With the World Junior Championship behind us, it's time for my midseason update of the top 50 NHL prospect rankings.
I often point out that young players change significantly in a short period of time. If you compare draft rankings from September to May, you will notice this significant shift. This trend continues after the draft, as the 2016 NHL draft class looks a lot different now than it did 12 months ago, and the first round probably would have some significant changes.
Because of the midseason nature of these rankings, creating criteria for player eligibility is difficult. I use my standard definition of 25 NHL games in a single season or 50 career to graduate, but due to games still being played I also do not include any players currently in the NHL, regardless of total games played. So for this edition, Dylan Strome and Kyle Connor are eligible, but Jesse Puljujarvi, Kevin Fiala and Shea Theodore are not. All statistics and eligibility determinations are as of Jan. 18, 2017.
The following is based on my diligent tracking and observation of these prospects over the course of the season and past years as well. Live scouting, statistical analysis, video scouting and discussions with scouts and executives across the industry are all incorporated into this process.
Graduations impact rankings significantly. For example, 20 of our top 40 prospects from the summer, as well as three of our top five goalie prospects, have graduated, so jumps in rankings across the board are expected to some degree.
Here are the top 50 prospects, along with the top 10 goalies:
1. Clayton Keller, C, Arizona Coyotes
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 174 | Previous: 6
Current team: Boston Univ. (NCAA) | Drafted: No. 7, 2016
2016-17 stats: 13 GP | 8 G | 10 A
There isn't a clear No. 1 prospect right now, but Keller has made as good a case as anyone.
Keller was injured and had to miss a substantial part of the season, but when he has been healthy, he has been electric, including a dominant performance at the World Junior Championship. An elite playmaker with great feet and hands, Keller makes some of the more unique plays you'll see outside the NHL ranks. Although he is small and slight, his IQ and skating allow him to be OK defensively too.
2. Mathew Barzal, C, New York Islanders
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 187 | Previous: 13
Current team: Seattle (WHL) | Drafted: No. 16, 2015
2016-17 stats: 16 GP | 4 G | 21 A
Barzal was up with the Islanders for a cup of coffee early this season, but his all-around game was not quite NHL-ready. He's as dynamic as ever with the puck, as he has displayed in the WHL and at the World Juniors. His full-time NHL arrival will come in just a matter of time. You can nitpick Barzal's game if you wish. He might make an extra play every so often, and he isn't Patrice Bergeron defensively, but at the end of the day, he's a player with elite skill and hockey sense, and he's a great skater. He is unique and distinguishes himself on the ice.
3. Dylan Strome, C, Arizona Coyotes
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 198 | Previous: 4
Current team: Erie (OHL) | Drafted: No. 3, 2015
2016-17 stats: 11 GP | 7 G | 17 A
Arizona sent Strome back to the OHL (a league he has dominated the past two years) after not being convinced he was ready for scoring-line minutes in the NHL. He has unique hockey sense as a playmaker, combined with a big shot and great hands. His development hasn't gone as well as hoped, and improving his speed and strength are keys to his game going forward, but he remains a top prospect.
4. Alexander Nylander, RW, Buffalo Sabres
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 181 | Previous: 11
Current team: Rochester (AHL) | Drafted: No. 8, 2016
2016-17 stats: 33 GP | 5 G | 12 A
Nylander hasn't been as good as his brother (William Nylander) was for Toronto's AHL affiliate at the same age, but he hasn't looked too far off, and he was great offensively at the World Juniors. Alex Nylander is a very skilled winger who will be in the NHL shortly. His ability with the puck and overall offensive IQ are top of the line, and he can play at a pro pace. There is a lot he can tweak in his game; I'd like it if he were quicker, stronger and not so one-dimensional. But the upside in his game is so significant that you're willing to live with the warts.
5. Pierre-Luc Dubois, C, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 203 | Previous: 8
Current team: Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) | Drafted: No. 3, 2016
2016-17 stats: 24 GP | 10 G | 16 A
Dubois struggled upon being sent back to the QMJHL and looked more like the first-half Dubois from last season (who was thought of as a top-10 pick) than the second-half Dubois, who lit the world on fire and rocketed to third overall. His World Juniors was just OK as well. I would caution against getting lost in too much analysis of this season because while it is a concern, Dubois remains a very good prospect. He's a player who has significant, albeit not elite, offensive tools. He wins battles and plays well at both ends of the rink, and I've seen some improvements in his skating this season.
