Rank Our Prospects

[FlamingC2009]

Seeing as there has been alot of change over the past couple months within our orginization. I thought it would be cool if we could have our own ranking for our prospects. Many sites such as HF, take to long to try and re-do the ranking of NHL teams prospects, and many here don't seem to agree with it anyways.

I think we should set some parameters. This list should only include Rookies, and will have to be 24 or under.

(Let me know if you think the age should be higher)

Ill throw out a list and the team they play for or will likely play for next year:

Abbotsford Heat:

Player/Position/Age

Greg Nemisz - C/RW - 21

Mitch Wahl - C - 21

TJ Brodie - D - 21

Ryan Howse - LW/RW - 19

Roman Horak - C/W - 20

Lance Bouma - C/W - 21

Gaelan Patterson - C - 22

Paul Byron - C - 21

John Negrin - D - 22

Chris Breen - D - 21

Keith Seabrook - D - 22

Leland Irving - G - 23

Carter Bancks - LW - 21 (Pending)

WHL

Kootenay Ice

Max Reinhart - C - 19

Joey Leach - 19

Portland Winterhawks

Sven Bartschi - LW - 18

Tyler Wotherspoon - D - 18

Brandon Wheat Kings

Micheal Ferland - LW - 19

Tri City Americans

Patrick Holland - RW - 19

U.S.A (Not Going to bother listing teams)

Bill Arnold - LW - 19

John Ramage - D - 19

John Gaudreau - LW - 17

CJ Severyn - LW - 22

Nicholas Larson - LW - 21

Finland

Markus Granlund - C - 17

Not sure where these two guys will play next year:

Joni Ortio - G - 20

Bryan Cameron - C/W- 22

26 prospects here. Here are my rankings:

1. TJ Brodie - Brodie is just the most ready of any of these players to step in and make an impact now. He has to be our #1.

2. Leland Irving- Irving was tasked with carrying the Heat almost every night. That team just couldn't score. They would have been a bottom 5 team without Irving, no doubt in my mind. With a good team = MVP of the AHL.

3. Greg Nemisz - Wasn't very high on Nemisz the past few years. But he proved to me that he can play. He's so versitile, there isnt a situation he can't play in. If he improves his skating, we will have one heck of a player.

4. Max Reinhart - I couldn't believe what I got to see during the WHL playoffs. This kid SHUT DOWN the best of the best in the WHL. On top of that, many nights, he took his team on his back and carried them to the Memorial Cup.

5. Sven Bartschi - Some say he was sheltered, and didn't face the best opposition. However, he put up those points, 2nd line, and 2nd PP unit time, as a rookie. Seems only good things said about him from those close to him.

6. Ryan Howse - My favorite prospect. Dynamic offensive force. Likely was the owner of the hardest, most accurate shot in the WHL last season. If he has himself a #1 WHL centre, he would have put up 60+ goals.

7. Mitch Wahl - Quarterback you PP, check. 1st PK unit, check. Sweet hair,(Till Darrell got to it) check. The injury put him back, I admit. But has so many tools, I just can't see him not making a big impact next season on the Heat.

8. Paul Byron - I definitely do not know a as much about Byron as the others. But from what I have heard from Saber fans, we got a pretty good player. Speed, speed, speed, and work ethic like few others. Highest potential may be a solid 3rd liner, with underrated skill.

9. John Negrin - Seems to get overlooked sometimes, don't know why. Im thinking poor man's Jay Bowmeester, Florida days. Will fight for a spot with the Flames next season.

10. John Gaudreau - It was a risky pick. He says he's actually 5'8 150ish. Maybe he's hitting a growth spurt at the right time. High end skill though. And this exites me: "I join all the League's General Managers in congratulating John on one of the best rookie years we've seen in the USHL in quite a while," said USHL Commissioner Skip Prince.

