After ranking the top 120 NHL prospects, the top 10 goalie prospects and every team in order of prospect pipeline strength, it's now time to look at each team in depth.
For each club, I've provided a system overview, ranked the top 10 prospects and identified the players that will make a push for playing time with the big club in 2016-17. In addition, you'll find some brief thoughts on players from each team that are outside the top 120 overall (or top 10, for goalies).
The teams are listed in alphabetical order, but to skip to a specific team click on the link below:
ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF | CGY | CAR | CHI | COL | CLS | DAL | DET | EDM | FLA | LA | MIN | MON | NSH | NJ | NYI | NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | SJ | STL | TB | TOR | VAN | WSH | WPG
Anaheim Ducks
Pipeline rank: 22
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 5
Team overview: The Ducks' system was up and down this season, particularly at the pro level. On the plus side, top picks Shea Theodore and Nick Ritchie (who graduated) were very good, and Brandon Montour continues his upward trend toward top prospect range. On the downside, former first-round pick Stefan Noesen and second-round pick Nic Kerdiles continue to stagnate. Drafting Max Jones and Sam Steel this summer brought some needed skill up front into a defense-heavy pipeline.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Julius Nattinen was fine this season for Barrie in the OHL and Finland's under-20 team. His skating showed improvement from where it was last season, and he showed his trademark vision and defensive IQ, although I was hoping he'd show a tad more offense.
Nic Kerdiles' offense hasn't taken off, although being used as a center has added more responsibility on him defensively. Stefan Noesen is a gritty forward who can set up plays, but his skating continues to be a significant concern, and a lack of improvement in that area has kept him at the fringe NHL level.
Marcus Pettersson skates remarkably well for a 6-foot-4 defenseman, and has decent touch with the puck as well. He didn't score a ton in the SHL but still showed the skill to make plays at that level. Deven Siederoff is undersized, but has an edge to his game and will fight for pucks.
Noteworthy prospect: Brandon Montour, D
One of the top defensemen in the AHL this past season, Montour really opened some eyes, continuing his skyrocketing development of the past few seasons. Montour is an offensive defenseman, with the ability to make high-level plays with the puck, has above-average vision and a big shot. Montour can still be a bit of a mess defensively in some games, and just fine in others. His puck play is NHL-ready if he can be trusted at some point in the future to check NHL forwards.
2016-17 impact: Shea Theodore is an NHL-ready player, so I expect he'll have graduated from the prospect ranks by my midseason update. Montour is certainly on the watch list as well but isn't as much of a lock. Kerdiles and Noesen could be call-ups, but probably won't play key roles.
Arizona Coyotes
Pipeline rank: 2
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 9
Team overview: The Coyotes' system is one of the very elite ones in the NHL, having a bundle of highly skilled players who can steal the show with their talents. The system was very good already, but adding two top prospects via selections (Clayton Keller, Jakob Chychrun) and one by trade (Anthony DeAngelo) at the 2016 draft -- as well as getting Lawson Crouse in an August trade -- solidified a top grade.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Cam Dineen has good raw offensive qualities; he brings above-average mobility and hands to the table. However, the biggest reason for his success is his hockey sense. Dineen is one of the smartest players in the 2016 draft class; he takes the extra second to make a play and evades pressure as well as anyone.
Ryan MacInnis, son of Hall of Famer Al MacInnis, looked very solid this season, with ex-GM of the Coyotes Don Maloney tagging him as their most improved prospect of the season, with a shot that continues to improve as he matures. On the negative side, he still has a ways to go to fill out his frame and isn't the best skater.
Noteworthy prospect: Brendan Perlini, LW
The No. 12 overall pick in 2014, Perlini has been a significant disappointment, particularly this past season, where his OHL production dropped like a rock (albeit with good shot rates) and he was invisible at the IIHF World Junior Championship. He's an incredible skater for a bigger player, but his hockey sense hasn't impressed.
2016-17 impact: Dylan Strome should be a full-time player out of the gates. Christian Dvorak could be in the mix too; if not, he's a top candidate for an AHL call-up. Recent trade acquisition Lawson Crouse will also be in the mix, and Conor Garland is a sleeper. Center Laurent Dauphin could fill a depth role or be an injury call-up option.
Boston Bruins
Pipeline rank: 12
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 4
Team overview: You won't see a ton of Boston names in my top 100, but there is talent in this system for sure. The Bruins' system was one of the hardest to rank because there are a lot of quality names here, but they are all bunched up together in talent level, without a few clear elite prospects. You could reasonably argue a bunch of guys up or down my top 10. They also have three players in their top 10 who are former Boston University players. Backyard scouting!
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Matt Grzelcyk was hurt for a good portion of the season, and Boston University looked like two different teams with and without him. "Grzy" is a very good skater with solid edge work and top skating speed, and he's decent defensively.
The No. 14 overall pick from 2015, Jake DeBrusk trended down this season and did not produce at an expected offensive level in either Swift Current or Red Deer in the WHL. The first of the Bruins' three consecutive first-round picks in 2015, Jakub Zboril (No. 13 overall) has some very good qualities in his game and at his peak he can dominate a shift. However, he needs work in a handful of areas in the defensive zone.
Ryan Lindgren is a good skater who can join the rush effectively, and he has the mobility to stay with quick forwards. Fellow blueliner Brandon Carlo is a very good defensive player. He's big, strong, leans on his checks, and is very sound with his defensive zone reads.
Danton Heinen (No. 11, center) deserves an honorable mention, as he has been great in the past two seasons at the University of Denver. He's a very smart passer with decent to solid speed and finishing ability. I'm not entirely sure that the skill level is there to be an NHL scorer, but he'll be a player to watch as he turns pro this upcoming season.
Noteworthy prospect: Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, C
JFK was one of the top rookies in college hockey this season, skating for Boston University, and played surprisingly well at the WJC. The big question is how much offense he'll produce in the NHL; I don't see a top-six forward at the moment, but it's not out of the realm of possible outcomes.
2016-17 impact: Center Austin Czarnik was very good as a rookie in the AHL, and he could carve out a lower role, as Seth Griffith has done. Goaltender Malcolm Subban's time is now. Unless the Bruins want to risk losing him on waivers, the 2012 first-round pick should be on the team's roster, or on some other team's roster, to start this season.
Buffalo Sabres
Pipeline rank: 11
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 2
Team overview: Buffalo went into May with a thin farm system. While a couple of their guys impressed this season, such as Brendan Guhle and Justin Bailey, you would've really struggled to identify 10 decent NHL prospects prior to the draft, where I thought they did very well. That said, there is still a depth issue here. The system falls off hard towards the tail end of the top 10, but the upper half is solid.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Brendan Guhle opened eyes this season after being a second-round pick by the Sabres in 2015. He's a high-end skater who can generate a ton of power from each stride and easily get up into a rush. Unfortunately, his body is woefully underdeveloped; I've heard scouts make light jokes about his possibly being "anti-food."
Hudson Fasching ended his college career at the University of Minnesota strong, and was a part of the American team at the IIHF World Championship. Whether in international play or with Minnesota, he has been a go-to penalty killer and generates short-handed chances.
A third-round pick from 2016, Cliff Pu has a decent touch with the puck, is able to handle in tight spaces just fine and flash some top-level plays. Will Borgen really impressed as a freshman at St. Cloud State, and in his role as a top-four defender at the WJC for the Americans.
A former top prospect, Giorgio Estephan had a bounce-back WHL campaign. Estephan is creative with the puck, coordinated in how he handles it, and has great edge work to evade pressure. His physicality and top gear remain issues. Nick Baptiste had a down season, between his on-ice play and missing time because of injury. With more strengths and reps, he'll find a role in a power game as a pro.
