As the 2019-20 NHL season nears, let's look at the prospect systems for all 31 teams. We rank every pool and identify each franchise's top 10 prospects, a potential breakout candidate for this season and those who might make an NHL-level impact in the next year.
I've broken down prospects for each club into three categories, noted in parentheses in the team prospect rankings:
A prospects have a high likelihood of becoming NHL high-impact players (i.e. a top-six forward, top-four defenseman or long-term starting goaltender)
B prospects have a higher likelihood of becoming NHL regulars and contributors.
C prospects showcase the upside to make the NHL, but either need more development time or are more likely to fill out depth roles.
Systems are most often graded on the backs of their top three or four prospects, but I also place a good deal of value on the depth of systems. While there is often fluidity in these organizational rankings, with players graduating quickly and changing the face of the system sometimes dramatically on a year-to-year basis, this is how the NHL prospect pools stack up as we gear up for the 2019-20 season.
Note: To maintain prospect eligibility, a player must still have rookie status when they enter the NHL. Players who appeared in 26 or more NHL regular-season games last season are not eligible, nor are players with at least 50 career NHL contests. Players are only considered for prospect status if they are 25 or younger.
Jump to a team:
ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF | CGY | CAR | CHI
COL | CBJ | DAL | DET | EDM | FLA
LA | MIN | MTL | NSH | NJ | NYI
NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | SJ | STL
TB | TOR | VAN | VGS | WSH | WPG
1. New York Rangers
Rehabbed, refurbished, re-tooled ... whatever you want to call it. The Rangers spent a lot on acquiring draft picks and prospects, and this season should provide an even greater glimpse into the fruits of those labors. It starts, obviously, with Kaapo Kakko, but top Russians Vitali Kravtsov and Igor Shesterkin have made the jump to North America, as has promising defenseman Yegor Rykov.
Meanwhile, one of the top collegiate defensemen in the country last season, Adam Fox, joined the team via trade, and 2018 first-rounder K'Andre Miller could very well be one of the best defenders in the NCAA this year. The one area the Rangers still need some organizational help at is center, but this is definitely the top prospect system in the NHL.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Nils Lundkvist, D, Lulea (SHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Kaapo Kakko, Vitali Kravtsov, Adam Fox, Yegor Rykov
2. Los Angeles Kings
You are looking at one of the best and deepest prospect pools in the entire NHL. It's hard to pick out 10 prospects worth highlighting for most of these teams, but I have a list of eight more players who got edged out for spots here. The Kings seem to have just about every position covered by a handful of prospects with NHL upside.
The top end of this system has elite-level skaters in Alex Turcotte and Rasmus Kupari who can bring speed to the lineup in a few years. Arthur Kaliyev is an elite goal scorer, and Tobias Bjornfot is a potential top-four defenseman. Rob Blake, Mike Futa and the scouting staff have done a very nice job of overhauling a system that was drained amid the Stanley Cup-chasing (and winning) years.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Samuel Fagemo, LW, Frolunda (SHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Carl Grundstrom, Kale Clague
3. Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche system feels as if it shifted overnight, but in reality, it has been three good drafts and a number of trades that have allowed this team to put together a high-end prospect pool. A lot of that is carried by the two top-pairing upside defensemen they have leading the system in Cale Makar and 2019 No. 4 overall pick Bowen Byram. Honestly, even just that duo might be enough to give Colorado a top-five system.
But the club also has plenty to look forward to in highly-skilled center Alex Newhook and 2018 first-rounder Martin Kaut. A few questions remain, including Conor Timmins' health after sitting out what was to be his first pro season and what to expect from the AHL rookie season of Shane Bowers, who was acquired in the Matt Duchene trade that also netted the Avs' the pick they used to select Byram. There's decent depth, but more than anything, there's so much talent at the top.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Conor Timmins, D, Colorado Eagles (AHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Cale Makar, Martin Kaut, Calle Rosen
4. Montreal Canadiens
If there's a strength of the Canadiens' organization at this point in time, it's in their prospect system. Just look at the sheer number of players they've added to their system over the past few drafts. A top three that includes elite goal scorer Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Ryan Poehling is one to be envious of for several other teams.
