The Mule Hockey News' Top 50 Prospects
1. Alexander Svitov (18,73)-Tampa Bay- This guy's development has been phenomenal, as he has jumped ahead of both Spezza and Kovalchuk in the rankings. He's on his way to becoming a great power forward.
2. Jason Spezza (18,71)-Los Angeles- Spezza is a magician with the puck, and his development seems to be right on schedule. With the talent he brings to the organization, Spezza will likely be the Kings' #1 center within 2 seasons.
3. Ilya Kovalchuk (18,64)-Atlanta- Although his mule development has been kept to a minimum, Kovalchuk is too much of a real-life talent to let this affect his ranking. He ought to get a superb NHL re-rate sometime down the line. TMHN projects him as a future superstar.
4. Mikko Koivu (18,70)-Minnesota- Koivu's improvement has been excellent, and he has silenced the critics who kept saying that he wasn't even top 10 material on draft day. Koivu is well on his way to becoming Minnesota's franchise player.
5. Rostislav Klesla (18,60)-NY Islanders- Similar to Kovalchuk in that his Mule development has been stunted, Klesla's real-life potential may make him the next Chris Pronger...something that will definitly warrent an NHL re-rate in the future.
6. Petr Schastlivy (21,76)-Ottawa- Just as many people were beginning to give up on Schastlivy, he took his game to the next level. Becoming the Senators' future first line left winger is no longer out of the question for this young man.
7. Ales Hemsky (18,68)-Edmonton- Hemsky is a great skater that, unlike the Oilers' other speed demon, Todd Marchant, is above average when handling the puck. Hemsky has a great upside, and his flashiness gives Oilers' fans something to get excited about. He'll fit in really well with this team.
8. Jeff Woywitka (18,68)-Philadelphia- Woywitka is a very steady defencemen that will likely be very underrated in the future. He may very well become the Flyers' best defencemen, yet he will often go unnoticed in hockey games, as he makes very few mistakes and isn't the most exciting player to watch.
9. Carlo Colaiacovo (18,68)-Chicago- It always seemed like Woywitka and Colaiacovo were fighting with one another for their status prior to the draft. Both have improved dramatically, and even now, the votes between them are coming in at almost 50-50.
10. Greg Watson (18,68)-Nashville- Watson could very well be the surprise of the 2001 Entry Draft. Taken early in the 2nd round, Nashville would have been justified by taking him with their first round pick, 30 picks ahead of where he was taken. Watson has shown the desire to get better, and it is paying off.
11. Taylor Pyatt (19,71)-Buffalo- This guy is the complete package. He has no real weaknesses, and if his development maintains it's current pace, he will become a very good all-around winger.
12. Stanislav Chistov (18,67)-Chicago- Chistov's stock has dropped slightly, but he is still one of the MuleFHL's elite prospects. He could very well be the MuleFHL's most skilled prospect, but some scouts are skeptical because of his size.
13. Victor Uchevatov (18,67)-New Jersey- Uchevatov is a monster that was originally thought to have an upside similar to Igor Ulanov. However, he has improved drastically over the last few months, and he can now change the momentum of a game with one hit...and his offensive game is no longer completely horrible.
14. Marc Popovic (18,67)-New Jersey- Acquired in the Scott Niedermayer trade...could he be the next Scott Niedermayer?
15. Robb Zepp (19,69)-Carolina- Zepp's development has come a long way over the past few months, and he is now considered by some to be the best goaltending prospect in the game. Zepp may be the most exciting thing for Hurricanes fans since the team moved to Carolina.
16. Matthieu Garon (22,75)-Edmonton- After being hidden behind Hackett and Theodore, Garon's potential has been unleashed since being dealt to he Oilers'. When Hasek retires, Oilers' fans won't have anything to worry about because Garon will be good enough to take over where Hasek left off.
17. Mike Komisarek (19,68)-New Jersey- Thus far in his career, Komisarek has been a text-book defensive defencemen. He thrives on his consistency and powerful hitting ability, but his offensive game has yet to impress...many scouts feel that if he can develop his offensive game, he's a sure bet for stardom.
18. Tuomo Ruutu (18,66)-Chicago- With all of the gritty young hockey players in the family, one might think that the Ruutu brothers are the Finnish version of the Sutter brothers. Tuomo is easily the most skilled of the brothers, yet he still offers the same grit that the family is known for.