Linus Ullmark was up and down this season, but there are a lot of things he does that I like. He moves well for a big man, is aggressive, can get to pucks and makes smart reads.
Noteworthy prospect: Justin Bailey, RW
Buffalo native Bailey trended up significantly this season. He is big, skilled and quick, with the latter attribute showing improvement over his OHL days. His off-the-puck game remains an issue. Bailey can be timid despite his big frame, and iffy on his defensive checks.
2016-17 impact: Ullmark was solid in his 20 games with the Sabres, and is an option there again if needed. Bailey and Fasching could compete for ice time right out of camp, with Fasching having the edge if it comes down to a competition between the two.
Calgary Flames
Pipeline rank: 9
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 5
Team overview: Calgary's system is anchored heavily by 2016 first-rounder Matthew Tkachuk at the top, and while it falls off sharply after him, it is a fairly deep system with talent at every position.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Dillon Dube is a very good skater with a powerful first few steps, and he brings a high level of energy to most shifts. He battles for pucks effectively, kills penalties and will throw a few hits around, too.
There are a lot of things Rasmus Andersson does well: He's a highly skilled puck handler who can dangle or move the puck up in transition quickly. It's little surprise he led the OHL in scoring among defensemen. Linus Lindstrom is often one of the first guys over the boards to kill a penalty, in spite of below-average size, because of his hockey sense and work ethic. He's no slouch offensively, either.
Raised two hours north of Calgary in Leduc, Brandon Hickey's offensive totals dropped this season at Boston University, but there were still a fair amount of things to like about his game. He's a very good skater, who is physical, smart defensively, can make an effective first pass, and has a hard point shot.
Emile Poirier stagnated this season; after seeing 17 percent of his shots go in during his first AHL campaign, he converted only 8.5 percent this past season.
Goaltender Tyler Parsons (No. 11) is nimble, and showed the ability to make tough saves look routine. Center Mark Jankowski (No. 12) ended his college career on a high note and was impressive in a short AHL stint at the end of the season. Fellow pivot Andrew Mangiapane (No. 13) is small, but a speedster with above-average hands and finishing skills. People might quickly Google Mason McDonald's (No. 14) stats and be underwhelmed, but a 6-foot-4 goalie who can make tough stops isn't easy to find.
Noteworthy prospect: Oliver Kylington, D
While Kylington certainly had his bumps along the way this past season in the AHL, not playing for some stretches as a scratch, he was quite impressive, given his age (18) and the quality of the league. Kylington's attention to detail on defense, ability to win battles and not make bad decisions with the puck are his key development points.
2016-17 impact: Matthew Tkachuk could make a push for a trial period during training camp, and while it's unlikely he's a full-time NHLer next season, it's not impossible. Hunter Shinkaruk is knocking on the door right now. Jon Gillies is a sleeper here, in the event of an injury.
Carolina Hurricanes
Pipeline rank: 5
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 8
Team overview: The Hurricanes graduated several quality defensemen like Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce and most notably Noah Hanifin, and still have a lot of good defenders left, particularly after drafting Jake Bean this summer. In general, their farm system is very strong, due to a mix of trades, high picks and solid late-round selections that have panned out.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Sergei Tolchinsky had some expected bumps in his rookie AHL season dealing with physicality and pace, but still showed his creativity. He is a great puck handler who can make skilled plays at top speed and generate unique scoring chances.
Lucas Wallmark will be crossing the pond after a successful career in Sweden. He's been a consistent high-level playmaker for years, and can impress even his most harsh critics when he has the puck.
Alex Nedeljkovic (No. 11) had a great OHL season and is a dynamic goaltender despite his small stature. Brock McGinn (No. 12) is a quick, hard-working player without great NHL upside, but he can get to the league in a lower role.
Noteworthy prospect: Nicolas Roy, C
After an underwhelming draft season, Roy bounced back in a big way, leading the QMJHL in goals. He's a big, strong center with good skill and vision, and thinks the game at a quick pace. His defense isn't outstanding, but he's solid in that area.
2016-17 impact: I expect that Sebastian Aho will be a top-nine forward for Carolina next season, and could work his way up the lineup if all goes well. McGinn and Tolchinsky should make cases for time on the wing throughout the season. Wallmark has an outside chance to play.
Chicago Blackhawks
Pipeline rank: 20
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 4
Team overview: The last few years, I've made mention of the Chicago system lacking a ton of high-end talent but being quite deep in solid talent. I look at the Chicago system and ponder who is trending up, and the answer is there hasn't been a ton of guys who really shot up last season. The situation looks a lot different here than a few years ago, with a clear top echelon that includes the top four prospects in the system (Alex DeBrincat, Gustav Forsling, Ville Pokka and Nick Schmaltz), some decent depth in their AHL ranks and then question marks after that.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: I'm a Vince Hinostroza fan, and think he's going to carve out some sort of NHL career. He's on the older side of the "prospect" category, but he's a gifted playmaker who can make plays at a pro pace and is not intimidated by bigger players.
I've been underwhelmed by Ryan Hartman's offensive production to date in the AHL. He's always had the tag of "agitator," but in his under-20 days you saw flashes of real offensive potential. Artur Kayumov is a very good skater, displaying above-average to high-end speed and acceleration.
Lucas Carlsson displays solid-to-average stick skills, with fine mobility and straight-line speed. He's a very smart and patient puck mover, and makes stops using good positioning and stick play. U.S. development program product Chad Krys shows the ability to quarterback the power play with his poise and IQ.
Mark McNeill (No. 11) has been hovering around the Chicago pipeline seemingly forever. He's not a bad player, he's just a bland player and hasn't shown a ton of improvement since turning pro. I also want to give a mention to Ivan Nalimov (No. 12) who is a big netminder that can be occasionally dynamic.
Noteworthy prospect: Tyler Motte, LW
Motte was a top prospect when he was coming up during his 15- and 16-year-old seasons, then fell off a little, but really trended up this season as one of the best players in college hockey, skating for Michigan. He's an above-average to high-end skater, with good puck skills, and plays with pace.
2016-17 impact: Ville Pokka is NHL-ready and should be in the conversation for a job out of camp. Hinostroza, Hartman and McNeill will all be pushing for ice time throughout the season, assuming McNeill clears waivers if sent down. Motte could be a sleeper after his strong showing at the World Championships. Some scouts seem to think Nick Schmaltz could be on the team, but I'm hesitant to believe he's ready to make the jump.
Colorado Avalanche
Pipeline rank: 21
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 2
Team overview: Colorado isn't devoid of talent. I love Tyson Jost and Mikko Rantanen. J.T. Compher had a great junior season at Michigan and Calvin Pickard has been impressive. But after their top group, it tumbles off really quickly, with the depth looking quite bad.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: J.T. Compher was one of the best players in college hockey, centering the nation's best line at Michigan, with Tyler Motte and Kyle Connor. He really stood out in terms of how much he grinds for pucks and is committed to his own-end play. There are questions in the industry about his ultimate offensive upside.
Netminder Calvin Pickard has been hovering around my Avs' top prospect lists for over five years now. He hasn't broken through to being a full-time NHL goaltender, but he's right on the brink.
Andrei Mironov has been solid in the KHL. He's a little on the older side, but he is is a very intelligent, two-way defenseman, with above-average mobility and good physicality. The Avs aren't high on Will Butcher, but there are things I like about him as a prospect. He skates at a high level, is skilled, has great hockey sense and competes very well.
