Core Four: Canucks' top 4 under 24

[Down by the River]

http://www.tsn.ca/ranking-nhl-team-s-u-24-core-four-1.637741

 

 

The Canucks were ranked 21st by Button and co. in terms of the top four players in the organization under 24.

 

It should be noted that although they have a pretty low ranking, their two best players under 24 are not yet NHL-ready. In contrast, looking at the top 10, only one team had a player that was not in the NHL (Buffalo's Nylander).

 

Scoop: So much of the Canucks’ future plans are riding on the development of Juolevi, picked fifth overall last June, as they try and rebuild from the backend. He was first defenceman taken by Vancouver in the first round since 2005.

 

I would have Stetcher>Hutton, but NHL executives were polled October 1st. 

 

When you look at the teams in the bottom 10, the Canucks standout in terms of at least having a couple blue chip prospects. The rest are team's with mid-first round picks and those age 21-23 that are not elite NHLers.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

20. NASHVILLE PREDATORS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Filip Forsberg, LW	22	Nashville	33	5	14	19
2. Juuse Saros, G	21	Nashville	5	2-2-1	1.39	.950
3. Viktor Arvidsson, RW	23	Nashville	33	9	14	23
4. Dante Fabbro, RD	18	Boston U (NCAA)	15	3	3	6

Scoop: The case could be made that Arvidsson, 23, has been the Preds’ best player this season. He is tied for the team lead in scoring with Ryan Johansen, who aged out of this experiment.

 

 

22. DETROIT RED WINGS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Dylan Larkin, C/LW	20	Detroit	33	10	2	12
2. Andreas Athanasiou, C	22	Detroit	19	5	1	6
3. Anthony Mantha, RW	21	Detroit	18	5	5	10
4. Dennis Cholowski, LD	18	St. Cloud State (NCAA)	16	1	8	9

Scoop: Larkin can score. Athanasiou can fly. Mantha is trying to put it all together. The Red Wings’ core is not devoid of talent, but lacks consistency and depth.

 

23. OTTAWA SENATORS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Thomas Chabot, LD	19	Saint John (QMJHL)	14	5	15	20
2. Cody Ceci, RD	21	Ottawa	34	0	2	2
3. Logan Brown, C	18	Windsor (OHL)	15	8	13	21
4. Colin White, C	19	Boston College (NCAA)	18	10	7	17

Scoop: Three of Ottawa’s core four players aren’t on the NHL roster, which bodes well for a Sens team already nipping and clawing at a playoff spot. Chabot will get all the minutes he can handle in a top-pairing role for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship.

 

24. WASHINGTON CAPITALS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Andre Burakovsky, RW	21	Washington	28	3	9	12
2. Ilya Samsonov, G	19	Magnitogorsk (KHL)	19	12-1-3	2.06	.936
3. Jakub Vrana, RW	20	Washington	10	1	2	3
4. Tom Wilson, RW	22	Washington	31	2	0	2

Scoop: Burakovsky, 21, has taken a step back this season, sitting as a healthy scratch for Barry Trotz while his production numbers have sagged. 

 

25. NEW YORK ISLANDERS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Ryan Strome, C	23	NY Islanders	29	4	4	8
2. Mathew Barzal, C	19	Seattle (WHL)	13	2	17	19
3. Anthony Beauvillier, C/LW	19	NY Islanders	23	3	5	8
4. Kiefer Bellows, LW	18	Boston U (NCAA)	15	4	2	6

Scoop: Two seasons ago, Strome was a 50-point player as a 21-year-old. This year, he has been a healthy scratch under Jack Capuano, fitting the Islanders’ overall one-step-forward, two-steps-back theme.

 

26. SAN JOSE SHARKS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Timo Meier, RW	19	San Jose	3	1	0	1
2. Tomas Hertl, C/LW	21	San Jose	17	4	5	9
3. Maxim Letunov, C	20	Connecticut (NCAA)
4. Kevin Labanc, RW	19	San Jose	20	4	2	6

Scoop: Meier, the ninth overall pick in 2015, scored in his NHL debut in Montreal at the Bell Centre, the kind indelible experience that also leaves a mark on team brass and fans.

 

27. NEW JERSEY DEVILS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Damon Severson, RD	22	New Jersey	33	3	15	18
2. Pavel Zacha, C	19	New Jersey	28	2	5	7
3. John Quenneville, C	20	Albany (AHL)	26	8	15	23
4. Michael McLeod, C	18	Mississauga (OHL)	26	6	22	28

Scoop: The Devils bet last summer that Severson, 22, could help pick up the slack for Adam Larsson’s departure. Looks like a good bet now, with Severson already closing in on a new career-high in points (22) through just one-third of the season.

