most likely start next season in Bridgeport where he will receive a ton of ice time and continue his development.  

Robbie Russo, D, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (CCHA)
Drafted 4th Round, 95th overall, 2011

Like fellow prospect Scott Mayfield, Robbie Russo had a solid sophomore season. With a year of experience under his belt he was given much more responsibility and ice time, which allowed him to thrive. In 41 games, he scored five goals and added 18 helpers for 23 points. He is not the biggest blueliner, but he is an in your face defensemen that will not back down. He is very competitive and a great leader. Overall, his game is well rounded as he does everything quite well. He will return to Notre Dame for his junior season where he will continue to be an anchor on their blue line.

Cody Rosen, G, Clarkson Golden Knights (ECAC)
Drafted 7th round, 185th overall, 2010

Rosen was a little utilized backup in his four years with Clarkson. He appeared in a total of 12 games in his collegiate career and at no point ever appeared to really challenge for the starting job. Following his graduation, he joined the Knoxville Ice Bears of the SJHL.

Europe

Ville Pokka, D, Kärpät (SM-liiga)
Drafted 2nd Round, 34th overall, 2012

Pokka thrived this season playing an expanded role in Finland's top professional league. In 47 games, he scored six goals and assisted on six others for 12 points. He also was a bright spot for Team Finland at the WJC, recording six points in six games. Pokka's game is based around his ability to move the puck efficiently from the back-end. He has great vision and is able to make a very good breakout pass. He is not the most physical defenseman, but he will not back down. He has a lot of room to grow offensively given his great offensive instincts.

Next season he will play again for Kärpät where he is under contract until the end of the 2014-15 season. He should continue to receive more ice time as he gains more experience, which will be good for his overall development. Pokka projects as a top four defenseman in the near future.

Kirill Petrov, LW/RW, AK Bars Kazan (KHL)
Drafted 3rd Round, 73rd overall, 2008

The Islanders recently received news that Petrov decided to re-sign with his KHL club AK Bars Kazan. It is still unknown as to the number of years the contract is for, but his rights will remain with the Islanders. Petrov is a very big winger with great speed. He is able to handle the puck very well at high speeds and is very shifty for his size. His offensive output declined a bit this season, but there is no doubting his abilities. He recently finished playing in the IIHF World Championships for his native Russia. He showed flashes of great play in the tournament, but definitely needs to become much more consistent.  

When Petrov decides to cross the pond and sign with the Islanders there is no doubt he will be given a great chance to start out with the big club right away. In the mean time he will continue to play in the KHL and the Islanders will keep a close eye on him.

Mikko Koskinen, G, KalPa (SM-Liiga)
Drafted 2nd Round, 31st overall, 2009

Ever since leaving Bridgeport to return to his home country of Finland, Koskinen has played quite well. He joined KalPa of the Finnish Elite League, immediately becoming their starting goaltender posting very solid numbers. Koskinen is a hulking goaltender standing 6'7. He uses his tremendous size to his advantage and frustrate the opposition. It is still unclear how his future with the Islanders will pan out at this point.

Photo: Speedy winger Andreas Athanasiou had a breakout season for the Barrie Colts, leading the team all the way to the OHL finals (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

Detroit's run through the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs was surprising to many. Perhaps more surprising is depth of talent they have in their pipeline. The Detroit Red Wings boast some exceptional prospects who have the potential to be future stars in the NHL. The following awards feature the Red Wings prospects who stood out above the rest. The fact that no player won multiple awards is indicative of the depth of Detroit's talent pool.

Hardest Worker: Calle Jarnkrok, C, Brynas (SEL)

Calle Jarnkrok gets consistently compared to current Red Wings captain and fellow countryman Henrik Zetterberg for a reason, and it is one that Red Wings fans are going to appreciate over the next few seasons. Jarnkrok grinds out every shift, and his game is so much more than just scoring. He is great in the faceoff circle, adept at two-way play, and is working to add to his slender frame so he can play more physically. Jarnkrok recorded a career-high 42 points in the SEL in 2012-13 before coming to North America to further accelerate his progression. In what could be the only nine games he plays in the AHL, Jarnkrok recorded three points. He will get the opportunity to make the NHL club out of training camp in September.

Hardest Shot: Martin Frk, RW, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

In a close contest, Martin Frk edged out Ryan Sproul as the Red Wings' prospect with the hardest shot. Frk boasts an incredibly heavy, hard shot, so much so that it may be his best asset. Frk's menacing slapshot made him a natural fit to run the point on Halifax's powerplay, and he parlayed his shot into 35 goals in 2012-13.

Best Defensive Prospect: Ryan Sproul, D, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

A player does not win the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the OHL's best defenseman by accident. While Ryan Sproul's defensive game is sufficient, it is likely that his incredible offensive capabilities are what allowed him to capture the award. Despite the fact that he missed six weeks of the season with a broken forearm, Sproul recorded 20 goals and 46 assists in 50 games. Sproul could very likely be a star in the NHL, and almost certainly will one day be a top-four defenseman.

Fastest Skater: Andreas Athanasiou, LW,  Barrie Colts (OHL)

The Red Wings selected Andreas Athanasiou 110th overall in 2012, and a case can be made that he was taken almost exclusively for his incredible skating ability. Athanasiou has rewarded Detroit's faith by translating his speed into point scoring ability, recording 67 points in 66 games in 2012-13 and continuing his torrid pact with 25 points in 22 playoff games. His points total is a testament to Athanasiou's ability to use his speed to create favorable scoring opportunities for himself and especially for his teammates; after being traded from London to Barrie, Athanasiou saw his assists total go from 15 in 2011-12 to 38 in 2012-13.

Prospect of the Year: Petr Mrazek, G, Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL)

Prospects take time to develop, and it is quite possible that no organization in the NHL likes to season their prospects more than Detroit. This is why Mrazek's journey from the OHL to the ECHL to the AHL to the NHL in the span of a year, and looking somewhere between good and exceptional at each of those levels, is particularly amazing. Mrazek is making his mark on the AHL, where he had a regular season goals against average of 2.33 and save percentage of.916. Mrazek has raised his game in the AHL playoffs, recording a 6-3 record with two shutouts, a goals against average of 1.90, and a save percentage of .920. Even though Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard recently signed a long-term deal, it is hard not to imagine Mrazek consistently between the pipes for Detroit one day.

Breakout Player for 2013-14: Dan DeKeyser, D, Detroit Red Wings (NHL)

Dan DeKeyser, like many other college students who just wrapped up their school year, took some time to decide where he might want to start his career. The difference between DeKeyser's experience and your typical college student is that DeKeyser's first job was not in a cubicle but rather a trial-by-fire position along the Red Wings' blue line. DeKeyser brought stability and defensive prowess to a defense corps that struggled with consistency in 2012-13, and were it not for a broken hand in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, DeKeyser would still be playing at the time of writing. Expect DeKeyser to log big minutes in all situations, from the powerplay to the penalty kill, for Detroit in 2013-14.

