We all know that offensive defencemen prospects are a rare commodity and don't grow on trees. I feel like they don't get talked about that much on this thread. Mind you Alzner has been getting some mention and we all know about EJ and JJ. These two will be on everyone's list of most potential for offensive Dmen. But who else? What's their ETA to the NHL? what's their potential?
In the name of Aki Berg let's show these Dmen some respect and start one off.
I only know about Pens prospects, and they have Kris Letang, who might be in the NHL next year, Alex Goligoski, who's probably a year or two away, and Carl Sneep, who's about a year or two behind that. Noah Welch is currently bouncing between the AHL and the NHL. He's more of a two-way guy, but he can put up points.
I won't even try to predict points. Somebody else can do that.
Erik Johnson - he's about 9 months away from making his NHL debut. He's the complete package. Blooz fans are gonna love him.
Alex Goligosky - he'll likely play one maybe two years in the AHL then join the Penguins. However, considering its the Penguins, he could be as early as 18 months away from his NHL debut.
David Fischer - he's a long ways away. The Don isn't relying on him for offensive production. As an 18 yr old frosh, he's done a great job acclimating to the WCHA. I think he'll play 3 years for the Goofs then a season or two in the AHL. So Hab fans could expect him in about 5 years.
Mathieu Carle... in the Q near the top in offense in the whole league... he's also 40th in the league (he's only 16 pts behind Esposito with the same number of games played).
Erik Johnson - he's about 9 months away from making his NHL debut. He's the complete package. Blooz fans are gonna love him.
Alex Goligosky - he'll likely play one maybe two years in the AHL then join the Penguins. However, considering its the Penguins, he could be as early as 18 months away from his NHL debut.
David Fischer - he's a long ways away. The Don isn't relying on him for offensive production. As an 18 yr old frosh, he's done a great job acclimating to the WCHA. I think he'll play 3 years for the Goofs then a season or two in the AHL. So Hab fans could expect him in about 5 years.
One more homer loong range pick...remember the name Seth Helgeson. It will resurface a couple of years from now.
I still think the Denis Grebeshkov has a shot at being something. Sure, the Kings lost faith in his defensive abilities and he didn't sign with NYI becuase they didn't give him a one-way contract. But his numbers are good in the russian league this year and he has always had high accolades: including 50 points in 75 games as a 21-year-old.
Even though it repulses me to write this, Goligoski is a phenomenal OD. He's about 99% offensive and 45% defensive. I don't know when he'll get to the NHL or how he'll ultimately do there, but his point ratios will still be very high in comparison to his defensive game.
Not that he quite qualifies for the topic of this thread, but I'd still like to throw a bone to SCSU's Justin Fletcher. He's a free agent and probably won't make it out of the AHL, but he has a better all around game than anybody in college hockey. Anybody who took the time to research his junior and college career would see that instantly.
Oh, for those who take any stock in stats, Fletcher finished his last season in the USHL with a +34 rating and 43 points to go with it. Some guy named Matt Carle was second with a +26 and 42 points.
As for his college career, he's averaging .62 PPG. Goligoski is averaging .87 PPG. Carle finished with a 1.10 PPG average.
Last edited by The Exiled One: 02-08-2007 at 03:32 PM.
Agreed...I mean, I'm a Penguins fan so I may be biased, but that kid is dangerous with the puck.
A right-handed shot to boot...he'll be on the first PP unit of the Penguins real soon.
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as a leafs fan i would mention Stralman (likely arrive season after next)
i saw stralman today on tv against the cech's. looked very good as allways.
anton stralman
kris letang
bobby sanguinetti
david fischer
cam barker
alex goligoski
Vyacheslav Buravchikov
ben shutron
keith yandle
ben wright
cody franson
sami lepisto
alexander edler
brian lee
denis kulyash
kris russel
matt lashoff
ivan vishnevsky
mathieu carle
Someone did, i'd say he deserves multiple mentions though
definitely, just look on youtube and you'll find some sick Koltsov videos, probably stick handles better than most forwards. He will definitely put up a lot of points on the PP in the NHL with his offensive skill set.
definitely, just look on youtube and you'll find some sick Koltsov videos, probably stick handles better than most forwards. He will definitely put up a lot of points on the PP in the NHL with his offensive skill set.
