Updated: January 25th, 2010
1. Ottawa VAMPYRES London FLEDGLINGS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 3.350
Strengths: Standout crop of blue-chip prospects; Deep at all positions; Very bright goaltending future
Weaknesses: Lacking the number of elite prospects boasted by some NHA franchises; Many 'project' pivots that will take time to develop
Top Five Prospects: Claude Giroux (RW/C); Tuukka Rask (G); Karl Alzner (D); Andrew Ladd (LW); Patrick O'Sullivan (LW/RW)
Key Graduates: Steve Bernier (RW); Paul Ranger (D); Mike Richards (C); Shea Weber (D)
4. Dallas BULLDOGS Irving PUPS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 3.013
Strengths: Several potential future NHA stars developing in the system; good depth at all positions
Weaknesses: No blue-chip offensive rearguards; many 'projects' that will take time to achieve potential
Top Five Prospects: David Krejci (C); Loui Eriksson (RW); Derick Brassard (C); Ondrej Pavelec (G); Jonas Gustavsson (G)
Key Graduates: Paul Gaustad (C/LW)
28. Manhattan WARRIORS Brooklyn CYCLONES
NHA Prospect System Rating: 1.138
Strengths: A few support players that may have an impact in the NHA at some point in the future
Weaknesses: Extreme lack of quality and depth at all positions; No draft picks for the coming year
Top Five Prospects: Daniel Girardi (D); Tom Wandell (C); Jean-Francois Jacques (LW); P.A. Parenteau (RW/LW); Miika Wiikman (G)
Key Graduates: Colton Orr (RW)
18. Edmonton ROADRUNNERS Camrose KODIAKS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.213
Strengths: Blueline prospects are becoming a strength; A few blue-chip forwards being developed
Weaknesses: Shallow and mediocre talent between the pipes
Top Five Prospects: Matt Gilroy (D); Tyler Bozak (C); Mark Mitera (D); Gilbert Brule (C/RW); Curtis Glencross (LW)
Key Graduates: NONE
27. Halifax HURRICANES Jasper ENGINEERS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 1.450
Strengths: A few good, young wingers; A lot of good, early draft picks in coming Entry Drafts
Weaknesses: Lack of quality players and depth at all positions (especially at center and goaltender positions)
Top Five Prospects: David Perron (RW/LW); Brooks Laich (LW); Johnathan Ericsson (D); Wayne Simmonds (RW); Kyle Greentree (LW)
Key Graduates: Patrick Eaves (RW)
22. Florida PANTHERS Fredericton CATS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.013
Strengths: Some definite NHA talent at center and defence
Weaknesses: Lack of quality young netminders (lack of any netminders, even bad ones); Poor depth
Top Five Prospects: Martin Hanzal (C); Enver Lisin (RW/LW); Nathan Oystrick (D); Ian White (D); Alexandre Plante (D)
Key Graduates: Jamie Lundmark (LW)
19. Montreal BARRACUDAS Markham BAT WINGS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.138
Strengths: Goaltending is an obvious strength with young Steve Mason in the system
Weaknesses: Quality wingers and Top 4 rearguards
Top Five Prospects: Steve Mason (G); Kyle Turris (C); Colton Gillies (LW); Bruno Gervais (D); Maxim Lapierre (C)
Key Graduates: Yan Stastny (C/W); Staffan Kronwall (D)
2. AVANGARD Omsk DYNAMO Moscow
NHA Prospect System Rating: 3.263
Strengths: Excellent core of defensive players to build around; Solid stable of goaltending prospects; Some high-end fowards
Weaknesses: Quality forward depth drops off quickly, especially on the right wing
Top Five Prospects: Peter Mueller (C/RW); Simeon Varlamov (G); James Van Riemsdyk (LW); Keith Yandle (D); Artem Anisimov (C)
Key Graduates: Alexander Radulov (RW); Jim Slater (C)
6. Saskatoon WILDCATS Waterloo DUCKS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.900
Strengths: Good depth on both wings; Intriguing netminders; Solid center prospects
Weaknesses: Quality of defensive depth is lacking compared to other areas; no 'marquee' prospects
Top Five Prospects: Max Pacioretty (LW); Brandon Sutter (C); Patrik Berglund (C); Anton Stralman (D); Jonas Ahnelov (D)
