Post by NHLJets2point0 on Aug 9, 2012 15:03:44 GMT -5
Hockey Prospectus | Top 10 Prospects: Winnipeg Jets
by Corey Pronman
Full list of NHL Organizational Rankings
Winnipeg Jets Top 10 Prospects
1. Mark Scheifele, Center
2. Jacob Trouba, Defense
3. Ivan Telegin, Center
4. Paul Postma, Defense
5. Patrice Cormier, Center*
6. Carl Klingberg, Right Wing
7. Zach Redmond, Defense
8. Spencer Machacek, Right Wing
9. Julian Melchiori, Defense
10. Jason Gregoire, Left Wing
*I had considered Cormier graduated last season, but due to a change in prospect definition, he's still considered a prospect.
Organizational Ranking: 23rd
System Overview: The Jets system is pretty top heavy, as the overwhelming majority of their prospect value comes from their two top-tier prospects in Mark Scheifele and Jacob Trouba to go along with two pretty good prospects in Telegin and Postma. The talent level certainly falls off after that, and while the system has depth, it's mostly in terms of mid- to low-tier prospects.
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1. Mark Scheifele, Center
2010-11 Ranking: 2nd
Date of birth: 03/15/1993
Age: 19
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 184
Shoots: Right
Statistics: 47 GP, 23 G, 63 P (Barrie-OHL)
Acquired: First round, eighth overall in 2011 by Winnipeg
The Good: Mark Scheifele has high-end hockey sense and is an absolutely fantastic playmaker. He makes plays with his hands and vision every single shift and can have the offense flow through him. Scheifele is a good defensive center who is very responsible and aware for a junior-aged player. When he fills out, he'll be a good physical player in terms of protecting the puck and winning board battles.
The Bad: Scheifele's skating showed notable improvement this season, even at times looking pro-average, but he can still look a little sluggish at times. He needs to gain a good amount of strength before he's fully ready for the top level.
Projection: He could be a below-average top line center.
2. Jacob Trouba, Defense
2010-11 Ranking: N/A
Date of birth: 02/26/1994
Age: 18
Height: 6'2''
Weight: 193
Shoots: Right
Statistics: 54 GP, 9 G, 32 P (USA Under-18-USHL)
Acquired: First round, ninth overall in 2012 by Winnipeg
The Good: Trouba had a solid season, especially internationally, where he played unusually well for a 17-year-old defenseman at the World Juniors as a key part of the US Under-18 team winning another Gold Medal. He's a high-end skater and physical player who can defend very well because he stays with the fastest of forwards and he plays the body pretty well. Trouba is a smart defensive player who makes good reads. He's also a solid puck-mover with decent hands.
The Bad: Trouba has no glaring weakness other than he lacks a stand out offensive skill. At times, he will take a second too long with his puck-moving decisions as well.
Projection: His potential lies between a fringe top pairing defender and a great second pairing one.
3. Ivan Telegin, Center
2010-11 Ranking: 4th
Date of birth: 02/28/1992
Age: 20
Height: 6'4''
Weight: 185
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 46 GP, 35 G, 64 P (Saginaw-OHL)
Acquired: Fourth round, 101st overall in 2010 by Winnipeg (then Atlanta)
The Good: Telegin is a very gifted forward who can hurt in you in so many ways. He's an above-average skater who moves well for a 6'4" forward, and when he gets going in full stride, junior defensemen have little chance. He has good puck skills and can make impressive plays consistently. He certainly has a flashy element to his game, be it with his hands or his vision. Telegin also protects the puck well and drives the net with authority. He was used at center and wing this year.
The Bad: Telegin's main problem historically has been consistency, although this year, it wasn't the issue it was in years past. Some scouts also question if he can be a top-six guy, although others think he can be a great player.
Projection: He could be a great second line forward.
