HF Habs: 2023 HF Habs Prospect final rankings

[26Mats]

Should redo after camp. Because rankings would look much different now

bogdan, Trudeau, Norlinder, Davidson, Tourigny rise.

What else do you see differently?

 

[Treb]

Should redo after camp. Because rankings would look much different now

I mean, we could redo it every month and it would be different. The reason we do it during the summer is exactly to avoid the early season euphoria with prospects starting hot and other cold. You also have some players that haven't started yet and it just induce more bias.

For example, Primeau was lights out for his first 10 games or so in the AHL. It normalized after.

People usually make a thread during the season where they post their own rankings, but the board-voted ranking will happen after dev camp summer 2024.

 

[HuGort]

bogdan, Trudeau, Norlinder, Davidson, Tourigny rise.

What else do you see differently?

Many underrated. Outdated. Norlinder would be top 5 if done now

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Many underrated. Outdated. Norlinder would be top 5 if done now

Norlinder is definitely not top 5 or even top 10.

 

[Mrb1p]

Sadly, Hutson is the most overrated prospect.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Disagree with redoing it based on training camp. Only Bogdan would shoot up 10+ ranks.

Hutson no1 HFHabs is 50.8% based

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

Sadly, Hutson is the most overrated prospect.

Seeing Hutson in the corner would be almost enough to motivate Armia to forecheck

 

[Mrb1p]

Seeing Hutson in the corner would be almost enough to motivate Armia to forecheck

Hed probably turn Armia in a pretzel if were honest.

 

[Ezpz]

bogdan, Trudeau, Norlinder, Davidson, Tourigny rise.

What else do you see differently?

Kapanen heavily falls. Rohrer is doing a little better than expected in the Swiss League. Other than that, not many games have been played. I would say Christmas post-juniors is a better time for a re-ranking. Gordin's doing a lot better in the VHL this year than last, I would say he probably moves out of the bottom 5 by a spot or two. Smilanic probably goes close to the bottom. He ended up signing with Trois-Rivieres so he'll be playing in the ECHL for the year. Erikkson likely is too high as well, or Condotta is too low (guy played in the NHL for a game and was good in the AHL and a bunch of guys in the area he's ranked will never be signed or sniff the AHL). Xhekaj should move past Guindon at least who is a bottom 10 prospect for me based on his start as a D+2 in the OHL. Nurmi will never play a game in North America and is ranked ahead of guys that have NHL games or AHL success.

I think Farrell probably falls a bit but not much because I think after 12 or so the pool drops quite a bit and then drops heavily in another 10 spots or so. Again this is all based on like 2-3 weeks of hockey and camp though so I think it's a little premature.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Sadly, Hutson is the most overrated prospect.

He is polarizing for some. Either the next Adam Fox or the not even good enough to be a NHL defender.
I think people underrate his talent because of his draft rank and size. What he can do on the ice is special, like very unique.

 

[Goldenhands]

Many underrated. Outdated. Norlinder would be top 5 if done now

Nope, Norlinder is 23 yrs old, had 2 good games at camp. We will see if he can keep it up, but his lack of physicality and defensive game are still a work in progress. Engstrom is already showing more promise in the SHL at 19 than Norlinder did at 20-21 in the same league. Engstrom is a better defender, more physical, slicker with the puck and smoother skater. I have Bodgan over Norlinder as well, one of the top defensemen in KHL at 20 yrs old, elite mobility, IQ and passing skills. He defends better than Norlinder too.

Then you have Mailloux who had a great camp as well, only 20 yrs old and while a bit raw, has a much higher celling than Norlinder, so does Hutson.

Right now I would rank Norlinder in the 10-15 range personally, clock is ticking, he needs to show more consistency in order to steal a spot from one of our NHL regulars this year.

 

[Mrb1p]

He is polarizing for some. Either the next Adam Fox or the not even good enough to be a NHL defender.
I think people underrate his talent because of his draft rank and size. What he can do on the ice is special, like very unique.

He is talented and a special player but he shouldn't be ranked above Reinbacher.

Also Im not sure why he should be ranked above Roy who's equally as special talent wise but doesn't have the limitations.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

He is talented and a special player but he shouldn't be ranked above Reinbacher.

Also Im not sure why he should be ranked above Roy who's equally as special talent wise but doesn't have the limitations.

There are plenty of reasons why he is ranked above Josh Roy, one being very obvious.

 

[Mrb1p]

There are plenty of reasons why he is ranked above Josh Roy, one being very obvious.

I ultimately think Hutson will become a better player than Roy, but one has to consider their certainty of hitting. Roy being a quality NHLer is almost an afterthought, he will make it.

Hutson may never, it's hard to know.