Key Graduates: Brandon Bochenski (LW); Mikko Koivu (C); Jason Pominville (RW); Maxime Talbot (C)
3. Toronto GLADIATORS Windsor CENTURIONS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 3.250
Strengths: Top level prospects at all postions; Top 5 prospects are exceptional
Weaknesses: Quality of depth on wings becomes questionable very quickly
Top Five Prospects: Jonathan Toews (C); Mike Green (D); Carey Price (G); Bobby Ryan (RW/LW); Milan Lucic (LW)
Key Graduates: Milan Michalek (LW); Corey Perry (RW); Dion Phaneuf (D); Brent Seabrook (D)
5. Boston RAVENS Palmetto RAMBLERS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.938
Strengths: Forward talent pool is among the best in the league; Several possible 'game-breakers' among forward prospects
Weaknesses: Defensive depth is questionable; Goaltending depth is non-existent
Top Five Prospects: Paul Stastny (C); Phil Kessel (RW); Mikael Backlund (C/LW); Dustin Boyd (W/C); Michael Frolik (RW/C)
Key Graduates: Andrej Meszaros (D); David Moss (RW); Dennis Wideman (D)
13. Prince George NORSEMEN Kelowna VIKINGS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.350
Strengths: Decent forward depth (center and left wing)
Weaknesses: Lack of quality young netminders
Top Five Prospects: Marc-Edouard Valasic (D); Jakub Voracek (RW); Devin Setoguchi (RW/LW); Jonathan Blum (D); Mark Stuart (D)
Key Graduates: Chad LaRose (RW); Jordan Staal (C); Lee Stempniak (LW); Scottie Upshall (RW)
8. Summerside STORM Wilmot WOLF PACK
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.700
Strengths: Decent forward depth (center and left wing)
Weaknesses: Lack of quality young netminders
Top Five Prospects: Marc Staal (D): Kyle Okposo (RW/LW); Jack Johnson (D); David Booth (LW); Brian Lee (D)
Key Graduates: David Backes (C); Jeff Carter (C); Guillaume Latendresse (RW); Mike Smith (G)
9. Yellowknife ICE DRAGONS Kamloops HEAT WAVES
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.600
Strengths: Elite talents at forward and defence; Very good young netminder being developed
Weaknesses: Many 'projects' on the depth chart beyond the guarateed blue-chippers
Top Five Prospects: Anze Kopitar (C); Erik Johnson (D); Cory Schneider (G); Kristopher Letang (D); Wojtek Wolski (C/LW)
Key Graduates: Milan Jurcina (D); Brett Lebda (D); Dustin Penner (LW/RW)
7. Houston ROCKHOUNDS Edmonton ROUGHNECKS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.763
Strengths: Solid core of young blueliners; decent crop of young forwards
Weaknesses: Lack of future #1 between the pipes; no real game-breaking talents
Top Five Prospects: Tom Gilbert (D); Matthew Greene (D); Tyler Kennedy (RW/C); Josh Gorges (D); Shawn Matthias (C/LW)
Key Graduates: Drew Stafford (RW)
10. Chicago PURPLE ACES Indianapolis ICE
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.550
Strengths: Excellent blueline prospects; Potential #1 netminder
Weaknesses: Lack of quality blue-chip fowards
Top Five Prospects: Kevin Shattenkirk (D); Niklas Hjalmarsson (D); Andrej Sekera (D); Jonathan Bernier (G); Dustin Byfuglien (RW/LW)
Key Graduates: Nigel Dawes (LW); Noah Welch (D)
16. Seattle THUNDERBIRDS Dodge City GUNSLINGERS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.275
Strengths: Potential star center (Backstrom); A few potential NHA rearguards
Weaknesses: Lacking in decent forward prospects and general quality of depth overall
Top Five Prospects: Nicklas Backstrom (C); Mark Dekanich (G); Patric Hornqvist (RW/LW); Ole-Kristian Tollefsen (D); Chris Bourque (LW/RW)
Key Graduates: Rene Bourque (LW)
23. Calgary HITMEN Lethbridge HURRICANES
NHA Prospect System Rating: 1.925
Strengths: Prospects at all positions that are projected to play in the NHA
Weaknesses: Lack of quality depth at most positions
Top Five Prospects: Bryan Little (RW/C); Alexandre R. Picard (D); Matt Smaby (D); Dustin Jeffrey (C); T.J. Brennan (D)
Key Graduates: Jonas Hiller (G); Rich Peverly (C/RW)