11. Lance Bouma

12. Joni Ortio

13. John Ramage

14. Joey Leach

15. Roman Horak

16. Bill Arnold

17. Markus Granlund

18. Gaelan Patterson

19. Patrick Holland

20. Chris Breen

21. Michael Ferland

22. Nicholas Larson

23. Tyler Wotherspoon

24. Keith Seabrook (Big drop)

25. CJ Severyn

26. Bryan Cameron

There you go. Let me know if Ive missed someone, or made a mistake somewhere.

What about everyone else? Make a top 10 if you dont feel like thinking about all of them.

[kehatch]

Many of the posters here are more knowledgeable about the prospects then I, but here is my top 10:

1. TJ Brodie
   
2. Max Reinhart
   
3. Leland Irving
   
4. Ryan Howse
   
5. Mitch Wahl
   
6. Sven Bartschi
   
7. Greg Nemisz
   
8. Paul Byron
   
9. Marcus Granlund
   
10. John Negrin

Honorable Mentions:

• Chris Breen
  
• John Gaudreau
  
• John Ramage
  
• Joni Ortio
  
• Lance Bouma
  
• Tyler Wotherspoon
  

One thing I really like is that 3 of my top 10 weren't Flames property prior to the draft. Refreshing.

[Flame111]

Byron is wayyyyyyy higher guys. You will likely see him in a couple games for the Flames next season, how many of the the others can you say that about.

Assuming the ranking is who is ready to play soonest, if it is who is going to be the best, different story...

[Ring-a-ding-dong-dandy]

you should add the following guys to you list as we currently have the rights to all these players.

LW - Logan MacMillan - Abbotsford

LW - CJ Severyn - Ohio State

C - Hugo Carpentier - Abbotsford

D - Josh Meyers - Abbotsford

D - Gord Baldwin - Abbotsford

RW - Patrick Holland - Tri City Americans

LW - Michael Ferland - Brandon Wheat Kings

LW - Nick Larson - Notre Dame

C - Aaron Marvin - St. Cloud State/Abbotsford (unsure if the deadline to sign him has passed)

my rankings, which i base on a combination top end potential and low end potential:

( 1 ) Greg Nemisz :

- At Best : 2way, 2nd liner, PK specialist

- At Worst : Defensive Specialist, Pker

( 2 ) Leland Irving :

- At Best : Starting Goaltender

- At Worst : career backup

( 3 ) Sven Bartschi :

- At Best : 1st line scoring winger

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 4 ) TJ Brodie :

- At Best : PP QB, #5 Defenseman

- At Worst : NHL Journeyman

( 5 ) Paul Byron :

- At Best : 2nd line center

- At Worst : NHL Journeyman

( 6 ) Ryan Howse :

- At Best : 2nd line scoring winger

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 7 ) Max Reinhart :

- At Best : 2way, 3rd line center

- At Worst : 4th line center

( 8 ) John Negrin :

- At Best : #4 defenseman

- At Worst : NHL Journeyman

( 9 ) Marcus Granlund :

- At Best : 2nd line center

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 10 ) Tyler Wotherspoon :

- At Best : #4 defenseman

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 11 ) Mitch Wahl :

- At Best : 3rd line center

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 12 ) Joni Ortio :

- At Best : Journeyman Starter

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 13 ) Roman Horak :

- At Best : 3rd line center

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 14 ) Joey Leach :

- At Best : #5 defenseman

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 15 ) John Ramage :

- At Best : #5 defenseman

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 16 ) Patrick Holland :

- At Best : 3rd line winger

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 17 ) Bill Arnold :

- At Best : 3rd liner

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 18 ) Lance Bouma :

- At Best : 4th line winger

- At Worst : NHL Journeyman

( 19 ) Chris Breen :

- At Best : #5 defenseman

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 20 ) John Gaudreau :

- At Best : 2nd line center

- At Worst : AHL Journeyman

( 21 ) Gord Baldwin :

- At Best : #6 defenseman

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 22 ) Matt Pelech :

- At Best : #6 defenseman

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 23 ) Keith Seabrook :