6. Tyson Jost, C, Colorado Avalanche
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 194 | Previous: 15
Current team: North Dakota (NCAA) | Drafted: No. 10, 2016
2016-17 stats: 21 GP | 10 G | 13 A
Jost has been very good as a freshman at North Dakota, logging a ton of minutes in all situations and producing while doing so. Jost was also very good for Canada at the World Juniors. He's a great playmaker with quick hands and feet, and he has a mind to be a dangerous offensive player in the pro game. Jost has a ton of talent, but he's also a very hard-working, two-way center who can be an impact player, tilting possession no matter what situation he's put in.
7. Kirill Kaprizov, RW, Minnesota Wild
Age: 19 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 192 | Previous: 43
Current team: Salavat Yulaev (KHL) | Drafted: No. 135, 2015
2016-17 stats: 41 GP | 17 G | 21 A
Kaprizov has been lighting the world on fire in the KHL, showing scoring numbers that line up with the best teenagers to ever play in the top Russian league. The KHL's quality has dipped as it has expanded, which is worth noting in regard to the previous sentence. Nevertheless, Kaprizov has been very impressive and was the top forward at the World Juniors. He skates very well, is a great playmaker who plays at a quick pace and can finish chances. Despite his size, he finds a way to be around the puck a lot and make something happen.
8. Sam Steel, C, Anaheim Ducks
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 179 | Previous: 116
Current team: Regina (WHL) | Drafted: No. 30, 2016
2016-17 stats: 35 GP | 32 G | 44 A
The puns write themselves here, and while I have plenty of material, I will spare you for now. Steel has been everything you imagined he would be a few years ago when he was at the peak of his hype: a dominant playmaking center with the skill and IQ to dazzle. He has improved his play away from the puck a lot, which allows him to retain possession of the puck more and make the most of his offensive gifts. Two points per game in the WHL are nothing to sneeze at, either.
9. Thomas Chabot, D, Ottawa Senators
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 190 | Previous: 26
Current team: Saint John (QMJHL) | Drafted: No. 18, 2015
2016-17 stats: 16 GP | 5 G | 16 A
Chabot got the slimmest glimpse at the NHL this season -- a handful of shifts for the Senators -- before being sent back to major junior. Now people will remember him for his MVP performance at the World Juniors. His skating ability is ridiculous for a tall defenseman, but it isn't all athleticism with Chabot. His vision is great, he can play an up-tempo game, and he is competent (albeit not elite) defensively while being a force whenever he's near the puck. Chabot looks ready to step into the NHL permanently next season, once he adds some strength in the next few months.
10. Daniel Sprong, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 181 | Previous: 16
Current team: Charlottetown (QMJHL) | Drafted: No. 46, 2015
2016-17 stats: 5 GP | 2 G | 2 A
After 18 games with the Penguins last season, Sprong has been out most of this season due to an injury, so his report is unchanged from when we last profiled him. I know I'm a lot higher on him than probably 90 percent of non-Pittsburgh hockey people, but I'm fine with that. I see a player who, when healthy, is a game-breaker with his speed, skill and shot. He was very impressive in the AHL playoffs last season for an 18-year-old, with seven points in 10 games, and I expect that with another strong QMJHL/AHL combo season, he'll be in the mix for an NHL job next season.
11. Mikhail Sergachev, D, Montreal Canadiens
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 216 | Previous: 38
Current team: Windsor (OHL) | Drafted: No. 9, 2016
2016-17 stats: 24 GP | 4 G | 17 A
Sergachev got a small cup of coffee with the Habs this season but was clearly not quite ready for the NHL. He has been pretty good, albeit not amazing, in both the OHL and at the World Juniors, but he's still tracking to get a roster spot in Montreal next season. His skating is ridiculous for a big defenseman, and I've been very impressed by how calmly and efficiently he has been moving the puck this season. I also like that his defensive game seems a little sharper. Bottom line: His game is about offense, and he excels at moving with the puck up the ice and being aggressive.
12. Jakub Vrana, LW, Washington Capitals
Age: 20 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 185 | Previous: 19
Current team: Hershey (AHL) | Drafted: No. 13, 2014
2016-17 stats: 24 GP | 11 G | 10 A
Vrana hasn't broken through with the Capitals yet, but it's just a matter of time. And to be fair, that isn't the easiest forward group for a scoring forward to break into. Vrana continues to be very good at the AHL level and projects to put up points at the NHL level. He can play a speed game, he can pull up with the puck and make a play to his options, and he has a good enough shot to finish chances from a distance. Vrana isn't a great defensive forward, and that likely won't magically develop at the next level, but his talent will generate a lot of scoring chances.
