RWC Posts Final 2009-2010 Prospect Rankings

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Here are the final rankings from Red Wings Central:

Matthew Wuest – RedWingsCentral.com / June 1, 2010

Tomas Tatar's relatively sluggish second half wasn't enough to drop him from atop Red Wings Central's final prospect ranking of 2009-10.

The Slovakian sparkplug hit a wall after a sensational first half in the American Hockey League, producing just 11 points in his final 31 games after returning from the IIHF world junior championship in January.

Tomas Tatar wore down in the second half of the season as an AHL rookie but his impressive talent ultimately won't be denied.

But when you consider he had 21 points in the first 27 games of his first North American campaign despite starting the season as the AHL's youngest player, it's not exactly a huge shock the grind took its toll.

Even with the slump, Tatar's pro-rated point total still would have put him first among Red Wings prospects with the Grand Rapids Griffins, ahead of much older, more experienced teammates Jan Mursak and Mattias Ritola.

The 5-foot-10 179-pounder should learn from the experience next season. He has a skillset comparable to Jiri Hudler's, but he's a better skater and has a passion for the game that should make him a top-six forward.

"He's relevant in every game," said Griffins general manager Bob McNamara. "He has a big future ahead of him. He's got really, really nice hands, really good vision and he's hard on the puck in the corners. He plays the game hard, too, for a skilled guy. He's not big but he's strong on his skates."

Following is the rest of the ranking.

2. D JAKUB KINDL (–), Grand Rapids (AHL), 73-3-30-33-59.

Kindl gained confidence toward the end of the season and started to shake his habit of handling the puck like a hot potato. It's going to be interesting to see how he adjusts in the NHL, and the time has come to either sink or swim. The Red Wings' long-standing theory — that Kindl looks better when he plays with better players — will be put to the final test in the NHL this fall.

3. D BRENDAN SMITH (–), Wisconsin (NCAA), 42-15-37-52-76.

It's no secret the Red Wings like mobile puck-movers, and Smith fits the bill. He has everything you could ask for offensively — evidenced by his 52 points in 42 games and Hobey Baker award nomination as a junior at Wisconsin — but his defensive game needs work and several off-ice incidents have raised question marks. His upside is as a point-producing power-play quarterback.

4. LW GUSTAV NYQUIST (+1), Maine (NCAA), 39-19-42-61-20.

It's not every day a sophomore is a top-three finalist for the Hobey Baker award, but Nyquist managed to pull it off. His stock has been on the rise ever since he left Sweden and enrolled in school at Maine, and it could take a massive leap next season if he spends the summer bulking up. Size and strength on the puck are about the only thing Nyquist doesn't have going for him.

5. RW JAN MURSAK (+2), Grand Rapids (AHL), 79-24-18-42-46.

Mursak always had desirable qualities — his skating, slippery moves and a quick shot — but struggled to use them to his advantage as an AHL rookie in 2008-09. All of those assets were at the forefront this season, especially his intimidating Darren Helm-esque speed. He'll probably get his first NHL call-up next season and will ideally reach the 30-goal plateau on the farm.

6. G THOMAS McCOLLUM (-2), Grand Rapids (AHL), 32 GP, 3.48 GAA.

McCollum is still a very good prospect, but that fact remains he had a very bad year and it's caused him to slip. Simply put, McCollum let too many soft goals get by him. He needs to cut down on those and learn to bounce back better from the softies he does let in. Either way, McCollum is very young with a pile of natural talent and still has plenty of time to recover.

7. C JOAKIM ANDERSSON (+2), Frolunda (SWE), 55-6-12-18-42.

The Red Wings weren't always happy with the ice time Andersson was given in Sweden and felt at times he deserved more. Now he's signed and should be given a chance to take on as much as he can handle in the AHL in 2010-11. His solid two-way game is very much suited for North America, but will he be able to keep up? Skating will ultimately determine his success.