Most Improved Prospect: Mattias Backman, D, Linkoping (SEL)

Mattias Backman went from a prospect with the potential to produce to one of the top 10 point-getting defensemen in the SEL. In 42 SEL games in 2011-12 Backman had eight points, while in 52 SEL games in 2012-13 he had 26 points and logged 20 minutes per game. Backman is a tall, talented defenseman who is particularly adept at starting the rush. A good passer who has a penchant for getting teammates involved, Backman fits Detroit's puck possession system nicely. He is still a few years away from contending for an NHL spot, but his quick adaptation to the SEL bodes well for Backman's future.

Overachiever: Alan Quine, C, Belleville Bulls (OHL)

Players drafted 85th overall are not expected to be offensive dynamos, and those who miss a significant portion of the season due to illness can be forgiven for having a lackluster season. Alan Quine apparently did not get the memo. After missing six weeks with mononucleosis Quine returned to the Peterborough Petes lineup and scored at a point-per-game pace. He was traded to the Belleville Bulls mid-season, and his point totals ballooned. Quine played 28 games for the Bulls, scoring 14 goals and 27 assists to go with 15 points in 17 playoff games. Quine was initially projected as a checker, but if he maintains his incredible offensive statistics that may change.

Underachiever: Louis-Marc Aubry, C, Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL)

Though he was not drafted exclusively for his offensively capabilities, Louis-Marc Aubry's decreasing point totals year after year do not bode well. He has an offensive skill set but it has yet to develop. Aubry had 16 points as an AHL rookie in 2011-12 but recorded only 12 points this season, including zero so far in the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs. Perhaps Aubry can turn things around with another AHL season in 2013-14, but his play has not yet matched his draft position.

Highest Risk/Reward Prospect: Alexei Marchenko, D, CSKA Moscow (KHL)

Alexei Marchenko was taken 205th overall by Detroit in 2011, but his play in 2012-13 was indicative of another draft day steal by the Red Wings. If Marchenko continues to develop he could be a future NHL player due to his puck possession and distribution skills, but if he does not work on adding bulk and improving his defensive game he may never find his way to the big club. Marchenko, much like Backman, is a good fit for Detroit's puck possession game but only found himself playing a touch under 13 minutes per game for CSKA Moscow. Marchenko's transition to the AHL will be an indicator of whether he will reach his potential, as he has yet to log big minutes at any point in his career.

Photo: Jeremy Morin put together his best pro season in 2012-13 and could be on the verge of cracking the Blackhawks roster next season (courtesy of Warren Wimmer/Icon SMI)

The Chicago Blackhawks prospect pool had plenty of notable performances during the 2012-13 season, particularly at the AHL level, where the Rockford IceHogs went on another late-season run only to come up just short of the playoffs for the third straight season. Many of the club's CHL prospects also had standout seasons, with two Blackhawks prospects still competing for their respective clubs at the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

Prospect of the Year – Brandon Saad, LW, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)

Much of the Chicago Blackhawks' success during the 2012-13 season can be attributed to, as the cliche goes, the team's best players being their best players. The same applies to the pipeline, as the team's top prospect, Brandon Saad, stepped into a top-six role and solidified the Blackhawks top line. A dynamic skater and quick thinker, Saad kept pace with linemates Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa, completing a formidable trio on the forecheck and in the puck possession game. After a somewhat rocky start to his season in the AHL, Saad's emergence once the NHL season got underway reinforced the team's depth and allowed Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville to spread the offensive wealth to the lower lines.

Best Defensive Prospect – Adam Clendening, D, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

Adam Clendening made a fairly smooth transition to the pro level and has emerged as the Blackhawks best prospect on the blue line. He hit his stride a couple months into the season, while skating on Rockford's top-pairing with Nick Leddy. Both players benefited from the combination, as Leddy's game stabilized for a couple months before he was called up to Chicago and Clendening's play took off, earning him plenty of attention with a stretch of 18 points in 19 games from mid-November through December. He earned an invite to the 2013 AHL All-Star game, finishing the year with nine goals and 46 points in 73 games with Rockford. Clendening's defensive game is still in area in need of improvement, but he is willing to pay the price to make a stop defensively or move the puck. His combination of skill with the puck and a hard-nosed temperament make him the best defensive prospect in the Blackhawks system.

Most Improved Prospect – Alex Broadhurst, C, London Knights (OHL)

Coming into the 2012-13 season, Alex Broadhurst's reputation did not extend too far beyond the USHL, where he played two seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers, including the league championship in 2012. He was originally committed to attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha, but his selection in the OHL Priority Selection Draft in the second round by London proved that those plans had changed. Not the quickest London forward, Broadhurst sees the ice well and reads the play with ease. His effort on the backcheck and in his own zone has helped him make an impact in all situations for the Knights, and he finished second on the team and tied for third overall in the league with 28 points in 21 OHL playoff games. Broadhurst contributes in a big way to the Knights balanced lineup, but the group will be tested as they attempt to get back to the title game at the 2013 Memorial Cup.

Overachiever – Garret Ross, LW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Garret Ross scored 80 points over the course of his first three seasons with the Saginaw Spirit. In 2012-13 however he broke out for 44 goals and 90 points in 61 games, tying for the team lead in goals while continuing to lead the team with 114 penalty minutes. The chances of the 20-year-old winger continuing such extraordinary production at the next level are low. Just because Ross may not be a point-per-game player at the pro level, however, does not take away from the things he brings to the lineup, like determination, physical play, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win. If he can adjust to playing and thinking the game at pro speed, Ross could still develop into a hard-nosed role player.

Underachiever – Dylan Olsen, D, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

Dylan Olsen skated in 28 games with the Blackhawks to close out the 2011-12 season, but the summer signings of Michal Rozsival, Sheldon Brookbank, and re-signing of Johnny Oduya made it clear early on that Olsen was headed back to the AHL for more seasoning. Instead of being able to build on his first stint in the NHL however, Olsen got off to a rocky start in 2012-13. His first couple months of the season included a number of healthy scratches, and he was lucky at times to get into the lineup as the seventh defenseman. The 22-year-old blueliner was able to solidify a role later in the season, appearing in a total of 50 games and scoring 11 points with Rockford, but the test will be whether he is able to pick up where he left off next season instead of starting with a step backwards as he did in 2012-13.