13. Colin White, C, Ottawa Senators
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 190 | Previous: 28
Current team: Boston College (NCAA) | Drafted: No. 21, 2015
2016-17 stats: 20 GP | 11 G | 7 A
One of the top forwards at the World Juniors this season, White has been very good in his season-and-a-half at Boston College. White doesn't wow you on any given shift, but if you carefully track him, you can quickly add up the good plays he makes all over the ice. His hockey sense is top-end on both sides of the puck, he's very competitive, and he has a decent skill set. Ottawa has already indicated an interest in seeing White in a Senators uniform before the season is over.
14. Jake Bean, D, Carolina Hurricanes
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 172 | Previous: 23
Current team: Calgary (WHL) | Drafted: No. 13, 2016
2016-17 stats: 14 GP | 3 G | 13 A
Bean has missed most of the season due to injury, but there is little concern about him when he is healthy. His hockey sense is fantastic, and he seems to slow the game when he's on the ice. Mind you, he isn't the fastest skater, but that isn't what I mean! He's so good at moving the puck and taking away pressure from his team in the defensive zone, and he is a great leader on the power play. His time in junior has been marked by generating buckets of offense and proving doubters wrong every step of the way.
15. Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston Bruins
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 212 | Previous: 45
Current team: Boston Univ. (NCAA) | Drafted: No. 14, 2016
2016-17 stats: 20 GP | 3 G | 11 A
McAvoy has been very impressive every time I've seen him this season, whether over the summer, at BU or at the World Juniors. Big, skilled, mobile defensemen don't grow on trees, and there's a reason a loaded Boston University team leans on him heavily and a reason he was a WJC All-Star. He's so smooth with the puck, and he tilts the ice every shift he takes. His defensive game is decent too, as he's a physical player who battles for pucks. He might take the occasional bad risk, but overall, he is a very gifted puck-mover who will be an important part of the Bruins' future.
16. Julien Gauthier, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 225 | Previous: 56
Current team: Saint John (QMJHL) | Drafted: No. 21, 2016
2016-17 stats: 26 GP | 10 G | 22 A
Gauthier has looked good in his final QMJHL season, even if his counting stats aren't elite as of now. There's reason to believe he could be a top-six forward in the NHL one day due to his tool kit. He's big, fast and very skilled with the puck, he shoots the puck well, and he has become more confident playing a physical style this season. I think he can become tunnel-visioned at times, and he isn't the first person I think of to kill a penalty, but Gauthier is so talented that I can easily see him becoming a very productive NHL forward.
17. Samuel Girard, D, Nashville Predators
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 161 | Previous: 53
Current team: Shawinigan (QMJHL) | Drafted: No. 47, 2016
2016-17 stats: 34 GP | 5 G | 43 A
Girard has been scoring in the QMJHL at a level equivalent to that of a top forward prospect of the same age. The easy counter-argument is to claim he won't be able to defend in the NHL or he's too small or too aggressive. But when he's on the ice, his team always seems to have the puck, so I'm not sure I see the problem. Girard's skating and offensive IQ are among the best in Major Junior. He will have obvious problems winning puck battles versus 6-foot-2, 200-pound forwards, but he stands out like few players do, and I'm always willing to bet on that kind of player.
18. Philippe Myers, D, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 209 | Previous: 84
Current team: Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL) | Drafted: UD
2016-17 stats: 19 GP | 8 G | 10 A
He has been everything the Flyers could have hoped he'd be when they brought him into camp on a tryout two seasons ago - and more. Defensemen who are 6-foot-5 and can skate at a pro level are hard to find, and when you combine that with above-average hockey IQ, it makes one heckuva player. Staying healthy will be key for Myers, as he has already sustained multiple injuries this season, including a concussion at the World Juniors.
19. Taylor Raddysh, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 207 | Previous: unranked
Current team: Erie (OHL) | Drafted: No. 58, 2016
2016-17 stats: 32 GP | 26 G | 42 A
Raddysh has been scoring at a ridiculous rate in the OHL for a player his age, and he was very good at the World Juniors for an underage player, serving as the net-front presence on Canada's top power-play unit. He's a big body who wins a lot of battles, but there is a lot of talent to his game too. His skill level isn't elite, but he has solid hands, above-average vision and a very good shot. The biggest improvement for me with Raddysh has been that his skating has allowed him to elevate his game to this level.