It's almost like would you take 1 in 10 chance at a million or 1 in 1000 chance at a billion.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Paces some of the prospects are on so far in their respective seasons:

- Beck: 38 goals in 66 GP
- Guindon: 61 pts (20G, 41A) in 68 GP
- Xhekaj: 56 pts (28G, 28A) in 66 GP
- Sobolev: 17 assists in 67 GP

- Engstrom: 18 pts (9G, 9A) in 52 GP
- Konyushkov: 35 pts (3G, 32A) in 68 GP
- Kapanen: 26 pts (9G, 17A) in 60 GP
- Rohrer: 15 pts (11G, 4A) in 51 GP
- Gordin: 44 pts (20G, 24A) in 54 GP
- Kostenko: 16 pts (12G, 4A) in 50 GP
- Eriksson: 4 assists in 52 GP
- Nurmi: 4 assists in 60 GP

 

[Habbietat]

Paces some of the prospects are on so far in their respective seasons:

- Beck: 38 goals in 66 GP
- Guindon: 61 pts (20G, 41A) in 68 GP
- Xhekaj: 56 pts (28G, 28A) in 66 GP
- Sobolev: 17 assists in 67 GP

- Engstrom: 18 pts (9G, 9A) in 52 GP
- Konyushkov: 35 pts (3G, 32A) in 68 GP
- Kapanen: 26 pts (9G, 17A) in 60 GP
- Rohrer: 15 pts (11G, 4A) in 51 GP
- Gordin: 44 pts (20G, 24A) in 54 GP
- Kostenko: 16 pts (12G, 4A) in 50 GP
- Eriksson: 4 assists in 52 GP
- Nurmi: 4 assists in 60 GP

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

Paces some of the prospects are on so far in their respective seasons:

- Beck: 38 goals in 66 GP
- Guindon: 61 pts (20G, 41A) in 68 GP
- Xhekaj: 56 pts (28G, 28A) in 66 GP
- Sobolev: 17 assists in 67 GP

- Engstrom: 18 pts (9G, 9A) in 52 GP
- Konyushkov: 35 pts (3G, 32A) in 68 GP
- Kapanen: 26 pts (9G, 17A) in 60 GP
- Rohrer: 15 pts (11G, 4A) in 51 GP
- Gordin: 44 pts (20G, 24A) in 54 GP
- Kostenko: 16 pts (12G, 4A) in 50 GP
- Eriksson: 4 assists in 52 GP
- Nurmi: 4 assists in 60 GP

Konyushkov is the only one with a standout season

Engstrom still looks solid and Xhekaj usage is encouraging but not much going on yet

 

[Wats]

Paces some of the prospects are on so far in their respective seasons:

- Beck: 38 goals in 66 GP
- Guindon: 61 pts (20G, 41A) in 68 GP
- Xhekaj: 56 pts (28G, 28A) in 66 GP
- Sobolev: 17 assists in 67 GP

- Engstrom: 18 pts (9G, 9A) in 52 GP
- Konyushkov: 35 pts (3G, 32A) in 68 GP
- Kapanen: 26 pts (9G, 17A) in 60 GP
- Rohrer: 15 pts (11G, 4A) in 51 GP
- Gordin: 44 pts (20G, 24A) in 54 GP
- Kostenko: 16 pts (12G, 4A) in 50 GP
- Eriksson: 4 assists in 52 GP
- Nurmi: 4 assists in 60 GP

With injured Hutson, Reinbacher we got ourselves a pretty underwhelming start in the prospect department. Not something you would expect when the team is tanking/rebuilding. Outside of Roy, seems like the entire Habs youth hasn't shown much. Hopefully November brings some heaters.

 

[Sagikev]

With injured Hutson, Reinbacher we got ourselves a pretty underwhelming start in the prospect department. Not something you would expect when the team is tanking/rebuilding.

Most of our top prospects are either in Montreal or Laval though. So the thread seems emptier of course. The goalies are looking good so far, too.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Most of our top prospects are either in Montreal or Laval though. So the thread seems emptier of course. The goalies are looking good so far, too.

Exactly.

Going back 5 years-

Jesperi Kotkaniemi - doing great in Carolina (thnx MB)
Jesse Ylonen - In Montreal
Alexander Romanov - got us Kirby Dach
Jacob Olofsson - Bust
Jordan Harris - top 4-6 defenseman in the NHL
Allan McShane - Bust
Jack Gorniak - MEGA bust
Cole Fonstad - AHLer
Samuel Houde - Bust
Brett Stapley - released after ECHL season.

Cole Caufield - 1st line player
Jayden Struble - developing well in the AHL
Mattias Norlinder - Had a good camp, AHL being Houled
Gianni Fairbrother - AHLer moved in Newhook deal
Jacob Leguerrier - Mega bust
Rhett Pitlick - In NCAA, unlikely to be signed.
Frederik Dichow - Good Europe numbers, rights expired.
Arsen Khisamutdinov - Had a cup of coffee.
Rafael Harvey-Pinard - NHLer.
Kieran Ruscheinski - Token pick, stupid waste of a 7th.

Kaiden Guhle - Top pairing defenseman
Luke Tuch - Developing in the NCAA
Jan Mysak - Developing in the AHL, getting Houled.
Jack Smith - Bust, in NCAA, won't be signed.
Blake Biondi - Developing in the NCAA
Sean Farrell - Top 6 in the AHL
Jakub Dobes - Starting in the AHL
Alexander Gordin - Off to a good start in the VHL this year.