- At Best : #6 defenseman, PP QB

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 24 ) Gaelan Patterson :

- At Best : 4th liner

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 25 ) Michael Ferland :

- At Best : 4th liner

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 26 ) Aaron Marvin :

- At Best : 4th liner

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 27 ) John Armstrong :

- At Best : 4th line center

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 28 ) Nick Larson :

- At Best : 4th liner

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 29 ) CJ Severyn :

- At Best : career AHLer

- At Worst : AHL Journeyman

( 30 ) Josh Meyers :

- At Best : career AHLer

- At Worst : AHL Journeyman

( 31 ) Logan MacMillan :

- At Best : career AHLer

- At Worst : AHL Journeyman

( 32 ) Bryan Cameron :

- At Best : career AHLer

- At Worst : AHL Journeyman

( 33 ) Hugo Carpentier :

- At Best : AHL Journeyman

- At Worst : career ECHLer

[bosn111]

My ranking for being NHL ready (and the likely hood of them making the team in the next year or 2) would be as follows:

1. Brodie

In the games he played last season, he held his own. He improved in the AHL last season, and I think at worst he could be #7 for the Flames this year

2. Bouma

At 4th line centre he is more than adequate. He played 16 games last season and was only a -1.

3. Irving

A capable Goaltender could easily be a backup next season. Would rather he continues to start in Abby for another season or 2.

4. Nemisz

When brought up for 6 games last season he held his own. Could likely play 3rd line wing adequately, possibly even second line. I see him as Moss with better hands.

5a. Meyer

5b.Armstrong

Both of these centres could work at 4th line centre. Meyer had 16 games with the Flames last season with an even rating. Armstrong doesn't have the NHL experience but could be serviceable in a limited role.

7a. Baldwin

7b. Breen

According to reports I have seen, (I think it was Playfair who said it) Baldwin is the most ready D man in Abbotsford for the NHL. Breen is a big body who can patrol the blueline and adds heaps of toughness with the ability to be considered a heavyweight. Breen could easily fill the enforcer role without being a negative during other play.

9a. Baertschi

9b. Byron

I have both these players at this spot until I see what they can really do. I think they both have possible strengths but until we see what they can do in camp / pre-season I won't jump the gun.

11. Wahl

He is a sticking point for me. I think he is talented enough to play 3rd line centre but his size on the 4th line would be an issue for me. If he sticks it out and plays very well in camp in 2012, he could make the team as #3.

12. Stone

As a #4 centre he would work. Injuries have reduced his progression. Compared to other #4 centre prospects he is behind. He likely will not make the Flames unless he has a stellar pre-season.

13. Negrin

A solid young D-man. Likely to be 5/6 but might surprise and be able to handle 2nd pair. Biggest hold back for him is the plethora of other young D on the team ahead of him.

14. Patterson

A solid #4 centre. Could use another year or 2 to develop but is one of the bigger build #4 centres. He could surprise at camp and knock off others ahead of him. I see him in the NHL a few years down the road.

15. Seabrooke

A solid D man who has the raw talent to be a 2nd pair. He needs a few more years to develop but should be good down the road. He is only lower than Negrin due to development time in the WHL.

16. Pelech

A big bodied, shut down type D-man likely destined to be a bottom pair. With the new additions in the past few seasons, I think his ship has sailed with the Flames. He might be a pleasant surprise in the next couple of camps but he has many other D to beat out for the 5-7 spots.

17a. Ortio

17b. Howse

17c. Reinhart

17d. Ramage

17e. Horak

17f. Holland

17g. Gaudreau

17e. Granlund

17f. Wotherspoon

These names all have solid potential, but I just don't see them being ready for a few years. They all need to spend time in Abbotsford honing their skills and adapting to pro hockey. It's not that the talent isn't there, they all need to mature a little, and particularly in Gaudreau's case, put on a fair bit of extra muscle. I would add Granlund, Howse, Horak and Holland to that same list.