20. Cliff Pu, C, Buffalo Sabres
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 192 | Previous: unranked
Current team: London (OHL) | Drafted: No. 69, 2016
2016-17 stats: 39 GP | 27 G | 33 A
He has had a monster season and has been the top rising prospect in my eyes. He has been one of the OHL's best players and a key part to London's continuing to be a dominant force in that league. It's hard to find a flaw in Pu's game. He's big, fast and skilled, and he can make plays at both ends of the rink. Pu doesn't have elite skill, but there's plenty of talent there to project as a potential top-six center in the NHL. A part of me wants to see Pu with the Sabres sooner than later just to see how Rick Jeanneret calls his goals. Also, he likes stuffed animals a lot.
21. Joel Eriksson Ek, C, Minnesota Wild
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 203 | Previous: 49
Current team: Farjestad (SHL) | Drafted: No. 20, 2015
2016-17 stats: 9 GP | 2 G | 2 A
Eriksson Ek made the Wild to start the season before a falloff in play landed him in Sweden for one more season. Since then, he has been a top player in that league. Eriksson is a very smart two-way player who competes well for pucks, and though his skill/speed combo isn't fantastic, he always seems to be making a play. He projects to be a very effective center in the NHL who can be relied on in any situation. He'll be back with the Wild next season in all likelihood.
22. Kasperi Kapanen, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Age: 20 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 181 | Previous: 58
Current team: Toronto (AHL) | Drafted: No. 22, 2014
2016-17 stats: GP | G | A
Sami Kapanen's son has looked electric when I've seen him in the AHL. He has always had dynamic qualities in his speed and skill, but he has improved his defensive play and is now being relied upon to kill penalties for the Marlies. Kapanen will always be an offense-tilted player who might not win every battle in the NHL, but the overall growth of his game this season is very promising. He's right on the cusp of joining the Leafs on a permanent basis.
23. Brock Boeser, RW, Vancouver Canucks
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 192 | Previous: 40
Current team: North Dakota (NCAA) | Drafted: No. 23, 2015
2016-17 stats: 17 GP | 11 G | 11 A
Boeser has been one of the most dominant goal-scorers I've seen in college hockey. An injury kept him out of the World Juniors, but I expect he would have done the same if he had played for Team USA. Boeser has the soft hands and offensive instincts to play a skill game, he is able to win a lot of battles playing a physical style, and if he gets a scoring chance, it's usually going in the back of the net. Even the scouts who love Brock the most admit his skating might be an issue when he reaches the NHL, but he's working to improve that, and there's some optimism in how he is progressing on that front.
24. Luke Kunin, C, Minnesota Wild
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 196 | Previous: 46
Current team: Wisconsin (NCAA) | Drafted: No. 15, 2016
2016-17 stats: 17 GP | 13 G | 6 A
He isn't the most dynamic playmaker in college hockey, but whether with Wisconsin or for Team USA at the World Juniors, he's always a coach's favorite who plays a ton of minutes. Kunin is a very smart, two-way center. He grinds for pucks, skates and handles the puck well and has a big shot. I don't watch him and see him making highlight reel plays, but he makes a lot of smart plays. He'll be a reliable NHL player for a long time.
25. Olli Juolevi, D, Vancouver Canucks
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 183 | Previous: 14
Current team: London (OHL) | Drafted: No. 5, 2016
2016-17 stats: 31 GP | 8 G | 19 A
Juolevi has trended down a little from where I had him last season, due mostly to stagnation in his play between the OHL and under-20 levels. That said, he remains a talented prospect. Players who can skate and move the puck like he does are valuable assets, but I would like to see a little more dominance in his play. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, given his track record, and see how he does in the second half of the season.
26. Logan Brown, C, Ottawa Senators
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 220 | Previous: 41
Current team: Windsor (OHL) | Drafted: No. 11, 2016
2016-17 stats: 23 GP | 8 G | 21 A
I have some mild concerns with how Brown's season is going so far. He's not really producing offense at the rate I expected coming into the season, with his early-season injury likely compounding that issue. That being said, I'm still optimistic about his future. Huge centers who are dynamic playmakers are incredibly rare. While Brown has his warts -- in that he's not exactly a warrior in the corners, or a guy with fantastic defensive skills -- he is a unique type of player who makes unique plays with a ton of upside.
27. Dante Fabbro, D, Nashville Predators
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 192 | Previous: 21
Current team: Boston Univ. (NCAA) | Drafted: No. 17, 2016
2016-17 stats: 18 GP | 3 G | 5 A
Fabbro's counting stats haven't been fantastic this season, but every time I've seen him I've been impressed by what he brings to the table. His hockey sense is high-end; he just always seems to make the right play with the puck. He can be effective in just about any situation he's put into. I wish he was a tad faster so he could be more impactful transporting the puck up the ice, but overall he transitions it well.
