Ranking San Jose's Prospects

Hey fellow EHE GM's. It's been about a year since our last prospect ranking list came out that saw us take a look at the top 10 prospects in the organization. That article can be found here: https://www.elitehockeysim.com/news.php?article=1150

Today we will provide an updated top 10 list and rank the goalie prospects as well as offer some honourable mentions. Let's take a look:

1. Wyatt Johnston C 6'1" 185 lbs - Dallas Stars (NHL)

Acquired: 28th OV 2021 EHE Draft  2022-23 stats: 12GP 4G 1A 5P 4PIM +1

No change at the top of the list from last year, Johnston has surpassed the 9 game mark and is in the NHL to stay this year. He's been trusted to play third line center at just 19 years of age, and while his faceoff numbers don't look great his defensive play has been solid. He's even getting minutes with the second power play unit and has two of his 5 points with the man advantage. He's tied for 11th in rookie scoring at the time of this writing and is 4 points behind 1st. I'm not sure it'll be realistic for him to catch 1st place, but it's been a good showing early anyway.

GM Notes: "2C looks achievable for the youngster. Still has room to grow."

2. Scott Morrow RHD 6'2" 194 lbs - UMass (NCAA)

Acquired: 41st OV 2021 EHE Draft  2022-23 stats: 9GP 4G 5A 9P 10PIM +4

Morrow has jumped up to #2 in our prospect rankings on the back of a great NCAA season last year, and starting this year hot at a PPG pace. He likely will fall off that pace as the year drags on but he's looked real good on both sides of the puck. His bread and butter though is having the puck on his stick and controlling the play from the back end. It's harder for the other team to score when you have the puck.

GM Notes: "Morrow has impressed a lot since his draft year. I think he's a first round talent if you go back and do a re-draft."

3. Jiri Kulich C/LW 6'0" 179 lbs - Rochester Americans (AHL)

Acquired: 16th OV 2022 EHE Draft  2022-23 stats: 10GP 2G 6A 8P 2PIM +0

Defensively responsible, controls play in the offensive zone, finds seams to get pucks to teammates, great skating. Kulich is a fairly complete player with his all-around play and it's been showing in his North American debut this year in the AHL. He's currently 4th on his team in scoring while being among the younger players in the AHL this season. Impressive start, he might end up getting a cup of coffee with the Sabres this year.

GM Notes: "Couldn't be more pleased with his start, looks to have top 6 potential."

4. Liam Ohgren LW 6'1" 201 lbs - Djurgardens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Acquired: 17th OV 2022 EHE Draft  2022-23 stats: 16GP 4G 2A 6P 2PIM +6

Ohgren is back with the kid line with Djurgardens and after a bit of a slow start has picked his play up recently. His goal scoring has cooled off this season but it's no need for concern, he's being asked to be more defensively responsible and has shown improvement in this department so far. The big test will be seeing how he does against his peers internationally at the U20 tourney in the winter.

GM Notes: "Seems like a safe bet to become an NHLer, he's got a high floor for potential."

5. Filip Mesar RW 5'10" 176 lbs - Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Acquired: 21st OV 2022 EHE Draft  2022-23 stats: 5GP 4G 4A 8P 4PIM +1

Speed is the calling card for Mesar. He impressed in training camp for the Habs, got one game in the AHL then agreed to an assignment to the OHL where the Rangers held his rights. He's been very impressive for Kitchener and is well over a PPG through the first 5 games and looks like the best player on the ice every time I tune in. He even kills penatlies!

GM Notes: "My hot take that Mesar has a higher offensive ceiling than Slafkovsky doesn't look like such a hot take anymore."

6. Francesco Arcuri C 6'1" 201lbs - Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

Acquired: 165th OV 2021 EHE Draft  2022-23 stats: 15GP 12G 5A 17P 2PIM -4

There was a joke that Arcuri had to carry the dead weight of Shane Wright around last season. While that is certainly only a joke, he's put the team on his back this year and is doing all the heavy lifting. His goal scoring has been really impressive this year too. One thing that sticks out about him is how hard he works on his game on and off the ice to improve what his coaches ask of him. Case in point, he was told to work on his shot this off-season and looks to have developed a good deceptive release.

GM Notes: "He's been really impressive for a 6th round pick. Has some pretty talented centers in his way in Dallas though."

7. Brad Lambert RW 6'0" 183 lbs - Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Acquired: 34th OV 2022 EHE Draft  2022-23 stats: 4GP 2G 1A 3P 4PIM +2

Lambert fell out of round 1 due to fears of his offensive game will not translate. The evidence used was his lackluster offensive output in Liiga last season, which did look concerning. He was once regarded as a top prospect for 2022 but after failing to put up many points and falling down the depth chart he requested a trade...but struggled similarly with the new club. This pre-season in the NHL he looked like he belonged and has had a productive start to his pro career in the AHL.