The production didn't soar for Nicolas Meloche in 2015-16 compared to 2014-15, but I still see a fair amount of offensive upside in his game. A.J. Greer has some interesting qualities to his game. He's big, skilled, has some grit to his game, and his skating has improved.
Scouts I've talked to praise Cameron Morrison's skating, but I never saw a truly high-level gear in my viewings. Defenseman Sergei Boikov (No. 11) is worth a shout-out as well. He's a tall two-way defender who plays the body, is sound in his defensive reads, outlets the puck fine, and has decent mobility.
Noteworthy prospect: Jean-Christophe Beaudin, RW
Beaudin was a pleasant surprise this past season, being a critical player for Rouyn-Noranda, one of the best CHL teams. He's a solid two-way forward who doesn't have a standout tool, but does a lot well.
2016-17 impact: Pickard is expected to be on the opening day roster and could push Semyon Varlamov for starts. Mikko Rantanen should also be in the NHL from opening night onwards. Compher could make a case during camp, and if he doesn't make it, would be the first call-up when an injury strikes.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Pipeline rank: 4
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 5
Team overview: The Blue Jackets have been steadily building up top prospects during the last few years. They have the look of a system at the top echelon of the league, with a nice mixture of talent throughout. Their AHL affiliate won the Calder Cup on the backs of several quality prospects, and overall they are quite deep through their pro ranks. No. 3 overall pick Pierre-Luc Dubois may push for an NHL job right away, while it would be an upset if last year's first-rounder, No. 8 overall pick Zach Werenski, isn't on the roster on opening night.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Josh Anderson plays like a truck with faulty brakes. He's got decent touch with the puck and can make the occasional nice skill play, but he's at his best when he's charging full steam ahead, winning battles and being a pain for opponents.
Scott Harrington's been treading water the last few seasons. He's a mobile, hard-working defender who can make stops, but his lack of offense is worrisome.
I like Gabriel Carlsson more than I did last season when Columbus selected him in the first round (No. 29 overall). He moves quite well for a 6-foot-4 defender, and is very smart defensively. His limited offensive upside makes it hard to project him as a top-four defender, but it's not impossible.
Goaltender Anton Forsberg took a step back during the 2015-16 regular season after dominating the AHL the season prior. But, he was back to his dominant self in the playoffs, carrying the Lake Erie Monsters to a Calder Cup title. He's a very calm and smart goaltender with good size.
Defensemen Dillon Heatherington, Vladislav Gavrikov and Markus Nutivaara, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and winger Paul Bittner are all on my radar beyond the top 10.
Noteworthy prospect: Daniel Zaar, RW
Zaar took a notable step forward for me this season, playing an important role for the Monsters, and leading the team in shots on goal by more than 50. His most standout tool is his shot; he can consistently place it with accuracy and force.
2016-17 impact: Zach Werenski is just a teenager, but he should be in the discussion to make the NHL roster out of camp. Harrington's shown he can handle a lower NHL role if called upon. Oliver Bjorkstrand and Anderson are on the doorstep, with Zaar being a sleeper. Dubois could get a nine-game trial but is unlikely to play a full season. Forsberg could push Joonas Korpisalo as the backup to Sergei Bobrovsky. In other words, Columbus will have a very competitive training camp.
Dallas Stars
Pipeline rank: 25
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 3
Team overview: The top of the Dallas system looks solid. For the most part, their first-rounders are tracking well, and Esa Lindell continues to impress. However, it falls off pretty quick in the bottom of their system, and if I had to go past 10, I'd struggle to come up with players that look like real NHL prospects at the moment.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Jason Dickinson impressed as a rookie pro, being a reliable, all-situations player for Texas in the AHL. He's a well-rounded player without true standout skills. Riley Tufte measures in at around 6-foot-5, but he skates like he's 5-foot-10. Given his frame and skating ability, he's a headache for defensemen when he's coming down the wing.
When healthy, Roope Hintz was solid this season. He skates pretty well for a guy who is 6-foot-3, and can make skill plays at top speed, making him a real force off the rush. Stephen Johns was a quality player this past season in the AHL, although he's yet to show he can break through at the NHL level in his brief showing with Dallas.
Philippe Desorisers bounced between the ECHL and AHL this past season due to a crowded net in Texas, but with Jack Campbell traded, he'll likely have a run at the starting job for the AHL affiliate. He's an agile, energetic goaltender with improvement needed in terms of depth in the crease and the decisions he makes.
I've been tentative on Niklas Hansson as an NHL prospect. At his best, he's a dangerous playmaker with the hands and vision to get up in an attack and be a primary creator on the power play.
Joe Cecconi (No. 11) impressed me this summer when I saw him at the WJC evaluation camp. He's a big, sturdy defenseman who can win battles and make stops.
Noteworthy prospect: Devin Shore, C
Shore started off his first full pro season very well, lighting up the scoresheet, and got a brief NHL call-up, but a shoulder injury knocked him out for a lengthy portion of the season. Shore is a very smart two-way forward who could project to center or the wing in the NHL. Shore is not a real physical player, but his defensive IQ allows him to disrupt plays and be in the right spot.
2016-17 impact: Esa Lindell and Johns should both be pushing for NHL time out of camp. Lindell is the superior prospect. Shore and Dickinson likely start the season in the AHL, but could be call-ups during the season.
Detroit Red Wings
Pipeline rank: 18
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 5
Team overview: The Wings' farm team has quite a few guys who are on the bubble of being NHL players; Detroit will have to make decisions on them soon, otherwise they risk losing them on waivers. The top part of their system is pretty good, with several players who have a chance to be quality NHL players, even if there's no "star" prospect in this system. The big slide in the rankings is two-fold: Dylan Larkin graduated, and players like Evgeni Svechnikov and Axel Holmstrom didn't have quite the seasons I expected from them in 2015-16.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Xavier Ouellet has been treading water the last few seasons. He's a very poised puck mover who can make tough plays under pressure. His major issue is his skating and being able to evade checks to make a play.
A nephew of Todd Bertuzzi, Tyler Bertuzzi was fine as a rookie pro. His has an above average skill level, with good overall hockey IQ and a great work ethic. His penalty minutes are a little high, largely due to his agitating style. Filip Hronek has quick feet and is able to close his gaps and join the rush effectively. He has a decent work ethic, but he can be manhandled in the defensive zone.
Dennis Cholowski has the top speed to be able to rush the puck effectively and can evade pressure off his edges just fine. However, he is undersized and can have a real tough time winning one-on-one battles.
Noteworthy prospect: Dylan Sadowy, LW
Sadowy has been quite impressive the last two seasons in the OHL, as one of the top goal scorers, and the Red Wings acquired him from the Sharks as his signing deadline approached. He's a sturdy forward with good two-way awareness who showed excellent penalty skilling this past season. His skating is the major flaw right now.
2016-17 impact: Ouellet will very likely be on the roster all season, needing waivers to be sent down. Anthony Mantha has a good case as well. Bertuzzi could get a call-up if they need a physical/two-way kind of forward to plug into the depth chart. Ryan Sproul has been well thought of in the Wings organization for years, so now that he is waiver-eligible it will be interesting to see if they give him an NHL trial.
Edmonton Oilers
Pipeline rank: 8
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 3
Team overview: A common theme in the Oilers' system the last few years has been a big name or two at the top and a barren wasteland afterwards. Their depth still isn't great, but it looks a lot better than it has the past few seasons, and the anchor is still there after another high first-round pick in Jesse Puljujarvi. Also, while their defensive unit has been a point of criticism for years, they have a number of really good young defensemen in their system on top of young blueliners Darnell Nurse, Oscar Klefbom and Adam Larsson at the NHL level.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Ethan Bear was one of the top defensemen in the WHL this past season. He's an above-average puck handler who can make some creative plays and shows good IQ on his outlets and power play management. He's solid on the defensive end.