Though the Habs have a great top end, they also have some depth at just about every position, including goaltender, where former seventh-round pick Cayden Primeau has two sensational collegiate seasons to showcase his potential. On top of that, defensemen such as Alexander Romanov, Josh Brook and Cale Fleury give them some balance. With Montreal definitely having some holes to fill soon, this pool could provide some answers.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Jesse Ylonen, LW, Lahti Pelicans (Liiga)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Ryan Poehling, Cale Fleury, Nick Suzuki
5. New Jersey Devils
Jack Hughes makes all the difference in the world, and Ty Smith is a very strong No. 2 who has a chance to be a dynamic talent on the back end within the next few years. But the Devils still need more in their system to bolster what they're building at the NHL level, as there is a pretty substantial gap after that pair.
Jesper Boqvist is coming off of a breakout season in Sweden with a real opportunity to make the team's opening-night roster. Mackenzie Blackwood just barely maintained prospect status after appearing in 23 games last season and looks like the 1B to Cory Schneider. There are a lot of project-type players with high upside, but they'll need a lot of development time before we really know what the Devils have at the lower levels.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Aarne Talvitie, C/W, Penn State University (Big Ten)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Jack Hughes, Ty Smith, Mackenzie Blackwood
6. Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks are in a weird limbo between not necessarily rebuilding nor contending in any convincing manner. But there is still a lot of intrigue in their prospect system, and that's not even considering Elias Pettersson, who already graduated. Defenseman Quinn Hughes did well in his initial NHL games and should have a nice run with the Canucks this season. Vancouver will have to wait for 2019 first-rounder Vasily Podkolzin and remain in constant hope that Olli Juolevi will eventually turn out. And Thatcher Demko could be the next long-term starting goaltender for the club.
The team also needs its AHL club to start churning out some more talent -- and soon. That starts with Juolevi, but also includes others such as Kole Lind and Jonah Gadjovich, who underwhelmed as AHL rookies. Despite some concerns, Vancouver continues to fill its pipeline with talent that should soon be able to help the big club.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Kole Lind, LW, Utica Comets (AHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Quinn Hughes, Thatcher Demko
7. Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers always seem to have prospect depth, and even after graduating Carter Hart, there is still have a lot to like in their system. What the Flyers lack in elite prospects, they make up for in depth at multiple positions and a particularly exciting top end that is nearing NHL readiness. Joel Farabee has a real chance to make the NHL roster, while I think Morgan Frost could use some AHL seasoning before taking on the NHL pace. Big Phil Myers is ready for a full-time NHL role, too. Beyond Hart, the Flyers have another blue-chip goalie prospect in Samuel Ersson.
The Flyers gave a shot in the arm to what has often been a strong blue-line pipeline with the addition of first-rounder Cam York this summer. He leads a talented group of prospects in the collegiate ranks, including Bobby Brink, Wyatt Kalynuk, Tanner Laczynski and Wade Allison. The club also saw big steps forward developmentally for Mikhail Vorobiev and German Rubtsov last season with a strong AHL development pipeline.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Wade Allison, C, Western Michigan University (NCHC)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Philippe Myers, Joel Farabee, Mikhail Vorobiev, German Rubtsov
8. Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks just barely graduated Troy Terry and Max Jones from their prospect pool last season, but gained strength at the draft with new top prospect Trevor Zegras and last year's late riser Brayden Tracey. Zegras will spend at least one season at Boston University, but plenty of names in this group could make an NHL impact this season.
Anaheim also acquired Brendan Guhle in a trade with Buffalo to beef up a defense pool that had thinned out in recent years. There's also strength in net, starting with young Lukas Dostal -- who is as competitive and athletic as you'll find between the pipes -- Olle Eriksson Ek and Roman Durny. The Ducks have young players on the roster already and a second wave looking very close. Sam Steel, Isac Lundestrom and Max Comtois all received NHL time last season.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Benoit-Olivier Groulx, C, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Sam Steel, Isac Lundestrom, Max Comtois, Brendan Guhle
9. Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks have done substantial work on their prospect pool in recent years, which probably made it easier to part with young defenseman Henri Jokiharju over the summer. They have high-end defense prospects in Adam Boqvist, Ian Mitchell, Nicolas Beaudin and Alex Vlasic, but the crown jewel of the system is the No. 3 pick of 2019, Kirby Dach. A big, playmaking center with skill and high-end hockey sense, there's a lot to like about what he brings to the system.
