34 replies to this topic

[ladiesandgentlemen]

Top 20 at a Glance

1. Luca Sbisa, D
2. Jake Gardiner, D
3. Peter Holland, C
4. Mark Mitera, D
5. Kyle Palmieri, C
6. Brendan Mikkelson, D
7. Matt Beleskey, LW
8. Petri Kontiola, C
9. Matt Clark, D
10. Mattias Modig, G
11. Logan MacMillan, LW
12. Justin Pogge, G
13. Nicolas Deschamps, LW
14. Nick Bonino, C
15. Dan Sexton, C
16. Igor Bobkov, G
17. Brett Festerling, D
18. Timo Pielmeier, G
19. MacGregor Sharp, C
20. Justin Schultz, D

Read More, including individual player assessments ->

[DuckNewbie]

I think one of the "Hockey's Future" failures is to NOT maintain old ratings for people to browse. So, I've been keeping them myself!

Below are the ratings I've recorded. I think they update ratings twice a year(?), but I only have yearly numbers until the most recent update.

"--" indicates either unrated, or my failure to capture the data.

(Sorry if my attempt to format the table fails. I did try to make it readable, but the "truetype" fonts are killing me).

Name.................2007...2008...2009...fall '09
Bailey, Jason.......5.5C...5.5C...5.5C...5.5C
Beleskey, Matt.....6.5C...7.0C...7.0C...7.0C
Bickel, Stu..............--....6.0C...5.0C...5.0C
Bobkov, Igor..........--.........--.......--...7.0D
Bolt, Bobby..........5.0C...4.5C...4.5C...4.5C
Bonino, Nick..........--.....--...6.0C...6.5C
Brittain, Josh........--...6.0C...6.0C...6.0D
Clark, Matt...........--.....--.....--...7.0C
Cousineau, Marco......--...6.0C...6.0D...6.0D
Degray, John........6.5C...6.5C...6.5D...6.0D
Deschamps, Nicolas....--...7.0C...7.0C...6.5C
Dixon, Stephen......6.0C...6.0D...6.0D...6.0D
Festerling, Brett...5.5B...5.0B...5.0B...6.0B
Gardiner, Jake........--...7.5C...8.0C...8.0C
Hegarty, Ryan.........--...6.0D...6.0D...6.0D
Holland, Peter........--.....--.....--...8.0D
Kampfer, Steven.....6.0C...6.0C...6.0C...6.0D
Kontiola, Petri.......--.....--...7.0C...7.0C
Levasseur, JP.......7.5C...7.0C...7.0F...7.0F
Macenauer, Maxime...6.5C...6.0C...6.0C...6.0C
Macmillan, Logan....7.5C...7.5C...7.0C...6.5C
McMillan, Brandon.....--...6.0D...6.0C...6.0D
Mikkelson, Brendan..7.0C...7.0C...7.0C...7.0C
Mitera, Mark........7.5B...7.5B...7.5B...7.5C
Modig, Mattias......6.0C...6.0D...7.0D...7.0D
Palmieri, Kyle........--.....--.....--...7.0C
Pielmeier, Timo.......--.....--...6.0D...6.5C
Pogge, Justin.........--.....--...6.5C...6.5C
Pryor, Nick...........--...6.0D...6.0D...6.0D
Sbisa, Luca...........--.....--...8.0B...8.0B
Schultz, Justin.......--...6.0C...6.0C...6.0C
Sexton, Dan...........--.....--.....--...6.5C
Sharp, MacGregor......--.....--.....--...6.0C
Stefaniszin, S......6.0C...6.0C...6.0C...6.0C
Vaive, Justin.......6.0D...5.5D...5.5D...5.5D
Warg, Stefan..........--...5.5C...5.5C...5.5C
Wirtanen, Petteri...5.5B...5.5B...5.5B...5.5B

For some reason, these players are not rated. My records indicate they SHOULD be considered prospects, but maybe they were deemed to be insignificant?

