Ah, Hockeysfuture.com – the hockey fans main resource for info on your team’s future stars along with it’s sister site of a place to kill brain cells/have a few laughs (HFBoards). Recently, they posted the Jackets top 20 prospects and, well, as the fanbase’s resident guru/geek (whichever you prefer) I went over the list and, much like The Hockey News list featured in my State of the Prospect Pool post, I’ve got some issues. Much like THN’s list, in my opinion it still feels like “hey what are you guys doing here?”, in addition to having a few rank order problems. It was pointed out to me that HF has criteria of what it qualifies as a prospect but since this is my post I’m gonna give my own take on HF’s and then post my list.
First things first lets look at theirs:
- D Ryan Murray
- F Cam Atkinson
- D Tim Erixon
- F Boone Jenner
- G Oscar Dansk
- D David Savard
- F Jonathan Audy-Marchessault
- D Cody Goloubef
- D Dalton Prout
- D Austin Madaisky
- G Joonas Korpisalo
- D Mike Reilly
- F T.J. Tynan
- G Allen York
- F Lukas Sedlak
- F Michael Chaput
- F Daniel Zaar
- F Seth Ambroz
- D Will Weber
- F Spencer Machacek
Okay first things first, I’m going to take Atkinson and Erixon out right now, as they are the only two I’m taking out due to their being full time NHLers now (need I say more?). After this revision, there is also a good bit of movement in my list:
- D Ryan Murray
- F Boone Jenner
- G Oscar Dansk
- F Jonathan Audy-Marchessault
- D Dalton Prout
- G Joonas Korpisalo
- D Cody Goloubef
- D Mike Reilly
- F T.J. Tynan
- G Anton Forsberg
- David Savard
- Michael Chaput
- Lukas Sedlak
- Daniel Zaar
- Sean Collins
- Allen York
- Austin Madaisky
- Josh Anderson
- Spencer Machacek
- Gianluca Curcuruto
1. Ryan Murray (HF Rank 1)
Yes, even with being injured since November, Murray remains this team’s top prospect and will hold onto that spot until the draft and will probably remain in the top three no matter what the CBJ do at the draft.
2. Boone Jenner (HF Rank 4)
Boone, after Murray, is the team’s most NHL ready prospect that hasn’t been playing in Springfield. That will soon change as the Generals were just eliminated from the playoffs and he’s headed to the AHL. Yes Jackets fans, I was happy to be proven correct that he’s going to Springfield – Jarmo and JD aren’t going to burn a year of his ELC this season.
3. Oscar Dansk (HF Rank 5)
Okay, Oscar had a rough year in Erie but who didn’t? Oscar is the team’s top goalie prospect but, despite what some media said on deadline day, he’s still a year (if not two) away from making his pro debut and by that I mean in Springfield, with another year or two there before he joins the CBJ.
4. Jonathan Audy-Marchessault (HF Rank 7)
Jonathan is probably the organization’s most skilled prospect as he is currently sitting among the AHL leaders in scoring all season and was among the leading rookie scorers last season. Jonathan should get a look in training camp but will need to lock down a top 6 spot to play in Columbus next season.
5. Dalton Prout (HF Rank 9)
You’re probably wondering why Dalton is on the list while playing in the NHL and Cam and Tim are not. I think even though he could become a fixture for the big club (he’s one of the only true defensive defenseman we have in the organization) I believe he will have to fight for a spot with Ryan Murray and Cody Goloubef among others in training camp next season.
6. Joonas Korpisalo (HF Rank 11)
Joonas Korpisalo and Oscar Dansk could be a fun duel to watch with both of them being drafted in the same year and taking different paths to the NHL. Joonas will hopefully stick either with Jokerit’s J20 team or as the main club’s back up; but, as I say with our goalie prospects/players who have options (NHL/AHL/CHL) I want them playing as much as possible before they hit the NHL so the J20 team where Joonas had decent numbers would be the best option.
7. Cody Goloubef (HF Rank 8)
Cody is the highest draft pick on this list other than Ryan Murray (same pick number as Boone Jenner) and received an extended look on the Blue Jackets blueline where he did not look out-of-place. Cody is having decent year in Springfield and would probably already have eclipsed his career high in points had it not been for missing two months with an injury.
8. Mike Reilly (HF Rank 12)
Mike Reilly will return to Minnesota next season and should get a bump in icetime/opportunity with the Gophers losing three defensemen to graduation/early departures. Mike is one of the Jackets more skilled prospects and most skilled defensive prospects using his skating/puck handling to create offense.
