Well, considering Slafkovsky and Guhle are graduates.
Is up there with Barron, Beck, Mesar, Hutson and Farrell. It comes down to preference, but they are all on the same tier IMO. Some are more boom or bust (Mailloux, Mesar, Hutson) some are more sure things (Barron, Beck).
This is how I just recently ranked them, a very tough year to do so as I've been doing this for over 20 years and this is the most stacked and there's just so many prospects to follow that it's nearly impossible to get a really good read on all of them in just say 2 months.
But to me I see it as there are 6 prospects that I think you can make a solid case for #1 Hab prospect. Hutson is tops for me because as someone that has seen a ton of NCAA hockey going back to before when Mike Komisarek was at Michigan, Hutson just has that it factor that I also saw from Caufield. I liked Cole's skating and speed better, so if he can work on that and maybe get into the 175-185 range over say the next 5 years that should help him a lot as long as it doesn't impact him getting quicker.
There's Mailloux who I've seen almost every game he's played in the OHL since last year and he's really interesting in that he's kind of a Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He often reminds me of Brent Burns when he's moving the puck up ice and in the offensive zone and other times he reminds me of Nathan Beaulieau when the puck is in his own end. But you would expect it due to missing just so much key development time that he's a project. The physical tools are legit NHL in size, skating, speed, mobility, strength. He will need to continue to add some mass and get stronger physically but when you mix his frame, mobility, skating, speed, size, shot, there's a lot to not just like but see how he could be a top pairing D on a playoff team. But there's a lot of work to do yet in his reads, reactions, so it will be up to the new development team as they have the chance to ice some major talent in these two alone.
I couldn't fault anyone that considers Sean Farrell the Habs top prospect. He's not tall but he's got a solid frame, he's so smart and a very skilled playmaker that can shoot it. His two way game is very solid and so he's a guy that in time could see NHL games on just about any line and not look out of place. I'm very impressed with what i've seen and can't wait to see him turn pro hopefully in a few months.
Mesar as the top prospect could be a bit of a tougher sell, especially with how great Hutson/Farrell's/Beck's season has been. And he's had some struggles on a team that on paper you wouldn't think would be one of the worst in the OHL. I think a trade would see his numbers shoot up, the speed, skating and offense are legit. He badly needs to add mass, strength, size but he has the chance to be electric. I haven't seen as much of him as the others though so we'll see when the season ends but the skill is high end for sure.
Beck if you just wanted to play it safe as he's just been so impressive at just about everything. Granted I didn't know him that well before the draft and badly wanted us to take Goyette instead but Beck since the development camp has done nothing but impress me at just about everything he does. He could be something really good but if not I would think it's a really safe bet that he ends up say a better Poehling, Chipchura, McCarron (can't think of any other former Hab 1st round picks that were 4th liners in the NHL)