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New York Islanders own a bevy of talented young guns at the AHL level Photo: Forward Casey Cizikas is one of several Islanders prospects who has a fair amount of NHL experience. (Bill Streicher/Icon SMI) Due to the NHL lockout, anyone with a two-way contract was able to hone their skills at the AHL level in Bridgeport while they waited for the NHL to resume. This increased the overall level of play in the AHL, which has been good for the overall development of the New York Islanders' prospects. Blueliners highlight a deep junior prospect pool for the New York Islanders Photo: Defenseman Brenden Kichton is having a brilliant fifth season in the WHL, posting 53 points in 43 games with the Spokane Chiefs. (Marissa Baecker/Getty Images) The New York Islanders have a large group of prospects playing at the junior level, led by former first round picks Griffin Reinhart and Ryan Strome. The Islanders are particularly flush at defense, with eight defensive prospects playing in either the CHL or college prep level. New York Islanders boast depth up middle and back end Photo: Matt Donovan is one of many talented defensive prospects the New York Islanders have in their system. (Jason Mowry/Icon SMI) The 2012 NHL Entry Draft proved to be very defensive for the New York Islanders as they shocked the hockey world by selecting a defensemen with each of their seven picks. The move gave them great depth on the blue line, where a team can never have enough bodies. In the previous two drafts they selected two high scoring forwards. Video: 2013 World Junior Championship – Ryan Strome, Canada Photo: Niagara IceDogs forward and New York Islanders prospect Ryan Strome is off to a fast start offensively at the 2013 World Junior Championship (courtesy of Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images) Team Canada has a few returnees from last year's World Junior Championship squad, a team that ultimately fell a little short of their goal of winning gold. Team Rankings: Minnesota Wild owns impressive group of prospects with elite potential Photo: Drafted ninth overall in 2010, Finnish Center Mikael Granlund has made his AHL debut this season. Granlund was widely considered one of the best hockey players not playing in North America. (Juan DeLeon/Icon SMI) Below is the top-10 section of Hockey's Future's NHL Team Rankings. The teams are ranked in terms of the quality of their overall prospect pool as voted on by the staff of Hockey's Future. For reference, just the top five prospects are listed. To be eligible, a prospect must meet HF's prospect criteria. The rankings are done twice a year. |
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