 

28. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Nick Schmaltz, C	20	Chicago	26	1	3	4
2. Ryan Hartman, RW	21	Chicago	30	6	6	12
3. Gustav Forsling, LD	20	Chicago	29	1	3	4
4. Alex DeBrincat, RW	18	Erie (OHL)	28	30	30	60

Scoop: DeBrincat somehow didn’t show Team USA enough to crack their World Junior roster, perpetuating the anti-CHL narrative since he has a staggering 30 goals in 28 games for the OHL’s Erie Otters this season.

 

29. DALLAS STARS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Esa Lindell, LD	22	Dallas	25	2	3	5
2. Julius Honka, RD	19	Dallas	8	0	3	3
3. Devin Shore, C	22	Dallas	34	5	8	13
4. Radek Faksa, C	22	Dallas	34	4	8	12

Scoop: The Stars’ two Finnish defencemen, Lindell and Honka, have a lot of work to do before they can be considered as two true potential difference makers on the backend.

 

THE FINAL FOUR

30. LOS ANGELES KINGS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Adrian Kempe, LW	20	Ontario (AHL)	23	5	4	9
2. Kale Clague, RD	18	Brandon (WHL)	23	4	15	19
3. Erik Cernak, RD	19	Eric (OHL)	20	0	6	6
4. Jacob Moverare, LD	18	Mississauga (OHL)	28	1	14	15

Scoop: The Kings are the only team devoid of a true core player currently at the NHL level - no player on their roster meets the age criteria of this exercise. Maybe that shouldn’t be a surprise, though, as the Kings’ average first pick position has been 40th overall since 2011 because they’ve traded picks to gun for a third Stanley Cup.

[Down by the River]

The Top 10:

1. EDMONTON OILERS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Connor McDavid, C	19	Edmonton	35	12	28	40
2. Leon Draisaitl, C/W	19	Edmonton	35	14	17	31
3. Jesse Puljujarvi, RW	18	Edmonton	24	1	7	8
4. Oscar Klefbom, LD	23	Edmonton	35	5	7	12

Scoop: No player on the board holds a candle to McDavid, making the Oilers a clear winner. Perhaps Edmonton’s strength is also exhibited in the eligible players who didn’t make the cut: Darnell Nurse, Adam Larsson and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

 

2. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Auston Matthews, C	18	Toronto	32	16	9	25
2. Mitch Marner, RW	19	Toronto	32	8	17	25
3. Morgan Rielly, LD	22	Toronto	32	1	14	15
4. William Nylander, RW	20	Toronto	31	6	15	21

Scoop: The Maple Leafs may be the only team on the board with two true ‘Grade A’ prospects in Matthews and Marner, while Rielly is playing himself closer to the conversation of one of the NHL’s true No. 1 blueliners.

 

3. WINNIPEG JETS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Mark Scheifele, C	23	Winnipeg	33	14	17	31
2. Patrik Laine, RW	18	Winnipeg	36	19	11	30
3. Nikolaj Ehlers, LW	20	Winnipeg	36	9	20	29
4. Jacob Trouba, RD	22	Winnipeg	21	1	5	6

Scoop: Scouts were split on whether Winnipeg should be ahead of Toronto, but they are splitting hairs. Scheifele can drive production from the middle as well as anyone on this list short of McDavid. He can also dish the puck to Laine, already one of the NHL’s purest goal scorers.

 

4. CALGARY FLAMES

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Johnny Gaudreau, LW	23	Calgary	25	7	15	22
2. Sean Monahan, C	20	Calgary	35	10	10	20
3. Matthew Tkachuk, LW	18	Calgary	31	6	12	18
4. Dougie Hamilton, RD	23	Calgary	35	6	12	18

Scoop: Gaudreau and Monahan have been two of the most consistent producers across the NHL, combining for 141 points last year — the most of any duo on this board. Sam Bennett, who didn’t make the list, helped provide the tiebreaker over Tampa Bay.

 

THE BEST OF THE REST

 

5. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Nikita Kucherov, RW	23	Tampa Bay	28	13	17	30
2. Andrei Vasilevskiy, G	22	Tampa Bay	15	8-4-1	2.38	.923
3. Jonathan Drouin, LW	21	Tampa Bay	26	10	10	20
4. Brayden Point, C	20	Tampa Bay	34	3	11	14

Scoop: Kucherov has picked up the slack in Steven Stamkos’ absences, providing clutch goals for Tampa Bay. The Lightning are one of five teams with a goaltender talented enough to make the list; Vasilevskiy is strong enough to make trading established No. 1 Ben Bishop for expansion considerations feel like a fait accompli.