GM Notes: "The skating is too good not to take a shot on him. Fingers crossed."

8. Ryan Chesley RHD 6'0" 201 lbs - U of Minnesota Golden Gophers (NCAA)

Acquired: 27th OV 2022 EHE Draft  2022-23 stats: 10GP 0G 2A 2P 2PIM +6

You might look at the offensive totals and assume he's a defensive defender, but he's a true puck moving Dman. His breakout passes are his bread and butter. He's also a physical defender, working well in front of his own net and along the boards. You would obviously like to see the offensive totals a little higher but for right now he's refining these other aspects of his game while just a freshman with the Gophers. 

GM Notes: "It might not look like it now, but I do see lots of offensive potential in Chesley."

9. Jacob Perreault RW 6'0" 196 lbs - San Diego Gulls (AHL)

Acquired: Traded from Colorado for Verhaeghe & SJ 4th 2022  2022-23 stats: 9GP 2A 2A 4P 12PIM -4

Perreault ranked #2 on last years list finds himself all the way down at #9 this year. This has more to do with a big draft class of 2022 pushing him down rather than his play on the ice. It's easy to forget the kid just turned 20 this year and is in his 3rd year of pro hockey. Skating and his shot are still strong points to his game, but he's been adding a defensive element to it lately as well. I thought he'd get more pro games in last season, but he should be one of the first call-ups after the trade deadline at least.

GM Notes: "Still really high on Perreault. Was a big Yannic fan as a kid so that might skew my view."

10. Martin Kaut RW 6'2" 190 lbs - Colorado Eagles (AHL)

Acquired: Traded from Buffalo with Jamie Oleksiak & Buf 2nd 2020 (Cross Hanas) for Pavel Buchnevich  2022-23 stats: 2GP 2G 1A 3P 0PIM +1

Kaut ended up being called up to the Avs pro roster when the injury bug hit, and looked good in his 8 games. It's back down to the AHL though when the Avs are healthy where he can continue to put together a strong AHL season. His consistancy has been a big problem for him, you'll watch one game where he looks dominant and then the next 3 or 4 he's invisible. Very frustrating player. Likely will be claimed on waivers next season if he can't stick with the Avs.

GM Notes: "Kaut is running out of time to impress the Avs brass and prove he belongs in the NHL."

HM

Cameron Lund C/W 6'2" 192 lbs - Northeastern U Huskies (NCAA)

Alex Vlasic LHD 6'6" 198 lbs - Rockford Ice Hogs (AHL)

Massimo Rizzo C 5'11" 174 lbs - U of Denver Pioneers (NCAA)

Cross Hanas W 6'1" 172 lbs - Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL)

Drew O'Connor LW 6'3" 190 lbs - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)

The next 5 on my list I believe all have potential to be NHLers down the road. Rizzo is probably off to the hottest start of these 5 and could see his stock rise if he can keep it up. Will also highlight Cross Hanas here, his skating is seen as awkward and was thought to be something that could hold him back as a pro, but he's looked too smart on the ice to have this effect him.

I'll also rank the goaltending, but I really am out to lunch when it comes to the position. I have them ranked as follows:

1. Oskari Salminen G 6'4" 201 lbs - Manitoba Moose (AHL)

2. Akira Schmid G 6'5" 205lbs - New Jersey Devils (NHL)

3. Felix Sandstrom G 6'2" 192 lbs - Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)

4. Hugo Ollas G 6'8" 238 lbs - Merrimack College Warriors (NCAA)

Sandstrom always looks tiny in the net whenever I've watched him play. I think Salminen is a top goalie prospect like I said at the draft, I believe he'll shoot up people's rankings this year. I don't think I've ever drafted a #1 goalie, so I've probably missed the mark on these as well.

It's been a blast. Enjoy what's left of our off-season and see you in free agency!

Kyle Phillips

Not a single Phillips-era pick in the Top 10! Surely it's because they've all graduated to full-time NHL duty, right???

Ranking San Jose's Prospects
A look into the future

• 0 teams Like this  2 years

View all 2 comments

Kyle Phillips Nope, not even in the HM! Almost like I sold the farm for a playoff push...

2 years  1 teams Like this

Tommy Barr

Nice work Jared. The 2022 draft really setting you up for the future.

Ranking San Jose's Prospects
A look into the future

• 0 teams Like this  2 years