THN Future Watch: Toronto Maple Leafs Discussion (B-)

Purple Hayes · 03-09-2012, 01:21 AM

Brian Costello ‏ @bcostellothn

#Leafs have B- rating and 2 prospects (Joe Colborne, newcomer Carter Ashton from Tampa) among top 75 in THN's upcoming #FutureWatch

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Haven't seen this posted yet.

It ranks "NHL upside" of prospects and 21-and-under NHLers. Ranked by a panel of 14 scouts. I've also read that each top 10 prospect list in the magazine comes directly from a member of each organization.

Although it is only one magazine's ranking, it's pretty disheartening that Kadri is no longer in the Top 75 (unless, he isn't considered eligible?). It's nice to see Colborne (18th) and Ashton (37th) are rated highly though.

Overall, I feel the Leafs have a lot of depth and good to very good prospects, but still lack that elite player at each position in the system. Which sucks.

OTHER TEAMS (Top 75 players in brackets) - Not the order in magazine, just put them in order myself based on grade

1. Oilers: A+ (Klefbom)
2. Senators: A- (Zibanejad, Lehner, Stone, Silfverberg, Noesen)
3. Panthers: A- (Huberdeau, Markstrom, Bjustad, Petrovic)
4. Ducks: A- (Justin Schultz, Rickard Rakell, Kyle Palmieri)
5. Avalance: A- (Duncan Siemens, Joey Hishon, Tyson Barrie)
6. Wild: B+ (Granlund, Brodin, Coyle, Hackett, Larsson, Bulmer)
7. Islanders: B+ (Ryan Strome, Calvin de haan, Brock Nelson)
8. Lightning: B+ (a traded Carter Ashton, Vlad Namestnikov)
9. Jets: B+ (Mark Scheifele, Patrice Cormier)
10. Hurricanes: B+ (Ryan Murphy, Zac Dalpe)
11. Capitals: B (Kuznetsov, Eakin, Galiev, Holtby)
12. Bruins: B (Dougie Hamilton, Jordan Caron, Alex Khokhlachev)

13. Rangers: B (Tim Erixon, Chris Kreider, JT Miller)
14. Coyotes: B (Brandon Gormley, Max Goncharov)
15. Sabres: B (a traded Zack Kassian, Joel Armia, Marcus Foligno)
16. Blackhawks: B (Saad, McNeill, Morin, Danault)
17. Flyers: B (None)
18. Devils: B- (Jon Merrill)
19. Blues: B- (Tarasenko, Schwartz, Rattie, Allen)
20. Toronto: B- (newcomer Carter Ashton, Joe Colborne)
21. Penguins: C+ (Joe Morrow, Simon Despres, Beau Bennett)
22. Redwings: C+ (Smith, Jarnkrok, Nyquvist, Tatar)
23. Kings: C+ (Tyler Toffoli, Derek Forbort)
24. Bluejackets: C+ (David Savard, Boone Jenner)
25. Stars: C+ (Jack Campbell, Jamie Oleksiak)
26. Predators: C+ (Ryan Ellis)
27. Canadiens: C (Nathan Beaulieu, Louis Leblanc, Jarred Tinordi)
28. Canucks: C (newcomer Zack Kassian, Nicklas Jensen)
29. Flames: C (Sven Baertschi)
30. Sharks: C- (None)

Still pretty much in the bottom third of the league (according to FutureWatch). I guess it's an improvement.

Thoughts?

contour · 03-09-2012, 01:23 AM

Sad to see were rated pretty low. But the Marlies should give you a lot of information the indication on how our prospect depth is doing, and it's looking good.

We don't have elite players, but tremendous depth in our prospect pool, and that is much more valuable than having 1 centred prospect in a desert.

Purple Hayes · 03-09-2012, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by contour

Sad to see were rated pretty low. But the Marlies should give you a lot of information the indication on how our prospect depth is doing, and it's looking good.

We don't have elite players, but tremendous depth in our prospect pool, and that is much more valuable than having 1 centred prospect in a desert.

I tend to agree regarding the depth, but in terms of the needs, we desperately need a center to emerge.

Hopefully we can draft one with a top 5 pick this year.

Phion Keneuf · 03-09-2012, 01:33 AM

these rankings are bull, who cares?

we have a top 10 prospect system for sure .... we just lack top elite talent (which this is basing it off of)

but we have a top 5~ish pick this year, that will help solve our problem

TML g u n n e R s* · 03-09-2012, 01:35 AM

LOL @ these rankings

Edgeworth* · 03-09-2012, 01:48 AM

Well that sucks...

ah well it's what happens when you lack top 5 picks.

Duke Silver · 03-09-2012, 01:50 AM

Must not have included Gardiner and Kadri in their rankings (NHL games played, perhaps?), because this is not a bottom-third prospect pool.