Chicago is also taking another big swing on a struggling prospect in Alexander Nylander, just as it did with Dylan Strome last season to impressive results. The team additionally added some potential immediate NHL help in Dominik Kubalik and Aleksi Saarela.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Niklas Nordgren, LW, HIFK (Liiga)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Dominik Kubalik, Aleksi Saarela, Alexander Nylander
10. Ottawa Senators
The Sens have been in rebuild mode and have put together a very strong, diverse prospect system. Netting Erik Brannstrom, a blue-chip defense prospect, in the Mark Stone trade was very important, and forward Drake Batherson has made one of the more remarkable development arcs of any prospect in some time.
The team's AHL affiliate should also be interesting to watch next season with a number of high-profile prospects such as Josh Norris, goalie Joey Daccord and Vitaly Abramov looking to make a greater impact. Despite the depth that this system boasts, it still lacks a centerpiece around whom to build. Brannstrom and already-graduated Brady Tkachuk are huge pieces, but the Senators need that next-level, franchise-changing player -- and they might be able to get in the upcoming draft should they get some lottery luck.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Logan Brown, C, Belleville Senators (AHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Erik Brannstrom, Drake Batherson, Alex Formenton, Logan Brown, Filip Chlapik
11. Florida Panthers
The Panthers have such an outstanding top end in their system right now: Elite, productive wingers in Grigori Denisenko and Owen Tippett, a future No. 1 goalie in Spencer Knight and a project who took a major step forward last year in Serron Noel.
This should be an especially revelatory season for Aleksi Heponiemi, who came on strong in the Finnish league last season after an especially productive WHL campaign the year before. Now returning to North America, he has a chance to prove he can produce in a much more tightly-checked league like the AHL. There's a major drop-off in talent after the top five guys, but I like the direction of this group of players.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Logan Hutsko, RW, Boston College (Hockey East)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Owen Tippett, Riley Stillman
12. Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes followed their Eastern Conference finals trip up with a really strong draft that netted them several quality prospects to add to an already robust prospect pool. Martin Necas remains the prize of the bunch following Andrei Svechnikov's graduation, and 2019 draft additions Ryan Suzuki and Patrik Puistola could be draft-day steals.
On top of all that, the Hurricanes' AHL affiliate won the Calder Cup with major contributions from Necas, Morgan Geekie, Julien Gauthier, Jake Bean, Janne Kuokkanen and goalie Alex Nedeljkovic. Geekie might be the surprise of the system based on his AHL postseason performance. And there's some intriguing upside in Europe, including Puistola, Kirill Slepets and Tuukka Tieksola. Even with the recent news that Stelios Mattheos will miss the beginning of the season for cancer treatment, this is a pipeline that is well-stocked and well-balanced, and probably provides immediate help to the NHL club.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Tuukka Tieksola, RW, Karpat (Liiga)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Martin Necas, Morgan Geekie, Jake Bean, Chase Priskie
13. Vegas Golden Knights
I still marvel at the rapidly- and soundly-built prospect system despite the franchise going into only its third year of existence. Consider that the Golden Knights have had only two drafts, traded away two of their first three first-round picks and had to build a farm team from scratch. But they hit on a lot of players at the draft and made strong additions via free agency or trades that help their system.
The team's first draft pick, Cody Glass, should be in the NHL next season, and others like Nic Hague, former undrafted free agent Zach Whitecloud and Jimmy Schuldt could be contributors in the near future. The Golden Knights also saw big seasons from Dylan Coghlan and Jack Dugan in the AHL and NCAA, respectively, and then added Nicolas Roy, who was a big part of the Charlotte Checkers' run to the Calder Cup. It's pretty incredible what the Knights are building in Vegas, and if they're going to always be a cap team, they'll need some players on entry-level contracts to do more for them.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Ivan Morozov, C/W, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL/VHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Cody Glass, Nicolas Hague, Zach Whitecloud, Jimmy Schuldt
14. Edmonton Oilers
If you want defensemen, this system has plenty. Using top picks on Evan Bouchard and Philip Broberg over the past two drafts could net the team its future power-play point men. On top of that, Dmitri Samorukov had a breakout season in the OHL, and Caleb Jones and Ethan Bear showcased NHL upside in leading the Bakersfield Condors to great success last season in the AHL.