I may have missed 1 or 2, but based on contracts, needs, history and readiness this is what I see as NHL readiness and opportunity to play.

[FlamingC2009]

you should add the following guys to you list as we currently have the rights to all these players.

LW - Logan MacMillan - Abbotsford

LW - CJ Severyn - Ohio State

C - Hugo Carpentier - Abbotsford

D - Josh Meyers - Abbotsford

D - Gord Baldwin - Abbotsford

RW - Patrick Holland - Tri City Americans

LW - Michael Ferland - Brandon Wheat Kings

LW - Nick Larson - Notre Dame

C - Aaron Marvin - St. Cloud State/Abbotsford (unsure if the deadline to sign him has passed)

Gord Baldwin and Josh Meyers are over 23 years old. I put that in my parameters at the begining.

I didnt want to put guys in that are completely agreed that will not make the NHL. Those guys are: Logan macMillan, Hugo Carpentier, and Aaron Marvin.(Marvin joined the heat at the end of the season, but didnt even get a game. He just couldnt skate, and the Flames couldnt afford to give him a contract being tight to the 50 limit.) Similar thing happend to Spencer Benett.

I did forget Nick Larson, CJ Severyn, Ferland, and Holland. (Dont know why I forget those 2) Ill add them now.

[bosn111]

The age thing for me is an issue as some older players (like Baldwin) may have just been developing later. Other than Baldwin, Meyer (not Meyers) and Stone however I don't think that is such an issue. I'm not sure if you would still consider Meyer a rookie with 20 total NHL games, but never played more than 16 in a single season. Stone would not be a rookie, and I don't see him getting the shot anyways, but should still be included regardless of age.

[Ring-a-ding-dong-dandy]

Gord Baldwin and Josh Meyers are over 23 years old. I put that in my parameters at the begining.

I didnt want to put guys in that are completely agreed that will not make the NHL. Those guys are: Logan macMillan, Hugo Carpentier, and Aaron Marvin.(Marvin joined the heat at the end of the season, but didnt even get a game. He just couldnt skate, and the Flames couldnt afford to give him a contract being tight to the 50 limit.) Similar thing happend to Spencer Benett.

I did forget Nick Larson, CJ Severyn, Ferland, and Holland. (Dont know why I forget those 2) Ill add them now.

you have to remember NCAA players don't even leave college until they are 22 or 23 sometimes. Josh Meyers is just finishing his ELC, so I don't see how he wouldn't be considered a prospect still even at 25.

Aaron Marvin actually played 3 games at the end of the season with the Heat.

And if we are going to count Pelech as a prospect why wouldn't you count Baldwin? They were taken in the same draft.

Personally to make it simple I would count all our minor league RFAs as prospects

[Flamesbrain]

Does on the fact alone that Patrick Holland has a 2012 Team Canada WJC development camp invite when Max Reinhart does not, justify that at least in the view of Hockey Canada that Patrick should be be listed as a top 10 prospect for the Flames?

http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/170658/la_id/1.htm

I do not know much about him.

[FlamingC2009]

Does on the fact alone that Patrick Holland has a 2012 Team Canada WJC development camp invite when Max Reinhart does not, justify that at least in the view of Hockey Canada that Patrick should be be listed as a top 10 prospect for the Flames?

http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/170658/la_id/1.htm

I do not know much about him.

Not even close. They are a completely different class of player. If anything, Holland getting the invite speaks to the weak group of RWers available for Canada.

[FlamingC2009]

you have to remember NCAA players don't even leave college until they are 22 or 23 sometimes. Josh Meyers is just finishing his ELC, so I don't see how he wouldn't be considered a prospect still even at 25.

Aaron Marvin actually played 3 games at the end of the season with the Heat.

And if we are going to count Pelech as a prospect why wouldn't you count Baldwin? They were taken in the same draft.

Personally to make it simple I would count all our minor league RFAs as prospects

In my mind. There are legitimate prospects, and in the system players. Guys like Chucko, Meyers, Stone, and Grantham are in the system players.

