HFHabs 2019 Top 25 Prospect Rankings - #1

[26Mats]

Hard to know who will be the best long term, since Poehling, Suzuki, and Caufield all have such high upsides.

I'll go with Caufield. But anyone's guess between these three is as good as mine. Flip a 3 sided coin...

 

[26Mats]

Caufield. Add Vejdemo.

Poehling probably wins because of his 1 NHL game and the fact he beasted against 18-19 years old last week.

ok, but who's your pick for who will have the best, most impact-full career? One guy could be the great, big two way center we've wanted that can put up good numbers offensively - or not. Another could be a 50 goal scorer - or not.

 

[26Mats]

Add Pitlick

 

[McGuires Corndog]

I went with Brook slightly edging out Caufield. There's not much to hate about our prospect pool. I felt Brook may have #1D potential, and Caufield 1st line winger potential, so I sided with position I guess. I love both guys, and there is certainly an argument for a couple of others as well.

There’s a legit argument for any of Brook, Caufield, Poehling or Suzuki for #1.

Our top 6-7 prospects are among the best in the league, no doubt in my mind!

 

[26Mats]

Not to jump the gun, but I think it's pretty clear this board will vote 1. Poehling, 2. Caufield, 3. Suzuki. The next two spots will likely go to Brook and Romanov, with Brook getting the edge because his performance at development camp will be fresh in peoples' minds. Next will likely be Primeau. Then Harris and Struble and perhaps Ylonen will battle for 7, 8, and 9.

 

[le_sean]

People are rating Poehling higher because of his one NHL game, but as prospects, Suzuki has been far superior.

 

[NORiculous]

It would so be nice if we could dig up last year's ranking, just to see how perception may have changed on certain players.

Yeah, that should be a given when writing the OP.

 

[habergeon]

Poehling, just about as close to NHL ready as you can get, playing a premium position.

 

[KFlint]

Poehling should be 3 or 4 on this list, not first imo. Pure talent should be more important than being NHL ready, so Suzuki, Caufield, Brook (all very close) and Poehling for me. Not expecting him to become Jonathan Toews with his production so far but a great 3C. Hope I’m wrong though...

 

[BenchBrawl]

Too bad we didn't include Kotkaniemi.

I know he's an NHLer now, but he's still a kid.He's just as much a ''future project'' as most of these guys, and his ceiling is still in question.

I would have voted him #1.

 

[NeptunesTrident]

Josh Brook. Looks like a #1d.

 

[McGuires Corndog]

People are rating Poehling higher because of his one NHL game, but as prospects, Suzuki has been far superior.

The upside is significantly higher with Suzuki, he could be a PPG forward IMO.

Poehling’s ceiling IMO is a 60-65pt two way center, but his floor is also a Lars Eller. Where as Suzuki’s floor is potentially not making it at all.

 

[AntiCHrice]

Why is Struble twice on the list? Did we draft twins and I'm not aware of it?

 

[MarkovsKnee]

@Tomas Tatahhh

You have Struble twice and you need to add Teasdale, and Norlinder.

I chose Caufield. Kid needs to build up his strength, but he has future 40 goal potential. Pure goal scorer.

 

[NORiculous]

Pure talent can’t be the only factor...otherwise a bunch of career AHLers would make these types of lists. Players don’t always reach the potential they have.

NHL readiness and opportunity are factors that need to be taken into consideration. Its the weight of these factors that are to each own view and that is also what makes a great or bad list.

Poehling needs to be #1 on this list. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean he will have the most productive career.

 

[montreal]

Over the years at HF I would say that usually the NCAA guys get over looked so I'm guessing Primeau/Harris won't get rated as high as they should be. Primeau being in the WJC's will help.

You also have to remember with these lists everyone ranks players for different reasons. Some think it's based off who's going to be in the NHL sooner (I never understood that) others just go off upside.

It would so be nice if we could dig up last year's ranking, just to see how perception may have changed on certain players.