In fact, the Oilers' improved AHL club might have been one of the most encouraging developments of the organization's 2018-19 season. Tyler Benson took a big step forward, and Shane Starrett emerged as a potential pipeline goalie for the future. This system has vastly improved in the past few years and provides a little extra optimism for a team that seemed to go stagnant last season.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Caleb Jones, D, Bakersfield Condors (AHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Evan Bouchard, Tyler Benson, Caleb Jones, Ethan Bear, Kailer Yamamoto
15. Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings have been doing some significant work on their prospect system over the past two drafts and in the free-agent market. The top of the system is loaded with talent and players who have room to develop and grow. Jared McIsaac and Alec Regula, in particular, took big steps forward last season and UFA signing Taro Hirose was a breath of fresh air at the end of the season as he showcased NHL abilities after a standout collegiate season.
Now the team needs to see Filip Zadina make the jump to the NHL, along with continued improvement from Joseph Veleno and surprise 2019 top pick Moritz Seider. The German defenseman has a host of developmental options in front of him this year. The Wings still have more building to do, but they have some potential future core pieces here.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Jonatan Berggren, LW, Skelleftea (SHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Oliwer Kaski, Taro Hirose, Filip Zadina
16. Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes have an immense talent in Barrett Hayton at the top of their organization. He has only gotten better since he was selected fifth overall in 2018. The Coyotes then traded up in 2019 to land talented defenseman Victor Soderstrom, and while I think losing a high second-round pick to move up just a few spots was an overpay, Soderstrom has top-four upside highlighted by exceptional hockey sense.
The rest of the system has a lot of questions, especially after Nick Merkley seemed to take a step back last season. Nate Schnarr, who had over 100 points in the OHL last season, is a potential breakout candidate, and defenseman Kevin Bahl made big gains in his development in 2018-19. There are a lot of middle-range prospects in this system, and plenty of guys who have to take a few more steps to max out their potential.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Kevin Bahl, D, Ottawa 67s (OHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Barrett Hayton, Kyle Capobianco
17. New York Islanders
Having a potential long-term No. 1 defenseman like Noah Dobson on the verge of beginning his pro career is a terrific starting place for the Islanders. He took a step forward last year and leads a system that has a few gaps. Dobson's fellow 2018 first-rounder Oliver Wahlstrom had a poor draft-plus-one season, but turned pro at the end of 2018-19. Additionally, goaltender Ilya Sorokin still has starter potential and will remain in Russia for at least another season after earning KHL playoff MVP honors last year.
The Isles have a lot of higher-end offensive talents throughout their system, too, though Josh Ho-Sang and Michael Dal Colle no longer qualify. Among those, Ruslan Iskhakov might be the most intriguing, but 2019 first-rounder Simon Holmstrom is worth watching very closely this season. Former big prospects Kieffer Bellows and Sebastian Aho looked a little stagnant in the AHL last season but remain on the radar.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Ruslan Iskhakov, C, UConn (Hockey East)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Noah Dobson, Sebastian Aho
18. Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres are in a post-rebuild limbo right now but managed to haul in two high-quality draft prospects who immediately leapt to the top of their system following the graduation of Rasmus Dahlin. Dylan Cozens has game-breaking potential and could get a look as early as this season, but he still has more developing to do.
The Sabres also beefed up their blue line with 2019 first-rounder Ryan Johnson, Mattias Samuelsson and rising prospect Oskari Laaksonen, and they also boast one of the top goaltending prospects anywhere right now in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. He won MVP in the OHL in 2018-19. The team should also be looking for substantial contributions in the near term from Victor Olofsson, who was excellent in his first North American pro season.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Ryan Johnson, D, University of Minnesota (Big Ten)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Dylan Cozens, Victor Olofsson, Will Borgen, Arttu Ruotsalainen
19. Nashville Predators
The Preds' system isn't especially deep, but it did get a nice boost with the first two picks of their 2019 draft. Both smooth-skating Philip Tomasino and potential power winger Egor Afanasyev have significant offensive upside and should provide good value as they develop.
Additionally, Dante Fabbro showed he was more than ready for the NHL at the end of last season. Top prospect Eeli Tolvanen might have underwhelmed in his first AHL season, but he's still a talent with potential to be a big-time goal scorer at the next level, too. He hasn't lost his elite shot and scoring sense. Beyond that, offseason acquisitions Jeremy Davies and Connor Ingram have some development time left.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Egor Afanasyev, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Dante Fabbro, Rem Pitlick, Eeli Tolvanen
20. Columbus Blue Jackets
Despite losing some pieces in trades and not having a first-round pick this year, the Blue Jackets have maintained a fairly strong system. Alexandre Texier, Emil Bemstrom, Vladislav Gavrikov and Elvis Merzlikins could be contributors as early as this season. After losing Sergei Bobrovsky, the team has three goaltenders in its system who have each shown NHL upside in their young careers, with Merzlikins the most ready to make the jump now.