19. Dany Heatley (20,63)-Atlanta- Heatley hasn't developed in the MuleFHL yet, but in the NHL, he should become a first line winger. Atlanta will be counting on getting an NHL re-rate for him sometime in the future.
20. Jonathan Cheechoo (20,72)-San Jose- Cheechoo has come out of nowhere to become the Sharks' best prospect. Cheechoo has learned how to use his skating to his advantage, and it has shown over the past few months.
21. Maxime Ouellet (20,68)-Tampa Bay- Ouellet has consistently been considered one of the top three goaltender prospects for the last two years, and that isn't going to change here. Ouellet is a sure-bet future starting goaltender.
22. Kris Beech (19,65)-Washington- Beech was obviously the biggest part of the Jagr deal for the Penguins, so they are obviously sold on the fact that he will be one of the NHL's elite players in the future. TMHN is almost as optimistic, and despite his stunted Mule development, his NHL potential may eventually result in a respectible NHL re-rate.
23. Jani Rita (19,62)-Edmonton- Unfortunately, Rita has seen absoloutly no development in the MuleFHL. However, being the 3rd ranked prospect by THN is enough to warrent him a decent spot in the MTHN top 50.
24. Jamie Lundmark (20,63)-Buffalo- Lundmark is another player who's Mule development has been kept to a minimum, but if he develops into the Joe Sakic type player that he is projected to be, he could very well be a superstar sometime in his career.
25. Pavel Brendl (19,67)-Nashville- Brendl is still showing off his tremendous talent, but oftentimes he still looks selfish and disinterested. If Brendl can improve his work ethic, he can be Nashville's franchise player.
26. Yannik Lehoux (19,67)-Los Angeles- Kings' GM, Russ Houghson, thinks that Lehoux will be the next Mario Lemieux. He may be a bit optimistic, but it doesn't seem like anybody is going to question Lehoux' offensive skills.
27. Pavel Vorobiev (19,67)-Chicago- Vorobiev strives on his strength and intensity. However, he still has the offensive potential to be a top 2 line player. He doesn't really have any glaring weaknesses, but he isn't too flashy either.
28. Adam Munro (18,65)-Chicago- Munro, thought to be a stretch when drafted in the first round by the Blackhawks is making the skeptics look like fools. Munro's development has been exceptional, and he is now one of the Mule's top goalie prospects.
29. Igor Knyazev (18,62)-Carolina- Knyazev's strong all-around game makes him a sure-fire NHLer, and he will likely be a #2-4 defencemen in Carolina a few years from now.
30. Bryan Allen (20,70)-Vancouver- Bryan Allen has finally recovered from his injury, and he is almost ready to step into the Canucks' line-up. It looks like he may even be in good enough condition to reach his maximum potential.
31. Jordan Krestanovich (20,70)-Detroit- Krestanovich is a surprisingly consistent hockey player with good speed and passing ability. He has also shown some grit at the minor league level; he's the type of player that will be able to bring his team out of a slump.
32. Ari Ahonen (20,68)-Chicago- With Munro just ahead of Ahonen in the rankings, the Blackhawks, who once had no reason to be optimistic about their goaltending situation, possibly have the right to be the most optimistic team in the league when it comes to their goaltender prospects...or prospects in general.
33. Alexei Semenov (20,68)-Buffalo- Semenov has the potential to be an excellent defensive defencemen that will chip in offensively on occasion. Semenov does everything that you can expect a defencemen to do.
34. Ron Hainsey (20,67)-Los Angeles- Hainsey and Poti were acquired in the same deal,and they will likely become very similar defencemen in the future. Which one will be the #1 defencemen and which will be the #2 defencemen will likely be decided by Hainsey's progress.
35. Mika Noronen (21,65)-Buffalo- The top goaltender in the AHL last year has the potential to become one of the NHL's elite goaltenders, but he has been unable to show off his skills with Buffalo's great depth in goal.
36. Josh Holden (22,74)-Vancouver- Holden is another one of those players that many had lost faith in, but it looks like he may be able to salvage his career and become a steady 2nd liner. I guess he was just a late bloomer.
37. Duncan Milroy (18,64)-New Jersey- Milroy isn't an exciting or flashy hockey player, but his consistency, intensity, and great work ethic is only exceeded by a very small group of hockey players.
