On potential:
Gaudreau
Baertschi
Gillies
Jankowski
Reinhart
Agostino
Brossoit
Arnold
Wotherspoon
Cundari
On likelihood of NHL success:
Baertschi
Reinhart
Cundari
Gillies
Agostino
Gaudreau
Kulak
Arnold
Wotherspoon
Hanowski
Honourable mentions: Sieloff, Bouma, DeBlouw, Culkin
Notes:
-I consider Horak & Brodie NHL starters now, so they aren't included
-Baertschi demonstrated top-6 NHL abilities in his last 7 games. I'm very relieved, to say the least. I expect him to arrive in camp physically stronger & motivated to make this team his own.
-Gaudreau & Jankowski are the wildcards. Janko showed flashes of high end skill for Providence. Only flashes though. Hopefully he can fully convert to centre next season & improve his stats & physical strength. Jonny will either be a dominant force in the NHL or won't make it at all. Patience...
-Gillies had as good a freshman year as an NCAA goalie can have. Brossoit is closer to the pros but I'm concerned that he's been sheltered by a strong Oil Kings defence. I worry about his mentality as well, and you can't teach that.
-I think Hanowski could be a useful bottom-6 guy. He should hone his skills in the AHL.
-Haven't seen enough of Sieloff to include him.
-Agostino, Arnold, Wotherspoon & Cundari demonstrate intangibles & work ethic that lead me to believe they are likely to make it to the NHL. In what capacity? Useful, middle-6 forwards & mid-pairing defence. I expect all 4 of them to make an impact within 2 years.
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