Even though the guys from the NCAA take longer, I just think they should be making attemts to push for the NHL quicker, because they are more physically developed. If they arent making a push soon, they will be put into that "In the system class."

Baldwin was not included right away because I marked it off at 23. But 24 will work too, seeing as he will be the olny one added at that age.

[cross16]

I have a top 20 list done and I just have to add the new draft picks int here and i'm also waiting to see who gets offered qualifying offers as i suspect some of the guys on my list are not going to be Flames next season.

I'll post in a blog hopefully in the next week or so along with full profiles of the prospects.

[Crzydrvr]

I just cut and pasted while moving around some guys. Also included my thoughts on their HF rankings and what they should be.

1. Sven Bartschi[8.0 C] - No one else in the system is close to Bartschi in terms of skill.

2. T.J. Brodie[7.5 C] - Could be the guy most ready to step in and contribute. The AHL All-Star might not be top pairing potential but he is a guy who can play top 4/5 minutes and play the point on the powerplay.

3. Greg Nemisz[7.0 B] - I think he's a guaranteed NHLer of some sort. How good of an NHLer he will be is up in the air at this point. He'll definitely have some NHL games under his belt by the end of his career but right now he could be anything from a top 6 scorer to 4th line grinder.

4. Max Reinhart[7.0 B] - Besides Bartschi, Reinhart probably has the highest ceiling of any of the Flames prospects. A two-way center with some offensive flair and plenty of defensive prowess, he could be the most underrated prospect in the league right now.

5. Ryan Howse[7.5 C] - Howse isn't the fastest. Doesn't really play well defensively. Isn't big. But what he does do is pot goals. A born scorer who slides in and out of oppositions minds, only to come out of nowhere to pot a goal from within 15 feet of the net. That isn't a skill you can teach.

6. Mitch Wahl[7.5 D] - Among the centers, he probably has the highest offensive upside. But after his utterly forgettable (and unfortunate) first pro season, it remains to be seen whether he will be an NHLer. He's not a liability defensively, but if he makes it it'll be due to his offensive instincts first and foremost. Either he becomes a solid 2nd line center or he plays out his career in the minors.

7. Leland Irving[7.0 C] - Had a good bounceback season for the now Chilliwack Heat. At this point, it's hard to tell but he could still be a 1A goalie in the NHL, capable of 50-60 games a season. The only reason the Heat were even close to the playoffs.

8. John Negrin[7.0 C] - A silky smooth skater who plays a solid two-way game. His high-end is 4th defenseman, but most likely he pans out as a 5th/6th defenseman who plays a little on both the PP and PK. Needs to improve defensively to solidify that NHL spot.

9. Roman Horak[7.0 C] - Forever to be known as "the guy we got for Erixon", Horak has proven chemistry with Ryan Howse. More of a playmaker than a sniper, though he has a solid shot. He could potentially become a 2nd line winger. If not, he'll be a bust because unlike Nemsz and to a lesser extent Howse, his style of play would not work out in an energy role on a team.

10. Paul Byron[7.5 D] - Small but skilled. Put up strong offensive numbers in the AHL already. Could potentially fight for a top 9 role on the team this fall. He'll also be top 6 or bust, but if he does pan out we could potentially be the ones laughing.

11. Lance Bouma[6.5 B]

12. Markus Granlund[7.5 C]

13. John Gaudreau[7.5 D]

14. John Ramage[6.5 B]

15. Joni Ortio[7.0 D]

16. Joey Leach[7.0 C]

17. Bill Arnold[7.0 D]

18. Patrick Holland[7.0 D]

19. Gaelan Patterson[7.0 D]

20. Tyler Wotherspoon[7.0 C]

21. Chris Breen[6.5 C]

22. Michael Ferland[6.0 C]

Only went up to 22 because that's the usual amount ranked by HF.