4. Paul Postma, Defense
2010-11 Ranking: 2nd
Date of birth: 02/22/1989
Age: 23
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 196
Shoots: Right
Statistics: 56 GP, 13 G, 44 P (Chicago-AHL)
Acquired: Seventh round, 205th overall in 2007 by Winnipeg (then Atlanta)
The Good: Postma skates very well, especially for a somewhat bigger defender, as he is very agile, fast, and mobile in all directions. He's a very good offensive defenseman with solid hands, with the ability to do a lot from the blue line. Postma has a bomb from the point, and when I've seen people track it in skills competitions, he gets logged in the mid to high 90s in miles per hour. He's started to physically fill out and could be average in that department.
The Bad: Hockey sense is Postma's Achilles heel, and while I think he's shown notable defensive improvement, he still makes some pretty bad decisions either with the puck or in terms of his defensive play.
Projection: He could be a decent second pairing defender who is great on the power play.
5. Patrice Cormier, Center
2010-11 Ranking: Graduated
Date of birth: 02/28/1992
Age: 22
Height: 6'2''
Weight: 215
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 56 GP, 18 G, 33 P (St. John's-AHL)
Acquired: Trade from New Jersey, drafted Second round, 54th overall in 2008 (New Jersey)
The Good: Cormier is a physically developed forward who plays a good physical game and will be able to be a good checker at the next level because of those traits and a good defensive game. He has decent hands and can make some plays offensively, and can also be a good net front presence. He's a versatile player who can make plays in either end, in all situations and play any forward position.
The Bad: Cormier is a below-average skater with an okay top speed but a stride that isn't perfect in regards to mechanics. His offensive upside isn't all that dangerous either even though he does have some. He won't be a primary puck carrier.
Projection: He could be an average third line center.
6. Carl Klingberg, Right Wing
2010-11 Ranking: 5th
Date of birth: 01/28/1991
Age: 21
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 205
Shoots: Right
Statistics: 66 GP, 15 G, 37 P (St. John's-AHL)
Acquired: Second round, 34th overall in 2009 by Winnipeg (then Atlanta)
The Good: Klingberg is able to hit a very desirable top gear, especially for a bigger man. He certainly has an above-average top speed, arguably even high-end. Klingberg has a decent amount of strength and he couples that along with his size to play a hard-working, physical brand of hockey which translates to him being high-end in that aspect of the game. He also has a plus shot and can really lean into some blasts.
The Bad: This season, I started hearing some complaints from scouts about Klingberg's skating in terms of his mechanics. While Klingberg has okay offensive skill he's not an overly creative player. He also needs to make quicker decisions.
Projection: He could be an average third line forward.
7. Zach Redmond, Defense
2010-11 Ranking: Unranked
Date of birth: 07/26/1988
Age: 24
Height: 6'2''
Weight: 205
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 72 GP, 8 G, 31 P (St. John's-AHL)
Acquired: Seventh round, 184th overall in 2008 by Winnipeg (then Atlanta)
The Good: Redmond is a pretty impressive skater with a solid to above-average top gear in addition to being very mobile in every direction. Redmond is an impressive thinker who gets praise from industry sources for his understanding of the game. He tends to always make good decisions, is an effective outlet passer, performs well in his own end, and shows decent instincts offensively.
The Bad: Redmond is not an overly skilled player and doesn't project as a notable points-producer in the NHL. He also tailed off a bit mid-season in the AHL, showing some effects from adjusting to the pro schedule as opposed to what he was used to in college.
Projection: He could be a fringe #4 to a good #5 defenseman.
8. Spencer Machacek, Right Wing
2010-11 Ranking: 6th
Date of birth: 10/14/1988
Age: 23
Height: 6'1''
Weight: 195
Shoots: Right
Statistics: 61 GP, 18 G, 50 P (St. John's-AHL)
Acquired: Third round, 67th overall in 2007 by Winnipeg (then Atlanta)
The Good: Machacek is a very hard-working player with a very desirable physical game. His work ethic translates to moderate defensive value as he has what one NHL source calls a "never quit attitude" on the ice and stays with his checks well.