Rusty545 · 03-09-2012, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purple Hayes

Although it is only one magazine's ranking, it's pretty disheartening that Kadri is no longer in the Top 75 (unless, he isn't considered eligible?). It's nice to see Colborne (18th) and Ashton (37th) are rated highly though.

Kadri and Gardiner are not considered eligible because they have played too many NHL games (50-ish games was their cutoff).

On the plus side, Ashton was ranked as Tampa's top eligible prospect, as this issue was published before the trade deadline.

Purple Hayes · 03-09-2012, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phion Keneuf

these rankings are bull, who cares?

we have a top 10 prospect system for sure .... we just lack top elite talent (which this is basing it off of)

but we have a top 5~ish pick this year, that will help solve our problem

Isn't that the goal of drafting and developing?

Purple Hayes · 03-09-2012, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty545

Kadri and Gardiner are not considered eligible because they have played too many NHL games (50-ish games was their cutoff).

On the plus side, Ashton was ranked as Tampa's top eligible prospect, as this issue was published before the trade deadline.

That improves the outlook a lot, as Kadri and Gardiner are both still 21 (turn 22 in October and July, respectively). For all intents and purposes they are still top prospects for us.

Eamonn* · 03-09-2012, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purple Hayes

Isn't that the goal of drafting and developing?

I guess.. but not many teams get top end talent like that.. we have a lot of guys who won't be elite NHL guys, but will be players who play at the NHL level for a long time.

**legendinblue** · 03-09-2012, 02:43 AM

E.g. the Capitals are in 11th

IMO

Kuznetsov will sign in the KHL
Galiev won't amount to much
Eakin might be a nice player
Holtby, who knows. I remember how "deep" they were with Varlamov, Neuvirth and Holtby. Now Varlamov's gone and Neuvirth hasn't done anything special.

MajorityRules · 03-09-2012, 05:14 AM

Just in case anyone feels bad about the Leafs prospects, have a look at who's in 30th and how many prospects they have in the top 75.

aingefan · 03-09-2012, 05:24 AM

With Ashton on TBay's list and Kadri/Gardiner not eligible, this ranking doesn't seem off at all. The Leafs best youth is playing roles with the big team, with varying degrees of success.

Kulemon · 03-09-2012, 06:56 AM

It's funny because we have twice the depth the oilers have in terms of prospects outside the NHL and their top prospect klefbom isn't head and shoulders better than Colborne, Ashton, or even Blacker ffs. These rankings are hilarious

SprDaVE · 03-09-2012, 06:58 AM

Meh still not bad I suppose.

Vexxed14 · 03-09-2012, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purple Hayes

Isn't that the goal of drafting and developing?

There is not just one goal of drafting and developing. That is one of them though

Drafting is just another means to acquire assets

**DirtyDion03** · 03-09-2012, 07:41 AM

Not sure how Edmonton is on top with just Klefbom. Their defense is terrible.

rj24 · 03-09-2012, 07:41 AM

Why does Edmonton have an A+?

blasted_Sabre · 03-09-2012, 07:44 AM

Looks like Kadri isnt eligible, based on other prospects not on the list (B. Schenn for instance). Probably based on games played.

SprDaVE · 03-09-2012, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyDion03

Not sure how Edmonton is on top with just Klefbom. Their defense is terrible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rj24

Why does Edmonton have an A+?

Did you guys read at all?

Quote:

It ranks "NHL upside" of prospects and 21-and-under NHLers. Ranked by a panel of 14 scouts. I've also read that each top 10 prospect list in the magazine comes directly from a member of each organization.

I guess having Hall and RNH propels them to the top automatically.

**DirtyDion03** · 03-09-2012, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blasted_Sabre

Looks like Kadri isnt eligible, based on other prospects not on the list (B. Schenn for instance). Probably based on games played.

It's for players 21 years and younger. Kadri is now 21. More chance for people to come here and call him a bust.

**DirtyDion03** · 03-09-2012, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SprDaVE

Did you guys read at all?

I guess having Hall and RNH propels them to the top automatically.

I thought that RNH and Hall would be excused for being in the NHL for so long.

ULF_55 · 03-09-2012, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kulemon

It's funny because we have twice the depth the oilers have in terms of prospects outside the NHL and their top prospect klefbom isn't head and shoulders better than Colborne, Ashton, or even Blacker ffs. These rankings are hilarious

It ranks "NHL upside" of prospects and 21-and-under NHLers.

RNH - 47 NHL games, 40 points. (Kadri 49 games, 18 points)

ULF_55 · 03-09-2012, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyDion03

Not sure how Edmonton is on top with just Klefbom. Their defense is terrible.

What does Klefbom have to do with the Oilers defense anymore than Biggs has to do with Leafs' toughness?

http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=607963

Quote:

The Oilers prospects suiting up are forward Kristians Pelss of Latvia and four defencemen: Oscar Klefbom for Sweden, Martin Marincin and Martin Gernat for Slovakia and David Musil for Czech Republic.

Oilers are hardly a finished product but they are working on it.