Hardest Worker – Ben Smith, RW, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

Ben Smith does what it takes to win hockey games by playing around the net, working along the boards, and giving maximum effort in both zones. His willingness to pay the price in front of the net translated to a career-year on the score sheet with 27 goals and 47  points in 54 AHL games with the IceHogs. In Smith's case, the hard work has also come with tough luck; he has been injured during each of the past two Blackhawks training camps, possibly missing opportunities to crack the NHL roster. Smith can play with skilled players and muck it up in a checking role, so he could be a valuable depth forward for the Blackhawks, particularly as a cheap option for a team that will have to shed some salary going into the 2013-14 season.

Fastest Skater – Phillip Danault, C, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Danault's speed has made an impression everywhere, from his regular home in the QMJHL to the international stage with Canada at the 2013 World Junior Championships. He can use his speed to the outside to create plays off the rush and he also has some slippery moves to skate through traffic. Danault's speed is noticeable in the defensive zone as well, where he covers a ton of ice and is a constant nuisance for the opposition on the backcheck. Likely to start the 2013-14 season with Rockford in the AHL, the 20-year-old Danault will look to use his skating ability to ease the transition to the pro level.

Breakout Player for 2013-14 – Jeremy Morin, LW, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

The group of prospects on the verge of cracking the Blackhawks roster is deep, but Jeremy Morin possesses perhaps the best combination of versatility and offensive upside. Skilled forwards like Brandon Pirri, Drew LeBlanc, and Jimmy Hayes do not have the same commitment as Morin to the physical game, which could help him stick in a bottom-six role. Morin finally started to look like a more dangerous player in Rockford in 2012-13, creating chances with consistency and driving the net with reckless abandon. He finished with AHL career-highs in goals (30) and points (58). Morin will have a shot to crack the NHL roster next season and could provide some offensive punch from the bottom two lines.

One other position to watch in 2013-14 will be goaltending. Kent Simpson put together a strong rookie pro season, ranking in the top-10 in the ECHL in both goals against average (2.36) and save percentage (.912) during the regular season. Joining him at the minor league level will be Mac Carruth, who somehow managed to improve his numbers yet again at the WHL level in 2012-13. Carruth's decorated junior career has not yet come to an end, as his Winterhawks team finally broke through to win the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL Champions and are participating in the Memorial Cup in Saskatoon. The 'Hawks are likely to keep one of their veteran AHL goaltenders, Carter Hutton or Henrik Karlsson, for depth purposes next season, but the battle  for back-up duties between the team's top two goaltending prospects will be one to watch.

Unsung Hero – Brandon Pirri, C, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

For a 22-year-old center who led the AHL in scoring in 2012-13, Brandon Pirri has flown under the radar compared to a lot of the other prospects featured here. He did not have the same opportunities at the NHL level as Rockford's Jimmy Hayes and Jeremy Morin, and his center ice position was made even more crowded late in the season with the acquisitions of Michal Handzus and Drew LeBlanc. Pirri's late-season run of 42 points in his final 30 games launched him into the league lead and he finished on top with 75 points in 76 games. His game is not particularly suited for a checking role, but given the way he led the IceHogs down the stretch, he remains in the running to fill the second-line center spot in Chicago.  

Highest Risk/Reward Prospect – Teuvo Teravainen, C, Jokerit (SM-liiga)

There may not have been a ton of risk associated with the selection of Finnish forward Teuvo Teravainen at 18th overall, considering the current state of the Blackhawks' top six and the number of forward prospects in the pipeline who could potentially fit in complimentary roles. However, the slight but skilled Teravainen is probably the biggest boom-or-bust prospect in the system. He has the hockey sense and hands to be a productive offensive player, but whether he is able to fill out and transition to the more physical North American game has yet to be seen.

Photo: Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Oliver Lauridsen had a solid showing in his 15-game call-up to the NHL this season. (courtesy of Jerome Davis/Icon SMI)

The prospect pool for the Philadelphia Flyers is consistently one of the more diminished gatherings of young talent every year, but they rarely miss on top-end talent when given the opportunity to acquire it. Because of their lack of picks and their aggressive style of team-building, it is far more important for the organization to consistently hit on their high draft picks as well as attract some of the better free agent prospects on the market every year.

Though the Flyers prospect awards have names like Scott Laughton and Erik Gustafsson this season, do not expect the same names a year from now.

Prospect of the Year: Scott Laughton, C, Oshawa Generals (OHL)

When veteran Ian Laperriere, now the Flyers' Director of Player Development, traveled north to watch Scott Laughton play in the 2012-13 OHL post-season, he found only praise for the team's young center. Laperriere was told my numerous scouts from other organizations that Scott Laughton was the best player in the OHL. Though many young OHL prospects over the past couple of years have already made the jump to pro hockey, it still puts Laughton on a short list above a number of players taken ahead of him in 2012 including Slater Koekkoek (TB), Cody Ceci (OTT), and Tom Wilson (WAS). On top of that, there were many that thought that Laughton was a snub for Team Canada's World Junior Championship team that finished fourth in Ufa, Russia this year. While there is no way to tell whether or not he could have helped his country medal, there is still a lot to say about his play this season.

Mid-way through his OHL season, Laughton even earned the opportunity to play a five-game stint with the Philadelphia Flyers in which he did not look out of place. Once labeled as a reach at the 20th spot in his draft year, he has certainly gotten a lot of attention in the NHL world right out of the gate. It does not hurt matters that the Flyers' organization has him basically penciled in for NHL duty starting next season, and he will make the full time jump before many others that were placed above him on rankings over the past couple of years. It has been an incredible season for Laughton, and he is only getting better.

Most Improved: Nick Cousins, C, Sault Ste. Mary Greyhounds (OHL)

Nick Cousins had already cemented himself as one of the Flyers' top prospects after a breakout 2011-12 season in which he broke past the point-per-game mark he had hit the year before, but the former third round pick did not get much attention outside of Philadelphia until this past season where he spent much of the year leading the OHL in points. Though he finished third, possibly due to a late season suspension that threw him off track, there is a lot to look forward to in Cousins. Despite his stature he plays a menacing and edgy game suited for the fourth line of almost any NHL team, but he has the skill to play that game from within a team's top six forwards.

This year, where Cousins most notably improved was his ability to overcome his size. He was never the smallest, but he was definitely nowhere close to the biggest amongst his peers. This hurt his draft stock in 2011 a bit, but if he can figure out a way to continue to add muscle through his pro career, he can be an interesting NHL player down the road. Though he does not have the well-rounded game that Laughton has, the young center has a unique skill set that can potentially make other teams miserable when they play the Flyers. The only question that remains is whether he will continue on as a center within the organization. His play-style and abilities make him a prime candidate to move to the outside, and since the organization already has a backlog down the middle, Cousins' will likely have to show off some versatility to make the NHL jump.