Sixth-round pick Aapeli Rasanen is a smart center who can slow the game down and create chances while appearing to exert minimal effort. Rasanen is at his best as a playmaker, but he takes his shots when he gets a lane. One criticism of Markus Niemelainen has been that he can look somewhat bland, never particularly dominating a game or making elite-level plays at either end.
Following in his brother Seth Jones' footsteps, Caleb Jones was very good during his first season for the WHL's Portland Winterhawks. Laurent Brossoit really impressed me this season, and was one of the best goaltenders in the AHL.
Drake Caggiula was one of the better players in college hockey this past season, ending his career at the University of North Dakota on a high note. He's a highly skilled forward with great puck skills, but he's not the quickest, which is particularly bad for a 5-foot-9 player.
Noteworthy prospect: Jordan Oesterle, D
Oesterle is a late-rising prospect, who didn't really look like an NHL prospect until he was 22, but took it to another level this past season. I don't know if he's ever going to be a top-end player in the defensive zone, given his subpar ability to win battles, but he looks like a guy who can be an asset on the power play this season.
2016-17 impact: Jesse Puljujarvi has a pretty good shot to be a full-time player on the Oilers roster, but I don't think it's a lock. The blue line is crowded following the addition of Adam Larsson, but Oesterle could be the seventh defender, and plugged in when needed. Brossoit is on the cusp of being NHL-ready.
Florida Panthers
Pipeline rank: 30
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 1
Team overview: Florida's system has been hampered by a lack of quality prospects picked after the lottery, with zero NHL regulars acquired via the draft since 2012 outside of Aaron Ekblad (No. 1 overall in 2014) and Aleksander Barkov (No. 2 overall in 2013). Couple that with the trading of Lawson Crouse, their 11th overall pick from 2015, which leaves very little in the system. Their top prospect remaining, Michael Matheson, is solid, and their depth is above average, but there is a lack of high-caliber talent here.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Jayce Hawryluk was one of the best forwards in the WHL to end his junior career. He shows flashes of top-level skill, creativity and vision, and projects as a middle-six forward at his peak at the top level. I polled a lot of scouts about Adam Mascherin, and the common themes were "goal scorer" and "elite shot." While Mascherin can snipe it from a distance, he's not a one-trick pony.
Denis Malgin was a decent piece on the championship team in the top Swiss league, and led Switzerland in scoring at the WJC. Ian McCoshen is effective, yet bland. He never really had a big season during his time at Boston College or at a major tournament and projects to the bottom of an NHL roster.
Taken in the first round as a second-year draft-eligible prospect, Henrik Borgstrom is a big man with above-average hands, vision and finishing skill. Kyle Rau was just fine as a rookie pro, and got a cup of tea in the NHL with the Panthers.
Samuel Montembeault was a reliable netminder in the QMJHL this past season. He is a big goalie, with above-average hockey sense and the ability to square up pucks consistently.
Mike Downing hasn't really taken off, but it was hard to rack up a ton of points this season with Zach Werenski dominating the power-play time at Michigan. Dryden Hunt (No. 11) was the top player in the WHL as an over-age player. Guys who light up a junior league for the first time as a 20-year-old are a dime a dozen, and his skating will be tested versus pro defensemen.
Noteworthy prospect: Linus Hulstrom, D
Hulstrom has been one of the best defensemen in the SHL the last two seasons, and signed as a free agent. He is quick, and able to jump up into the play, shows creativity with the puck, sees his options well and has a very good shot.
2016-17 impact: Matheson is banging on the door, and the Panthers likely find some way to squeeze him in out of camp. You can also see depth players like Rau and Brickley possibly get some ice time.
Los Angeles Kings
Pipeline rank: 29
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 3
Team overview: When you make one first-round pick in four years, and make five second-round picks but subsequently trade two of those players away, this is the end result. It's not horrific, but it's bad.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Jacob Moverare is big, but there is a lot more to his game than size. He is a quality puck mover who can make good touch plays and doesn't panic under pressure.
After pushing to make the Kings' AHL team, Erik Cernak was a just fine OHL player. He has a lot of tools, but poor decision making with and without the puck bring his game down. Michael Mersch was one of the best players in the AHL again this season, but struggled to elevate his game during his NHL call-up.
A 6-foot-7 forward with above-average hands and a good level of competitiveness generally makes you a pro prospect, but Justin Auger is still a ways away. His skating is a significant problem, and I wouldn't grade him as the most gifted playmaker. Derek Forbort was once a highly touted prospect and now he's kind of settled into being what he is: A low-end/depth NHLer at his peak.
I expected more from Alexander Dergachyov this past season, but he remains an intriguing two-way center with size. His skating holds him back, and I just don't see a ton of offensive IQ in his game.
An honorable mention goes to winger Dominik Kubalik, who had a big season in the Czech Extraliga.
Noteworthy prospect: Mike Amadio, C
Amadio was one of the top two-way centers in the CHL, skating for the North Bay Battalion. He's not incredibly flashy, but he's always around the puck, making quick, aware reads. Amadio has fine hands and can make some plays, but his speed isn't ideal.
2016-17 impact: Mersch should have a real opportunity to make the team out of camp in a lower role. Forbort and Kevin Gravel seem to be on the outside looking in, but could potentially make noise for a lower defense position. Nic Dowd could also be in the conversation, although 26-year-olds who have yet to shine in the AHL don't have much of a chance to be an NHL regular.
Minnesota Wild
Pipeline rank: 17
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 4
Team overview: After graduating plenty of young players to the NHL, the Wild have steadily been building up their farm system during the last three drafts to the point that the pipeline is back to respectability. What you see now is a system anchored by their top-round picks, as well as a fifth-round pick in 2015 Kirill Kaprizov, who was a huge riser this past season.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Gustav Olofsson was an AHL All-Star this past season and got a brief taste of NHL action. He won't be a top-pairing defenseman who will break a game open, but big defensemen who skate in all directions and move the puck well are hard to find. Tyler Graovac is a huge center with good puck skills, and while he's not a great skater, he's a lot better than where he was back in his days with Ottawa in the OHL. Louis Belpedio is a very good skater who can lead a rush as well as being able to stretch the ice effectively with his vision.
Christoph Bertschy was up and down in the first half of his first North American season. He's a competent defensive forward with fine offensive talent, as he brings a fair level of speed and puck skills to the ice. Jordan Greenway was a quality player at Boston University as a freshman. He's a long way away from making the NHL, but he's a big forward who uses his body well to win battles and protect the puck.
Gustav Bouramman (No. 11) held steady from last season, but has continued to show well as an offensive defeneseman; however, he remains a work in progress defensively.
Noteworthy prospect: Dmitri Sokolov, LW
The big issues scouts have had with Dmitri Sokolov are his skating and his weight. He weighed over 220 pounds at times during the season, but he managed to get down to 205 toward the end of the campaign. In terms of positives, Sokolov is a highly skilled forward with an elite shot who can dominate. Despite all the doom and gloom, he scored 30 goals on a very bad Sudbury team in the OHL, while playing through a dislocated shoulder.
2016-17 impact: Groavac could be a bottom-six forward right away if he's healthy. Bertschy and Olofsson both have chances to fill in for injuries at their respective positions, and not capsize the boat when they do. Alex Tuch is still a year away from being at the top level.