Habs top prospect? #36, 37 & 38

1. Jesperi Kotkaniemi (C)
2. Ryan Poehling (C)
3. Victor Mete (D)
4. Noah Juulsen (D)
5. Jesse Ylönen (RW)
6. Josh Brook (D)
7. Cayden Primeau (G)
8. Jacob Olofsson (F)
9. Cale Fleury (D)
10. Jake Evans (C/RW)
11. Charlie Lindgren (G)
12. Joni Ikonen (C/RW)
13. Alexander S. Romanov (D)
14. Cameron Hillis (C)
15. Cole Fonstad (F)
16. Allan McShane (C)
17. William Bitten (RW/C)
18. Lukas Vejdemo (C/W)
19. Michael McNiven (G)
20. Jordan Harris (D)......

 

[26Mats]

Poehling should be 3 or 4 on this list, not first imo. Pure talent should be more important than being NHL ready, so Suzuki, Caufield, Brook (all very close) and Poehling for me. Not expecting him to become Jonathan Toews with his production so far but a great 3C. Hope I’m wrong though...

Poehling has a lot of talent and ability as well. I have no clue who will be the best long term amongst the big 4 at forward (kk, Poehling, Suzuki, and Caufield).

 

[EveryDay]

Poehling
Suzuki
Brook
Caufield
Romanov

 

[WatchfulElm]

Funny, I thought I'd be in the minority voting for Poehling. He's the only one that comes with no question mark. He might not have the highest ceiling, but he's the most NHL ready and his upside could be as high as the others.

 

[calder candidate]

Caufeild
Poehling
Brooks
Romanov
Suzuki
Primeau
Ylonen
Juulsen
Harris
Fleury
Ikonen
Fonstad
Olofson
Hills
Evans

Caufeild has the most upside Poehling is the the most ready followed by Brook and Romanov

 

[Phil Parent]

I voted for Poehling, I believe he could be what Pacioretty should have been.

 

[26Mats]

Over the years at HF I would say that usually the NCAA guys get over looked so I'm guessing Primeau/Harris won't get rated as high as they should be. Primeau being in the WJC's will help.

You also have to remember with these lists everyone ranks players for different reasons. Some think it's based off who's going to be in the NHL sooner (I never understood that) others just go off upside.



Habs top prospect? #36, 37 & 38

1. Jesperi Kotkaniemi (C)
2. Ryan Poehling (C)
3. Victor Mete (D)
4. Noah Juulsen (D)
5. Jesse Ylönen (RW)
6. Josh Brook (D)
7. Cayden Primeau (G)
8. Jacob Olofsson (F)
9. Cale Fleury (D)
10. Jake Evans (C/RW)
11. Charlie Lindgren (G)
12. Joni Ikonen (C/RW)
13. Alexander S. Romanov (D)
14. Cameron Hillis (C)
15. Cole Fonstad (F)
16. Allan McShane (C)
17. William Bitten (RW/C)
18. Lukas Vejdemo (C/W)
19. Michael McNiven (G)
20. Jordan Harris (D)......

Big jumps upcoming for Harris and Romanov. Big fall for Oloffson. A lot of prospects have passed Ylonen and Ikonen, but they're still solid prospects in their own right.

 

[Plekatorz]

Poehling for me

 

[DavePeak]

Poehling
Suzuki
Brook
Caufield
Romanov

Funny, I thought I'd be in the minority voting for Poehling. He's the only one that comes with no question mark. He might not have the highest ceiling, but he's the most NHL ready and his upside could be as high as the others.

Agreed. I don't know who to add though, I don't feel comfortable enough yet to rate our middle of the pack prospects this year. I'll have to research some more. (That's what Summer is made for us right? )

So who are our graduates this year? Kotkaniemi, Mete, but not Juulsen correct?

 

[Ricko Balboa]

My top 20

Poehling
Caufield
Romanov
Brook
Suzuki
Primeau
Ylonen
Harris
Struble
Norlinder
Fleury
Leskinen
Ikonen
Pitlick
Olofsson
Evans
Teasdale
Gorniack
Fairbrother
Vejdemo