Western Conference Prospects

Chicago Blackhawks

1. Phillip Danault (C) – The Hawks deemed Brandon Saad expendable partly because they have his successor already. Danault is an all-around leader with a ferocious work ethic and a terrific skater. He had an impressive scoring touch in junior, but will ask for stingy defense in a depth role for the potential shutdown center. He underwent hip surgery in August and will be out four months.

2. Mark McNeill (RW) – A big, versatile forward who does a lot of the little things well and notched 44 points in 63 AHL games last year. The 22 year-old needs to show he can be physical enough at the NHL level to impress the big club at training camp.

3. Nick Schmaltz (C) – A fast, offensively gifted forward with elite stickhandling, passing and shooting skills. Schmaltz can be flashy at times and has a knack for creating quality scoring chances for his linemates. As a freshman for the University of North Dakota, the Wisconsin native had 21 assists and 26 points in 38 games.

4. Trevor van Riemsdyk – (D) – A big-bodied defenseman with a booming shot and offensive-minded skillset. The 24-year-old got a taste of NHL experience last year, and will try to prove his defensive and physical skills have refined enough to stick around.

5. Ville Pokka – (D) – The six-foot, Finn is a calm defender who is a reliable force in his own zone. Acquired in the Nick Leddy trade last season, the 21-year-old second round pick has strong hockey sense and earned a valuable year of experience in the AHL last year.

Colorado Avalanche

1. Mikko Rantanen (C) – The Avs’ 10th overall selection from last June’s draft has the size and intelligence to step into an NHL role sooner rather than later. At 6’4 and with a year of Finnish Elite League experience, Rantanen is a fast, elusive skater who can be an elite playmaker, and is one of the main reasons that GM Joe Sakic felt comfortable trading Ryan O’Reilly.

2. Chris Bigras (D) – The 2013 second round pick capped off his OHL career in style last season, notching 71 points in 62 games. At 6’2, 194 pounds ,Bigras plays a simple yet smart game and is a poised puckhandler. He’s turned heads at NHL camp for the past two years, and is hoping to do so again this fall.

3. Joey Hishon (C) – A fierce and energetic offensive fuse who can skate, score and make his linemates better. Hishon is a productive center who played well enough in the AHL to earn a 13-game call up last season. If the 5’10, 175 pound winger can prove his concussion issues are history, he will have a shot at sticking around.

4. Calvin Pickard (G) – The 23 year-old goaltender leapfrogged backup Reto Berra last season by putting up a 6-7-3 record with a 2.35 goals against average and .932 save percentage while Semyon Varlamov was hurt, becoming a fan favorite in the process. His record was 23-17-9 with Lake Erie, sporting a 2.61 GAA and .917 save percentage.

5. Conner Bleackley (C) – A center with great intelligence, work ethic and the ability to score the “greasy goals.” Bleackley’s strong character in the room and energy on the ice compensates for his lack of offensive flash. Coach Patrick Roy challenged the 19-year-old to improve his strength and conditioning.

Dallas Stars

1. Julius Honka (D) – A poised, offensive-minded 19-year-old defenseman with the potential to be a star. The 5’11, 185-pound Finn is a great puck-mover with terrific vision and the ability to run the power play. Despite a lack of size and bulk, Honka held his own physically and contributed 31 points in 68 games as a teenager in the AHL last season. He is not going to be held down in the minors for long.

2. Jason Dickinson (LW) – The Stars’ first round pick from 2013 has excelled with the Guelph Storm for the past two seasons, with 149 points in 124 games. The 20-year-old is also a hard worker and reliable backchecker who made an impact in his first three professional games last year, notching three assists in two AHL games.

3. Stephen Johns (D) – Along with Patrick Sharp came this hulking 6’4, 240 pound stay-at-home defenseman. Johns is not afraid to punish opponents physically, and can shoot and pass well too, notching 21 points and maintaining a plus-30 rating in the AHL last year. The 23-year old seems poised enough to launch a real challenge for a roster spot.

4. Denis Gurianov – (RW) – The surprising 12th overall pick at last year’s draft is a prototypical power winger, standing at 6’2, 192 pounds. He blends size, speed and skill very well, and produced at over a point per game pace in the Russian junior league. Gurianov will be a long-term project as he adjusts to the North American game.

5. Jack Campbell (G) – The 11th overall pick from the 2010 draft sure isn’t looking like the Carey Price-esque prospect he was touted as. Campbell just barely made our top-five Stars prospects after playing his way into the ECHL last season. The 23-year-old will need to reclaim the starter’s role in the AHL this season, and then some, to reappear on this list next year.

Minnesota Wild

1. Alex Tuch (F) – At 6’4, 220 pounds, the Baldwinsville, NY native is a power forward with soft hands, a high IQ, a solid compete level and a scoring touch. He notched 28 points in 37 games as a freshman at Boston College, and is developing at a fine rate into a do-it-all forward.

2. Gustav Olofsson (D) – The lanky but mobile defenseman suffered a serious shoulder injury last season that limited him to just a single game. Nonetheless, the intelligent, 6’4 Swede played very well at the World Juniors in 2014 and his freshman NCAA season before making the jump to pro. His AHL performance this year will indicate how close he is to the big show.

3. Joel Eriksson Ek – (C) – The 20th overall pick from June’s draft is a 6’2, 190 pound centerman who uses his size well to win battles in front of the net and in the corners. He can create scoring chances just as well as he can finish them off with a great shot. Split time last year between the Swedish Elite League and junior, where he posted 21 goals and 32 points in 25 games.

4. Kaapo Kahkonen (G) – A sound butterfly goaltender with good size and a well-rounded skillset. Kahkonen turned in a 2.11 goals against average and .925 save percentage in Finnish junior league last year. Should get a chance to start for Finland at the World Juniors later this year.

5. Tyler Graovac (C) – At 6’3, 179 pounds, the former Ottawa 67 is a tall, lanky two-way centerman with mediocre skating abilities. Nonetheless, Graovac has a strong character and developed really nicely, notching 21 goals and 46 points in 71 games in his second year in the AHL.

Nashville Predators

1. Kevin Fiala (C) – Only seven players from 2014’s draft class saw the NHL last season, and despite being taken 11th overall, this speedy Swiss was one of them. After a productive rookie season as a pro (20 points in 33 AHL games, two NHL games), Fiala hopes to prove he is ready to take his exceptional puckhandling and shooting skills to the NHL to stay.

2. Juuse Saros (G) – The Preds found success in developing Finnish netminder Pekka Rinne, so why not do it again? Saros is technically sound goalie with outstanding athleticism, not to mention his impressive composure. He put up a 2.14 goals against average and .928 save percentage in the SM-Liga, and will try to find that same success in Milwaukee this season.

3. Jimmy Vesey (LW) – A big winger with strong passing and vision skills, the 22-year-old, 6’1 American is ready to turn pro. But he won’t. Vesey will return to Harvard to earn his degree next year, even though there was not a better offensive player in the nation last season save for Jack Eichel. When the Preds can get their hands on him, they will certainly enjoy his offensive gifts.

4. Pontus Aberg (LW) A speedy 21-year-old who plays a two-way game. The 5’11, 192 pound winger had a decent adjustment to North American hockey, putting up 34 points in 69 games as a rookie in the AHL. Has a great kit of offensive skills that might need to season in the minors for another year.

5. Vladislav Kamenev (C) – A bulky forward with fine offensive talent, the 6’2, 202-pound Kamenev looked much better in his sophomore KHL season last year. The 19-year-old notched 10 points in 41 games and turned in a solid World Juniors, with four points in seven contests. Kamenev is a strong puckhandler and shooter.

St. Louis Blues

1. Ty Rattie (RW) – Scored 21 goals and 42 points in his sophomore AHL season last year, and the offensive wizard will try to stick around for longer than the 11 games he played with the Blues last season. Rattie is fast, crafty and successful when it comes to generating offense. It’s only a matter of time until he produces at the NHL level.