Montreal Canadiens
Pipeline rank: 15
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 6
Team overview: Montreal has a fascinating farm system, with numerous first-round picks, and a bunch of highly skilled players who have either significantly fallen or risen the last few seasons. They also have numerous players on the verge of making the NHL team at the outset -- or at least threaten to throughout the season.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Will Bitten was a bright spot for the Flint Firebirds, and he stood out as one of the OHL's top 17-year-old forwards. He's a skilled offensive player who can make high-difficulty plays with the puck and shows creativity with his passes.
Victor Mete is one of the best skaters in the 2016 draft class. He can explode up the ice and lead a rush as well as anybody in the CHL, and he is quite agile.
It was a bit of a surprise to see Daniel Carr playing well in the AHL and competently in the NHL. Given that he's reached his mid-20s, the bottom six is likely the extent of his abilities, but he has decent puck skills, a lot of grind and an above-average shot.
Noteworthy prospect: Artturi Lehkonen, LW
Lehkonen had a very impressive 20-year-old season, as he finally broke through and had the big campaign I've been waiting for from him for years. He's a skilled puck handler with above-average vision and a big-time shot, and he has a goal scorer's brain when around the net.
2016-17 impact: The Habs should have a very competitive training camp. Michael McCarron, Charles Hudon, Martin Reway, Lehkonen and Carr (not to mention Sven Andrighetto and Jacob De La Rose, who count as graduates) should be in the mix to compete for ice time.
Nashville Predators
Pipeline rank: 10
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 6
Team overview: Some may argue that I always seem to rank the Predators pretty well in terms of prospects. But they almost always seem to go after players I like, and they did so again in 2016 in what I thought was one of the best bang-for-the-buck approaches at the draft, including No. 17 pick Dante Fabbro and No. 47 pick Samuel Girard. The result is a system with a lot of high-end talent.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Anthony Richard picked up this past season where he left off in 2014-15 and continued to be one of the more dynamic offensive players in the QMJHL. Richard is a fantastic skater with the explosive first few steps and top gear to put defensemen on their heels.
Tom Novak had a fine freshman season at Minnesota. He's very coordinated and creative with the puck, and he makes a lot of high-difficulty plays. Hockey sense drives a lot of value for Alexandre Carrier, despite his physical limitations. He's small for a defenseman, but he makes plays thanks to his stick positioning and overall anticipation.
Frederic Allard thinks the game at a very high level and shows a high panic threshold with the puck. He makes creative plays on the power play, transitions the puck very well and is able to hold on to the puck for an extra beat to make the right play.
Pontus Aberg (No. 11) has done fine in the AHL. He's a goal scorer and has shown that tool in the AHL.
Noteworthy prospect: Yakov Trenin, C
Despite not putting up huge point totals, there's a lot to like about Trenin's skill set. He is a bulky, 6-foot-2 forward. He has above-average hands and often shows the ability to make skilled plays to deke defenders to set up his teammates.
2016-17 impact: Kevin Fiala will be in the conversation during camp, and Juuse Saros is on the brink of being an NHL regular. Aberg and Max Gortz are potential depth options at forward.
New Jersey Devils
Pipeline rank: 19
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 3
Team overview: The Devils' system is in much stronger shape from where it has been the last couple of years. The depth isn't incredible, but it's as deep a system as I've seen from the org in a number of years, with quality talent at every position, led by recent first-rounders Pavel Zacha and Michael McLeod.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Joey Anderson was known as the third wheel on the USNTDP's top line with Clayton Keller and Kieffer Bellows. However, he was solid in his own right and provided versatility to that line and the team as a whole. Miles Wood had a strong junior season for Boston College and skated for the U.S. in the World Championship. He's a prototypical power forward, with a pro frame and intensity on every shift. The OHL Goaltender of the Year in 2015-16, Mackenzie Blackwood is a big goalie who doesn't leave shooters much room to find corners. He's very economical with his movements in the net and displays a calm demeanor. Yegor Rykov doesn't have one standout ability - he isn't going to blaze by on a rush or lay a crushing hit -- but I don't see a glaring weakness in his game.
An important all-around player for Sault Ste. Marie, Blake Speers is a fantastic skater who can be incredibly difficult to check because of his edge work and top gear. Jesper Bratt is a small but exciting offensive player with dynamic qualities, including an explosive first step.
Nathan Bastian (No. 11) is a two-way forward with power elements in his game.
Noteworthy prospect: John Quenneville, C
I've never watched a John Quenneville game and come away thinking he was the best player on the ice, as I have with Pavel Zacha and Mike McLeod, but Quenneville serves the role of complementary player well. He's serviceable in all situations, and he has the tool kit to be put with any kind of linemates.
2016-17 impact: Wood and Steve Santini each have a shot at a job, depending on how the depth chart shakes out. Zacha will be the most interesting candidate to watch. A good summer following his one-game NHL stint last spring might cut his junior career short, but I'm somewhat skeptical that he can get past a nine-game trial. I see his full-time job starting in 2017-18. One name to tuck away is Blake Coleman. He looked very good for the AHL affiliate in Albany before a season-ending shoulder injury.
New York Islanders
Pipeline rank: 7
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 7
Team overview: The Isles have been somewhat patient with their young players in recent seasons, exemplified by the fact that none of their top 10 prospects from last summer graduated. The group is led by skilled forwards Mathew Barzal, the No. 16 overall pick from 2015, Anthony Beauvillier (No. 28, 2015) and Kieffer Bellows (No. 19, 2016).
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Anatoli Golyshev had a breakout season as a 20-year-old, as he scored the fourth-most goals in the KHL and carried his team to a postseason appearance. He's a gifted all-around offensive player who displays plus hands, in-tight coordination and overall creativity.
The Swiss army knife of the OHL because of his ability to play both forward and defense well, Mitchell Vande Sompel had a rough season, thanks to shoulder surgery and a midseason suspension. The Isles view him as a defenseman in the pro ranks, but the versatility is a bonus.
When the Isles called David Quenneville's name at the draft this summer, he joined his uncle, Johnny Boychuk, in the organization. Not all draftees can say that! On the ice, Quenneville is a very agile skater who can escape pressure and activate into the attack.
There are a number of quality prospects outside the top 10 who are worth mentioning. Linus Soderstrom (11th) was the top goalie at the WJC. Diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, he has continued to persevere and had a breakout season. Parker Wotherspoon (No. 12) is a poised, smart puck mover with above-average mobility. Adam Pelech (No. 13) is a smart defender whose skating has shown improvement. Alan Quine (No. 14) is more of a depth player, but his speed/skill combo led to five points in 10 playoff games for the Isles the past spring.
Noteworthy prospect: Josh Ho-Sang, RW
One of the more controversial young players in the game, Ho-Sang was cut early during the Islanders' camp after he rubbed the organization the wrong way one too many times. He hasn't progressed a ton since his draft season (No. 28 overall, 2014), and he still makes a lot of bad decisions with the puck. That said, his combination of skating and puck skills is one of the best in the CHL.
2016-17 impact: Mathew Barzal has a good shot to get in a nine-game trial, if not be a full-time player. Ryan Pulock is right on the bubble of keeping a job after he looked solid in his call-up last season. I wouldn't rule Michael Dal Colle out, but he's a wild card at the moment. Scott Mayfield has fizzled out as a prospect but could be a depth option during the season.