As you can see, we do actually have a number of solid prospects now. While we don't have that star depth that some other teams have, we have a bunch of players who have a real possibility of having NHL careers. We also have a bunch of players who are scoring line or bust, and if even one of them pans out it'll be a win for the Flames.

At this point, we actually have a lack of bottom line forwards with only Bouma having a good chance at that slot on the future Flames, though if Nemisz, Reinhart and Howse's scoring touches fail to translate to the NHL game they have the playing-style to become energy and shutdown players for the team.

[hot_on_the_flames]

you should add the following guys to you list as we currently have the rights to all these players.

LW - Logan MacMillan - Abbotsford

LW - CJ Severyn - Ohio State

C - Hugo Carpentier - Abbotsford

D - Josh Meyers - Abbotsford

D - Gord Baldwin - Abbotsford

RW - Patrick Holland - Tri City Americans

LW - Michael Ferland - Brandon Wheat Kings

LW - Nick Larson - Notre Dame

C - Aaron Marvin - St. Cloud State/Abbotsford (unsure if the deadline to sign him has passed)

my rankings, which i base on a combination top end potential and low end potential:

( 1 ) Greg Nemisz :

- At Best : 2way, 2nd liner, PK specialist

- At Worst : Defensive Specialist, Pker

( 2 ) Leland Irving :

- At Best : Starting Goaltender

- At Worst : career backup

( 3 ) Sven Bartschi :

- At Best : 1st line scoring winger

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 4 ) TJ Brodie :

- At Best : PP QB, #5 Defenseman

- At Worst : NHL Journeyman

( 5 ) Paul Byron :

- At Best : 2nd line center

- At Worst : NHL Journeyman

( 6 ) Ryan Howse :

- At Best : 2nd line scoring winger

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 7 ) Max Reinhart :

- At Best : 2way, 3rd line center

- At Worst : 4th line center

( 8 ) John Negrin :

- At Best : #4 defenseman

- At Worst : NHL Journeyman

( 9 ) Marcus Granlund :

- At Best : 2nd line center

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 10 ) Tyler Wotherspoon :

- At Best : #4 defenseman

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 11 ) Mitch Wahl :

- At Best : 3rd line center

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 12 ) Joni Ortio :

- At Best : Journeyman Starter

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 13 ) Roman Horak :

- At Best : 3rd line center

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 14 ) Joey Leach :

- At Best : #5 defenseman

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 15 ) John Ramage :

- At Best : #5 defenseman

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 16 ) Patrick Holland :

- At Best : 3rd line winger

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 17 ) Bill Arnold :

- At Best : 3rd liner

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 18 ) Lance Bouma :

- At Best : 4th line winger

- At Worst : NHL Journeyman

( 19 ) Chris Breen :

- At Best : #5 defenseman

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 20 ) John Gaudreau :

- At Best : 2nd line center

- At Worst : AHL Journeyman

( 21 ) Gord Baldwin :

- At Best : #6 defenseman

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 22 ) Matt Pelech :

- At Best : #6 defenseman

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 23 ) Keith Seabrook :

- At Best : #6 defenseman, PP QB

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 24 ) Gaelan Patterson :

- At Best : 4th liner

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 25 ) Michael Ferland :

- At Best : 4th liner

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 26 ) Aaron Marvin :

- At Best : 4th liner

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 27 ) John Armstrong :

- At Best : 4th line center

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 28 ) Nick Larson :

- At Best : 4th liner

- At Worst : career AHLer

( 29 ) CJ Severyn :

- At Best : career AHLer

- At Worst : AHL Journeyman

( 30 ) Josh Meyers :

- At Best : career AHLer

- At Worst : AHL Journeyman

( 31 ) Logan MacMillan :

- At Best : career AHLer

- At Worst : AHL Journeyman

( 32 ) Bryan Cameron :

- At Best : career AHLer

- At Worst : AHL Journeyman

( 33 ) Hugo Carpentier :

- At Best : AHL Journeyman

- At Worst : career ECHLer

I agree with most of your analysis for the "at worst", but also think that your "ceiling" is too strigent and tight I also think that you are underestimating Reinhart specifically. I watched him throughout the memorial cup run and saw a strong dedicated two way forward with a knack of finding pucks to put in the net. Seriously, he reminded me of a young Joe Mullen. That's another player who did not seem to get his due, but continued to put up 30+ goals a year, all-the-while never blowing his own horn or bringing attention to himself. His evidence was always on the scoreboard. I believe that Max has the skill-set to be a solid 2nd line center.