Illo, Radoslav........--.....--.....--.....??
McCue, Matt...........--.....--.....--.....??
Regan, Eric...........--.....--.....--.....??
Valentine, Scott......--.....--.....--.....??
Vatanen, Sami.........--.....--.....--.....??*

*Added: Vatanen is listed as an "honorable mention" in the top 20, but without a rating. Figure that out....


Recently disappeared from the list of prospects, possibly because they are over age?

Bodie, Troy........5.0C...5.0C...5.0C...OvrAge
Donally, Ryan......5.5C...5.5C...5.5C...OvrAge
Salcido, Brian.....7.0C...7.0C...7.0C...OvrAge


And, for completeness, recent "Graduates", and removals.

Brown, Mike...........--.....--...5.0A...Grad
Carter, Ryan........6.5B...6.5B...Grad
Ebbett, Andrew......6.5C...Grad
Ryan, Bobby.........8.5C...8.0B...Grad
Platt, Geoff........6.0B...7.0D...OvrAge

[Sojourn]

Interesting.

Salcido isn't even on that list.

[DucksRule00]

Interesting.

Salcido isn't even on that list.

I'm pretty sure he is too old.

And I was surprised to see Kampfer and Brandon McMillan completely fall off the list.

[Duckster24]

Interesting.

Salcido isn't even on that list.

I believe he was #5 on the list but has since been removed as he doesn't meet the criteria for prospects anymore.

"If a prospect is a skater (forward, defenseman) and has played in 65 NHL games or more before the completion of the season of his 24th birthday; or, if a goaltender has played in 45 NHL games before the completion of the season of his 24th birthday, that player will be considered graduated to the NHL. Conversely, if a player completes the season of his 24th birthday without passing those milestones, then that player will no longer be considered a prospect by Hockey’s Future, regardless of the player’s status with his NHL club. "

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/whatmakesaprospect/

[DucksFan39]

Bonino is way to low, and Vatanen should be close to our top 10 this guy is insanely talented..

[Sojourn]

I believe he was #5 on the list but has since been removed as he doesn't meet the criteria for prospects anymore.

"If a prospect is a skater (forward, defenseman) and has played in 65 NHL games or more before the completion of the season of his 24th birthday; or, if a goaltender has played in 45 NHL games before the completion of the season of his 24th birthday, that player will be considered graduated to the NHL. Conversely, if a player completes the season of his 24th birthday without passing those milestones, then that player will no longer be considered a prospect by Hockey’s Future, regardless of the player’s status with his NHL club. "

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/whatmakesaprospect/

#5 on the list was before the draft and hadn't been updated after this past season, right? Holland and Palmieri should definitely be above him. I'm also really surprised at how low Bonino is.

And Fluffer, isn't Vatanen the 5'9 or 5'10 defenseman? Talent aside, it's hard to put such an undersized defenseman into the top 10, especially when he's still so young. A year or two from now he could definitely break into it, but to break into the NHL he would have to do it while working against his size disadvantage.

[jusducks6]

I don't get why Festerling is 17 and Mikkelson is 6. I guess having your 17th rated prospect be a guy that played 40 games on your big club, is a good problem to have.

[Duckster24]

#5 on the list was before the draft and hadn't been updated after this past season, right? Holland and Palmieri should definitely be above him. I'm also really surprised at how low Bonino is.

It was the last list, whenever that was published. He had the same ranking as Mikkelson (7.0 C) and was on the list just above or below him, I don't really recall. Looking at the current list, from Palmieri to Clark, they're all listed as 7.0 C.

Interesting that Mikkelson's profile has him listed at 7.0 C, but the narrative in the article has him listed at 6.5 B.

[Sojourn]

I don't get why Festerling is 17 and Mikkelson is 6. I guess having your 17th rated prospect be a guy that played 40 games on your big club, is a good problem to have.

Because it's about potential and skill. DucksFan39's example of Vatanen is an excellent one. Based on his skill, Vatanen is an excellent talent. If he were in the range of 6'0" or taller he would have been a 1st round pick, and possibly a high one. The kid has skills... but his potential is hampered by his lack of size. At 5'9" he isn't just undersized as a defenseman, he's undersized as an NHL player. Unless he has a late growth spurt (which Anaheim would absolutely drool at the thought of) it's a big disadvantage that he needs to overcome to be an NHL player, let alone an effective one.