New York Rangers
Pipeline rank: 28
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 3
Team overview: There are positives and negatives to the Rangers' system. On the negative side, there is a lack of high-end talent in this pipeline after Pavel Buchnevich. That said, the depth isn't that bad, particularly when considering how few high picks the Rangers have had in recent years (including their top pick this year being No. 81 overall). I guess what I'm saying is: It's bad, but it could be a lot worse.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: I was skeptical about Brady Skjei's NHL upside coming into this past season, but he put up more points in one AHL season than he did in his entire NCAA career, and he showed well at the World Championship. He's one of the best natural skaters outside the NHL. Ryan Gropp was an important part of Seattle's team in the WHL this past season, and he's tracking fine as he heads to the pro ranks.
Hartford's representative at the AHL All-Star Game this season, Ryan Graves was a very reliable two-way defender as a rookie pro. He also has a pretty good shot, as he recorded the third-fastest shot ever at the AHL All-Star skills competition.
Brandon Halverson is a fantastic puck-handling goalie with above-average athleticism for a 6-foor-4 netminder. I don't ding Tim Gettinger's skating too much, given that he's 6-foot-5, but he has a rough first step, and he has to develop that area of his game to have a shot at the NHL.
Robin Kovacs led Sweden's second-division circuit (Allsvenskan) in goals and points by an under-20 player for a second straight season.
A former CHL exceptional-status player -- granted eligibility to play as a 15-year-old -- Sean Day is an elite skater with unbelievable four-way quickness for a big man. However, there's a reason he didn't go first overall in his NHL draft class, as the previous three players did (John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid). On his best days, Day is a calm, efficient puck mover who can win battles and make stops. On his worst days, Day is shooting his team in the foot with poor puck management and positioning.
Noteworthy prospect: Adam Huska, G
Huska trended up this season after being a seventh-round pick in 2015. He's a technically sound goalkeeper who uses his size and smarts to square up pucks. He comes out to the top of his crease when needed but has enough quickness to retreat back into position.
2016-17 impact: Pavel Buchnevich, Jimmy Vesey and Skjei have reasonable shots to make the team out of camp and be useful players. This is particularly true for Buchnevich, who could bring some much-needed skill to the lineup. The recently signed Vesey could be a middle-of-the-lineup forward from his first shift. Ryan Graves is a sleeper.
Ottawa Senators
Pipeline rank: 16
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 3
Team overview: Ottawa's system has steadily returned to form after two solid draft classes in 2015 and 2016. Some of the depth has thinned out as their lower-tier prospects haven't elevated themselves to get into depth-prospect conversations, but the top of their system is very strong. The top three prospects -- Thomas Chabot, Colin White and Logan Brown -- all have top-tier upside.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Ulf Dahlen's son Jonathan Dahlen is very good with the puck and sees the ice well, showing above-average vision as a playmaker. He also thinks the game quickly, showing the poise of a professional player already.
Andreas Englund had an impressive season, being a top four defender for Djurgardens, a top player for Sweden at the WJC, and got a cup of tea with Sweden's national team. Offense won't be his calling card, but he defends so well that it balances out. After being on the uptick the last few years, Nick Paul had some bumps in his first full season as a pro. I don't believe his counting numbers (17 points in 47 games) reflect how he looked in Binghamton, but there was certainly an adjustment period.
Christian Jaros has struggled to become a leaned-on player in the SHL, but he was one of the better defensemen at the WJC, and even earned an appearance at the World Championship for Slovakia as he turned 20. Matt Puempel has been stagnating after starting off his pro career strong. He's gifted with the puck and has an elite shot, but he struggles outside the offensive zone.
Filip Chlapik has also been a little stagnant in his QMJHL performance and had just an OK showing at the WJC.
Noteworthy prospect: Francis Perron, LW
Perron was the MVP of the QMJHL regular season and playoffs, leading his team to a Memorial Cup berth; so yes, he had a good season. He used to be more of a playmaker, but his best offensive tool is now his shot, as he can finish chances from long distance.
2016-17 impact: Thomas Chabot should get a final season of junior hockey before making the jump, but given their poor depth on defense, he could very well get a nine-game trial or more. I don't think Englund is that far off, and he could be a midyear option. Ben Harpur (No. 11) is also a fine depth option. A Nick Paul call-up isn't unreasonable, but he needs more AHL success first.
Philadelphia Flyers
Pipeline rank: 6
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 7
Team overview: It's hard to criticize the Flyers' system. Talented all-around centers? Check. Dynamic big defensemen? Check. Ridiculous goaltender depth? Check. Depth through their amateur and professional ranks? Check. Players with star upside? Check. They don't have an Auston Matthews-caliber player in the pipeline, but that player doesn't stay in your system longer than three months anyhow. Ron Hextall emphasizes patience in developing players, so I do expect this system to remain at a high level for another two seasons as the build continues.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Pascal Laberge is an above-average skater with a very good top gear, which allows him to separate off the rush. He's not the best defensively, which is concerning as a center, but he is trending upward.
Samuel Morin was impressive as a rookie pro, as he has continued to develop well and become more comfortable playing in a big man's body. His defensive play is very good, but I don't see much offensive upside. Defensman Robert Hagg (No. 11) had a bit of a rough season, but he still shows solid two-way play in spurts. I like his hockey sense enough combined with his skating to think he can still make it to the NHL in a useful role.
Goaltender Felix Sandstrom (No. 12) took on a big role in the SHL at a very young age, getting a lot of starts. Fellow netminder Anthony Stolarz (No. 13) was an AHL All-Star this past season. Final honorable mentions go out to Nicolas Aube-Kubel (No. 14) and Alex Lyon (No. 15).
Noteworthy prospect: Taylor Leier, LW
Taylor Leier took his game to another level this season. He was third in the AHL in shots on goal and was an all situations forward for the Phantoms. He can skate, handle the puck and defend at above-average levels. He didn't show a ton in his brief time in the NHL, but he's on the cusp.
2016-17 impact: Ivan Provorov and Travis Konecny will push to make the team, and Provorov would appear to be closer. Morin and Hagg could put themselves in the conversation with a good camp, and Leier is also in the mix. Stolarz could potentially play up to the NHL level if an injury arises. Any way you put it, the Flyers' system is starting to bubble with NHL-ready players.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pipeline rank: 27
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 3
Team overview: I'm not going to sit here and pretend the Penguins' system is sunshine and roses in the bottom half of their top 10 prospects. It's a problem. However, despite trading so many high picks in recent years, a second-round pick (Daniel Sprong) and a third-round pick (Matt Murray) have given the top of their system equal weight with many other NHL organizations.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Filip Gustavsson didn't have an All-World season, but he worked his way into a backup role with his SHL team -- unusual for a player his age -- and was solid during his time with the Swedish under-18 team.
Dominik Simon is a highly skilled forward that has continued to rise over the last few years. His shooting percentage was unsustainably high, but he was a solid top-six forward at the AHL level. Oskar Sundqvist had an OK first North American season, as he showed certain strong elements but also shined a light on his limitations.
Tristan Jarry is a fairly athletic goalie, with quick feet and a strong glove hand. However, his decision-making and reads/reactions leave you wanting. Lukas Bengtsson was one of the most dangerous offensive defensemen in the SHL this past season and an important part of Frolunda's run to a championship. But he will not be taking tough defensive minutes if he makes the NHL.
Scott Wilson is likely just a replacement-level guy, with occasional spurts of being something more than that. Connor Hall keeps on getting better and better, and really emerged late in the season. He got an invite to Canada's WJC team, which was an eyebrow raiser at the time, but he showed he belonged at the highest stage.