28. Henrik Borgstrom, C, Florida Panthers
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 185 | Previous: unranked
Current team: Denver (NCAA)| Drafted: No. 23, 2016
2016-17 stats: 18 GP | 12 G | 10 A
I significantly underrated Borgstrom leading up to the draft last year. While he didn't play his best at the World Juniors, I've followed Florida's 2016 first-round pick closely this season, and overall I've been very impressed. He's not the best off the puck, but with the puck he's a consistent standout. His skill level is fantastic. Borgstrom stands out often with the puck, skates well and has good vision, too. There is still a part of me that wants to a hedge a little on him, but overall I see a lot of upside.
29. Jack Roslovic, C, Winnipeg Jets
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 192 | Previous: unranked
Current team: Manitoba (AHL) | Drafted: No. 25, 2015
2016-17 stats: 28 GP | 8 G | 13 A
When it was announced that Roslovic would start the season in the AHL instead of playing with London in the OHL, I heard from a few scouts who were skeptical of the decision. However, it's hard to question Roslovic's successful season. He's been a top-line center for the Manitoba Moose, while playing the center position for the first time in years, and also earned a World Juniors gold medal for his trophy case. His speed is elite, he has a good skill level and he works to get possession of the puck. With more strength on his frame, he could push for an NHL job soon.
30. Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 21 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 174 | Previous: 27
Current team: Cleveland (AHL) | Drafted: No. 89, 2013
2016-17 stats: 26 GP | 11 G | 6 A
Bjorkstrand is right on the cusp of becoming a full-time player for the Blue Jackets. I think he's slightly disappointed this season, but only relative to high expectations coming into the season. That being said, he's still been one of the top players on his AHL team. He's a player who scouts universally praise for his skill level, his competitiveness and his finishing ability. I wish he was able to generate more offense for his teammates like he did in Major Junior, but the playmaking is in his game, it may just need more time.
31. Julius Honka, D, Dallas Stars
Age: 21 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 185 | Previous: 54
Current team: Texas (AHL) | Drafted: No. 14, 2014
2016-17 stats: 29 GP | 4 G | 16 A
Honka has stagnated a tad in the American League, but he's on the cusp right now for Dallas, and showed well in his brief NHL stint this season. You watch Honka and see a player who can dominate the puck. He's such a gifted skater and overall puck carrier, who can distribute, shoot and evade pressure at a top-grade level. The "small defenseman" thing will always be an issue, but when Dallas is in need of a defenseman who will contribute offense in the near future, Honka will be ready.
32. Christian Fischer, RW, Arizona Coyotes
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 212 | Previous: 75
Current team: Tucson (AHL) | Drafted: No. 32, 2015
2016-17 stats: 30 GP | 15 G | 16 A
He has taken massive steps forward in his development this season, becoming a top player as a teenager for his AHL team in Tucson. He's a highly skilled playmaker and scorer, though he never blew me away at the under-20 camps or early on in the season. He really started to elevate his game when the weather got colder this season, and now looks like a future NHL scorer. What's also been impressive is his development off the puck, as he's much better defensively. He still needs to bulk up a lot, as his frame is a little wiry as one would expect at his age.
33. Mike McLeod, C, New Jersey Devils
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 194 | Previous: 50
Current team: Mississauga (OHL) | Drafted: No. 12, 2016
2016-17 stats: 31 GP | 8 G | 25 A
I've liked McLeod every time I've seen him this season, but I see his statistics and can understand why some New Jersey fans may be getting queasy. The concerns out in the scouting community on him center on how well he can go east-west, because his straight-line speed is incredible for a player his size. He gains the zone with ease, he controls the puck well, he just needs to be a little more aware and creative, and the points will start coming in bunches.
34. Vladislav Kamenev, C, Nashville Predators
Age: 20 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 185 | Previous: 39
Current team: Milwaukee (AHL) | Drafted: No. 42, 2014
2016-17 stats: 34 GP | 9 G | 16 A
Kamenev got a brief call-up to the Predators, and while he's not 100 percent ready for the NHL, his time will come soon. At age 20, he's an all-situations center in the AHL, which is the kind of player he projects to be one day in Nashville. Kamenev had pretty good puck skills and vision, and his offense could be above-average as a pro. He couples that with a nice physical game and the capability to check good forwards. He's on the NHL radar for next season.