Logan Mailloux - Developing in the AHL
Riley Kidney - Developing in the AHL
Oliver Kapanen - Developing in Europe
Dmitri Kostenko - Won't be signed
William Trudeau - Developing in the AHL
Daniil Sobolev - Bust
Joshua Roy - Leading AHL in scoring.
Xavier Simoneau - AHL, had a good debut last year.
Joe Vrbetic - ECHL starter.

Juraj Slafkovsky - Developing in the NHL
Filip Mesar - Sent to the OHL, season starts tonight.
Owen Beck - OHL
Lane Hutson - Hobey Baker finalist last year.
Vinzenz Rohrer - Doing reasonable well in a tough europe league.
Adam Engstrom - Top pairing D in the SHL
Cedrick Guindon - One of the leading scorers of his team in the OHL
Jared Davidson - Impressive camp, AHL
Emmett Croteau - Back-up in NCAA
Petterri Nurmi - Top 4 defender in Finland
Miguel Tourigny - In the ECHL.

David Reinbacher - In Switzerland
Jacob Fowler - Dominating the NCAA
Florian Xhekaj - Fighting, getting suspended and nearly PPG in OHL
Bogdan Konyushkov - KHL all-star, top defenseman
Quentin Miller - Great camp, consistent 3 star performer on a rebuilding Q team.
Sam Harris - Weird pick, not sure about this one.
Yevgeni Volokhin - Dominating the MHL
Filip Eriksson - Regular shift in the SHL at 18.
Luke Mittelstadt - Overager in NCAA.

 

[Miller Time]

Have we ever had a prospect group doing this well at the same time?

Arguably best U21 dmen in
NCAA
SEL
KHL
Swiss NL

Mesar/Beck both top-10 (5?) OHL fwds

Mailloux/Roy top 5 AHL rookies

Then guys like Xhekaj, Fowler, Miller, Tuch, Kapanen, Kidney, Davidson, Dobes, Volohkin et. all having positive progression seasons

And that doesn't include Slaf, Guhle, Strubble, Farrell, Heineman...

I don't remember us ever having that kind of talent in our prospect/rookie pool

 

[morhilane]

Have we ever had a prospect group doing this well at the same time?

Arguably best U21 dmen in
NCAA
SEL
KHL
Swiss NL

Mesar/Beck both top-10 (5?) OHL fwds

Mailloux/Roy top 5 AHL rookies

Then guys like Xhekaj, Fowler, Miller, Tuch, Kapanen, Kidney, Davidson, Dobes, Volohkin et. all having positive progression seasons

And that doesn't include Slaf, Guhle, Strubble, Farrell, Heineman...

I don't remember us ever having that kind of talent in our prospect/rookie pool

Habs never had that many prospect/rookies either...

 

[EveryDay]

Have we ever had a prospect group doing this well at the same time?

Arguably best U21 dmen in
NCAA
SEL
KHL
Swiss NL

Mesar/Beck both top-10 (5?) OHL fwds

Mailloux/Roy top 5 AHL rookies

Then guys like Xhekaj, Fowler, Miller, Tuch, Kapanen, Kidney, Davidson, Dobes, Volohkin et. all having positive progression seasons

And that doesn't include Slaf, Guhle, Strubble, Farrell, Heineman...

I don't remember us ever having that kind of talent in our prospect/rookie pool

Not really an impressive group of forwards, how many top6 options in there? 1(Roy) maybe 2 with Mesar?

 

[KevSkillz4]

Not really an impressive group of forwards, how many top6 options in there? 1(Roy) maybe 2 with Mesar?

No doubt, Habs need to draft forward or acquire young good talented forward with their assets they have.

One thing for sure, D core looks very very good. Mailloux and Xhekaj have great progression with Laval. Hutson continue to dominate NCAA with his high offensive talent and he show some good play in defensive zone aswell. Konyushkov and Engstrom both looks like steal of pick. They have both high potential. I'm hype with Engstrom, I think he is a "gem" and with his style of play, his game will translate so well at NHL level. He can easily become a top 3 D in NHL. He have such great tools. Konyushkov aswell.

 

[Trabdy2]

Have we ever had a prospect group doing this well at the same time?

Arguably best U21 dmen in
NCAA
SEL
KHL
Swiss NL

Mesar/Beck both top-10 (5?) OHL fwds

Mailloux/Roy top 5 AHL rookies

Then guys like Xhekaj, Fowler, Miller, Tuch, Kapanen, Kidney, Davidson, Dobes, Volohkin et. all having positive progression seasons

And that doesn't include Slaf, Guhle, Strubble, Farrell, Heineman...

I don't remember us ever having that kind of talent in our prospect/rookie pool

I think it's been more than decade since we've had the sort of prospect/development pipeline that has looked anything like this in terms of depth and promise.

That being said, we are still sorely lacking a couple of young high end offensive forward talents in this pool. I'm really hoping we find a way to address that through the trade deadline and/or draft.

There's no guarantee these prospects pan out in the NHL, but we have quite some volume to work with and based on the percentages I think we'll have some good things happen with guys taking on key NHL roles.