Top 50 NHL-affiliated prospects, as ranked by TSN's Craig Button

[Kiirin]

Second in scoring on Michigan State with 35 points in 38 games. What do you think that roughly translates to in the OHL?

These are decent numbers but nothing worthy of being the 2nd overall pick, especially for a guy who isn't stellar defensively.

 

[Coffee]

I remember you getting upset and calling out Canuck fans for Willander and Lekkerimaki getting voted so close together. lol

To be fair he calls out like every fanbase that does that, including and especially his own Habs

 

[Erika]

Where’s Lindstrom ?

Haha, do you really need to ask? He's sitting at home eating hotdogs while waiting for his back problems to heal...

 

[Dempsey]

These are decent numbers but nothing worthy of being the 2nd overall pick, especially for a guy who isn't stellar defensively.

Second highest PPG in NCAA history among draft eligible defensemen. If you say those are just decent numbers, you're biased and there's no way around it.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Levshunov ranking aside, No Roman Kantserov?

Might be my bias but he should be rocketing up prospect rankings with his play in KHL

I see Yurov on there at #35

Just turned 21 yr old Yurov for Magnitogorsk this year

44 GP
12 G
12 A
24 pts

Very nice development and all but

Just turned 20 yr old Kantserov for Magnitogorsk this year

32 GP
12 G
15 A
27 pts

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

Second highest PPG in NCAA history among draft eligible defensemen. If you say those are just decent numbers, you're biased and there's no way around it.

He had great numbers but for me never really passed the eye test. I thought Buium, Dickinson, Parekh were all better but had him above Silayev and Yakemchuk.

 

[Dempsey]

He had great numbers but for me never really passed the eye test. I thought Buium, Dickinson, Parekh were all better but had him above Silayev and Yakemchuk.

That's fair. My only point is that the numbers were better than decent, they were historical. Then you add in that he's 6'2", a high end skater, and a right shot dman, and you start to see why he got taken high. It was a great draft for defense though. Buium was my top blueliner on draft day and that hasn't changed.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

That's fair. My only point is that the numbers were better than decent, they were historical. Then you add in that he's 6'2", a high end skater, and a right shot dman, and you start to see why he got taken high. It was a great draft for defense though. Buium was my top blueliner on draft day and that hasn't changed.

I definitely understand the bet on tools with a big RHD, Montreal did the same thing the year before, and I had them ranked in similar spots. I think Levshunov's ceiling is higher but I don't think his hockey IQ is at the level of Reinbacher. My guess is they both top out as 2nd pairing dmen with Lev putting up more points and Reinbacher being better defensively

 

[Hazy Little Thing]

These are decent numbers but nothing worthy of being the 2nd overall pick, especially for a guy who isn't stellar defensively.

How did other top 3 picks like E. Johnson and J. Johnson do as frosh in college?

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Levshunov ranking aside, No Roman Kantserov?

Might be my bias but he should be rocketing up prospect rankings with his play in KHL

I see Yurov on there at #35

Just turned 21 yr old Yurov for Magnitogorsk this year

44 GP
12 G
12 A
24 pts

Very nice development and all but

Just turned 20 yr old Kantserov for Magnitogorsk this year

32 GP
12 G
15 A
27 pts

Yurov still has some equity from last year, I'm guessing.

 

[frontsfan67]

Second in scoring on Michigan State with 35 points in 38 games. What do you think that roughly translates to in the OHL?

Prob 50-60 pts

 

[majormajor]

As a longtime Levshunov doubter, I have to say that this is the best Button list I've ever seen. Great work Craig!

Where’s Lindstrom ?

I'm curious if Del Bel Belluz didn't make the cut or if he wasn't eligible because of his temporary call-up. I would assume Mateychuk isn't on there because of the call-up.

With Lindstrom it seems his value is very up in the air and folks don't know how to evaluate it - they seem to either rank him as if he isn't injured or not rank him at all, as if he's not still a prospect (he is).