8. RW MATTIAS RITOLA (+2), Grand Rapids (AHL), 73-19-23-42-50.

This quote on Ritola in January from Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock pretty much says it all: "He'll play in the NHL for sure, if he wants to." After signing him to a new three-year contract, it appears the Red Wings have now seen enough to believe he wants to. He is skilled and well-rounded, but it's not clear where he'll fit into an NHL lineup. He'll probably start as a 13th forward.

9. C LANDON FERRARO (-3), Red Deer (WHL), 53-16-30-46-55.

Ferraro had one of the more disappointing seasons of all Red Wings prospects. Knee injuries derailed the first part of his season and he never fully got back on track. Perhaps most concerning was the fact he was a healthy scratch in the post-season, despite being a 37-goal scorer as a 17-year-old. He can easily climb back up this list, but needs a bounce-back year.

10. D BRIAN LASHOFF (+1), Kingston (OHL), 58-6-21-27-71.

Lashoff plays a solid pro-style game and has looked outstanding in 19 games of AHL duty in Grand Rapids. The world junior gold medalist isn't flashy and won't pile up all that many points, but he's a steady defender who moves the puck quickly and efficiently — pretty much exactly what NHL teams look for from No. 3-to-5 defensemen. He's proving to be a free-agent steal.

11. LW CORY EMMERTON (-3), Grand Rapids (AHL), 76-12-25-37-22.

The Red Wings wanted to see a little bit more production out of Emmerton, but his numbers weren't much better than his rookie campaign. There's a lot to like about Emmerton — namely, his two-way game and hockey sense — but he's still learning to put it all together as a pro. And he'll need to put it together now, as it is his last season with a waiver exemption and a contract year.

12. LW ANDREJ NESTRASIL (–), Victoriaville (QMJHL), 50-16-35-51-40.

The big, talented winger started the season on fire, placing among the QMJHL's top 10 scorers during the first half. Then he suffered a groin injury and his team loaded up for a playoff run and he found himself sliding down the depth chart. Nestrasil has the ability to score as many as 40 goals and 90 to 100 points in 2010-11 with an off-season trade to the P.E.I. Rocket expected.

13. D LOGAN PYETT (+2), Grand Rapids (AHL), 80-9-21-30-41.

Pyett needed to bounce back in a big way and he did. Not only did use his offensive skills to produce nine goals and 21 assists for 30 points from the blue line with an offensively-starved AHL club, he was also one of his team's steadiest defenders. His totals should easily climb in his third season, and his time has come to show the Red Wings he's next in line to graduate to an NHL job.

14. D ADAM ALMQVIST (+5), HV-71 (SWE), 28-2-6-8-10.

Everyone knew Almqvist had some amazing skills, but no one expected him to progress this far, this quickly. After averaging more than two points per game in the Swedish under-20 ranks, Almqvist earned a promotion to the Swedish Elite League and put up 19 points in 44 games and helped HV-71 to a championship. Now it's time to spend the summer in the weight room.

15. C BRENT RAEDEKE (+1), Brandon (WHL), 72-23-33-56-95.

The speedy two-way worker was deemed valuable enough that the Memorial Cup hosts traded for him in their bid to win it all. Raedeke and the Wheat Kings ultimately fell short, but they had a good run. The Red Wings couldn't have asked for much more from him in the junior ranks, but he'll need to show he can play his same energy game at the AHL level in 2010-11.

16. D MAX NICASTRO (+1), Boston U. (NCAA), 37-3-12-15-26.

Nicastro made a smooth adjustment to college as a freshman, showcasing a well-rounded game and making Hockey East's all-rookie team.

17. D SERGEI KOLOSOV (+1), Grand Rapids (AHL), 66-2-6-8-29.

The big, steady defender went to the Olympics with Belarus but will need to really assert himself in 2010-11 to get an NHL call-up.

18. RW MITCHELL CALLAHAN (+4), Kelowna (WHL), 72-20-27-47-165.

He's still able to agitate and doesn't hesitate to fight, but now he's adding an offensive component to his game. It's a good mix.

19. RW FRANCIS PARE (-5), Grand Rapids (AHL), 77-16-23-39-20.

Pare didn't produce quite as much as the Red Wings hoped, mostly because of an absolutely terrible start. He needs to score more.