Best Defensive Prospect: Erik Gustafsson, D, Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)

It was a long time coming for Erik Gustafsson, but after three years in the professional game, the stars are finally aligning to allow the young blueliner to become a consistent NHL player. There have been attempts in the past two seasons to get him involved on the Flyers' roster, but things never seemed to work out. This year in particular, he found himself hurt just as the lockout cleared, and when he did finally return, he struggled with consistency against NHL competition. When things finally started to settle down for him by the end of a disappointing campaign for the Orange and Black, Gustafsson emerged as a 24-minute-per-night, puck-moving defenseman.

Going forward, Gustafsson is exactly the type of player the Flyers need. He may not be a replacement down the road for veteran Kimmo Timonen, but at least for next year, he can help alleviate some of the strain put on the back-end with the departure of Matt Carle. He also puts less stress on the organization to trade for a puck-moving defenseman using one of their young centers, or to select one in the upcoming draft with their 11th overall pick.

Fastest Skater: Eric Wellwood, LW, Adirondack Phantoms (AHL)

For the second year in a row, Eric Wellwood wins the fastest skater competition by a wide margin. Though his season did not go as well as it did the previous year, he is still one of the fastest things on skates with NHL experience. That was not enough to help him this year though. He was sent back down to Glens Falls after a four-game tryout as the fourth line center, a position that really did not suit him. The jury is out whether or not he would have been able to hold out against guys like Laughton, Cousins, Jason Akeson, or Kyle Flanagan for a forward position on the Flyers next season. There are a lot of talented players within the organizational pool that could potentially bring more to the table, and it certainly does not help matters that Wellwood's offensive game has never really materialized.

Things worsened significantly for Wellwood on April 7th this year though as the Phantoms were entering the final stretch for the 2012-13 season. In bizarre accident, the young speedster tripped and caught a skate in the lower leg that severed a tendon and caused vascular damage. Though he went immediately into surgery, the rehab process will likely be long, and many are left wondering if this will be an end to his blazing speed.

Hardest Shot: Oliver Lauridsen, D, Adirondack Phantoms (AHL)

While Marc-Andre Bourdon has been off the ice for a bit dealing with post-concussion issues, Oliver Lauridsen has usurped him as the hardest shot winner within the Flyers' prospect pool. Nicknamed "The Great Dane," the 6'6 massive defenseman uses every bit of his wingspan to get great velocity on the puck during a slapshot. His hard and accurate shot is something the Flyers have really missed with injuries to both Bourdon and veteran Andrej Meszaros.

Overachiever: Oliver Lauridsen, D, Adirondack Phantoms (AHL)

While certainly making strides developmentally, no one could have predicted that Lauridsen would get the opportunity to play with the Flyers this quickly. The second-year pro was very raw with footspeed problems after signing with the organization out of St. Cloud State, but he showed that he could compete at the NHL level this season during emergency call-ups. While the blue line was plagued with injuries, Lauridsen got his chance to shine and performed well through 13 games. Though he did not have the same kind of impact as the emerging Gustafsson, he was vital in helping the Flyers finish with a record above the .500 mark.

While what Lauridsen has accomplished is impressive, he is still needs work to be an NHL regular. He has problems handling the puck, and though he projects as a potential steady fifth or sixth defenseman, the Flyers have plenty of defensively sound players both on the roster and in the pool. What the Flyers need right now are guys like Gustafsson who can move the puck while veterans like Braydon Coburn and Nicklas Grossmann steady the back-end.

Underachiever: Brandon Manning, D, Adirondack Phantoms (AHL)

One of the players that Lauridsen jumped on the Flyers' defensive call-up list was two-way defenseman Brandon Manning, who had shown he could hang with the guys on a four-game call-up in the 2011-12 season. This year, with Bourdon and Gustafsson both dealing with injury at the time, it was Lauridsen who got the call instead of Manning, displaying just how poor of a season the former Chilliwack Bruins captain was having in Glens Falls. Though he was given the "A"-patch for the year, he struggled with defensive consistency, and he did not progress well offensively.

Once more injuries piled up though, Manning was again called up for a four-game stint to close out the 2012-13 season, and though he went slightly unnoticed compared to the play of Lauridsen, he certainly performed well enough to get a long look in camp in the upcoming offseason. Manning possesses the IQ, skating ability, physicality, defensive aptitude, and offensive potential that could really help the Flyers down the road. If he rebounds from his poor season, there could very well be a future for him in the NHL.

Highest Risk/Reward Prospect: Anthony Stolarz, G, London Knights (OHL)

After starting the season as a back-up on the University of Nebraska-Omaha squad in the NCAA, Anthony Stolarz decided it was in his best interest to journey to the OHL where he became the starting goaltender for the London Knights. Though he was extremely raw at the time, he became an out-of-the-gate success for the Knights as they dominated the close of the 2012-13 OHL season through to the playoffs. Once in the postseason, their young netminder performed extremely well and helped the Knights win their second straight OHL championship.

The elephant in the room with Stolarz is whether or not he is just a product of the extremely talented London Knights team. Other Flyers goaltending prospects have been in this position before, and with his numbers off the charts, it will be hard for the young goalie to repeat the kind of success he has had over the last couple of months. The real question will be answered in the upcoming years. The Flyers are looking for long-term consistency, and there is always caution when goaltending is discussed in Philadelphia.

Hardest Worker: Jason Akeson, RW, Adirondack Phantoms (AHL)

Because of the NHL lockout, Jason Akeson began the season with a temporary demotion to the Trenton Titans of the ECHL. Though this was really no fault of his own, the young center was forced to spend 14 games in a lower league before getting the call-up to once again rejoin the Phantoms in his second pro season. He handled his demotion well and ended up finishing as the lead scorer for the Phantoms once again.

Akeson has all the shifty tools of any NHL passer and a good offensive skill-set. The question with his game was always about size and defensive responsibility. Though he has worked extremely hard to correct these mistakes, he will never be an all-world, two-way player in the NHL. That does not mean that he cannot help an NHL team like the Flyers.

As a good friend of Claude Giroux, Akeson has spent time in the off-seasons training with his teammate, who is from the same area of Ontario. Giroux also happens to be an NHL star and could only help the younger, shifty forward develop the kind of game that Giroux himself plays. Akeson was rewarded for his hard work and commitment to playing despite his demotion with an NHL game on Giroux's wing. In that game, Akeson netted a slick top shelf snipe against Ottawa Senator goaltender Craig Anderson to open scoring with the assist coming from Giroux.

Whether or not Akeson can make the NHL squad next season remains to be seen, but he will certainly get a long look at offseason camps. He has all the skill to add depth on the wing to the Flyers' roster which could always use additional scoring.