35. Kyle Connor, LW, Winnipeg Jets
Age: 20 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 176| Previous: 25
Current team: Manitoba (AHL) | Drafted: No. 17, 2015
2016-17 stats: 16 GP | 4 G | 4 A
I'm just going to slide a little to the left while Winnipeg fans throw eggs at me. Okay, glad you got that out of your system. Connor started up with the Jets, since being sent back to the AHL where he's been good but not amazing. When I've seen him during the past season, I've been waiting for him to jump out and take over the game, but he hasn't been doing that. I still see a quick, skilled goal scorer, but he may need more time than I thought he would at the end of last season.
36. Kale Clague, D, Los Angeles Kings
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 185 | Previous: 91
Current team: Brandon (WHL) | Drafted: No. 51, 2016
2016-17 stats: 27 GP | 4 G | 19 A
Kale has been great this season, being incredibly beneficial to whatever team he has played on, but your kids likely won't want to have their Kale. (I get one of these per column. You should hope he makes the NHL soon!) He has reminded people of why he was so highly touted coming out of the bantam ranks. A point-per-game defenseman in the WHL and a useful part of Canada's World Juniors team as an underage player, Clague has impressed all season. He's a great skater, moves the puck very well, makes defensive stops and doesn't make a lot of mistakes with the puck.
37. Jeremy Bracco, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Age: 19 | Ht: 5-9 | Wt: 181 | Previous: 67
Current team: Windsor (OHL) | Drafted: No. 61, 2015
2016-17 stats: 31 GP | 17 G | 36 A
I've watched a lot of Bracco during the past few years, and while he's far from perfect, he's a player I'm willing to bet on going forward. His standout vision combined with a unique, yet effective skating stride allows him to be a consistent generator of offense and be a primary starting point of offense. Bracco is small and not going to be the best defensive forward on a team, but he makes good things happen with consistency.
38. Oliver Kylington, D, Calgary Flames
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 183 | Previous: 80
Current team: Stockton (AHL) | Drafted: No. 60, 2015
2016-17 stats: 28 GP | 4 G | 9 A
Kylington has looked excellent this season. As a 19-year-old, he's now getting big minutes for his AHL club and was an important member of Sweden's World Juniors team. His skating and skill level allow him to make difficult plays, and after some bumps in his development path, he looks like a player trending toward the NHL. He still takes too many bad risks that you wish he'd curtail, and in general he isn't a defensive rock, but you take the good with the bad, and there's a lot of good.
39. Sonny Milano, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 20 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 205 | Previous: 63
Current team: Cleveland (AHL) | Drafted: No. 16, 2014
2016-17 stats: 28 GP | 9 G | 11 A
Milano gets divisive reviews among scouts. Either they see the talent and dream about his potential, or they will come back picking apart all the little details in his game: The bad risks, the tendency to disappear at times, or his struggle to win battles. On the plus side, he can dazzle on any given shift and has all the offensive tools. I see a scorer -- not a big-time scorer, but a real scorer -- whose better defensively than I think some critics would give him credit for. To sum up however, he will need some more time to develop.
40. Brett Howden, C, Tampa Bay Lightning
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 192 | Previous: 83
Current team: Moose Jaw (WHL) | Drafted: No. 27, 2016
2016-17 stats: 32 GP | 22 G | 26 A
He has grown on me in the past 12 months, particularly giving me more confidence about his offensive upside. I've always liked his skating, but he's showing more confidence now with the puck in terms of being able to generate chances with his skill. When you combine that with the fact he can play well in the defensive end and win pucks back, he becomes a very interesting prospect.
41. Patrick Harper, LW, Nashville Predators
Age: 18 | Ht: 5-9 | Wt: 161 | Previous: unranked
Current team: Boston Univ. (NCAA) | Drafted: No. 138, 2016
2016-17 stats: 20 GP | 7 G | 15 A
Harper is probably an unfamiliar name to many of my readers, even some of the more diehard prospect nuts. He was drafted out of prep school (Avon Old Farms) by Nashville last season, and has been a revelation at Boston University this season. There's still a lot of growing he needs to do. He's a small forward without explosive speed, but he has the attributes that project well to the NHL: Skill and hockey sense in bunches.
42. Mathieu Joseph, LW, Tampa Bay Lightning
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 172 | Previous: unranked
Current team: Saint John (QMJHL) | Drafted: No. 120, 2015
2016-17 stats: 32 GP | 26 G | 26 A
I've seen a lot of Joseph during the past year, and while he doesn't have a ton of accolades, I knew when I was making this list he had to figure in somehow. I see a player with NHL speed, above-average skill and a lot of determination in his game. His frame is a little wiry and still needs time to improve the decision-making in his game, but I see a player with scoring tools who can be a quality pro.