38. Steve Ott (18,64)-Dallas- Steve Ott is pretty mighty for his 160lb frame. This little agitator always finds a way to get under the other team's skin, and he knows how to contribute both offensively and defensively. He is the type of player that is valuble in the playoffs, and he may see some NHL action this year during the Stars' quest for the Stanley Cup.
39. Jiri Dopita (32,64)-Philedelphia- Dopita has been the most dominant player in Europe for the last few years. This year, he has decided to come over to North America, and he will make an immediate impact for the already stacked Philedelphia Flyers.
40. Radim Vrbata (19,66)-Colorado- Vrbata has been impressive with his transition to the AHL, as he has still been able to utilize his offensive skills. If he can make a similar transition to the NHL in a season or two, he could make it as an effective second liner.
41. Matt Cooke (22,73)-Vancouver- Cooke is defensively responsible, and he is a good passer. He has shown great improvement over the past year, and he will likely become a Darcy Tucker type player.
42. Nikos Tselios (21,70)-Carolina- Tselios, a relative of Dallas' Chris Chelios, is a very good checker and is more in the mould of a #4 defencemen. Despite this, many feel that he has some offensive potential that could eventually translate into him to becoming a good #2 defencemen.
43. Dan Hinote (23,73)-Colorado-Hinote has made a strong impression this season through consistent hard work and his nose for the net in Hershey and in his brief call-up to the Avalanche. Expect him to become a regular for the team very shortly.
44. Aris Brismanis (28,76)-NY Islanders- Brismanis has come out of nowhere to becoming a dominant force in the AHL. If he can use his new-found skills effectively at the NHL level, he can step in right away as the Islanders' #1 or #2 defencemen.
45. Grant McNeill (18,63)-Nashville- McNeill is ready for the NHL right now, but he would be a fighter. The Predators believe that if they keep him in the minors, he will be able to develop some creativity and may even work his way onto one of the top two lines.
46. Serge Payer (20,69)-Florida- When this guy is on his game, he's one of the best young snipers that can be found anywhere...but when he's off his game, some wonder if he's even AHL quality.
47. Jaroslav Kristek (20,68)-Buffalo - Scouts seem to have differing opinions on Kristek. Some think he'll be a career AHLer, while others think he has the potential to be a 1st or 2nd liner. He has great speed and is great when he has control of the puck, but he is possibly the most streaky prospect around right now.
48. Pascal LeClaire (18,62)-Montreal- LeClaire's development has been slowed by being the backup goaltender in the QMJHL, but he is very excited about playing for the Montreal Canadiens, and his work ethic has improved dramatically. Expect LeClaire's stock to rise over the next season.
49. Adrian Foster (18,62)-New Jersey- Adrian Foster, the guy who only played 5 games in the WHL last season...the guy not even ranked by CSB on draft day, seems to have become another one of those "snake" picks the Devils seem to make every year late in the first or second round of the draft.
50. Michael Garnett (18,62)-Atlanta- Garnett's development for Atlanta has been a pleasant surprise. However, the Thrashers likely want to see him develop much quicker because their MFHL goaltending tandem is not going to get them into the playoffs.
Honorable Mention:
Alexei Volkov(20,66)-Los Angeles
Rene Vydareny(22,66)-Vancouver
Artem Chubarov(21,68)-Vancouver
Jay Rullier(21,68)-Los Angeles
Adam Mair(21,68)-Los Angeles
Christian Berglund(21,67)-New Jersey
Alexander Drozdetsky(19,64)-Philedelphia
Barret Jackman(20,65)-St.Louis
Eric Chouinard(20,65)-Detroit
Dan Cavanaugh(20,65)-Minnesota
Vaclav Nederost(19,63)-Vancouver
Anton Volchenkov(19,63)-Chicago
Lars Jonsson(19,63)-San Jose
Boris Prostenko(22,71)-Pittsburgh
Paul Martin(20,66)-New Jersey
Top Unrated Prospects:
Stephen Weiss - Florida
Kristian Huselius - Florida
Jeff Jillson - San Jose
Dan Blackburn - NY Rangers
Michal Sivek - Washington
Ilja Brzygalov - Nashville
Brent Krahn - Calgary
Lukas Krajicek - Florida
Kristian Kudroc - Boston
Libor Ustrnul - Atlanta
Justin Maplesoft - NY Islanders
Brian Sutherby - Washington
Shaone Morrison - Boston
Alexander Polushin - Tampa Bay
Tony Salmalainen - Edmonton
by Richard Eisenbraun (Devils' GM/Commish)