2. Robby Fabbri (C) – A small frame who plays a big game on offense. Fabbri doesn’t let his 5’10, 170-pound body stop him from playing an energizing, offensive role at any level. He impressed the Blues last fall, but suffered an injury near the end of camp. He impressed everyone at the World Juniors, but suffered another injury. His offensive production might force the Blues to seriously consider taking him on from the get-go.

3. Jordan Binnington (G) – Jake Allen’s successor in AHL Chicago filled in pretty well in his rookie year, going 25-15-4 with a 2.35 GAA and .916 save percentage. The lanky 22-year-old has plenty of time to develop even further in the minors, with the NHL goaltending situation pretty clogged for now.

4. Ivan Barbashev – (C) – A 6’1 Russian who plays hard at all ends of the rink. Great playmaking skills to go along with a superb scoring touch. The 19-year-old scored 45 goals and added 50 assists in Moncton last season, and though he displays great power and strength on the ice, will need a great camp to make the Blues this season.

5. Jordan Schmaltz (D) – An offensive-minded defenseman who took put up 28 points in 42 games for the University of North Dakota. Potential power-play quarterback, but unless he dazzles the Blues at camp, they will take their time developing the 21-year-old due to their depth at defense, who turns pro this year.

Winnipeg Jets

1. Nikolaj Elhers (LW) With electrifying speed, lethal hands and loads of offensive talent, Elhers produced at a rate of just under two points per game in the QMJHL last year. The Jets’ first round pick from 2014 has too much tip-top talent to be counted out of the race for a roster spot this fall.

2. Connor Helleybuyck (G) – The NCAA standout goaltender lived up to his billing for his rookie AHL season in St. John’s last year. He led the Ice Caps to a 28-22-5 record with a 2.58 GAA and .921 save percentage. Based on the 22-year-old’s incredible NCAA stats, an improvement this season is very attainable.

3. Josh Morrissey (D) – After a solid career in junior where he produced at well over a point-per-game pace, the six-foot, 190-pound defenseman will test his game at the pro level. Small in size but elite in his offensive instincts, the 20-year-old will likely need some AHL seasoning. But if he can discover his scoring touch at the pro level and play reliable defense, he will not be in the minors for long.

4. Joel Armia – RW – A big, powerful forward with soft hands and a nice shot. At 6’3, 187 pounds, the 21 year-old Finn was acquired in the Evander Kane deal and went from 25 points in 33 games in Rochester to just eight points in 21 games with St. John’s in the AHL. Nonetheless, Armia has the goods to challenge for a roster spot starting this fall.

5. Nic Petan (C) – Slick skating, soft hands and his third consecutive junior season with well over a point-per-game average have the Jets excited about their second round pick from 2013. But at just 5’9 and 175 pounds, the 20-year-old will likely need some AHL experience to prove his size won’t prevent him from production at the pro level.

Anaheim Ducks

1. Shea Theodore (D) - A strong-skating offensive defenseman who boasts a great shot with pinpoint passing accuracy. He had a superb transition to Norfolk at the end of the WHL season last year, with 11 points in his first nine games. The Ducks will assess whether his physicality and strength will develop best in the AHL or NHL.

2. Nick Ritchie (LW) – The Ducks nabbed one of the best power forwards in the draft by selecting this 6’2, 226 pound giant with the 10th overall pick in 2014. Ritchie notched 29 goals and 62 points in just 48 games last year in the OHL. His rocket shot and great physicality will make him a great asset when he’s ready to make the jump.

3. Nicolas Kerdiles (C ) – A mature, two-way forward who uses his body well and does great things with the puck. Kerdiles is not armed with flashy talent, but relies on his intelligence, his strength and a nice shot to contribute on the ice. Will attend training camp this fall, but will most likely have the mission of improving on his 26-point rookie season in the AHL.