43. Kieffer Bellows, LW, New York Islanders
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 201| Previous: 33
Current team: Boston Univ. (NCAA) | Drafted: No. 19, 2016
2016-17 stats: 18 GP | 4 G | 4 A
It's hard for me to get a good read on Bellows this season. He's struggled at times at BU, sometimes even riding the pine. He's gone some stretches where he's really ineffective, and then other times, like the gold-medal game at the World Juniors for example, he's been flat-out fantastic. I don't know if Bellows is the kind of guy who can carry a line, but he's a big man with good hands and a top-of-the-line shot. Improvements to his foot speed, pace and off-puck play will be critical to his development.
44. Tage Thompson, RW, St. Louis Blues
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 201 | Previous: 72
Current team: Connecticut (NCAA) | Drafted: No. 26, 2016
2016-17 stats: 21 GP | 14 G | 8 A
I'm generally optimistic about Thompson, but would hedge a little on his projection at the same time. The good: He's a tall winger with high-end skill, a big shot and the ability to break a game open. The bad: He's not the most gifted skater, not much of a defensive player and when the game hits a really high pace, he can get lost in the play. But it's all about upside with Thompson, and there is a lot.
45. Jordan Greenway, LW, Minnesota Wild
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 229 | Previous: unranked
Current team: Boston Univ. | Drafted: No. 50, 2015
2016-17 stats: 19 GP | 6 G | 14 A
The hockey world was introduced to Jordan Greenway this holiday season, where he was one of the top performers at the World Juniors, including eight points in seven games. His development has been fantastic during the past two years; I remember seeing him as a semi-noticeable third-line player at the USNTDP. He's a big man who can make skilled plays, win battles and get up the ice with pros. He's probably not going to be an elite playmaker or driver of play, but he makes things happen offensively every shift.
46. Nicolas Roy, C, Carolina Hurricanes
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 207 | Previous: 98
Current team: Chicoutimi (QMJHL) | Drafted: No. 96, 2015
2016-17 stats: 28 GP | 17 G | 24 A
Roy has been reminding people during the past 12 months or so why he was a very highly touted prospect at one point. Towering centers with skill are not easy for NHL teams to get, never mind in the fourth round of the draft. His foot speed isn't ideal and I don't know if he's going to clear 60 points in the NHL, but you can see the talent and versatility in his game. He can be a playmaker, a goal scorer, a net-front presence or a checker.
47. Oskar Lindblom, LW, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 20 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 196 | Previous: 69
Current team: Brynas (SHL) | Drafted: No. 138, 2014
2016-17 stats: 34 GP | 10 G | 20 A
Lindblom has been one of the top scorers in the SHL in his 20-year-old season, putting him on track to potentially push for ice time with the Flyers next season. There's a lot of reason to have optimism with Lindblom. He's a big forward with goods hands and overall hockey intelligence. He can battle for pucks, made a nice touch play or finish a tough scoring chance. He's not really a game-breaker, though; he isn't going to burst down the wing or generate offense out of nowhere. But he produces everywhere he goes, and after a while, that's hard to ignore.
48. Jacob Larsson, D, Anaheim Ducks
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 192 | Previous: 117
Current team: Frolunda (SHL) | Drafted: No. 27, 2015
2016-17 stats: 14 GP | 0 G | 3 A
It was a mild surprise to see Larsson make the Ducks' NHL roster out of camp this season, before eventually being sent down to the AHL and then back to Sweden. Larsson's mobility and vision are top-end qualities, as he makes the game look easy at times. He can be inconsistent and sometimes you wish there was a little more intensity to his game. With that being said, he has the talent to be a full-time NHL player starting in 2017-18, but with the Ducks' young depth on defense it's not a given.
49. Travis Sanheim, D, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 20 | Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 201 | Previous: 71
Current team: Lehigh Valley (AHL) | Drafted: No. 17, 2014
2016-17 stats: 37 GP | 7 G | 11 A
Sanheim has been very good as a rookie pro in Lehigh Valley. There are times where he makes "wow" plays, and there are stretches where I wish the potential would really flow through more consistently. However, the total package is still quite good; he's a big defender with excellent speed for a player his size, good hands and ability to break a game open. His defense has been, and continues to be, sub-optimal, but he shows competence versus pros, even if I wouldn't refer to it as "excellence" in that area.