Breakout Player for the 2012-13 Season: Erik Gustafsson, D, Adirondack Phantoms (AHL)

It is hard to imagine a Flyers' defense next season that does not include Gustafsson. He is exactly the guy they need right now. In his first real consistent opportunity, he has shown that he can not only handle strong minutes from the blue line, but also remain a calm force moving the puck through the neutral zone. With Timonen being the only defenseman on the Flyers to perform well on the scorecard this season, the Flyers need someone who can help navigate the ice to produce some even strength offense. Whether or not they add more depth during the offseason in that regard, Gustafsson can be that guy.

Photo: Sean Kuraly had an up-and-down freshman season for Miami, but the 6’2 center’s physical tools keep him among the Sharks top college prospects (courtesy of Tim G. Zechar/Icon SMI)

Built almost entirely out of the later rounds of the draft, the San Jose Sharks NCAA prospect pool features a good mix of size and a small handful of potential NHL regulars. Of the 10 Sharks prospects who played college hockey during the 2012-13 season, eight were selected in the fifth round or later.

While the Sharks are largely represented at the collegiate level, they have but one European prospect; but he is a good one and his season was memorable.

The performances of these NHL prospects are all over the board, but this group of NCAA and European prospects represents the most intriguing forward group for the Sharks as there are a number of highly skilled offensive threats in this bunch, an area where the rest of the pipeline is lacking.

NCAA

Max Gaede, RW, Minnesota State Mavericks (WCHA)
Drafted 3rd round, 88th overall, 2010

Max Gaede has NHL size and strength. He unfortunately lacks in most other notable areas. As good as Gaede has been along the boards (he has tremendous board-work and utilizes his strength away from the puck quite well) he has been frustrating to watch in front of the net. He has so much potential, but he has not adapted particularly well to the college game. He scored one goal and 10 assists in 41 games during the 2012-13 season for Minnesota State and will look to improve upon those offensive totals heading forward after he improved by a mere .03 points per game in his sophomore season.

Chris Crane, RW, Ohio State Buckeyes (CCHA)
Drafted 7th round, 200th overall, 2010

Chris Crane is a strong checking forward who showed an ability to put up points last season in the CCHA, when he led the Ohio State Buckeyes in scoring with 24 points scored. This season Crane was a bit snake bitten and did not play with the same edge around the net, resulting in a mere six goals and three assists this season.

Points aside, Crane vastly improved his skating and still maintained solid board work. Despite having a down season, he elected to forgo his senior year with the Buckeyes after the 2012-13 schedule and joined the Worcester Sharks. There is potential for him to work his way into a top-six role with the AHL affiliate, although a bottom-six role is more likely. Either way, he is joining a group that plays very similarly to him and if he does not reassert himself he could get lost in the shuffle.

Matt Nieto, LW, Boston University Terriers (Hockey East)
Drafted 2nd round, 47th overall, 2011

Few players on this list (and the Sharks prospect pool as a whole) have the potential and skill that Matt Nieto possesses. In his junior year with the Boston University Terriers, Nieto amassed 18 goals and 19 assists for 37 points in 39 games, which was good enough for ninth in Hockey East scoring. Not bad considering his slow start (although it was technically a down year).

His strong college performance the last two seasons drew the eye of Sharks management, and Nieto elected to skip his senior season and jump straight into the AHL for the final eleven games of the season. Last season there would have been some apprehension about the move, given Nieto’s size and lack of muscle, but due to his strenuous workout regimen, Nieto has bulked up this season and checks in now over 190 pounds, almost 10 pounds heavier than last year. He looks just as good at the pro level as he did in college. Not only will Nieto compete for top-line minutes in Worcester, but he will likely have a shot to make the big club next season.

Dan O’Regan, C, Boston University Terriers (Hockey East)
Drafted 5th round, 138th overall, 2012

Dan O’Regan had a terrific NCAA season, the type of season that turns longshots into legit prospects. The slightly under-sized center led the Terriers in scoring with 38 points, tied for fifth in Hockey East scoring, and he did so as one of only two freshman to make the top 20. To put this into perspective, teammate Matt Nieto only had 23 points in his rookie campaign (and to put things further in perspective, those 38 points by O’Regan were one more than Nieto this season).

O’Regan is so talented on the offensive end that next season as a sophomore, he has the potential to be one of the nation’s best college players. Interestingly enough, he plays a little bit like Hobey Baker finalist John Gaudreau (CGY) as a smaller player. He might not be as good as Gaudreau but there will most certainly be comparisons considering both have extreme offensive talents trapped inside of their small bodies. His defensive game still needs work (it along with his size were questions concerning this player going into the draft) however considering how much Nieto improved in that area at BU, there is not a lot of concern on that end.

Sean Kuraly, C, Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (CCHA)
Drafted 5th round, 133rd overall, 2011

A lot was expected from Sean Kuraly in his freshman season, and perhaps unfairly so. The strong, NHL-sized forward, came into Miami of Ohio after a very good 2012 US National Junior Evaluation Camp but struggled to find the back of the net the first half of the season. Totaling six goals and six assists for 12 points in 40 games, Kuraly found his way into a checking role and really seized the opportunity and became one of the better RedHawks players in this role. He also skated with Team USA at the World Junior Championships, skating on the team's second scoring line but coming up with only three points during the team's gold-medal run.

Kuraly has a legitimate shot to play at the pro level because of his size and defensive coverage, but how well he adapts his game and develops his offensive touch (he was hitting a lot of posts—so things could change very quickly) will determine if he ends up in the AHL or NHL.

Colin Blackwell, C, Harvard Crimson (ECAC)
Drafted 7th round, 194th overall, 2011

Colin Blackwell of Harvard University is a very intelligent hockey player and uses that higher level of thinking to play above his game. He is a very effective player on both sides of the ice as evident in his sophomore season with the Crimson. Blackwell tallied 14 points in an injury shortened 21 games.

Before the injury, Blackwell was used in all situations and was considered one of Harvard’s best players. Returning from injury next season, Blackwell will likely switch back to the center position after playing much of it at right wing during the 2012-13 season. He is a long shot to make the NHL and projects to be more of a Mike Johnson-type player.

Cody Ferriero, C, Northeastern Huskies (Hockey East)
Drafted 5th round, 127th overall, 2010

Cody Ferriero skated in his third season with Northeastern University in the NCAA. Returning from a devastating 2011-12 knee injury, Ferriero scored 12 goals and 14 assists in 34 games; his best offensive output. The surge can be attributed to a very stealthy wrister and increased use on the powerplay down the stretch.

Ferriero is a talented young skater, although he was better pre-injury, who tends to score in bunches. Shot selection is not typically referenced a lot in hockey, but next season it will be an area this player must work on if he wants to continue to excel at the offensive side of things. This is especially true for Ferriero after next season when he makes the jump to pro where the goaltenders will not give up as easy goals.

Joakim Ryan, D, Cornell Big Red (ECAC)
Drafted 7th round, 198th overall, 2012

In his sophomore season with Cornell University in the ECAC, Joakim Ryan improved in almost all facets of his game. A very good skater who carries the puck well, he scored 23 points (six more than last year, though the goal totals dipped) and was more aggressive on the rush and his defensive positioning was considerably better.