15. Minnesota MUSKIES Halifax MOOSEHEADS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.325
Strengths: Quality blue-chip prospects at all positions
Weaknesses: Center depth is suspect; Precipitous drop-off in depth beyond the top few prospects
Top Five Prospects: Pekka Rinne (G); T.J. Oshie (C); David Bolland (C); Jamie McBain (D); Thomas Hickey (D)
Key Graduates: Joe Pavelski (C)
14. Las Vegas OUTLAWS Reno WRANGLERS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.325
Strengths: Elite forward talents (right wing and center)
Weaknesses: Shallow talent pool at all positions; Defensive depth is suspect
Top Five Prospects: Patrick Kane (RW); Sam Gagner (C); Jaroslav Halak (G); Nick Petrecki (D); Daniel Larsson (G)
Key Graduates: Carlo Colaiacovo (D)
20. Mississauga DEVILS Port Credit STORM
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.113
Strengths: Blue-chip wingers; Decent depth recently added at most positions
Weaknesses: No guaranteed top-line players; Defence prospects are 'projects'
Top Five Prospects: James Sheppard (C); Brian Elliott (G); Nick Foligno (LW); Mason Raymond (LW/RW); Marc-Antoine Pouliot (C/W)
Key Graduates: Zbynek Michalek (D); Johnny Oduya (D)
21. Hartford WHALERS Pawtucket PATRIOTS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.100
Strengths: Very good blue-chip defence prospects
Weaknesses: Lack of quality forwards; Few draft picks in the next draft
Top Five Prospects: Ryan McDonagh (D); Chris Butler (D); Michal Neuvirth (G); Boris Valabik (D); Cal O'Reilly (C)
Key Graduates: Travis Zajac (C)
17. New Orleans SKATEFUL DEAD Puerto Rico ISLANDERS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.225
Strengths: Decent forward depth (center and left wing); Intriguing pool of defense prospects
Weaknesses: Lack of quality young netminders
Top Five Prospects: Patrik Berglund (C); Yannick Weber (D); Ryan O'Byrne (D); Maxim Mayorov (LW/RW); Kyle Wellwood (C)
Key Graduates: David Steckel (C/LW)
25. Detroit PHANTOMS Tri-City AMERICANS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 1.513
Strengths: Some solid young defencemen with NHA potential
Weaknesses: Lack of quality forward depth; prospect system is in a rebuilding stage
Top Five Prospects: Oscar Moller (RW/C); Kyle Quincey (D); Andy Greene (D); Zach Hamill (C); Nick Johnson (RW)
Key Graduates: NONE
26. North Carolina EAGLES Tallahassee TIGERS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 1.463
Strengths: Some enigmatic young players who may have contributions to make at the pro level
Weaknesses: Overall lack of blue-chip quality players
Top Five Prospects: Alexander Edler (D); T.J. Galiardi (C/LW); Brad Thiessen (G); Benn Ferriero (C/RW); Konstantin Glazachev (LW)
Key Graduates: NONE
24. Vancouver CANUCKS Milwaukee ADMIRALS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 1.763
Strengths: Defencemen with NHA potential; Some 'project' forwards with talent
Weaknesses: Absence of any decent pivots or goaltending prospects
Top Five Prospects: P.K. Subban (D); Robert Nilsson (LW/RW); Blake Comeau (RW/LW); Sean Bergenheim (LW/RW); Ilya Zubov (RW/LW)
Key Graduates: Ray Emery (G); Patrick Sharp (RW/C)
11. Baltimore BANDITS Providence FURY
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.375
Strengths: Decent forward depth (center and left wing); some rearguards with NHA potential
Weaknesses: Lack of quality young netminders; Prospect quality drops off quickly
Top Five Prospects: Eric Tangradi (LW); Brandon Dubinsky (C/LW); Alex Goligoski (D); Jiri Tlusty (LW/RW); Riley Nash (C)
Key Graduates: Chris Campoli (D); Steve Ott (C); Tim Jackman (RW)
12. Quebec REMPARTS Laval CRUSADERS
NHA Prospect System Rating: 2.363
Strengths: Solid corps of blueliners; Some solid wingers developing in the system
Weaknesses: Lack of quality young netminders; Thin down the middle
Top Five Prospects: Michal Repik (RW); Ian Cole (D); Brendan Smith (D); Jack Skille (RW); Nick Palmieri (RW)
Key Graduates: Ryan Clowe (LW); Mikhail Yakubov (C)