 

6. FLORIDA PANTHERS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Aleksander Barkov, C	20	Florida	34	9	17	26
2. Aaron Ekblad, RD	20	Florida	34	7	3	10
3. Jonathan Huberdeau, LW	23	Florida	-	-	-	-
4. Vincent Trocheck, C/RW	23	Florida	34	8	8	16

Scoop: The magic of Jaromir Jagr is rubbing off on Barkov and Huberdeau, who posted identical 59-point seasons last year.

 

7. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Zach Werenski, LD	19	Columbus	31	6	15	21
2. Seth Jones, RD	22	Columbus	25	5	8	13
3. Alexander Wennberg, C	21	Columbus	31	6	22	28
4. Brandon Saad, LW	23	Columbus	31	12	15	27

Scoop: Werenski, 19, is tracking toward a Calder Trophy finalist in a year teeming with talented rookies, while first-rounder Wennberg has also enjoyed his coming-out party.

 

8. BUFFALO SABRES

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Jack Eichel, C	18	Buffalo	11	5	3	8
2. Rasmus Ristolainen, RD	20	Buffalo	32	3	20	23
3. Alex Nylander, RW	18	Rochester (AHL)	29	5	12	17
4. Sam Reinhart, RW	19	Buffalo	32	7	11	18

Scoop: Eichel, 20, picked up right where he left off after missing the first 22 games of the season. He is on pace to finish with 60 points, with more help on the way next year from Nylander.

 

9. ANAHEIM DUCKS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Rickard Rakell, C	23	Anaheim	24	14	7	21
2. Hampus Lindholm, LD	22	Anaheim	22	1	3	4
3. Jacob Larsson, LD	19	Frolunda (SWE)	13	0	3	3
4. John Gibson, G	23	Anaheim	25	11-9-5	2.62	.907

Scoop: Add Larsson, 19, to the Ducks’ stacked list of young blueliners that includes Cam Fowler (too old for this exercise), Lindholm, Shea Theodore and Brandon Montour.

 

10. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

PLAYER	AGE	2016-17	GP	G	A	PTS
1. Ivan Provorov, LD	19	Philadelphia	36	3	12	15
2. Travis Konecny, RW	19	Philadelphia	36	4	12	16
3. Shayne Gostisbehere, LD	23	Philadelphia	34	4	12	16
4. Shawn Couturier, C	22	Philadelphia	20	5	3	8

Scoop: Provorov, 19, has emerged as Philadelphia’s No. 1 defenceman already, logging north of 22 minutes a night during their recent 10-game winning streak.

[JM_]

I"m just not buying Tkachuck and Doooogie Hamilton are better than Bo and OJ. 

 

Plus Demko makes a big difference not accounted for in the comparison. We're also 2-3 years behind most of these other teams in U24 development, its too early to be worried about this list. 

[Jägermeister]

14 minutes ago, S'all Good Man said:

I"m just not buying Tkachuck and Doooogie Hamilton are better than Bo and OJ. 

 

Plus Demko makes a big difference not accounted for in the comparison. We're also 2-3 years behind most of these other teams in U24 development, its too early to be worried about this list. 

I don't think anyone was really comparing just those 4 players.

The Flames also have Johnny G, Bennett and Monahan to factor in.  Whereas we don't have any other U24 other players of that calibre just yet.

They undoubtedly have a better young core than we do as it currently stands.

[Down by the River]

If you look at the Anaheim Ducks (ranked 9th), they have an elite under 24 goaltender in Gibson (Demko with this potential), a very steady dman in Lindholm (Juolevi with this potential), a 25-30 goal scorer in Rakell (Bo), and a solid D prospect in Larsson (Stetcher/Hutton though age is not comparable; I'd like to see another dman drafted in June).

 

I think Rakell is in part a product of who he plays with; Bo has more potential to carry a line/lead a team. Stetcher is much older than Larsson, and that about covers the Ducks' core 4 and this is not even counting Boeser and a top 5-7 pick in this year's draft. Things could be worse.

[DeltaSwede]

I've got the Jets ahead of the Leafs. Pretty clear in my mind. 

[Tre Mac]

Why is Hutton on that list and not Demko?

[GB5]

The Leafs have certainly become the Toronto Sports Network's media darlings. I wonder how those guys would do in the playoffs.....if they ever make them.

 

Demko should be on the Canucks list instead of Hutton. just because he is not in the NHL doesn't mean he isn't a key piece to this team's future. So far Demko is showing a very similar development track to Schneider who is one of the best goalies in the NHL.

[kingofsurrey]

Unfortunately hockey is a team game so we need 23 on the roster  -  not  4. 