4. Marcus Pettersson (D) – A towering but lanky defender with a long reach and strong positioning skills that typically lead to the 6’4, 176 pounder making the smart play. A nice passer who is capable of shooting, making him not just a defensive force. Not a bad grab for the Ducks in the second round of the 2014 draft.

5. Michael Sgarbossa (C) – With 15 points in 20 AHL games last season with Norfolk, Sgarbossa showed signs of his brilliant offensive production during his junior career. He hasn’t done much in his nine NHL games, but the 23-year-old does have some upside which he will have to display this season to salvage a potential career in the big leagues.

Calgary Flames

1. Sam Bennett (C ) –After shoulder surgery wiped out nearly all of his 2014-15 campaign, look for a hungry Bennett to display his elite playmaking skills and how ferocious a competitor he is next season in Calgary. A quick, creative and versatile center, Bennett is a game breaker who might be in the Calder Trophy conversation next spring.

2. Emile Poirier (LW) – A speedy, 6’1, 185-pound winger who has a deep arsenal of offensive talent. He had 43 goals in 63 games to finish his QMJHL career in 2014, but took even more strides in his first year as a pro. Poirier was an AHL all-star as a rookie, notching 42 points in 55 games and getting six games of NHL experience last year.

3. Tyler Wotherspoon (D) – A solid, safe, efficient defensive prospect who looks to be a foundation piece of the Flames’ blueline for years to come. Wotherspoon’s adjustment to the AHL has been seamless so far, and will likely continue with the big club mostly set on the blueline.

4. Oliver Kylington – (D) – At No. 60, the Flames drafted a Swedish blueliner this past June who had been ranked No. 1 among international skaters by Central Scouting at one point during the season. The six-foot Kylington has high-end speed, quickness and agility, and will focus on developing further either in Sweden, the AHL or the WHL this season.

5. Brandon Hickey (D) – The 6’2, 190-pound defenseman had a terrific freshman season at Boston University last season, playing top minutes and adding 17 points in 41 games. Stable in his own zone and poised to join the rush, Hickey will be a key part of BU’s defense of their conference title next season.

Edmonton Oilers

1. Connor McDavid (C) – Does this guy even need an introduction? . The league’s best prospect since Sidney Crosby will likely start the season on the copper and blue’s second line, and is projected to put up a pile of points right away. Anything less than a top-two finish in Calder voting would be disappointing.

2. Leon Draisaitl (C) - We tried to stay away from players who no longer qualify as rookies anymore, but since the 6’1, 208-pound center was sent down midway through the season and has lots to prove going into training camp, we’ll make an exception. The “German Gretzky” combines power and playmaking to torment opponents, has an elite scoring touch, and will have to show that he is not overwhelmed when he returns to NHL ice.

3. Darnell Nurse (D) – Tall, tenacious and tough to beat, Nurse is the shutdown savior the Oilers have been desperately in need of. To their credit, Edmonton has been extremely patient with Nurse and has allowed him the time he needed to develop. Will the Oilers see it finally pay off in the form of a menacing, aggressive and skilled defender this fall for their big club?

4. Griffin Reinhart (D) – The 6’4, 205-pound defenseman made a name for himself leading the Edmonton Oil Kings to the 2014 Memorial Cup. GM Peter Chiarelli hopes the staunch, powerful, shutdown defender can have the same effect on the city’s NHL club after acquiring him for a first round pick in June.

5. David Musil (D) – A giant stay-at-home defenseman with good puck skills and two AHL seasons under his belt, the second of which he showed much improvement. Musil projects to be a solid piece on the Oilers’ future blueline and will battle for the right to stick around for more than the four games he did last year.

Los Angeles Kings

1. Valentin Zykov (RW) – A hernia caused the six-foot power forward to miss time last year, including the World Juniors. But hopes are high when Zykov begins his AHL career in California this fall. Zykov has a nice scoring touch and uses his size to be effective in the dirty areas.

