Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Ranking the five best prospect teams to watch for future NHL talent

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Monday, 14 October 2019 18:20

Who said the only good hockey is in the NHL? Prospect teams all over North America offer a good look at the next wave of young talent. There are a few farm, college and junior teams that stand out for their high-end rosters, and I circle and star games on their schedules every season.

For example, Friday's game between Boston College and the University of Wisconsin featured more than 20 NHL draft picks, including five of the first 16 selections from 2019. You're always going to see a higher number of NHL-connected players in the AHL and men's college hockey, and there are few better places to watch upcoming draft talent than Canadian junior. There's an abundance of options across North America to get a glimpse of the future of the game.

Here's a look at five of the most exciting, prospect-packed teams outside of the NHL to watch this season -- and a spotlight game to check out for each team.

1. Grand Rapids Griffins, AHL

Because of the way the Detroit Red Wings have drafted recently, and due to the circumstances of this being a rebuilding year, fans can see five of the organization's past six first-round draft picks in one place. The Griffins' roster includes 2019 first-round defenseman Moritz Seider, 2018 selections Filip Zadina and Joe Veleno, 2015 first-rounder Evgeni Svechnikov and 2017 first-rounder Michael Rasmussen, who spent all of the previous season with Detroit but was sent down to get more reps at his natural position of center.

All of that talent in one place provides a unique glimpse of the organization in its development phase, reminiscent of the traditional Red Wings model of overripening prospects by using all the tools at the team's disposal. Detroit needs pretty much all of these guys to hit in one way or another. Svechnikov is older, and the time for him to maximize his value seems to be dwindling, but the rest are absolute keys to the next era of Red Wings hockey.

In addition to the first-rounders, Grand Rapids is home to the Red Wings' top goalie prospect, Filip Larsson, who spent last season with the University of Denver. Among the other notable prospects currently marinating on the farm are Finnish import Oliwer Kaski, college free agent Ryan Kuffner and recent second-round pick Gustav Lindstrom.

Game to watch: vs. Rockford IceHogs, 7 p.m. ET Nov. 15 (AHL.tv)

Read 363 times

Soccer

Superstars often leave Dortmund, but BVB inch toward Champions League final anyway

Superstars often leave Dortmund, but BVB inch toward Champions League final anyway

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDORTMUND, Germany -- Borussia Dortmund don't need a star to sparkle...

Wrexham want to increase stadium size to 55K

Wrexham want to increase stadium size to 55K

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has long-held ambitions of taking t...

USWNT legend Lloyd pregnant with her first child

USWNT legend Lloyd pregnant with her first child

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsUnited States women's national team legend Carli Lloyd announced sh...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

NBA: Refs missed Maxey travel on 4-point play

NBA: Refs missed Maxey travel on 4-point play

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAccording to the NBA's Last Two Minute report from Game 5 of the in...

Wolves' Conley named NBA's Teammate of Year

Wolves' Conley named NBA's Teammate of Year

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMinnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley was named the NBA's Twyman...

Baseball

Cora touts roster flexibility as Yoshida latest to IL

Cora touts roster flexibility as Yoshida latest to IL

EmailPrintBOSTON -- Injuries continue to pile up for the Boston Red Sox as the team placed designate...

Family of Microsoft exec joins Mariners ownership

Family of Microsoft exec joins Mariners ownership

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSEATTLE -- Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith and wife K...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated