Maybe he will. But I'm not sure he has enough skill to make it on that alone and doesn't seem to have much to fall back on if he doesn't. PP weapon. Also a below average skater.

I think in past years he'd still be a top 10 for me and is for others. Sign of a deeper system.
- Tojo.

Oh for sure, I don't have much hope for him being a NHL regular, just love the name hahah

I would love to see him called up and the two of them go at it hahaha...fvck yeah
- MattStrat

Most likely Rempe would have to do something in a previous game for Sullivan to give the go ahead.

I just like bringing guys like him up because it’s almost like it offends some of you that he has a hockey career. He may play against Rempe for 1 game. Only reason I can see why they signed him.
- Grinder47

Doesn't offend me at all. Just saying you tend to mostly like the fringe guys.

Oh for sure, I don't have much hope for him being a NHL regular, just love the name hahah
- MattStrat

It is a great name. And I'm not writing him off either, kid has some hands.

Doesn't offend me at all. Just saying you tend to mostly like the fringe guys.
- Tojo.

Says the guy who is currently making lists of teenagers, some if not most of which will never play an NHL game or score an NHL goal.

I heard they are going to bring Reaves and Rempe in to have a fighting 4th line

Imama - Rempe - Reaves

Says the guy who is currently making lists of teenagers, some if not most of which will never play an NHL game or score an NHL goal.
- Grinder47

Tojo is one of if not the most balanced and nuanced posters here. You’re just proving how much of a clown you are once again.

Says the guy who is currently making lists of teenagers, some if not most of which will never play an NHL game or score an NHL goal.
- Grinder47

Brutal comment. Come on, man. He posted about top prospects of the team you're supposedly a fan of. I bet there'd be no issues if he had done the Islanders top 10 prospects. I appreciated him posting that in the detail that he did like I appreciate pretty much everything he posts.

His assessment of you adoring fringe NHLers/4th line guys was pretty accurate haha. Very long sample size around here of that being the case...but that should probably be expected of someone who chose the user name Grinder. Not to say that all grinders are 4th liners/fringe NHLers...just the ones you seem to always love.

Thanks for the kind words Feds and Matt.

I missed that St. Ivany turned 25 this week, so technically he's out and that cleans up the top ten.

Just for kicks, here's my top 11 under 25 (5-11 are all pretty close for me)

1) Yager- Aside from maybe the goalies, this is one potential core piece they have. Not an elite prospect, but has a chance to be a 2 way center with 30 goal upside.

2) Blomqvist- was one of the top goalies in the AHL as a rookie. If he maintains that with a lesser defense this year we should be seeing him soon

3) Murashov- I'm putting him higher than most people because I think he has star potential and you can't say that with most everyone else. If he goes to WBS, there will be a strong battle for future starter.

4) Pickering- still tracking as a top four defensive defenseman, but looking closer to a 4 than a 2 and never developed that offensive side they hoped when they took him in the first round.

5) Howe- first of three tweener forwards that we can hope become middle six types. Grit in his game gives him the edge for me

6) Ilyin- put up 29 points in 65 games in the KHL as a teenager. Smart, 2 way player that might be a steal in the 4th round because his skill level doesn't stand out and he's Russian.

7) Koivunen- 2 years ago he didn't look like he could skate in the AHL in a 12 game tryout, let alone be in the NHL. This year, he had one of the best seasons ever in his Finnish league for a 20 year old. Probably one of the most interesting prospects to watch early on as his stick will go way up or down depending on how he looks in the AHL.

8) Poulin- injuries and taking a year off for mental health have stalled him the past couple years. But still had 16 goals and 31 points in 41 games while playing a physical 2 way game. Would need to clear waivers, but Pens haven't left spots open, so he will need a strong camp and start to the year or risk being buried.

9) Brunicke- on talent, the Pens reached for him in the second round as he seems more like a 4-5 at best right now. But he's a big, physical, right shot defenseman who can skate. The Pens don't have a lot of most of those things in their system so he can still be a nice role player, he just doesn't have as high an upside.

10) Ponomarev- strong debut AHL season with 24 goals in 64 games but slipped to 8 in 39 while battling injuries. Dependable 2 way center with skating issues. Probably ready to push for a spot, but like Poulin with Lizotte and Hayes coming in it limits his opportunity, and in his case he doesn't need waivers. Besides that one AHL year, he hasn't been that big a scorer, so I think he's a bit overrated.

11) St. Ivany- breakout season saw him end the year in Pittsburgh and looked solid. Will have to fend off veteran Aho who plays either side, but looks like an NHL regular. Not sure he is much beyond 6-7 guy, but it's enough that he just misses my top ten and I wouldn't argue if someone else put him in.

Honorable mentions that have a shot but longer odds IMO: Broz, Cruz, Pieninemi, Ludwig, Gruden, Powell, Plante in that order
- Tojo.

I like this. Thanks for the thoughtful comment which lead to some fun discussion.

I think Pickering could model after Petterson - maybe a top pairing compliment, or a dependable 2nd pairing guy. As for the players we got from Carolina, I’m not as low on them as you are (and you mention that this list is loose after 5), but I think you’ve pretty much nailed their order.

As for Yager, who would be our breakout comparison for him in a best-case-scenario? With his height-weight- and play style, I think he could be a Mitch Marner light (60-80pts). Thoughts?

From previous blog:

Says the guy who is currently making lists of teenagers, some if not most of which will never play an NHL game or score an NHL goal.
- Grinder47

From being so *smack-on* in regard to Chef Carter to mostly a *smack-off* on everything else. Yikes -

I like this. Thanks for the thoughtful comment which lead to some fun discussion.

I think Pickering could model after Petterson - maybe a top pairing compliment, or a dependable 2nd pairing guy. As for the players we got from Carolina, I’m not as low on them as you are (and you mention that this list is loose after 5), but I think you’ve pretty much nailed their order.

As for Yager, who would be our breakout comparison for him in a best-case-scenario? With his height-weight- and play style, I think he could be a Mitch Marner light (60-80pts). Thoughts?
- Brownsoldier

It will be interesting to see Pickering in the Ahl this year. Took him a long time to get there with his growth spurt issues. Hopefully those are behind him and he can develop. At best case I hope he becomes a Dumo. Cracks the nhl at 26 but becomes a dependable partner.