Size will always be an issue for Ryan, who is listed as 5'11, but looks considerably smaller than that. He has enough potential to overcome it in the future if he bulks up and learns to control the front of the net against larger opponents. One thing that really stands out about this player is his shot blocking technique.

Lee Moffie, RW, Michigan Wolverines (CCHA)
Drafted 7th round, 188th overall, 2010

The offensive-defenseman Lee Moffie had a very disappointing senior year with the University of Michigan Wolverines. Moffie concluded his collegiate career posting with his worst point-per-game output, scoring three goals and adding 10 assists in 40 games.

Moffie’s poor season cannot be attributed to anything but perhaps regression. For most of the season he did not play that well on either side of the ice, but the same could be said for much of his team in 2012-13. Despite a tremendous skillset, NHL strength, and a great demeanor, it seems likely that Moffie will have to fight for a pro contract at camp next season.

Isaac MacLeod. D, Boston College Eagles (Hockey East)
Drafted 5th round, 136th overall, 2010

The giant-framed defenseman from Boston College has slowly developed into a big minute-eater for the Eagles. There are a lot of improvements to MacLeod’s game over the 2012-13 season, but because of his style of play it is hard to celebrate the hard work put into this season. Last season MacLeod was noticeably lanky and not particularly strong off the puck, but this year he has added weight and held up strong as a junior in front of his own net. He is not a bone-crushing brute yet, but he could potentially become one. He is also not known for his scoring or rush abilities, but has looked stronger on the puck and his shot looks noticeably more accurate. This season more than any of his previous two at the NCAA will be memorable, simply for the fact that he finally lit the lamp. The stay-at-home defender tallied two goals and five assists in 36 games.

Europe

Tomas Hertl, C, HC Slavia Praha (Czech Extraliga)
Drafted 1st round, 17th overall, 2012

Over the course of the season Tomas Hertl has quietly developed into one of the NHL’s most dynamic forward prospects. Like a lot of Sharks prospects, Hertl is not as famous or headline-grabbing as some of the other top tier prospects around the league, and a lot of that has to do with the 6'2 centerman playing overseas for Slavia Praha in the Czech league this season.

As the youngest player on his team, Hertl led his teammates in scoring with 18 goals and 12 assists in 43 games played. Hertl was considered a star around the league, and a must-watch player. If he was playing in the CHL with his type of dominance, the hype machine would have been sparking. Hertl out-shined countryman and linemate Dmitrij Jaskin (STL), who tore up the QMJHL, at the WJC this year. Hertl also earned a spot with the Czech men's national team at the World Championships.

As good as Hertl is (Hockey’s Future ranked him San Jose’s best prospect, and part of the top 50 prospects league wide) expectations are very high on a player that still has not played a single North American professional game. Realistically, Hertl is a very good prospect, with a lot of potential, but a lot must fall into place for this player to become the star the San Jose fans desire. Look for Hertl and the Sharks to potentially make a move to bring Hertl over to North America next season despite him having one year left on his deal with Slavia Praha.

Photo: Portland Winterhawks forward and St. Louis Blues prospect Ty Rattie has continued his scoring exploits in the 2012-13 post-season, helping the Winterhawks make the Memorial Cup Tournament after near misses the past two years (courtesy of Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)

The puck drops for the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup starting Friday evening at 6 PM CST. The host city’s Saskatoon Blades take on the Ontario Hockey League champion London Knights to kick off a tournament that features the CHL’s three top-ranked clubs (and the unranked hosts). In addition, several highly-ranked 2013 prospects plus many well-regarded NHL prospects will be taking part in this tournament.

HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS

HOW THEY GOT TO SASKATOON: QMJHL Champions. Finished the season ranked first overall in the CHL rankings. Ended the regular season with a record of 58-6-3-1, with 120 points. Only lost one game in the playoffs (in the final against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar).

STRENGTHS: The Mooseheads are offensively potent, accumulating 347 goals during the regular season.

They are led by two of the league’s top draft prospects in Jonathan Drouin and Nathan MacKinnon. And the duo has performed throughout the playoffs — Drouin at a two-point-per-game pace (35 points in 17 games), with MacKinnon almost matching that pace (33 points in 17 games).

They’re joined by Martin Frk (33 points), Stefan Fournier (29), and Stephen MacAuley providing unparalleled offensive depth.

The club has a solid but non-descript blueline corps, led offensively by Konrad Abeltshauser is the offensive strength of the roster.

WEAKNESSES: The Mooseheads are hedging all their bets on 17-year-old Zachary Fucale — and so far, he’s paid off in spades. But will he be able to maintain this performance in the face of intense pressure?

The club’s level of competition has also been called into question. Are they dominant or are they just dominant in a figurative small pond?

LONDON KNIGHTS

HOW THEY GOT TO SASKATOON: OHL Champions. Finished the season ranked third overall in the CHL with a record of 50-13-2-3, good for 105 points.

STRENGTHS: Balance and depth. This is a team that rolls four lines consistently and can boast elite offensive production from three of them — with the fourth chipping in regularly. Bo Horvat has led the club in playoff goal-scoring with 16 goals in 21 games.

And while Portland has the tournament’s marquee defensive corps, London’s may be just as talented, albeit in a far less flashy manner. Draft-eligible Nikita Zadorov is the club’s biggest blueline presence, but the duo of Scott Harrington and Olli Maatta are well-rounded defenders whose focus on the little things adds up to a superlative-yet-understated performance game in and game out.

The Knights also have the luxury of possessing a legitimate 1 and 1A solution in the net with Jake Patterson and Anthony Stolarz. The players have confidence in both and the team is comfortable playing in front of both.

They can also get on a roll; the club experienced a 24-game winning streak in the middle of the year, but its most impressive roll may have been the three-game winning streak that brought them back from the brink of elimination after they fell behind three games to one against the Barrie Colts in the OHL final.

The club also has experience on its side, having reached the final game of last year’s Memorial Cup in Shawinigan.

WEAKNESSES: Youth. The Knights are led up front by their draft-eligibles. How will they fare under the bright lights when they’re expected to be the men? The team also lacks that one player that will grab a game by its throat and will the team to victory.

And you know that 1/1A situation? It may also be a negative. While Stolarz received the bulk of the playing time upon his arrival at mid-season, Patterson was forced to take over in game five of the OHL championship after the club fell behind 3-1.

PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS

HOW THEY GOT TO SASKATOON: WHL Champions. The team finished the season as the second-ranked CHL squad after ending the regular season with a 57-12-1-2 record and 117 points. The team had a relatively uneventful playoff, only losing five games over its four rounds.