2. Derek Forbort (D) – The Kings’ top defensive prospect has a game that focuses on strong play in his own zone and excellent decision-making. Had an impressive two seasons with Manchester last year and the 6’4, 219 pounder will be ready when a spot opens up on L.A.’s rock solid defense core.

3. Adrian Kempe (RW) – A 6’2 Swedish winger plays an all-around game and played well for his country at the World Juniors. Moving to North America from Modo at the end of last season, the slick skating Kempe managed to chip in nine points for the AHL Monarchs in 17 playoff games.

4. Jordan Weal (C ) – The ferocious forechecker has established a himself in a scoring role for the Kings’ AHL affiliate, notching 69 points in 73 games last year. The 23-year-old is a tad undersized but plays a hard working style that creates plenty of turnovers and could warrant a call-up this season if his strong play continues.

5. Kevin Gravel (D) – A towering 6’4 defenseman with exceptional skating mobility for his size. Gravel is dependable in his own zone and has strong puck and shooting skills. After improving in each of his four years with St. Cloud State, Gravel continued excelling in his development with a solid season for the Monarchs last year (15 points, plus-15 rating).

Arizona Coyotes

1. Dylan Strome (C ) – The OHL’s leading scorer last season and third overall pick in the June draft is the tall, dynamic centerman every team covets on draft day. Known for his skating, playmaking and stickhandling, Strome’s 129 points in just 68 games last season hint that he might be ready to move up a level right out of training camp.

2. Max Domi (C) – Domi has an abundance of skill and explosiveness that sometimes result in jaw-dropping plays (and 102 points in 57 OHL games last year). Nobody doubts that his elite offensive abilities are NHL-ready, but the 20-year-old has had to mature in his defense, passing game and utilizing his teammates. Training camp will tell if he’s improved those to an NHL standard.

3. Anthony Duclair (LW) – A speedy sniper who has a knack for generating offense. Duclair, the centerpiece of the Keith Yandle trade, cracked the Rangers’ roster for 18 games last season before being loaned to Canada for the World Juniors. At 5’11, might need some time to develop before becoming a regular NHL contributor. \

4. Henrik Samuelsson (C) – A solid rookie campaign in Portland (40 points in 68 games) led to a three game NHL call up last season. The 6’3, 208 pound Swede posted great offensive numbers throughout his WHL career and has the potential to be a special NHL player with great character.

5. Brendan Perlini (LW) – An enticing blend of size, speed and skill who produced 60 points in 43 games in the OHL last season. The 6’2, 205 pound power winger needs to improve his physicality, but should grow into an offensively capable forward who loves to have the puck. Will likely need some more seasoning in the minors to make the big club.

Vancouver Canucks

1. Jake Virtanen (RW) – A massive power forward with explosive speed and a lightning shot. The six-foot, 208 pounder has produced at a point-per-game pace for the past two seasons in the WHL, and has pounded opponents with his size and drive. He will get a look this fall to provide toughness and offense to the big club.

2. Jared McCann (C) – A smooth-skating playmaker who plays effectively in all three zones. McCann is a highly intelligent center with a competitive edge and is strong on faceoffs. He managed 81 points in 56 OHL games last season thanks in large part to his high-velocity wrist shot.

3. Adam Clendening (D) – An offensive minded defenseman with outstanding puck skills and a power play specialist. Clendening’s defensive zone play improved last season enough to play 21 games between Chicago and Vancouver, The 5-foot-11, 22-year-old will be looking to stick around longer this season and find his offensive touch.

4. Hunter Shinkaruk (C) – The forechecking winger has put up great numbers through his WHL career, and had a decent AHL rookie season (31 points in 74 games) considering he was coming off hip surgery. Needs to bulk up more, but the injury has not appeared to affect his strong skating.

5. Brendan Gaunce (C) – Has the size, faceoff skills and strength to play in the NHL now, but still needs to work on his skating and further adjusting to the pro level. Put up impressive offensive numbers in the OHL, and managed 29 points in 74 games during his rookie AHL campaign.