For the Canucks, working on the assumption that Robert Thomas, Troy Terry and Alexandar Georgiev are all full time NHLers at this point and won't be sent down again.
Otherwise, quite a few players are still around:
- Henri Jokiharju and Conor Timmins are both likely to make the team after great camps. Jokiharju has done well with progressively greater responsibility, while Timmins has been the Avs' best player in pre-season according to many. That Timmins has been this good after not playing for 18 months is nothing short of remarkable.
- Sami Niku is almost guaranteed a spot in Winniepg at this point, and with Myers, Trouba and maybe Byfuglien gone, there's a lot of ice time up for grabs. Reviews of his play so far have been very good, but the same was true last September.
- One if not both of Evan Bouchard and Joel Persson will likely stick in Edmonton, with Persson having played enough with Klefbom to suggest he probably has the better chance. Bouchard could start in the AHL but should be up quickly, and looks quicker than last year.
- Will Borgen and Dominik Masin have had good pre-seasons and could compete for the final cut on their teams. Buffalo has a few injuries so Borgen could crack the club along with Jokiharju, while Masin was playing on a pairing with Erik Cernak the other day. Masin is waiver eligible which is a factor.
- Andrew Peeke has been very good, with his skating helping him stand-out. He will play eventually, but with seven one-way deals in Columbus, seems unlikely he can break camp without some injuries.
- The defenceman who has come out of nowhere to push for a spot is John Marino, who is way closer to being NHL ready than expected and has shone consistently through rookie camp and the pre-season. He may start in the AHL but he will be up soon. Jake Walman, by contrast, was much more hyped but has struggled as a pro, although he's still in camp with St. Louis.
- Adam Gaudette is in a numbers game to make the Canucks, who have cornered the market on bottom six forwards, but with three goals in his past two games he is making his case, although whether he has the skating and defensive ability to stick in a depth role is unclear. Zack MacEwen came into camp with a shot but hasn't done enough it seems.
- Both John Quenneville and Phillip Kurashev are in the mix for spots in Chicago, although injuries have hindered both. Quenneville could get picked up on waivers if he doesn't make the cut, while Kurashev is probably off to the AHL, although it's been a great off-season and pre-season for him so far.
- Joel L'Esperance came into camp with a good shot at making Dallas, but hasn't stood out, although there's still time. Similar story for Zach Senyshyn who has looked fine but hasn't separated himself.
- Daniil Yurtaikin has had intriguing flashes, showing the skating and hands that give him upside. There are spots available in San Jose, but sense remains he could use some more development time.
- Tristan Jarry and Marcus Hogberg are both third stringers at this stage, although Hogberg is waiver ineligible and will eventually get a shot at replacing Craig Anderson in Ottawa. Jarry has been very good so far, but he needs a new organization at this point unless Casey DeSmith really blows it.
And a few top prospects have already been cut:
- Phillip Tomasino scored a goal and was sent down the next day. That's ok, he's just turned 18.
- Josh Norris and Alex Formenton were both sent down last night after so-so pre-seasons. There are a lot of young forwards competing for spots in Ottawa and not surprising they're behind those with pro experience.
- Boris Katchouk, Dennis Yan and Jimmy Huntington all got preseason games with Tampa but never had a real chance at a spot and have been sent down.
- Although less a top prospect, Alexandre Alain was very good in rookie camp but was sent down to Laval last night, as was Lukas Vejdemo.