They'll have options in the future, it appears. It's not a deep system, but it has NHL talent that could help as the team retools.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Kevin Stenlund, C, Cleveland Monsters (AHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Alexandre Texier, Emil Bemstrom, Elvis Merzlikins, Vladislav Gavrikov
21. St. Louis Blues
The defending Stanley Cup champs graduated Robert Thomas last season and did not have a first-rounder in 2019. That said, Jordan Kyrou performed up to expectations in his first AHL season and the club has a number of intriguing talents in the fold behind him, perhaps most notably Dominik Bokk and Klim Kostin.
But there's undoubtedly a fairly substantial gap between the Blues' top prospects and their next tier. Mitch Reinke, an undrafted free agent signed out of Michigan Tech, might be the surprise of the system after an incredible AHL season in San Antonio. He's mobile and productive. There's enough here for the Blues to have eyes on both the shorter and longer term.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Dominik Bokk, LW, Rogle (SHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Jordan Kyrou, Mitch Reinke
22. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs have a unique system. It's a little below league average, but the Leafs put a lot of emphasis on AHL development, which has paid off in multiple ways. Rasmus Sandin had a very strong season in the league last year, and Timothy Liljegren is heading into Year 3 in North American pro hockey. Trevor Moore, Jeremy Bracco and Adam Brooks also stepped up for the AHL club. The big club continues to have options for call-ups and potential longer-term help.
And while the Leafs did not have a first-rounder in the last draft, I feel as if they picked a first-round-caliber talent in Nick Robertson. He has a lot of skill and should be in for a big year in the OHL. There's not a lot of star power per se, but the Leafs have a serviceable system with some pieces to provide help as the salary cap squeezes out other veterans.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Mikhail Abramov, C, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Rasmus Sandin, Trevor Moore
23. Minnesota Wild
The Wild system is a tough one. It hasn't gotten a whole lot better in recent years, and the team's best prospect -- Kirill Kaprizov -- still has at least another year in the KHL before he can even approach a decision about whether or not to make the jump. But Matthew Boldy goes a long way to softening the blow, as he has potential to be a major impact player.
After Kaprizov and Boldy, however, there is a steep drop-off with a lot of lower-impact prospects. Minnesota's AHL team finally made the playoffs and went on a bit of a run, and it could be a source of potential help down the road. But Bill Guerin's first job as general manager has to be figuring out what the Wild are supposed to be in the present and how he can improve their future. That won't be easy.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Dmitri Sokolov, LW, Iowa Wild (AHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Nico Sturm, Mason Shaw
24. San Jose Sharks
Ryan Merkley remains a supremely skilled defenseman, but red flags remain especially when it comes to defensive capability. Sasha Chmelevski had a massive breakout season in the OHL, and Joachim Blichfeld played a starring role in the WHL. Dylan Gambrell got time with the Sharks last season and should be a solid middle-sixer long term. And defenseman Mario Ferraro was a key factor in UMass reaching the NCAA championship game, and Ivan Chekhovich exploded for 105 points in the QMJHL.
There are quite a few bodies in the Sharks' system, but there doesn't appear to be a high-impact player there just yet. And the Sharks had no first-rounder in 2019 and won't have one in 2020, either. But of course, they're waist-deep in contention. They at least have pieces in this system that could help them.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Mario Ferraro, D, San Jose Barracuda (AHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Dylan Gambrell, Jeremy Roy, Alexander True
25. Dallas Stars
The Stars lack depth and true game-breakers in the system. Ty Dellandrea has continued to excel in a tough situation in Flint in the OHL, and 2019 first-round pick Thomas Harley brings an offensive element to their defensive pipeline that was sorely needed.
You look at a big year from Jason Robertson in the OHL, and that provides optimism, as do the steps taken by Denis Guryanov, Joel L'Esperance and Adam Mascherin in the AHL last season. Now the Stars will get a look at top goaltending prospect Jake Oettinger and Robertson in the AHL to see what exactly they have on their hands and how far away those two might be from helping at the next level.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Riley Damiani, C, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Denis Guryanov, Joel L'Esperance
26. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning roster is already loaded with top-end talent. That leaves little star power for their prospect pool, but they draft fairly well and their in-house development should be praised. They have a number of players who could start filling roles when they need cost-effective depth.