Noteworthy prospect: Jake Guentzel, C
Guentzel was quite good in his final NCAA season at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and he was money down the stretch in the AHL playoffs. He shows flashes of the top-level skill and vision that allows him to be a dangerous offensive force and create from the perimeter.
2016-17 impact: Matt Murray is as much of a lock as a lock can get and could be the Penguins' starter this season. Daniel Sprong will be in the mix and will hope to last longer in the NHL than his 18 games last season. Sundqvist and Guentzel could potentially make the team in depth roles, or be injury call-up options.
San Jose Sharks
Pipeline rank: 24
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 3
Team overview: There are some things to like in the Sharks' system. Their top-10 pick Timo Meier looks great, while Jeremy Roy and Nikolay Goldobin are solid, foundational pieces. However, it falls off quickly thereafter. The depth in this system is subpar, which is less than ideal for a team that's getting older. Mind you, San Jose has found ways to fill the gaps over the years: Logan Couture, Tomas Hertl and Joonas Donskoi come to mind. And Meier might do the same, but at some point, they're going to need to do a bunch more restocking if one of their top youngsters misses.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: After turning a lot of heads in 2014-15, Rourke Chartier took a small step back this season. He still remains a real NHL prospect, but the scoring upside is more questionable now. Noah Gregor is a smart playmaker who has soft hands, can spot the open seams in the ice and get the puck to his teammates. He's a two-way forward who can kill penalties well, though he's on the smaller size.
Barclay Goodrow will likely never be a scorer in the NHL, but he was very good in the AHL. The physical part of his game isn't very consistent, which has left him in limbo between the top level and the minors.
Noah Rod has been good at the under-20 level the past two seasons but has struggled to become a significant player in the top Swiss pro league. Julius Bergman struggled in his transition to pro hockey, but picked up his play as the season went along.
Dylan Gambrell has good vision and is a playmaker. He does not strike me as a player who is incredibly dynamic, but it's hard to ignore his gigantic season with the University of Denver.
Noteworthy prospect: Kevin Labanc, RW
Labanc had a great season, leading the OHL in scoring and was in the mix as league MVP. There are sirens that go off in my head when an overage player dominates, but Labanc is a quality prospect. I wouldn't characterize him as a smart or overly creative player, but he works hard and is competent with the puck.
2016-17 impact: Nikolay Goldobin and Goodrow are knocking on the door right now. Goodrow's upside is limited, but his role would be more of a penalty killer, whereas Goldobin is more a realistic long-term piece who can score. Timo Meier will make a strong case as well, and could be a top-nine forward right away.
St. Louis Blues
Pipeline rank: 23
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 3
Team overview: The Blues' system is a little light, but that is what happens when you finish towards the top of the league for a long stretch of time and have had recent significant graduations. They've made some solid picks outside the first round, though such as Jake Walman, Ivan Barbshev and Ville Husso, keeping their system from bottoming out.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Vince Dunn was one of the most dynamic offensive defensemen in junior hockey this past season. However, his defense remains a work in progress. Ville Husso was the top goaltender in the top Finnish league, dominating on a consistent basis. He doesn't wow you in goal with flashy athletic saves, but he is incredibly smart with his positioning and reads.
St. Louis has been waiting for Ty Rattie to get over the hump and really assert himself as an NHL player, but that hasn't happened yet. He needs to have a big summer building strength and ideally picking up his defensive play a notch. Petteri Lindbohm has been good defensively as an AHL player, enough to earn him some looks from Ken Hitchcock.
Evan Fitzpatrick has a big body, and he moves very well in the net for a guy his size, on top of having a plus glove hand.
Goaltender Jordan Binnington (No. 11) can steal the occasional game, but his reads and consistency have made those times few and far between versus men. Conner Bleackley (No. 12) was a first-round pick by Colorado (2014), whose development has stagnated over the past two seasons. The Blues grabbed him in the fifth round this summer, hoping the light goes on.
Noteworthy prospect: Jordan Schmaltz, D
Schmaltz has been holding steady at a good level the last few years, with the needle in a positive direction in 2015-16. His offensive hockey sense is high-end; when the puck touches his stick it's either a crisp pass out the zone, or a poised carry to avoid pressure. Jordan's defense continues to be problematic which is keeping him from the NHL.
2016-17 impact: They likely don't have an impact guy on the way this season, but Rattie, Lindbohm, and Schmaltz could provide depth. Ivan Barbashev is a sleeper, as he could have a massive second season and be on the NHL track, but isn't at that level yet. Husso could potentially be a call-up for the Blues if an injury occurs.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Pipeline rank: 14
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 4
Team overview: Tampa's system is anchored by a top-end forward prospect in Brayden Point and an elite goaltender in Andrei Vasilevskiy (a likely graduate this upcoming season). The rest of the system is very deep, but lacking in the same caliber of star talent. There are a lot of guys in this system that you could tag as having NHL talent, whether they are scorers or two-way players.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Slater Koekkoek was back and forth a few times between the AHL and NHL this season, and while he was good at the AHL level, he wasn't great and hasn't taken that big next step yet in his development. Adam Erne was up and down during his first full season as a pro. What was most interesting was seeing him used at center with some frequency, and he didn't look too out of place.
Libor Hajek is a fantastic skater, one of the very best in the 2016 class. He closes his gaps well on his checks, evades pressure and is a threat offensively. Taylor Raddysh works hard every shift to win battles, but also shows above-average puck skills.
Dominik Masin is more defensive-minded than offensive-minded, but he can log tough minutes versus good players and make stops. Mathieu Joseph was a significant riser this past season, as one of the better point producers in the QMJHL. He's skinny and will need a lot of bulk before he turns pro. He isn't a game breaker but has intriguing potential.
Winger Boris Katchouk (No. 11) is an intense competitor who brings it every shift, and he walks the line between "physical" and "agitator." Tanner Richard (No. 12) can create a lot of scoring chances from the blue line in and has top-level vision.
Noteworthy prospect: Mitchell Stephens, C
Stephens missed a sizable portion of the season with a broken foot, but when he was healthy he was arguably Saginaw's top forward at both ends of the rink. He'll be leaned on for tough defensive minutes when he makes it to the NHL, but he has enough scoring potential to have quality even-strength shifts, too.
2016-17 impact: Andrei Vasilevskiy will start the season in the NHL and push Ben Bishop for ice time. Brayden Point could break camp with the Lightning; otherwise, he's likely to be the first option for a call-up. After looking very good in the AHL, Richard might get a close look during camp. Koekkoek might need more time but is a depth option on defense.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Pipeline rank: 1
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 8
Team overview: Toronto has the best farm system in the NHL and it isn't close. Based on my prospect definitions, there are zero reasonable arguments for anyone to even be in the same conversation. Not only do they have a ton of elite talent in players like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander, but their depth is elite too. There are at least 20 prospects in this system that would fit in many other teams' top 10.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Brendan Leipsic has great puck skills, good vision -- and can flash great in that area -- and is a quality skater. However, he has a ways to go in his development to handle the NHL level, and gaining strength will be a key thing for him this summer. Dmytro Timashov is not a perfect player, but given how gifted he is with the puck and his ability to score in bunches, I do have optimism for his projection.
Defenseman Nikita Zaitsev (No. 12) has progressed well since his teenage days and could be a bottom-half-of-the-lineup defenseman right now. Fellow blueliner J.D. Greenway (No. 13), the younger brother of Jordan Greenway, stands 6-foot-5 and, despite some intriguing offensive tools, is more of a stay-at-home player who can lean on opponents and clog up traffic.
