Hockey's Future - The #1 Online Prospects Resource

13Montreal Canadiens

Strengths: Having traded away several top prospects, the Canadiens prospect pool looks very different than it did last spring. Montreal continues to have good depth in forwards and defensemen, but lacks high-end talent. Max Pacioretty, Ben Maxwell, Matt D'Agostini, and Kyle Chipchura are all players who have tasted the NHL and made a positive impression. Yannick Weber and Mathieu Carle are two players with professional experience who could be moving up to full-time work soon. Weaknesses: Goaltending is the biggest problem, with the organization a few injuries away from empty. Most of the team's centers are more in the checking mold, and Montreal could do with more physicality here. Top five prospects: 1. Max Pacioretty, LW, 2. Ben Maxwell, C, 3. P.K. Subban, D, 4. Yannick Weber, D, 5. Louis Leblanc, C.

14Phoenix Coyotes

Strengths: Defensive depth is exceptionally strong and diverse, with names like Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Chris Summers, Jonas Ahnelov, and Maxim Goncharov making it likely that Phoenix will have a solid defensive corps for many years to come. Sami Lepisto, David Schlemko, and Michael Stone could make solid bottom-pairing defensemen. The forward group is highlighted by hard workers and strong skaters, from Viktor Tikhonov and Kevin Porter, who've already made NHL impacts, to Chad Kolarik and Chris Brown, still some time away. Weaknesses: Mike Lee was drafted this summer, but he is several years away and there is not much depth in net beyond him. There is not much high-caliber offensive talent left in the cupboard, as most of it has moved to the NHL recently. Top five prospects: 1. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, 2. Viktor Tikhonov, C, 3. Brett MacLean, LW, 4. Jonas Ahnelov, D, 5. Kevin Porter, C.

15Philadelphia Flyers

Strengths: The Flyers boast two NHL-ready forwards with game-breaking potential in James vanRiemsdyk and Claude Giroux. Defenseman Ryan Parent is a second or third-pairing defenseman who is also currently in the NHL. The Flyers also boast several forwards in Andreas Nodl and Patrick Maroon who can contribute to the NHL team in a bottom-six capacity if called upon. Marc-Andre Bourdon is an offensively-minded defenseman who is also close to contributing at the NHL level. Weaknesses: All of the other Flyers forwards aside from Giroux and vanRiemsdyk are mostly serviceable bottom-six types. Despite eight goaltending prospects, the Flyers continue to lack a long-term solution in net. The system also lacks a top-pairing defenseman. Depth outside of the pro leagues is also lacking -- the system will need to be restocked soon. Top five prospects: 1. Claude Giroux, RW/C, 2. James vanRiemsdyk, LW, 3. Ryan Parent, D, 4. Kevin Marshall, D, 5. Patrick Maroon, LW.

16Tampa Bay Lightning

Strengths: The Lightning finally added some high-end talent at the draft while keeping with their favorite trait -- size -- in Victor Hedman, Carter Ashton, and the enigmatic Richard Panik. Matt Lashoff, Vladimir Mihalik, and Ty Wishart are all knocking at the NHL's door as versatile defensemen ranging in size from big to mammoth. Goaltending depth is strong, with several prospects like Dustin Tokarski and Jaroslav Janus making major splashes at the international level. Weaknesses: Forward depth is heavy on checkers, but light on scorers outside of what was added at the 2009 draft. Overall, the organization lacks depth due to misses in the later rounds of the draft. While they do have a few promising defensemen, the talent drops off quickly and brings up big question marks. They could also benefit from speedy puck-moving defensemen to complement the bigger, physical players in place. Top five prospects: 1. Victor Hedman, D, 2. Carter Ashton, RW, 3. Richard Panik, C, 4. Matt Lashoff, D, 5, Dana Tyrell, C.

17Colorado Avalanche

Strengths: Colorado improved a lot via the 2009 draft, landing two young prospects who started the season in the NHL in Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly. Ryan Stoa, Chris Stewart, and T.J. Galiardi highlight a group of skilled forwards with size. Defensive depth continues to stockpile as the Avalanche have added Tyson Barrie and Stefan Elliott to a group including Kevin Shattenkirk and Colby Cohen. Weaknesses: There is not much forward depth beyond the top group. Colorado could really use some help in the immediate future, but many players at the top of the depth charts have yet to even turn pro. Trevor Cann is getting a shot at the professional ranks, but the Avalanche have yet to see a payoff after trying to shore up goaltending depth with several early-round draft picks. Top five prospects: 1. Matt Duchene, C, 2. Kevin Shattenkirk, D, 3. Chris Stewart, RW, 4. Ryan Stoa, C, 5. Ryan O'Reilly, C.

18Toronto Maple Leafs

Strengths: The complete franchise overhaul is still underway, but clear progress is being made by Brian Burke and company. 2009 first-rounder Nazem Kadri delivered an inspired performance at training camp. Collegians Tyler Bozak and Christian Hanson also impressed and could make an impact as early as this season. Former Hobey Baker nominee Viktor Stalberg cracked the NHL roster because of his skill and bullet-train speed. Free-agent goalie Jonas Gustavsson was spectacular in Sweden and could become a star in Toronto. Enigmatic Belarusian Mikhail Stefanovich has all the tools necessary to become a special talent. Weaknesses: Depth is still an issue, which is not surprising considering the lack of picks in the past few years. Each position is lacking once you look past a single player. The blueline is especially thin, with Jesse Blacker currently occupying the top spot. Top five prospects: 1. Nazem Kadri, C, 2. Jonas Gustavsson, G, 3. Mikhail Stefanovich, C, 4. Tyler Bozak, C, 5. Viktor Stalberg, LW.

NHL Team Prospect Pages