[NEON.KNEE]

Scoop: The Maple Leafs may be the only team on the board with two true ‘Grade A’ prospects in Matthews and Marner, while Rielly is playing himself closer to the conversation of one of the NHL’s true No. 1 blueliners.

 

This is only true in Toronto...I don't think many people are calling Rielly a No.1...He is top pairing on a weak ass Maple Leafs team.  I'll give him credit for making the most of his ice time, but c'mon .

And the statement about the only team with 2 true "Grade A" Prospects?  WTF?  Poolparty and Draisaitl are both better prospects than Marner...Sceifle has PROVEN he is Grade A...I hate Hockey coverage in Canada

[oldnews]

LOL Leafs over Jets.

Comical. Predictable.

These lists are such a stooooopid exercise.

 

"So much is riding on Juolevi".   Herpaderp.  Already the youngest blueline in the league without Juolevi in the lineup, but thanks for coming out.

 

Demko also says hello Craig, but then again, you never were good at lists.

[Down by the River]

1 minute ago, NEON.KNEE said:

Scoop: The Maple Leafs may be the only team on the board with two true ‘Grade A’ prospects in Matthews and Marner, while Rielly is playing himself closer to the conversation of one of the NHL’s true No. 1 blueliners.

 

This is only true in Toronto...I don't think many people are calling Rielly a No.1...He is top pairing on a weak ass Maple Leafs team.  I'll give him credit for making the most of his ice time, but c'mon .

 

The number of times Tanev rescued him at the Worlds made it pretty clear that offensive production was impacted by being less defensively responsible. Not a #1 dman. 

[timberz21]

Not that it makes a difference, but there are a lot of mistake in prospect's age.

 

Honka is 21 (20 at the time of the vote) not 19

Eichel is 20 (19 at the time of the vote) not 18

Monahan is 22 (21 at the time of the vote) 20

 

This is the one I notice I'm sure there is more.

[luckylager]

Oh ya.

 

Incredible the top two teams were allowed to get there by disgracing the game by intentionally sucking for years and years.

[oldnews]

CBJ have a guy like Boone Jenner that doesn't make their top 4 and Craig et al have them in the 7 spot lol.

 

Werenski Jones Murray

Wennberg Jenner Saad

 

[LaBamba]

14 minutes ago, oldnews said:

LOL Leafs over Jets.

Comical. Predictable.

These lists are such a stooooopid exercise.

 

"So much is riding on Juolevi".   Herpaderp.  Already the youngest blueline in the league without Juolevi in the lineup, but thanks for coming out.

 

Demko also says hello Craig, but then again, you never were good at lists.

 

He had Virtanen in the 40's in his draft year so maybe he isn't completely lost. 

 

This thread has whining excuses written all over it. 

[oldnews]

Earlier this year Button had Demko at #1 in the franchise and Boeser at #2

 

He had Demko at #15 among all prospects

Boeser at #20.

 

Not sure how Demko doesn't make the Canucks top 4, but hey, who cares - this is a Craigslist after all - the guy is like the weather.

 

All due respect to Hutton - he doesn't belong there - he's closer to 8th than 3rd.

[Honky Cat]

Stecher is a gift from the hockey gods and he easily makes it over Hutton...As the OP pointed out,It's pretty tough for us to qualify in this poll, as neither Juolevi and Boeser have turned pro yet..Early days.

 

 

[nergish]

6 minutes ago, Tre Mac said:

Why is Hutton on that list and not Demko?

Just awful. 

1. Boeser
2. Demko
3. Horvat
4. Juolevi

____________
5. Stecher

That's the real list. Plus Jake is still a massive wildcard.

And, if we're talking BEST players NOT YET in the NHL, we might even be top 5. 
Boeser, Juolevi, and Demko are a holy trifectra. This is a core group within itself.


Listening to 1040, they're going on about Ehlers and Tkachuk. 
We have Horvat, he brings a lot of the same elements that Tkachuk does, and of course our fan base loves him...we're good with Bo.
We may also be in the running for a guy like Nico Hischier, who looks like an even more dynamic Ehlers.

The sky is not falling, it's just as they put it: "all these other teams have opened their presents and are already playing with their toys. We'll have to wait for ours".

[oldnews]

10 minutes ago, LaBamba said:

 

He had Virtanen in the 40's in his draft year so maybe he isn't completely lost. 

 

4 hours ago, LaBamba said:

Any homeschooled nerd can look at a draft years later and be like "we shoulda" If you saw JV live in Jr you wouldn't have had any problem with the pick. Combine that with his local affiliation, it was a no brainer.

 

 

 

Regardless, LB - it is irrelevent - who would put Virtanen in that top 4?