STRENGTHS: You name it. Offense? 334 goals. Defense? They only allowed 169.

Ty Rattie has been on fire this post-season. He’s been the club’s offensive dynamo, averaging nearly a goal a game, with 20 in 21 games to date. He leads the team with 36 points and has already set a WHL record for post-season scoring with 50 career playoff goals.

Rattie anchors the right side of a potent trio that includes Brendan Leipsic and Nicolas Petan, which finished 1-2-3 in the league’s scoring race. All together, they combined for 350 points.

As stacked as they are up front, the club’s strength may be on its blueline. The club’s three elite veterans – Derrick Pouliot, Troy Rutkowski, and Tyler Wotherspoon – are standouts on their own. But that trio has been overshadowed this season by the presence of presumptive first overall NHL Draft pick Seth Jones, who hasn’t looked out of place at all in the post-season, earning 15 points and posting a plus-15 rating.

Experience is also on the Winterhawks’ side as they are a team rich in playoff games played. However, the past two years have ended with losses in the WHL Championship series. This year, they got over the hump.

WEAKNESSES: Still looking. The club is solid and balanced in all areas.

SASKATOON BLADES

HOW THEY GOT TO SASKATOON: As the host city. The team finished the regular season with a 44-22-2-4 record and 94 points.

With 280 regular-season goals, the Blades know how to light up the lamp. But that explosive offense turned into a dud in the playoffs, as the team was only able to score four goals (while allowing 15) in its inglorious four-game exit in the first round at the hands of the Medicine Hat Tigers.

STRENGTHS: If it shows up, offense. The third-best offensive team in the WHL boasts a marquee goal-scorer in Josh Nicholls, who finished the year with 47 goals. They have offensive depth up front and also on the blueline, as Darren Dietz was the league’s top goal-scoring defenseman with 24.

The team is also extremely strong between the pipes — and that’s despite playing with a huge chip on his shoulder. Andrey Makarov was unclaimed by any QMJHL squad in the Lewiston dispersal draft, so he headed west. The 19-year-old has plenty of big game experience. He stood on his head in last year’s U20 World Junior Championship, stopping 56 of 57 shots in the finals — yet Sweden still prevailed over Russia. This year, he backstopped the Russians to a bronze medal in front of their home-country fans.

WEAKNESSES: The club’s early exit from the playoffs has left the team figuratively twiddling its thumbs for the past two months. It is always hard to replicate game situations, no matter how much practice you have, and the Memorial Cup is notoriously unforgiving for slow starters.

And if the offense continues to disappear, the Blades may undergo an early vanishing act.

Photo: Yale winger Ken Agostino hoists the trophy after helping the Bulldogs to the first National Championship in school history (courtesy of Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI)

The Calgary Flames prospects at the NHL level were unable to gain any post-season playing experience and the Abbotsford Heat failed to qualify for the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs. At the lower levels this spring, only the CHL prospects were experiencing playoff hockey as the European and NCAA prospects had already finished up their seasons.

The Flames will be fortunate enough to have Michael Ferland and Tyler Wotherspoon playing for the 2013 Memorial Cup, being hosted in Saskatoon this month.

ECHL

At the ECHL level, David Eddy, James Martin, and Gaelan Patterson with the Utah Grizzlies were swept in the first round, and Bryan Cameron, playing with the San Francisco Bulls, lost 4-1 in the first round as well.

QMJHL

Ryan Culkin and the Quebec Remparts won their first round series 4-2 over the pesky Chicoutimi Sagueneens but would fall 4-1 in the team's QMJHL quarter-finals series against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. He played well in the first series but struggled defensively along with his team in their second series. The mobile defender potted two goals along with four assists and a minus-one rating in the 11 games, but five of his six points came against Chicoutimi in the first round.

WHL

Again this year, Laurent Brossoit and his Edmonton Oil Kings managed to reach the WHL playoff finals. The team breezed through their first two playoff series, winning 4-1 and 4-0 against the Kootenay Ice and the Medicine Hat Tigers, respectively. They won a hard fought seven game battle in the semi-finals against the Calgary Hitmen. The Oil Kings failed to defend their WHL crown in the finals, losing 4-2 in a tough series against the Portland Winterhawks. Brossoit played all but 27 minutes of his team's playoffs games and was their backbone through the playoffs. His play was stellar, posting a record of 14-5-3 with five shutouts, an excellent 1.82 goals against average and a remarkable .935 save percentage in 22 games.
 
Turner Elson and the Red Deer Rebels swept the Prince Albert Raiders in their tight-checking first round series but lost 4-1 in the WHL quarterfinals against the Calgary Hitmen. The versatile leader was his team's best player, scoring five goals along with four assists and a solid plus-three rating in the nine playoff games. He was assigned to the AHL level with the Heat on April 13th but saw action in only two games and was unable to put up any points.

Michael Ferland and the Saskatoon Blades were swept in their first round series against the Medicine Hat Tigers. The Blades would score only four goals in the series and the big winger contributed no points in the short series. He struggled along with his teammates to play well in their defensive zone. Ferland and the Blades had 51 days to work hard and practice their overall games while waiting for the CHL playoffs to finish up. The Blades will be the WHL host team for the 2013 Memorial Cup and the team hopes to have a much better showing than their playoff series.
 
Coda Gordon and the Swift Current Broncos lost a hard fought first round series 4-1 against the Calgary Hitmen. Three of the games were decided in overtime and the other two were 3-1 affairs in favor of Calgary. The big winger scored two goals along with two assists and a minus-one rating in the five games.

Brett Kulak and his Vancouver Giants failed to make the playoffs but the mobile defender was signed to an AHL amateur try-out contract with the Abbotsford Heat on March 20th. He saw action in four games and was a respectable minus-one rating but collected no points. It was a good measuring stick of his development and would show him where to focus his off-season training in order to play at the pro level.

Tyler Wotherspoon and the Portland Winterhawks had a long run through the WHL playoffs and are the Ed Chynoweth Cup champions. The team beat a pesky Everett Silvertips 4-2 in their first round series. They swept the Spokane Chiefs in the quarterfinals before winning their semi-final series 4-1 against the high scoring Kamloops Blazers. In a rematch of last year's WHL championship finals, the Winterhawks prevailed 4-2 over the defending champions, Edmonton Oil Kings in a tough series. Wotherspoon was solid at both end of the rink for his team, contributing two goals along with eight assists and an excellent plus-11 rating in the 21 playoffs games. In his last season at the junior level, the shutdown defender will finally get the chance to compete for the Memorial Cup.

NCAA

In the NCAA, the Flames had their two newly acquired prospects, Ben Hanowski and Ken Agostino, make it to the Frozen Four in Pittsburgh this April. Hanowski's team, St. Cloud State was knocked out in the semi-finals against Quinnipac, but Agostino would help Yale win their first NCAA National Championship. Agostino scored two goals and two assists in his team's four NCAA Tournament victories.