Festerling isn't the most skilled prospect. I don't think I'd even consider him in a list of top 20 Anaheim prospects in terms of skill, but skill isn't always the determining factor in being an NHL player. The way he plays and what he can bring (assuming he continues to develop properly) on the ice could have him ending up as a pretty solid #5 or #6 defenseman. It also helps that he has some NHL experience, which raises his stock a bit.

[DucksFan39]

#5 on the list was before the draft and hadn't been updated after this past season, right? Holland and Palmieri should definitely be above him. I'm also really surprised at how low Bonino is.

And Fluffer, isn't Vatanen the 5'9 or 5'10 defenseman? Talent aside, it's hard to put such an undersized defenseman into the top 10, especially when he's still so young. A year or two from now he could definitely break into it, but to break into the NHL he would have to do it while working against his size disadvantage.

Vatanen is listed at 5'8 165 but some people think there is room for him to grow which is why Kyle Woodlief was comparing him to Nick flying elbows Kronwall before the draft.

He was recently named the top player and defensemen at a recent U20 tournament in Europe with 3 goals and 4 assists, he was also considered the best conditioned player at the NHL combine, so even if he can grow to only 5'10 185 it would be very significant concerning his future

[Sojourn]

Vatanen is listed at 5'8 165 but some people think there is room for him to grow which is why Kyle Woodlief was comparing him to Nick flying elbows Kronwall before the draft.

He was recently named the top player and defensemen at a recent U20 tournament in Europe with 3 goals and 4 assists, he was also considered the best conditioned player at the NHL combine, so even if he can grow to only 5'10 185 it would be very significant concerning his future

Wasn't he also the Captain for Finland's U18 team? Or am I thinking of someone else?

I completely agree that even 2 inches and 20 lbs could go a long way. He'd still be undersized, but his skills and his work ethic can make up for it. But 5'8"... I mean, that's even undersized for a forward. At his age, there is still a lot of opportunity for him to grow. I'm crossing my fingers on him, because I think he's a first round top 10 talent. Anaheim could wind up with an absolutely sick top 4 blue line. Gardiner, Mitera, Sbisa, and Vatanen. And that's not including Whitney, who we still have for quite some time, and I still expect this next season to be a big one for him.

[DucksFan39]

Yes he is considered the leader of the Fin national u20 team this player has alot of positive qualities if you ask me there's not much difference between him and Ryan Ellis except Ellis has a harder slap shot and is more polished. But skill wise I don't see alot of difference I'd consider Vatanen to be a better skater and he's not afraid of contact either. With his conditioning level he should be able to add the weight over the next two years, if you had only watched him at the u18's you woulda thought he was a for sure first round pick he was that good.

Bob Murray has done an unbelievable job of injecting talent onto our blueline.

Players like Mikkelson and Festerling are depth d, though Mikkelson still has plenty of raw skill, but those were two of our top young d.

Now you have Whitney, Sbisa, Wisniewski, Clark and Vatanen added, all under 27 plus Mitera and Gardiner who each have top 4 potential slots guys like Festerling, Mikkelson, and Salcido into more appropriate positions on the depth chart for what they bring. I mean Vatanen and Clark both have top 4 upside if you ask me. Clark is going to be a huge guy when he's 21, probably almost 6'5 230

[Sojourn]

Yes he is considered the leader of the Fin national u20 team this player has alot of positive qualities if you ask me there's not much difference between him and Ryan Ellis except Ellis has a harder slap shot and is more polished. But skill wise I don't see alot of difference I'd consider Vatanen to be a better skater and he's not afraid of contact either. With his conditioning level he should be able to add the weight over the next two years, if you had only watched him at the u18's you woulda thought he was a for sure first round pick he was that good.

Bob Murray has done an unbelievable job of injecting talent onto our blueline.

Players like Mikkelson and Festerling are depth d, though Mikkelson still has plenty of raw skill, but those were two of our top young d.

