The Hockey News Future Watch edition has the Jets’ top 10 prospects ranked as follows:
1 - Yager
2 - Lambert
3 - Chibrikov
4 - Barlow
5 - Salomonsson
6 - Freij
7 - Lucius
8 - He
9 - Walton
10 - Julien
I’d have Salomonsson higher. DDV would be in my top 10. I would not have Lucius in the top 10. I’d have Nehring ahead of Julien. This also shows how few prospects the Jets have on D.
Just to add on, I’ll share some paraphrased notes that they had on each of these players:
1. Brayden Yager: Wore the ‘C’ for Canada at the World Juniors, but his production was highly-disappointing despite being force-fed big minutes. The Jets aren’t discouraged, though, and are very high on his hockey sense and his ability to create.
2. Brad Lambert: Although he’s having a bit of a disappointing season with Manitoba in the AHL, there is not much reason for Jets’ fans to be concerned. Once thought of as a projected top-five pick, his offence was never in question. What’s going to get him to the NHL is a refined focus on using his speed and strength, and his improved compete level.
3. Nikita Chibrikov: Chibrikov surprised last year in his first year in North America with an excellent rookie season. The Jets expect the energetic and enthusiastic Chibrikov to force his way onto the team, probably as early as next season. His compete, shot, and vision are all NHL-quality already.
4. Colby Barlow: Barlow’s pure goal-scoring ability leaps off the page, with an incredibly accurate, heavy shot. His game is likely to transfer over well to the pros, too, if his three-point AHL cameo is anything to judge by. Past this, the Jets are impressed with his natural leadership qualities, his competitiveness, and his ability to “pull all players into the fight.” The Jets have also been impressed by his work ethic and dedication to the game off-the-ice.
5. Elias Salomonsson: Injuries have put a damper on what has otherwise been an impressive rookie AHL campaign for Salomonsson. His shot is a “useful tool,” but his skating is far and away his best asset. His speed and gracefulness leads him to seemingly being everywhere on the ice at once. Needs to work on his physicality and strength, but there’s no question his upside is tremendous.
6. Alfons Freij: Good puck-moving D with a pro-level shot who needs to get stronger on his skates.
7. Chaz Lucius: The talent is obvious, but he needs to stay healthy. Injuries have completely derailed his career and development.
8. Kevin He: Excellent combination of skill and hustle. Natural leader and captain of his junior team this season.
9. Kieron Walton: Has the size of an old-school power forward with the skill set of a modern playmaker.
10. Jacob Julien: Defensively-focused forward who always takes care of his own end, even if that means sacrificing offence.
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Not sure how much I’d read into this — as it’s been said, I’m sure a lot of us follow these prospects more than
The Hockey News. Case in point: using the WJC as a measuring stick for Yager. Still thought it was interesting to add to the discussion.
They gave the Jets a C+ grade and ranked our prospect pool 21st in the league. In the top 100, Yager was ranked 23, Lambert was ranked 78, Chibrikov was ranked 80 and Barlow was ranked 81. For anyone who cares, McGroarty is ranked 76.
For those wondering, San Jose was ranked 1st and Florida last. Within our division, Chicago’s pool was ranked 3rd, Colorado’s 30th, Dallas’s 15th, Minnesota’s 8th, Nashville’s 14th, St. Louis’s 12th, Utah’s 5th.
Here’s their top 10 prospects:
1. Ivan Demidov (Montreal)
2. Ryan Leonard (Washington)
3. Beckett Sennecke (Anaheim)
4. Zeev Buium (Minnesota)
5. Artyom Levshunov (Chicago)
6. Zayne Parekh (Calgary)
7. Sam Dickinson (San Jose)
8. Jimmy Snuggerud (St. Louis)
9. Axel Sandin-Pellikka (Detroit)
10. Tij Iginla (Utah)