Europe

In Europe, all the Flames' prospects failed to reach the finals in their respective leagues. Joni Ortio has played for Team Finland at the IIHF 2013 World Championships in Sweden and Finland. Ortio split time with Antti Raanta during the team's preliminary round games, posting a 3-0 record with a 1.98 goals against average and a .897 save percentage in three games.

Notes and Signings

The Flames signed Tyler Wotherspoon (March 31), Laurent Brossoit (April 4), and Markus Granlund (April 19) to three year NHL entry-level contracts. Calgary also signed Ben Hanowski (April 12) and John Ramage (April 18) to two year NHL entry-level contracts after they finished their senior seasons in the NCAA.

After graduating from Notre Dame, Nicholas Larson signed an AHL ATO contract with the Peoria Rivermen and saw action in five games. He collected no points and was a minus-one rating in the five games. It is most likely that the Flames will not offer him an NHL entry-level contract before the summer deadline.

Photo: Center Nathan MacKinnon and his Halifax Mooseheads teammates are on their way to the 2013 Memorial Cup Tournament after winning the QMJHL title (courtesy of Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

The 2013 U18 World Junior Championship has come and gone, but it had little effect on the upper ranks of ISS Hockey's May ranking of the 2013 NHL Draft prospects.

The most obvious change among the top 10 prospects is the drop from #2 to #4 of Russian forward Valeri Nichushkin. Nichushkin played in all but one game for Russia at the U18, where he finished tied for 10th among tournament scorers. The big Russian showed flashes of the great talent that many scouts believe he possesses, but it was not on display on a consistent basis at this tournament.

The other change in the ISS top 10 consisted of OHL defender Nikita Zadorov and Swedish forward Elias Lindholm switching places. Lindholm moved up from #8 to #7, while Zadorov dropped from #7 to #8. Neither player took part in the U18 tournament, but Zadorov has been a part of the London Knights' run to the Memorial Cup Tournament while Lindholm had a good season playing for Brynas in the SEL.

Three players that seemed to have their stock affected by their U18 performances were defensemen Dillon Heatherington and Robert Hagg, and forward Mike McCarron. Heatherington and McCarron both received a nice boost in the May rankings, with McCarron moving from #62 to #28 and Heatherington moving from #37 to #27. Hagg, on the other hand, fell out of the first round ranks for the first time this season, moving from #23 in April to #31 in May.

Below is the ISS Hockey May ranking of the top 30 skater prospects for the 2013 NHL Draft.

There was no change in the goaltender rankings from April to May. Zachary Fucale remains the top goaltender for this draft according to ISS.

Follow ISS Hockey on Twitter via @ISShockey

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.

In the NCAA, there were no Montreal prospects whose teams made it to the Frozen Four Championship in Pittsburgh this April.

In Europe, all the Canadiens' prospects failed to reach the finals in their respective leagues. Sebastian Collberg was signed to a Professional try-out contract by the Hamilton Bulldogs but would only play two games due to lingering effects of a concussion suffered in the SEL playoffs. Despite being held pointless, he did show flashes of his speed and offensive talent in the small sampling of North American Pro-style hockey.

NHL

The organization decided to re-assign Michael Bournival, Louis Leblanc, Greg Pateryn, Nathan Beaulieu, Dustin Tokarski, and Robert Mayer to the NHL level as the Canadiens' black aces group, joining the already called-up Gabriel Dumont. Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher, and Jarred Tinordi were regular members of the starting lineup in the Canadians first round match against the Ottawa Senators. Dumont also made it into three games.

OHL

Brady Vail and his Windsor Spitfires failed to make the OHL playoffs this season. The big centerman impressed the Canadiens' management group enough with his versatile play this year that they decided to sign him to an amateur try-out contract with the Hamilton Bulldogs. He would score his first professional goal along with three assists and a solid plus three rating in 12 AHL games. The 19-year-old forward's experience at the AHL level will only help his overall development and show him what aspects of his game need to be improved over the off-season.

QMJHL

Olivier Archambault and his Drummondville Voltigeurs were knocked out in the first round of the QMJHL playoffs, losing 4-1 against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in a close scoring series. In the five games, the 20-year-old winger scored two goals along four assists and a plus-one rating. He was brought to the Hamilton Bulldogs under a try-out contract where he would collect both his first pro level goal and assist along with a minus-three rating in 10 AHL games.

Charles Hudon and the Chicoutimi Sagueneens bowed out 4-2 in a hard-fought first round series against their rivals, the Quebec Remparts. The captain of the Sagueneens was outstanding, leading his team by scoring five goals (one on the power play) along with five assists and a minus-two rating in six games. The 18-year-old was then assigned to the Hamilton Bulldogs under a try-out contract where he scored his first pro level goal and added two assists but struggled defensively with a minus-five rating in nine AHL games. The Canadiens signed Hudon to a three-year NHL entry-level contract on May 5th, 2013.

WHL

Tim Bozon and his Kamloops Blazers had a deep run into the WHL semi-finals where the team lost 4-1 to last year's finalists, the Portland Winterhawks. He suffered a hand injury in the third game of the opening round series against the Victoria Royals and did not return to action until the Portland series. After missing seven playoff games, the 19-year-old was only able to show his offensive skills when he put up four points in his team's one win against the Winterhawks. In total, he collected four goals along, two assists, and an even rating in eight playoff games. Bozon played for Team France in the IIHF World Championships, where he posted an assist through five games.

Darren Dietz, Dalton Thrower and the Saskatoon Blades were swept 4-0 in their WHL first round playoff series against the Medicine Hat Tigers. The Blades scored only four goals in the series and Dietz contributed one goal along with an assist and a minus-two rating in the four games. Thrower struggled on the second defense pairing and failed to contribute any points while having a minus-four rating for the series. Both of the defensemen however have time to work hard and practice on their overall games while waiting for the CHL playoffs to finish up. The Blades will be the WHL host team for the 2013 Memorial Cup and the team hopes to have a much better showing than their playoff series.

Notes and Signings

Montreal chose to lock up Dietz to a three year NHL entry level contract on March 17th, 2013. After Danny Kristo's North Dakota lost in the NCAA tournament, the organization quickly signed the talented winger to a two-year NHL entry-level contract on April 3rd and assigned him to the AHL to finish out the regular season. He contributed three assists and sported a minus-one rating in nine AHL games. The American-born forward was selected to represent his country from May 3rd-17th at the IIHF 2013 World Championships in Sweden and Finland.

The Canadiens have some difficult decisions to make about whether to offer NHL entry level contracts to Archambault, Magnus Nygren, Daniel Pribyl, and Dustin Walsh before this year's deadline or release their rights.