Welcome to the 2014 edition of “Top Shelf Prospects”. As we go through the Summer of 2014 I will be featuring a team-by-team look at the top prospects in the NHL. I will go team by team through the NHL bringing you a look at each Teams Top Prospects. I will be following the order of the first round of the NHL draft (as if there were no traded draft picks) and you can find all the articles here. Since we had an extensive NHL Draft preview, I will not be reviewing the players who were drafted in the 2014 draft, as there have been no games since then, and my reports on them will not have changed. What I will be doing is linking you to those articles, as well as taking a look at prospects that were acquired before this year’s draft; their progress, and their chances of making the 2014-15 roster of the NHL team in question. I will also bring you one sleeper pick – a player who was either drafted in the 4th-round or later, or was an undrafted free agent signing who I pick as my darkhorse to make the NHL. For those wondering, the cut-off for what is or isn’t a prospect is typically about 50 NHL games played or being 25 years old. These are not hard or fast rules though, and I may make some exceptions depending on the circumstances.
While the Predators improved from their 2012-13 season, 2013-14 was still a year that saw the team finish below their goals, missing the playoffs yet again. An rare illness for star goaltender Pekka Rinne that caused him to miss the majority of the season caused major issues for the team. It was also a season that brought some major changes to Nashville, as the team traded away their first ever draft pick, David Legwand, at the NHL trade deadline. They also let go the only coach the team has ever had in Barry Trotz, replacing him with the more offensive minded Peter Laviolette.
2014-15 though offers a lot of promise. The Predators have had a real solid off-season, trading for James Neal, signing some new key pieces including some good gambles on Olli Jokinen, Mike Ribeiro and Derek Roy to bring some offensive punch down the middle; and adding Anton Volchenkov’s rugged play on the back end. Add to that a full season of Rinne, and the continued development of young studs Filip Forsberg and Seth Jones, along with the leadership of one of the NHL’s best defencemen in Shea Weber and things could be looking up for the Preds next year.
2014 NHL Draft Picks (Reviewed by LWOS): Kevin Fiala, Vladislav Kamenev,Jack Dougherty, Justin Kirkland,
Graduates: Seth Jones, Mattias Ekholm,
Top Nashville Predators Prospects
Top Prospect: Filip Forsberg, RW/LW
Born Aug 13 1994; Ostervala, Sweden
Height 6.02 — Weight 176 — Shoots Right
Drafted in the 1st round of the 2012 NHL Draft, 11th Overall by the Washington Capitals,
Traded to the Nashville Predators in April 2013
In what was a shocking trade at the 2013 NHL trade deadline, the Nashville Predators acquired Filip Forsberg from the Washington Capitals for Martin Erat and Michael Latta. From my perspective, this move was a steal by Nashville as they acquired one of the best prospects from the 2012 Draft. The questions on Forsberg were always about whether his skill would translate on the scoreboard as he, like most 17 year olds, showed flashes of talent but struggled to put up points playing against men in 2011-12. In 2012-13, Forsberg was again playing against men as a member of Leksand in the Swedish Allvenskan, and put up 33 points in 38 games, answering many of the questions. After the end of his year in Sweden, he even came to North America where he made his NHL debut, and got his first NHL point, an assist, in 5 NHL games.
2013-14 was Forsberg’s first full year in North America and he put up 34 points in 47 games with the Milwaukee Admirals, and scored his first NHL goal, and picked up 5 points in 13 NHL games.
Forsberg is a versatile forward, capable of playing either wing position. Some scouts say he’s a power forward in the making, and he certainly tries to play that style of game. He’s willing to hit opponents, throw his body around, and drive the net. Prior to the 2012 Draft Forsberg was very skinny, and his ability to stand up to the rigors of the NHL playing that power forward style was certainly questioned. However Forsberg has used the last year to improve in this area, he’s not 100% of the way there yet, but is much improved. He still will need to add some muscle to his frame before he’s ready for the rigors of the NHL on a nigh
Forsberg is not all power though, as he is also extremely skilled. He’s got an excellent shot with a very quick and deceptive release that often fools goaltenders. He is also a very talented passer and is able to threading the needle through sticks and skates, and make crafty saucer passes at times to give linemates high quality scoring opportunities. Forsberg is also talented stickhandler and adept at using his body to protect the puck and extend plays to allow his teammates time to get open. If there is a criticism it is that he can sometimes seem to forget about these skills and develop a sort of tunnel vision where he shoots everything on net. This seems to happen if his team really needs a goal, or if he is in a slump. He will need to correct this and continue to be patient and play a smart game in key moments. It is something he should improve with maturity.
Forsberg is a hardworking, willing backchecker. He has good defensive awareness and is effective in all three zones on the ice. He understands defensive positioning and is a good shot blocker and is able to effectively cut down passing lanes as well as an opponent’s time and space. With his defensive game, and his offensive potential, I would expect that he will be given every opportunity in training camp to start next season with the big club.
#2 Prospect, Calle Jarnkrok, Centre/Right
Born Sep 25 1991 — Gavle, Sweden
Height 6.00 — Weight 176 — Shoots R
Selected by Detroit Red Wings round 2 #51 overall 2010 NHL Entry Draft
Traded to the Nashville Predators in March 2014
Jarnkrok has been a regular for Sweden at the World Championships the last three years. He was also been a top center for Brynas in the Swedish Elitserien, helping them to the Swedish Championship in 2012. He came over to North America for the 2013-14 season and after a promising start in with Grand Rapids in the AHL, the Red Wings traded him to Nashville as part of the David Legwand deal. Jarnkrok exploded in the Nashville organization though, going better than a point per game in the AHL and putting up 7 points in 9 NHL games.
