It's that time of year again. Training camp's are coming to a close and the fun is about to begin. My team has seen quite a bit of turnover in the past year (now with actual NHL players
) but that doesn't mean that the rebuilding will not be continuing despite having less room for prospects this time around.
Here's the notables from each position
Center
Calle Jarnkrok - 19, SEL - 6 GP 3 G 3 A 6 PTS. Drafted 32nd Overall in the 2010 CPHL draft.
Ironhook has had some ups and downs since being drafted, but he is starting to show the skill that had me convinced he'd be a good player someday. His 6 points in the SEL to start the season actually leads the entire league at this point. He's in Detroit's system, and they're pretty good with finding guys that are a little underrated and making legit players out of them.
Left Wing
Gustav Nyquist - 22, NHL - 0 GP - Acquired in trade with LA for Steve Eminger.
Nyquist in this years training camp has done nothing but impress, and Mike Babcock has thrown out comparisons to Datsyuk, and he has shown elite level on ice awareness and a lot of good things in general. He has been so impressive that he might actually start the year with Detroit. The only problem is he currently suffers from Dustin Boyd syndrome, but he should be able to add 15-20 pounds next offseason. Could be the next late round steal by Detroit.
Devante Smith Pelly - 19, OHL - 0 GP - Drafted 51st OV in the 2010 CPHL draft.
DSP has been fairly decent since he was drafted by the Ducks. The most accurate comparison to the type of player he is is Dustin Brown. He's got a pretty good shot, but needs to get some speed, and could stand to lose a few pounds otherwise he might head into Byfuglein/Medvedev territory.
Right Wing
Matt Frattin - 22, NHL - 0 GP - Signed as undrafted free agent
Frattin has impressed in his time in the Leafs training camp. With MacArthur's suspension, it's pretty much guaranteed that Frattin will take his spot on the team for the time being. One of the NCAA's best players the past couple years, Frattin has shown flashes of being a possible top 2 line player. At worst, he's the next Tyler Bozak.
Shane McColgan - 18, WHL - 1 GP 0 G 3 A 3 PTS - Acquired in trade with the Blues
At this time last year, he was rated to be a top 10 pick in the draft, but fell because he didn't score as much as scouts thought he would. He ended up getting selected with the Flames pick that was included with Tim Erixon. At the Rangers camp, he impressed, and was one of the best prospects there. He plays a similar game as Brad Marchand.
Defense
I don't really have any spectacular non NHL D-men at the moment, but I will be interested to see how MacDonald, Gunnarsson, Nikitin, and Derlyuk's seasons go.
Goaltending
Jonathan Bernier - 22, NHL - 0 GP - Acquired in trade with Columbus
Bernier in the preseason has been one of the league's best goalies. Is this the year that he finally overtakes Jonathan Quick? It'll be interesting to see how he develops this year.
Matthew Hackett - 21, AHL - 0 GP - Acquired in trade with Pittsburgh
Hackett has emerged as the wild's top goalie prospect and has shown some decent potential. Most wild fans view him as Backstrom's replacement in a couple years, I wouldn't mind that one bit.
Fredrik Andersen - 21, SEL - 6 GP, 0.99 GAA, .966 SV% 2 SO - Signed as Free Agent.
Denmark's best goalie ever won back to back MVP/Player of the year awards in Denmark and now has finally moved over to Sweden this season and has been alright thus far. He leads the league in GAA, Sv%, and SO. His most comparable player would have to be Roman Turek. He's 6'4" 247, but he's also pretty quick and shows good positioning.