The Bad: Machacek's skating is simply okay, as while he has decent agility, his top gear is below average. He doesn't look awful at any one thing, but his offensive creativity and decision-making also are slightly below average.
Projection: He could be a bottom-six winger.
9. Julian Melchiori, Defense
2010-11 Ranking: 7th
Date of birth: 12/06/1991
Age: 20
Height: 6'4''
Weight: 217
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 61 GP, 2 G, 36 P (Kitchener/Oshawa-OHL)
Acquired: Third round, 87th overall in 2010 by Winnipeg (then Atlanta)
The Good: Melchiori is an impressive skater who is notably above average and way above average for his size. He has a good top gear to rush the puck, a powerful first step, and good agility. He moves the puck at a decent level and can help transition it through his outlets and he's pretty effective bringing it up the ice himself. He's gotten notably stronger since last season and is effective in his own end.
The Bad: Melchiori tends to be a bit of a "safe" player who doesn't really have impressive offensive creativity. He also could use his body a little more.
Projection: He could be a good third pairing defender, and maybe a fringe #4.
10. Jason Gregoire, Left Wing
2010-11 Ranking: Unranked
Date of birth: 02/24/1989
Age: 23
Height: 6'0''
Weight: 196
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 44 GP, 6 G, 14 P (St. John's-AHL)
Acquired: College free agent
The Good: Gregoire is an above-average skater and thinker. He's also a pretty hard worker on the ice who has an "energy player" element and plays with a lot of intensity. When you combine all those elements, Gregoire displays impressive defensive value. He has a pretty good shot as well.
The Bad: Gregoire has some skill but he doesn't project as an offensive player. He had a rough season as he suffered through several injuries this season including a knee injury, although when he was healthy at the end of the season, he looked pretty good.
Projection: He could be a bottom-six winger.
The Next Five
11.Scott Kosmachuk, Right Wing: He's a good skater with some skill and he works hard. He won't wow you but has enough ability to be a decent pro.
12. Zachary Yuen, Defense: Yuen is a very impressive skater with above-average hockey sense and while he's not a null offense player, putting up points won't be his game as a pro.
13. Adam Lowry, Left Wing: Lowry is a pretty smart two-way forward with a good physical game and an okay amount of offensive skill. His skating is a little rough though. He missed a good portion of the year due to a broken bone in his wrist.
14. Lukas Sutter, Center: Sutter has a great on-ice work ethic to couple with defensive awareness and decent offensive vision. His skating needs work.
15. Brennan Serville, Defense: He's a mobile defender with fine size who plays the body, but don't expect much offense from him.
The Sleeper: Yasin Cisse, Right Wing
Years ago, Cisse was actually somewhat touted, but he's had an injury-filled career thus far. He's not an overly skilled player and does need to improve his skating, but he has some upside and plays a good power game.
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Winnipeg Jets Organizational Top 10
Players 22 or under as of 09/15/2012 or still considered a prospect as defined here.
1. Evander Kane, Center
2. Zach Bogosian, Defense
3. Alexander Burmistrov, Center
4. Mark Scheifele, Center
5. Jacob Trouba, Defense
6. Ivan Telegin, Center
7. Paul Postma, Defense
8. Patrice Cormier, Center
9. Carl Klingberg, Right Wing
10. Zach Redmond, Defense
I'm aware that this is a rather boring ranking, in that the three NHLers appear 1-2-3, although between Burmistrov and Scheifele, it was a hard call to make. Kane and Bogosian look to be on the path to be top-tier players for many years. Bogosian may never be an offensive juggernaut but he has high-end defensive upside and can certainly be a good offensive player. I love Burmistrov's puck skills and hockey sense, which is why despite the fact the production hasn't really come, I'm still optimistic about him. He's still pretty young, does fine at even strength, and has the potential to come around in a big way.