Now you have Whitney, Sbisa, Wisniewski, Clark and Vatanen added, all under 27 plus Mitera and Gardiner who each have top 4 potential slots guys like Festerling, Mikkelson, and Salcido into more appropriate positions on the depth chart for what they bring. I mean Vatanen and Clark both have top 4 upside if you ask me. Clark is going to be a huge guy when he's 21, probably almost 6'5 230

The unfortunate thing with Mikkelson is that he is so raw. He needs to mellow out, but I can't help but think he might be running out of time.

But yeah, Anaheim looks like they should be very comfortable on the blue line for years to come. And then Murray, and the scouts, did a pretty respectable job by picking up two pretty impressive forwards in the 1st round. It's quite a difference from what we would see with Burke most years.

[ladiesandgentlemen]

According to a poster on the HF boards:

The latest edition of The Hockey News has listed the Top 10 Ducks prospects.

1. Luca Sbisa
2. Jake Gardiner
3. Peter Holland
4. Kyle Palmieri
5. Matt Beleskey
6. Mark Mitera
7. Brian Salcido
8. Nicolas Deschamps
9. Josh Brittain
10. Mattias Modig

Based on " The top prospects in each franchises system are listed in terms of NHL upside, not the order in which they're expected to arrive.

Interesting differences, especially with the defensemen.

[DucksFan39]

According to a poster on the HF boards:

Interesting differences, especially with the defensemen.

Salcido and Brittain are questionable. Brittain has potential but he's a long term project.

[Bryan]

Is Vatanen like a Salcido type player? Both offense defensemen?

[TheJoeMan]

Is Vatanen like a Salcido type player? Both offense defensemen?

He's a Finnish Brian Rafalski.

[runaroundace]

I would remove Kontiola from that list completely. I have no Idea how he ended up at # 8. I would move Bonino up about 5 spots. I would add Kamfer and Brittian in there somewhere.

[ladiesandgentlemen]

... Gardiner was listed at 6-foot and 173 pounds when he was drafted, but after one college season, he's grown to 6-2 and 187. That physical growth is helping his growth into his new position...

From an article posted by wildwing94 in the Jake G. thread

I was totally stoked when I read this and immediately thought of Sami Vatanen.

We need to get Vatanen over here and on whatever plan Gardiner's been on.

Cornfed in the Midwest, or something? Maybe cheese and walleye? Whatever it is, if Sami could have a growth spurt like that we'd be sick in blueline futures... just sick.

[Sojourn]

He's a Finnish Brian Rafalski.

Heh, yeah. But there's still the possibiity that Vatanen could grow.

That should be a good summary of the kind of skill Vatanen possesses.

[DucksFan39]

Vatanen will be fine in Europe for two years playing against men he's one of the best conditioned athletes of his draft class, basically we have to hope his growth plates will allow for another 2-5 inches of growth because I don't think putting on the weight will be a big problem. But Patrick Wiercoch of the sens grew about 5 inches last year, so anything is possible.

Also sounds like Gardiner is a lock for the national team if he has a good start, he's yet another ducks prospect that gets no dap but when you actually watch him you see that he has a ton of natural talent

[ladiesandgentlemen]

Watch Vatanen in this clip and tell me he's got anything else on his mind other than the puck:



Yikes! He was either having a bad game, or has a LOT of work to do to learn the position. He was out of position in almost every sequence in that vid, and made some very poor decisions and was muscled off the puck pretty easily.

If he is a Finnish Brian Rafalski, something happened on the way to the forum in this game.

[DucksRule00]

Yikes! He was either having a bad game, or has a LOT of work to do to learn the position. He was out of position in almost every sequence in that vid, and made some very poor decisions and was muscled off the puck pretty easily.

If he is a Finnish Brian Rafalski, something happened on the way to the forum in this game.

I believe that was his first game in a mens league.

[DucksFan39]

If he is a Finnish Brian Rafalski, something happened on the way to the forum in this game.

Wow that was like his first pro game, give it a rest, he just had a hattrick today this is why you can't jump to conclusions based on one video he has 5 goals and 8 points so far in his first pre-season as a pro he does have work to do but he's freakin 18 playing against men