20. D GLEASON FOURNIER (+3), Rimouski (QMJHL), 58-13-37-50-76.

The swift-skating puck-mover had a productive year but remains extremely slender. He'll need to mature physically to have an impact beyond junior.

21. RW WILLIE COETZEE (-1), Red Deer (WHL), 72-29-52-81-32.

Coetzee proved to be an elite scorer at the junior level but isn't very big or strong and needs to be more committed on the defensive end.

22. D NICK JENSEN (+3), Green Bay (USHL), 53-6-21-27-35.

Jensen had a strong second half and was one of the top defensemen for the USHL champions, finishing with 35 points in 65 games overall.

23. LW DICK AXELSSON (-2), Farjestad (SWE), 15-6-4-10-24.

It's doubtful he'll ever come to North America again, at least as property of the Red Wings, but on skill alone, he stays on the list.

24. LW JULIEN CAYER (–), Clarkson (NCAA), 22-2-3-5-18.

A big guy who can crash and bang, Cayer has yet to develop any kind of an offensive dimension and is sliding because of it.

25. D BRYAN RUFENACH (NR), Clarkson (NCAA), 34-5-15-20-49.

A long-shot prospect, the small, skilled Rufenach could earn himself a contract if he cracks the point-per-game plateau next season.

[Wings4Life19 150]

how can people say the wings run of dominance is over? according to that list its only just begun

[Guest mindfly]

The #10 imo is very interesting, Lashoff that is, wings seem to have a thing for "smooth skating puck moving offensive defenseman" while this guy is big 6'3 (can add some 20 lbs and be 225) and responsible in his own end a bottom pair needs to be exactly like this not a bunch of lebdas and ericssons

[SweWings 45]

Nice to have a highly offensively skilled prospect coming up.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Tatar, Nyquist and Smith are the 3 I will be watching the closest this year... I think those 3 have a great chance of becoming very good NHL players - obviously Ritola and Kindl are NHL bound, so we'll see a lot more of them first hand...

All and all, I think we have a great amount of skill in the pipeline and these ratings seem pretty fair...

[dat's sick 1,002]

how can people say the wings run of dominance is over? according to that list its only just begun

There are a lot of interesting prospects in the Wings system, but I don't see a lot of potential top 6 forwards or top 4 d-men.

I really hope Tatar can keep developing though, maybe he could even get a call-up next season?

[weGotTheCup89 41]

14. D ADAM ALMQVIST (+5), HV-71 (SWE), 28-2-6-8-10.

Everyone knew Almqvist had some amazing skills, but no one expected him to progress this far, this quickly. After averaging more than two points per game in the Swedish under-20 ranks, Almqvist earned a promotion to the Swedish Elite League and put up 19 points in 44 games and helped HV-71 to a championship. Now it's time to spend the summer in the weight room.

I saw this kid play in the championship round in Stockholm, and I can attest, he did look very good. He made the highest jump out of anyone on the list, and I wouldn't be surprised if he did the same thing next year.

[hardcoretom21 71]

With that said, you guys think we'll see Tatar with the big boys at one point next season?

[stevkrause 1,247]

With that said, you guys think we'll see Tatar with the big boys at one point next season?

With us already most likely to be tapped out on roster spots, his age and other players in the system coming up on waiver ineligibility sooner (Mursak, Emmerton, etc...) I HIGHLY doubt it would come next year, or even within the following 2 years... I wouldn't COMPLETELY rule it out if he absolutely sets the AHL ablaze, but I just don't see him seeing any time with the big club until at LEAST 2012...

EDIT - Excluding pre-season/training camp obviously

Edited June 1, 2010 by stevkrause

[Echolalia 2,961]

With that said, you guys think we'll see Tatar with the big boys at one point next season?

I might like for him to see a game or two, perhaps in January/February more as motivation to continue working hard and prevent a second-half slump from occurring again. At the same time, I think its important for his development to get as many opportunities on a top line as possible, and that means spending the bulk of next season in GR.

[Konnan511 1,736]

With that said, you guys think we'll see Tatar with the big boys at one point next season?