[Baalzamon]

Maybe we should call Paul Byron "Paul Bunyan" just for kicks.

1. Sven Bartschi - The most skilled forward to come through the system in a while.
   
2. Greg Nemisz - Doubted by many. Reminds me so much of Ryane Clowe when he has the puck.
   
3. T.J. Brodie - The most NHL ready of all the Flames' prospects. Skilled offensive defenseman.
   
4. Leland Irving - Absolutely carried the listless Abbotsford Heat last season.
   
5. Ryan Howse - I like goalscorers. Has great scoring touch, and the ability to take over games. Needs consistency.
   
6. Paul Byron - Small, quick, skilled. Not particularly strong, but exciting.
   
7. Max Reinhart - Great 2-way center. Has skill, but mostly just a very smart player who can do it all.
   
8. John Negrin - Mobile defensive defenseman is probably ready for the NHL now.
   
9. Roman Horak - Another small, skilled forward. Has removed his reputation for being a lazy player with a lot of hard work.
   
10. John Ramage - Solid defensive defenseman with good mobility and a solid first pass.
    

Honourable mentions (no particular order):

John Gaudreau

Joey Leach

Mitch Wahl

Logan MacMillan

Tyler Wotherspoon

Lance Bouma

Joni Ortio

Markus Granlund (I like how everyone has spelled his name wrong)

John Negrin

Michael Ferland

Patrick Holland

now, regarding Patrick Holland. I'm not a huge fan of his. I was absolutely astonished when he was invited to the team Canada camp. Looking at their latest roster (even more surprising: he's still there) it looks like a pretty lousy team. Hope it improves with new invities.

[Baalzamon]

the now Chilliwack Heat.

don't buy the crud from the Vancouver fans. There is absolutely no reason to think that the Heat are moving to Chilliwack, certainly not next season.

[Ring-a-ding-dong-dandy]

I agree with most of your analysis for the "at worst", but also think that your "ceiling" is too strigent and tight I also think that you are underestimating Reinhart specifically. I watched him throughout the memorial cup run and saw a strong dedicated two way forward with a knack of finding pucks to put in the net. Seriously, he reminded me of a young Joe Mullen. That's another player who did not seem to get his due, but continued to put up 30+ goals a year, all-the-while never blowing his own horn or bringing attention to himself. His evidence was always on the scoreboard. I believe that Max has the skill-set to be a solid 2nd line center.

if Reinhart has another strong season and another amazing playoff, then maybe you will be right. But a good playoff doesn't mean that much to me, other than an ability to be clutch. I see him more as a 3rd liner that steps up his game in the playoffs. I hope I am wrong and he does more, I hope that for all of our prospects but that's simply how I gauge him

[DirtyDeeds]

don't buy the crud from the Vancouver fans. There is absolutely no reason to think that the Heat are moving to Chilliwack, certainly not next season.

So true. Here is another recent reason why you won't see a Chilliwack Heat team.

http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/Chilliwack+cool+Abbotsford+Heat+like+deal/4649074/story.html

[FlamingC2009]

Well, I geuss it is time to take Pelech, Baldwin, and Armstrong off any lists.

[DirtyDeeds]

Well, I geuss it is time to take Pelech, Baldwin, and Armstrong off any lists.

there were 6 not offered contracts I caught

John Armstrong

Kris Chucko

Hugo Carpentier

I was unprepared to copy who the 6 were but if right we are missing one more.