50. Brendan Leipsic, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Age: 22 | Ht: 5-9 | Wt: 165 | Previous: 121
Current team: Toronto (AHL) | Drafted: No. 89, 2012
2016-17 stats: 31 GP | 11 G | 25 A
There are some indicators that would typically make me hesitant to have Leipsic this high. He's 22, and has yet to break through at the NHL level. He's small, and while he has been very good in the AHL, he hasn't been dominant until this season. That said, every time I've scouted the Marlies, Leipsic has stood out in a huge way. NHL scouts I talk to almost universally praise him (there is the odd detractor, particularly pointing to last season's poor performance in the playoffs). He's a dynamic playmaker who can play a quick-tempo game and kill penalties. At the end of day, his tools are too impressive to ignore.
Honorable mentions
Vitaly Abramov, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets
Alex DeBrincat, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
Vince Dunn, D, St. Louis Blues
Joe Hicketts, D, Detroit Red Wings
Adrian Kempe, LW, Los Angeles Kings
Jordan Kyrou, RW, St. Louis Blues
Victor Mete, D, Montreal Canadiens
Brandon Montour, D, Anaheim Ducks
Vili Saarijarvi, D, Detroit Red Wings
Evgeni Svechnikov, LW, Detroit Red Wings
Top 10 goaltender prospects
Russian goaltending could be entering a golden era, with Andrei Vasilevksiy in the NHL with Tampa, and Ilya Samsonov, Ilya Sorokin and Igor Shesterkin coming up the ranks.
You'll also notice seven of the top 10 goalie prospects belong to teams in the Metropolitan Division. Yikes.
1. Ilya Samsonov, Washington Capitals
Age: 19 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 205
Current team: Magnitogorsk (KHL) | Drafted: No. 22, 2015
2016-17 stats: 22 GP | 2.10 GAA | .936 SV%
Samsonov has been incredibly good for a 19-year-old in the KHL, holding down a starting job, and was one of the top players at the World Juniors. His athleticism is dynamic, but I'm really impressed by how smart he is. He makes the most of his skill by making calculated yet extremely aggressive reads, and is able to take away space like few other goaltenders. He has a ton of NHL potential.
2. Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders
Age: 21 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 176
Current team: CSKA Moscow (KHL) | Drafted: No. 78, 2014
2016-17 stats: 34 GP | 1.52 GAA | .932 SV%
Sorokin's numbers are down this season, falling from the laughable rates where he was last season -- a 1.06 GAA and .953 save percentage -- but I'm in the same spot I was when I saw Sorokin last summer: He's not a world killer, but he's very good. He's a well-rounded goalkeeper who can impress due to his size, smarts and lateral agility. He'll battle for space and is able to make high-end pro reads. I see him tracking to play for the Islanders soon, should his KHL deal get terminated.
3. Carter Hart, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 18 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 181
Current team: Everett (WHL) | Drafted: No. 48, 2016
2016-17 stats: 28 GP | 1.94 GAA | .926 SV%
Hart has continued to excel at the Major Junior level, following up his CHL Goalie of the Year accolades from last season with another quality campaign. Hart's game is quiet because he's such a smart player. His angles and depth in the net are sharp, he reads shooters well, and squares everything up. He needs to bulk up a lot, but when his frame rounds out he could be scary good.
4. Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers
Age: 21 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 190
Current team: SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) | Drafted: No. 118, 2014
2016-17 stats: 35 GP | 1.55 GAA | .941 SV%
Long-time readers will know I've liked Shesterkin for a while, and this has been his breakout season, as he is top 5 in the KHL in save percentage, and is starting to round into form as a potential NHL goaltender in the near term. Shesterkin is a player who can steal a game. His athleticism is high-end, he reacts very well to shots, and his raw talent has now morphed into a technically sound goalie, with the ability to make tough saves.
5. Felix Sandstrom, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 20 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 194
Current team: Brynas (SHL) | Drafted: No. 70, 2015
2016-17 stats: 12 GP | 2.01 GAA | .916 SV%
Sandstrom was named the top goalie at the World Juniors. "He's athletic, he's poised, he's structured. There is a lot there to like," an NHL scout observed at the tournament. He also has been a very solid regular in the SHL for a teenager (as he just turned 20 on Jan. 12). He has the look of an NHL goalie with his size, the way he reads the game and the plays he can make.
6. Filip Gustavsson, Pittsburgh Penguins
7. Joseph Woll, Toronto Maple Leafs
8. Anthony Stolarz, Philadelphia Flyers
9. Connor Ingram, Tampa Bay Lightning
10. Thatcher Demko, Vancouver Canucks