I was blown away by Alex Barre-Boulet's Rookie of the Year season in the AHL in 2018-19, leading me to believe the undersized forward has a good shot to be an NHL contributor when called upon. Cal Foote has been in the system for the past four years and could get NHL time in spot duty, and his brother, Nolan, has time to develop after being selected in the first round in June.
Beyond that, the club has always had exceptional production from its AHL system, which boasted Barre-Boulet, Taylor Raddysh, Mitchell Stephens and a surprise breakout performance from Carter Verhaeghe. The Lightning don't need star talent for a while; they just need help, and that's what they have in their system.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Sammy Walker, C, University of Minnesota (Big Ten)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Cal Foote, Alex Barre-Boulet, Carter Verhaeghe
27. Washington Capitals
The Caps have a shallow system, but the 2019 draft helped provide two strong prospects. I had first-round grades on Connor McMichael and Brett Leason, but the Caps managed to get them in the first and second round, respectively, this year.
On top of that, Ilya Samsonov had an up-and-down season but showed flashes of his No. 1 goalie potential during his first AHL season. It was a tough adjustment for him, but I expect a bigger campaign out of him in 2019-20. Defenseman Martin Fehervary also took a nice step forward this season.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Ilya Samsonov, G, Hershey Bears (AHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Shane Gersich
28. Winnipeg Jets
Jets fans shouldn't fret this ranking, given that so much of the current roster was built through the draft. As the team has improved, their picks have dropped further down the board, and it's harder to make a substantial impact. Both Kristian Vesalainen and Ville Heinola have higher ceilings and should one day figure into the NHL lineup, and Dylan Samberg could be headed to the NHL after his collegiate season wraps up.
Defensemen Logan Stanley and Declan Chisholm took steps forward last season, and goalie Mikhail Berdin managed his transition to pro hockey far better than I expected. There are plenty of pieces in this system, but the Jets are already seeing the fruits of their scouting labor on the NHL team and should need only minimal help over the next few seasons.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Declan Chisholm, D, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Kristian Vesalainen
29. Boston Bruins
The Bruins' prospect pool has depth but lacks a truly elite top prospect. Jack Studnicka is probably the most skilled player in there. He has speed to burn, which puts him just on the cusp of the A-level prospect territory. This summer's first-round pick, John Beecher, is an intriguing talent with excellent physical tools and elite speed. He could also develop into an A-level prospect," but there's a lot left to be learned about the big center when he heads to the University of Michigan this year.
Boston has a number of players who look as if they could fit into roles down the line. Providence (AHL) has been a good development spot for a lot of Bruins prospects and has become even more crucial with former first-rounders Urho Vaakanainen and Trent Frederic on the roster for a second year.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Oskar Steen, C, Providence Bruins (AHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Karson Kuhlman, Connor Clifton
30. Calgary Flames
The Flames are in contend-now mode, and as a result, they are very, very low on high-end prospects. Juuso Valimaki's injury last season prevented him from losing rookie status, and Dillon Dube fell just one game shy of expending rookie eligibility. With those two barely hanging onto prospect status, there's a fairly steep drop-off after them.
Jakob Pelletier, the team's 2019 first-rounder, helps provide a base, but he still has a lot to prove. The Flames also picked up the promising Russian center Ilya Nikolayev in 2019, and have some intrigue in undersized skill players like Emilio Petterssen and Dmitry Zavgorodniy. But there are so few sure things in this system.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Dmitry Zavgorodniy, LW, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Dillon Dube, Juuso Valimaki
31. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins actually had a first-round pick in June, which has been a rarity. But it also doesn't provide much help to what remains a shallow prospect system. Samuel Poulin is a solid player with NHL upside but wasn't exactly a splashy move based on what was on the board at that point in the draft. With no A-rated prospects in the system, the Pens come in at the bottom of the rankings.
Still, I have a lot of time for the highly-skilled Calen Addison and Filip Hallander, and Nathan Legare could be a really strong goal scorer. And Sam Miletic, Justin Almeida and Pierre-Olivier Joseph should help beef up the Penguins' AHL affiliate.
Breakout candidate for 2019-20: Nathan Legare, RW, Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
Potential NHL impact in 2019-20: Sam Miletic