Jarnkrok shows a long, smooth and powerful skating stride that gives him excellent top end speed. However his first few steps are a bit awkward and could use some work as it really robs him of acceleration when he has to change direction, or when starting up. He does have good agility though, and the balance, power and non-stop motor that helps him to fight through checks.
Jarnkrok has an outstanding wrist shot and release that are near NHL ready. He also is a very good puck career and protects the puck well in the corners and down low on the cycle game. A tenacious forechecker he fights hard in the corners when the puck is loose as well. He’s not a big hitter, but he’s a battler who just never gives up on the play. His good vision, playmaking and hockey sense can lead to some great passes and set ups for teammates, but he also has a tendency to rely too much on his shot at times. Expect him to fight for a job in training camp, however the Preds new depth at centre doesn’t do him any favors and likely means he will need to impress on the wing in order to win a job to start the year. Still I believe he will see significant NHL time this year, as even if he is sent down he is still a top call-up option in case of injuries due to his versatility and offensive potential.
#3 Prospect Colton Sissons, RW/Centre
Born Nov 5 1993 — North Vancouver, BC
Height 6.01 — Weight 190 — Shoots Right
Drafted in the 2nd round of the 2012 draft, 50th Overall by the Nashville Predators
Colton Sissons made the jump from juniors to pro hockey this year, and had a solid rookie season. He put up 25 goals and 44 points in 62 games for the Milwaukee Admirals. Sissons played well enough to earn an NHL callup and scored his first NHL goal, while playing 17 games, in limited minutes, for the Predators.
Sissons is the type of player that every coach dreams about. He oozes intangibles. He’s a great all-around player, who plays hard in all three zones, and who never takes a shift off. Sissons will go through a wall if he thinks it will help his team win. He’s a heart and soul type guy.
Sissons also possesses some offensive skill. He’s got a hard and accurate shot with a quick release. Sissons is also a good playmaker, he has good vision and can set up teammates in the offensive zone. He has decent stick handling ability, but is far more likely to try and bull his way through a defender and take the puck right to the net, than he is to try to get around him with fancy moves. Sissons is a strong forechecker and his tireless work ethic helps him to win many board battles.
Sissons is a sound defensive player. This is another area his non-stop motor and ability to win board battles comes into play. He is good positionally in the defensive zone and blocks a lot of shots. We have often seen Sissons used in a matchup type of role where he is expected to both play against the other teams’ top line, and bring his much needed offence to the Rockets’ attack.
Sissons skating has improved over the last two years but he still could use some more work. His stride is unorthodox and inefficient, robbing him of energy over the course of a game. His top end speed is average, maybe even a hair above average, but its nothing to right home about. His agility needs work, and he could also stand to develop a quicker first step and better acceleration. It has been something he has clearly worked on though, as he is much better than he was when Nashville drafted him. Still there are more steps to take. Expect to see Sissons in the AHL, with some callups due to injuries.
Super Sleeper: Juuse Saros, Goaltender
Born April 19 1995 — Hämeenlinna, FIN
Height 5’10″ — Weight 181 lbs — Shoots Left — Catches Left
Drafted in the 4th round, 99th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators.
It was a huge season for Juuse Saros. Not only did he lead Finland to a gold medal at the World Juniors, and was named to the all-star team of that tournament, he also put up a 1.76 GAA and a .923 save percentage in 44 games in Finland’s top Men’s league.
In contrast to many of the goalies who are currently taking over the hockey world, Saros is considered a shorter goalie, and a reflex guy, measuring in at just 5’10″ at the recent NHL Combine. Saros makes up for his lack of height with fantastic athleticism. He is a great skater in the crease, moving forwards and backwards to cut down angles and take away in tight moves, and really having stellar lateral movement to take away the cross crease pass. He tracks the puck well and is rarely caught out of position. He is extremely agile with really quick legs that take away the bottom of the net. Up top his glove hand is very good, and he is decent on the blocker side. Saros seems to be mentally strong and composed. He doesn’t let the bad goals get to him and recovers quickly from them.
Like many young goalies, Saros can sometimes have an issue with rebound control, and he will need to focus on improving that aspect of his game going forward. He also lacks the puck handling ability that is popular amongst many goalies in the NHL today.
Saros may not be the prototypical goaltender, but he gets the job done. Expect another year in Finland though, and another WJC appearance before he makes his way to North America.
The Predators have used some smart trades and good drafting to build an impressive youth system. With Seth Jones on the team, and Filip Forsberg ready to make the jump, they have a pair of young, elite talents. Kevin Fiala is a real boom or bust prospect, while Kamenev, Dougherty and Kirkland gave the team a solid draft. Adding them to the depth in Nashville from players like Pontus Aberg, Brandon Leipsec, Jimmy Vesey, Taylor Beck, Anthony Bitetto, Austin Watson, and Jonathan Diaby continue to provide a system that is full of depth. The Preds have always been strong in goal, and Magnus Hellberg and Marek Mazanec add to that depth. In fact Mazanec was almost our super sleeper, but with 25 games in the NHL, and a rookie of the month award we didn’t really feel he was a “sleeper” anymore. GM David Poile has consistently gotten results in Nashville despite their resources (high draft picks, and money at times) being more limited than the big boys and this prospect system should allow that to continue. The Predators are again on the rise, and soon to be on the prowl.
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