Left wing Andreas Johnson (No. 14) is small and not that bulky, but his speed, skill, shot and hockey sense all grade as above average, and some even better. Right wing Yegor Korshkov (No. 15) is a towering power forward, with a strong, 6-foot-4 frame that he uses to bulldoze his way to the front of the net and win many battles along the boards.
The Leafs' system has strength beyond that. Nikita Soshnikov and Rinat Valiev both looked good in the AHL and were up with the Leafs this season. Tobias Lindberg is a highly skilled big man whom the Leafs got back from Ottawa for Dion Phaneuf. Martins Dzierkals was an important part of Rouyn-Noranda winning the QMJHL. Zach Hyman was solid in his NHL call-up, and Joseph Woll is one of the best goalies in the 2016 draft class.
You get the idea; there's a lot to like here.
Noteworthy prospect: Andrew Nielsen, D
Andrew Nielsen (No. 11) was one of the biggest risers in the prospect world, going from relative anonymity to one of the best defensemen in the CHL. He's a calm, smooth puck mover with impressive creativity. Defensively he's solid, being a physical presence who can lay out huge hits and be in the right spot to make stops. His major issue is his skating.
2016-17 impact: Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock has said Auston Matthews will start the season as the third-line center, but he should be one of the Leafs' best players this season, with 20-25 goals and 55 points being realistic targets. William Nylander and Mitch Marner should also be regulars in the top nine. Outside of them, it gets interesting. Connor Brown looks on the verge of making that next step, but Soshnikov and Zach Hyman both showed well in their NHL time. Zaitsev should be a third-pairing defender right away.
Vancouver Canucks
Pipeline rank: 13
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 3
Team overview: The top of the Vancouver system is quite strong. Olli Juolevi, Brock Boeser and Thatcher Demko give them top-flight talent at different positions. However, after that the system falls off with a range of depth that is below average.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Jordan Subban, who is the little brother of Malcolm Subban and P.K. Subban, is a great offensive defenseman who transitioned well to the pro game. He's quite skilled with the puck and has a big shot from the point, too. His defensive play has shown some improvements, but he still loses too many battles because of his stature.
Brendan Gaunce rebounded well from a so-so first pro season to be an important part of his AHL club and get some time with the Canucks. Nikita Tryamkin was decent in the KHL before coming overseas to the Canucks, where he was just OK in his brief NHL time. He's a colossal, 6-foot-8 defenseman with a moderate skill set, so he is certainly an intriguing prospect.
Guillaume Brisebois was an important piece of a bad team in the QMJHL. In the NHL, he's likely to be a defense-first type of player. Will Lockwood has high-end offensive talent. He skates very well and buzzes around the ice with speed and energy every shift.
Cole Cassels got a late start to the season, following recovery from surgery, but never really got it going for any stretch during his first exposure to the AHL. He's probably not going to be a scorer in the NHL but could chip in a scoring chance or two. Adam Gaudette (No. 11) trended up this past season as a freshman at Northeastern.
Noteworthy prospect: Troy Stecher, D
Stecher was signed by Vancouver as a free agent from the University of North Dakota. He skates very well, with a powerful clean stride and the ability to keep close gaps with the quicker forwards. Stecher is small but strong and will battle effectively for pucks and positioning.
2016-17 impact: Olli Juolevi will probably need one more season in the OHL before he's ready to make the Canucks. Gaunce is on the bubble, but finding a role for him will be the key. Tryamkin probably serves a similar purpose as he did at the tail-end of 2015-16, which is as a lower-half-of-the-lineup defenseman. Subban is the likely call-up on injury replacement duty, and Stecher is a possibility if he makes a smooth transition to the pro game.
Washington Capitals
Pipeline rank: 26
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 4
Team overview: Before the Capitals fans come at me with their pitchforks, here is my reasoning for the low system ranking. I wasn't a fan of the Lucas Johansen pick this year, and while I think Ilya Samsonov is a fantastic goalie prospect, the likelihood of a good return on their first-round pick of him is low, as goalie prospects are not very valuable outside of the "special" caliber of players. Madison Bowey and Riley Barber have been good but not great in the AHL, and that leaves Jakub Vrana, who has been fantastic, as the one guy left for whom I have buckets of optimism. The system still has talent, but to me, lacks in top-flight talent and significant positional value.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Lucas Johansen, Ryan Johansen's brother, took huge steps forward in his second WHL season, being one of Kelowna's most important players. He doesn't have a "wow"-level skill, but makes decisions with the puck to put his team in a position to succeed.
Connor Hobbs trended up significantly this past season, with 51 points in 70 games in the WHL between the regular season and playoffs. Hobbs slid to the Capitals following an injury-plagued draft season in 2014-15, and they might have gotten a nice value here. Jonas Siegenthaler is very physically mature already, at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds. He is a great skater for his size.
I've watched Travis Boyd for a number of years, and I did not see the level of offense coming from him as he showed this past season in the AHL, passing 20 goals and 50 points as a rookie. Christian Djoos' ice time was inconsistent on a deep Hershey blue line, but he showed some intriguing attributes when he was in the lineup.
Noteworthy prospect: Chandler Stephenson, C
Stephenson had a very strong NHL camp and earned some time with the Capitals, but did not show the same high level of play all season. When he's on, his skating allows him to accomplish a lot. His first few steps are fantastic. He's probably not a top scorer in the NHL, and given his smaller size he'll need to be a good defensive forward to get himself into a regular shift.
2016-17 impact: Jakub Vrana should be in the conversation to be a call-up this season. He's arguably NHL-ready, but the Capitals' forward group is so deep that he probably needs an injury to open up a spot. If the team wants more of a two-way player, Stephenson is on the cusp. Madison Bowey could plausibly make the jump at some point, but he still needs AHL seasoning. Riley Barber is a potential mid-season call-up as a scorer/grinder hybrid.
Winnipeg Jets
Pipeline rank: 3
Prospects in top 120, top 10 goalies: 4
Team overview: The depth in the Jets' system is a little thinner than in past years, in part due to a lot of recent graduations. The system remains elite however, primarily due to the selection of Patrik Laine, and the fantastic progression of Kyle Connor, their top pick from 2015. Top picks like Josh Morrissey and Jack Roslovic have developed fine but not perfectly. However, positive progression from Chase De Leo and Erik Foley counterbalances that somewhat.
Prospects outside of the top 120, top 10 goalies: Jack Roslovic was pretty good as a freshman at Miami of Ohio this season. He can play in either the AHL or OHL this season; if it's the OHL, he'll consistently line up at center, which would be a change from the past few years.
Chase De Leo had a very impressive rookie pro season for the AHL Manitoba Moose, racking up nearly 200 shots on goal. His ability to score and check at the AHL is key. He lacks ideal size at the next level. First-round pick Logan Stanley stands in at 6-foot-7, and is a pretty impressive skater and puck mover for such a big man.
Tucker Poolman was very impressive this past season, solidifying himself as a top defenseman in the college ranks, skating for North Dakota. Eric Comrie struggled at times as a rookie pro, but scouts came away impressed by his toolkit and talked about his long-term projection.
Noteworthy prospect: Erik Foley, LW
Foley has continued to rise during the past few years. He doesn't dominate or show a high-end skill but is impressive in many aspects. He's a gifted puck handler, showing creativity with the puck, and consistently makes good passes. I expect a big sophomore season at Providence.
2016-17 impact: Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor are expected to be regulars next season, with Laine having the potential to clear 25 goals. De Leo is on the bubble, particularly if he has a strong summer. Josh Morrissey would be the first call-up if there were an injury on defense, but I'd like to see him dominate the AHL first.