[Ring-a-ding-dong-dandy]

there were 6 not offered contracts I caught

John Armstrong

Kris Chucko

Hugo Carpentier

I was unprepared to copy who the 6 were but if right we are missing one more.

Josh Meyers

[FlamingC2009]

I also added Carter Bancks to the list. While listening to the Fan 960 this afternoon, Feaster mentioned that they are working on getting both Bancks and Joe Piskula signed to NHL 2-way deals. I geuss it may be an entry level in Bancks case.

Im very happy about that. Bancks is one of my favorite prospects.

I wonder on the status of Justin Dowling...? Anyone heard anything on him?

Oh and on a side note, Feaster also said they sent an offer to Bartschi and his agent already LOL...

[Baalzamon]

I also added Carter Bancks to the list. While listening to the Fan 960 this afternoon, Feaster mentioned that they are working on getting both Bancks and Joe Piskula signed to NHL 2-way deals. I geuss it may be an entry level in Bancks case.

Im very happy about that. Bancks is one of my favorite prospects.

I wonder on the status of Justin Dowling...? Anyone heard anything on him?

Oh and on a side note, Feaster also said they sent an offer to Bartschi and his agent already LOL...

guess they don't want a repeat of the Erixon fiasco. I don't think it'll be an issue, because Bartschi seemed genuinely excited to be a flame. Refreshing.

I was expecting Bancks to be signed sooner or later. What a character player. Piskula surprises me a little, but he was a beast for the Heat last year. I guess it makes sense since they don't appear to be bringing Pelech back.

[kehatch]

Here is a different approach. Prospects that will likely make the NHL in a permanent (not a call-up) role:

1. Baertschi, Sven (LW): Second line. Could improve to top line.
   
2. Brodie, TJ (D): Second line. Could slip to third line.
   
3. Howse, Ryan (RW): Second line. Second line or bust. Could remain an AHLer.
   
4. Byron, Paul (Ct): Second line. Second line or bust. Could remain an AHLer.
   
5. Ortio, Joni (G): Starting goaltender. May drop to a back-up or AHLer.
   
6. Nemisz, Greg (RW): Third line. Could improve to second line.
   
7. Granlund, Marcus (Ct): Third line. Could improve to second line.
   
8. Reinhart, Max (Ct): Third line. Could improve to second line.
   
9. Wahl, Mitch (Ct): Third line. Could improve to second line. Could remain an AHLer.
   
10. Wotherspoon, Tyler (D): Third line. Could improve to second line. Could remain an AHLer.
    
11. Breen, Chris (D): Third line. Could remain an AHLer.
    
12. Irving, Leland (G):Back-Up goaltender. Could improve to starting goaltender. Could remain an AHLer.
    
13. Arnold, Bill (Ct): Third line. Could remain an AHLer.
    
14. Horak, Roman (Ct): Third line. Could remain an AHLer.
    
15. Bouma, Lance (Ct): Fourth line. Could remain an AHLer.

Other players that have a reasonable chance to improve projections to NHL:

• Bancks, Carter (LW)
  
• Broissout, Laurent (G)
  
• Ferland, Michael (LW)
  
• Gaudreau, John (LW)
  
• Leach, Joey (D)
  
• Negrin, John (D)
  
• Ramage, John (D)

It is getting better, but there is still a long ways to go. No top liners. Only a couple of fringe second liners with only Baertschi and Brodie having real potential. The rest are third and fourth line material. With Erixon gone our D is looking pretty weak, with only Brodie as a real prospect.

Though any of the younger guys could improve dramatically and we could have some surprises if we are lucky.

[Baalzamon]

With Erixon gone our D is looking pretty weak, with only Brodie as a real prospect.

I don't think that's fair to say. There are only 2 things keeping Negrin out of the NHL: and they're both knee injuries. As for Ramage, I think he has real potential as a shut-down defenseman who can skate and move the puck up out of the defensive zone to the forwards with a good pass.

on the high end, though, I agree. Pretty non-existent.