No, sorry. Kid is going to be a stud in the NHL one day. But he'll be lucky to get a handful of games the season following next. He needs to bulk up and get more accustomed to the grind of a full NHL/AHL schedule. Can't wait for this kid to get his call-ups, though!

[Drake_Marcus 890]

The #10 imo is very interesting, Lashoff that is, wings seem to have a thing for "smooth skating puck moving offensive defenseman" while this guy is big 6'3 (can add some 20 lbs and be 225) and responsible in his own end a bottom pair needs to be exactly like this not a bunch of lebdas and ericssons

Ericsson was excellent defensively all through his AHL career. What makes you think Lashoff would be any different in the NHL?

We'll see how good E is in a few years-- I doubt his high water mark will be his rookie season.

[Guest mindfly]

I just don't like how Ericsson has played in the nhl thus far, i really hope he improves..like very soon, but my hopes for that kid aren't exactly high..

[Drake_Marcus 890]

No, sorry. Kid is going to be a stud in the NHL one day. But he'll be lucky to get a handful of games the season following next. He needs to bulk up and get more accustomed to the grind of a full NHL/AHL schedule. Can't wait for this kid to get his call-ups, though!

Right on the money. Tatar struggled with the transition to the AHL schedule last season-- he was excellent in the first half (nearly a point per game at age 18!) but he hit the wall at Christmas like most Europeans do. This coming season will be Tatar's time to really impress.

I can't wait to see how he does in Traverse City-- last year he was so good he got a contract.

[WorkingOvertime 536]

With that said, you guys think we'll see Tatar with the big boys at one point next season?

Probably not. If we call up a skill player, Mursak will be the first one in line. Hopefully we won't have enough injuries that Mursak and Tatar will be needed.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I just don't like how Ericsson has played in the nhl thus far, i really hope he improves..like very soon, but my hopes for that kid aren't exactly high..

Give him time man. He's not Lidstrom-- he will struggle a bit as he adjusts to the NHL. This isn't an easy league to play defense in!

But he showed glimpses of being top pairing quality in some games last season (though not as many as he did the year before). He also played well in the worlds-- where he was the Swede's leader in ice time (although he had a bad game against the Czechs).

[cjm502 165]

Give him time man. He's not Lidstrom-- he will struggle a bit as he adjusts to the NHL. This isn't an easy league to play defense in!

But he showed glimpses of being top pairing quality in some games last season (though not as many as he did the year before). He also played well in the worlds-- where he was the Swede's leader in ice time (although he had a bad game against the Czechs).

He played extremely well in the worlds. He still has a lot of potential that for one reason or another it just is not shining through. I guess that's why its called potential...

[uk_redwing 495]

Callahan keeps rising up the list

[newfy 695]

Callahan keeps rising up the list

Thats what I like to see. We may have the next Carcillo on our hands here.

If not then we at least have the next Rypien type(eventhough I tinhk Ripper is overrated)

[titanium2 867]

Thats what I like to see. We may have the next Carcillo on our hands here.

If not then we at least have the next Rypien type(eventhough I tinhk Ripper is overrated)

How often does Carcillo fight? Is he a major spotpicker?

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Callahan keeps rising up the list

He impressed Holland enough to earn a contract this summer... 2 years earlier than he had to and before Landon Ferraro got his contract. That speaks volumes for this kid's commitment to improving his game.

I'm betting that he's in GR as soon as he turns 20.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Our top 3 offensive prospects are Tatar, Mursak and Nyquist, Ferraro just behind.

Our top 3 defensive prospects are Kindl, Smith and Lashoff.

Should be some top 6 forwards and top 4 defencemen in that group, reason to be excited.

[Guest mindfly]

Was Ferraro a bust pick? Yeah he was injured and never got it going after he became healthy, he is nowhere near a 1st round pick (got bumped to early 2nd round but still)

[Doggy 130]

Was Ferraro a bust pick? Yeah he was injured and never got it going after he became healthy, he is nowhere near a 1st round pick (got bumped to early 2nd round but still)

Lol. What a stupid question to ask after one season.

[Guest mindfly]

Tatar looks ALOT better and they got him at 60th...