9. TJ Tynan (HF Rank 13)
TJ is another Cam Atkinson but where Cam scores goals, TJ sets them up. TJ’s offense numbers have dropped since his 54 point freshman year and he will be missing his partner in crime with power forward Anders Lee leaving to join the Islanders (chose Long Island over South Bend? Eh, money talks). This coming season will be a make or break season for TJ as he is a senior and the Jackets must decide if they’re going to sign him.
10. Anton Forsberg (HF Rank N/A)
Anton was the Jackets top goalie prospect statistically this season and I think he should be brought over to play in the AHL, but Anton is a seventh round pick so another year in Sweden wouldn’t hurt him. Now as for next season, Anton should be back with MODO hopefully playing as the team’s number one goalie after a solid regular season in Sweden’s tier 2 league.
11. David Savard (HF Rank 6)
I have to admit, at first I left David Savard off this list but was persuaded to put him back on. David has seemed to hit a development wall which could lead to him either being brought back for a short-term deal or maybe moved for draft picks before July 5th.
12. Michael Chaput (HF Rank 16)
Michael is one of the Jackets top two-way center prospects whose calling card, at least while in the QMJHL, was winning faceoffs (AHL doesn’t keep track). Michael’s offense is coming along as he led AHL rookies in scoring for January with 12 points while having only single digit points in every other month. Michael did briefly get called up to Columbus on emergency recall but has yet to make his NHL debut.
13. Lukas Sedlak (HF Rank 15)
Lukas is a smaller Michael Chaput. He maybe not as skilled as Michael, but it’s very close. Lukas is Blue Jackets property as it was just announced that he signed his 3-year ELC on April 10. According to a writer I speak to in Chicoutimi, I’m not sure where he’ll be playing next season as he’s returned to the Czech Republic and the writer told me Chicoutimi will draft two Europeans in the CHL Import Draft. If one doesn’t report, Lukas can return but it’s up in the air.
14. Daniel Zaar (HF Rank 17)
Daniel is another skill player among the Jackets prospects but probably the only real goal scoring threat, as he possesses a wicked shot which he uses for one timers. Daniel hopefully will stick on one of Rogle’s top two lines next year when the team moves down to SEL-2 where he played 15 games this season while on loan.
15. Sean Collins (HF Rank N/A)
Sean Collins has put together a solid rookie season in Springfield while also making his NHL debut. Collins is a versatile power forward who, if he’s going to stick in the NHL, it’s going to be because of the little things he does and not really his offense, I think of him as possibly a new Andrew Murray.
16. Allen York (HF Rank 14)
The forgotten goalie prospect Allen York surprised people last season when he was thrust into action when Steve Mason was injured. Due to injuries and getting stuck behind AHL All-Star Curtis McElhinney, Allen has only played in 16 games this season, compiling a record of 10-6. Allen, like all the CBJ goalies, is a free agent but should be re-signed to either take over the Falcons crease or continue learning from an experienced starter.
17. Austin Madaisky (HF Rank 10)
Austin could’ve been sent back to Kamloops to help the Blazers (and if you ask the writers I talk to he should have been) but we decided to keep him in the minors. Austin put together a solid stretch in Evansville before an injury sidetracked for an extended period of time before returning. Austin is another one of the Jackets’ good young defensemen hopefully finding a consistent spot on either Springfield or Evansville’s (or whoever we’re affiliated with next year) blueline next season.
18. Josh Anderson (HF Rank N/A)
Josh Anderson had a coming out year for the London Knights this season almost doubling last years total in every statistical category. Josh played on a line with two possible first round picks, and while I always have to note that London is loaded, it’s still a credit to Josh that he he played in the top 6 all season. I’m biased a little towards Josh as, unlike a lot of Blue Jacket fans (you know who you are), I decided to give him a chance before bashing him at the draft. Most of Josh’s goals were scored off deflections, using his 6’2 frame to set screens, with a few breakaways mixed in.
19. Spencer Machacek (HF Rank 20)
Machacek is the player the Jackets got in the Tomas Kubalik trade. Spencer has found his offensive game in Springfield picking up eight points in 12 games after scoring 25 in 57 with St. John’s. Spencer is a second third line style player who uses his size to create havoc for defenders. He played 13 games for Winnipeg last season, scoring 9 points, so there is some hope for him yet.
20. Gianluca Curcuruto (HF Rank N/A)
To say a change of scenery did Gianluca good would be an understatement. Gianluca went from the bottom feeding Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds to one of the top teams in the OHL’s Western Conference, the Plymouth Whalers. Gianluca, like Anderson, erupted for 47 points after scoring only 42 points his first two season combined. Gianluca’s best trait is his big shot from the point which he uses to either score from the point or generate rebounds.
There you have it folks my top 20 Blue Jackets prospects. As for next season, maybe I’ll do an every month or so top 10/20 or at least revisit this list after the draft. Like that idea? Agree / disagree with my ranking? Sound off in the comments!
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